Providence RI help
 

I'm going to a work conference in Providence next week, and am interested in any suggestions Fodorites have for the evening hours. I love good food, music, museums, shopping, and am willing to try anything at least once! I'd also love to go to Newport - is there any way without a car? Thanks for any help you can give.

I know that you can take a ferry from Providence to Newport. Check out ripta.com for details.It leaves you in Newport in an area of a lot of fun shops and restaurants. There are many wonderful restaurants downtown that I'm sure other posters can give you first hand experience about. Federal Hill has a lot of Italian restaurants. Providence Place mall is right downtown. You could always check Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) website for shows.

We have enjoyed bar dining at Mill's Tavern on NMain. Big room, great eating bar.

If you take a ferry to Newport, check ahead about public transportation. Ocean Ave is beautiful, otherwise the Cliff walk and downtown will due too.

thanks for the ideas -I'm looking forward to exploring and just wish I had more time!!

Don't miss at least one dinner in teh Italian district..your conferenec organizers or hotel could recommend...really authentic Italian food.
Don't know if it is still there but I used to eat at a restaurant with the words Capital Grill..saw all kinds of famous people their..ate next to Robert Vaugn once and Scotty Hamilton.

We have eaten dinner at The CAv, a wonderful eclectic restaurant near the State House, in the old jewelry district. The River Cafe, just down from College Hill, is another excellent spot for dinner. There is a trolley, that will take you to the various areas of downtown. By all means, go to Federal Hill, walk around and enjoy the old Italian section, and peruse Venda Ravioli, a wonderful purveyor on Federal Hill, and have lunch.
Providence.com is the website for the city, and will let you know what is happening at the Trinity Repertory theatre. On Westminster St. is the shop where the students and alumni of R.I.S.D. showcase there wares, and it has some very inovative and not expensive things. The RISD museum is well worth a stop, as is the Atheneum, on Benefit St.
College Hill is fun to explore, and just beyond the East side, lots of fun boutique's, artisian cheese shops,and art galleries.
You'll enjoy- it may not be too late for Waterfire- be sure and check.

Johnson & Wales has a very unusual culinary museum housed in warehouse. You want to get a reservation for a student tour guide. There's a lot of different stoves with fascinating histories. Check the hours. We went during the day. Federal Hill is definitely a must, esp if you like to cook.

Great restaurants abound in Providence .. one of my personal favorites there is the Capital Grill .. equally good is the Napa Valley Grill .. just to name a couple .. so many many more .. and just over the hill in Little Italy .. it is the same .. I would also mention Pastiche .. a lovely little out of the way pastry/coffee shop there .. Little Italy not to be missed .. walk around .. explore and do some tasting at some of the food shops .. enjoy this wonderful city ! If the River Fire is going on .. take that in by all means .. there are websites with dates and times as well ..

thanks for all the ideas - I'm printing this up and taking it with me. Love Italian food so this trip looks great!!Unfortunately, RiverFire is not going on while I'm there, but what a cool idea!! I also checked out the RISD museum and am definitely going - looks like several John Singer Sargents and a very nice little Renoir!!

Yes, yes Pastiche is wonderful, and right up the street from a great Italian rest called Casa Christine (bring your own wine), and another very popular pizza place.

Capital Grill is a chain restaurant that you can visit in many major cities. For unique Providence restaurants, try Camille's or Mediterraneo Caffe on Federal Hill. Caserta's Pizza is also a Providence institution.

Peter Pan bus lines will get you from Providence to Newport for a reasonable price.