Providence, RI -- October
 

After a convention in Providence will have several free days to travel in the area. Can anyone recommend places to stay or things to see? It's not very many miles to Boston, Plymouth, Newport, etc., but does it take a long time to drive there. (We live in an area where 50 miles means 50 minutes -- or less.) Thanks, in advance. <BR>

Hi There, <BR> <BR>Definitely plan on spending time in Newport. What a gem, especially in October. Explore the mansions, town (great boutiques, restaurants, pubs, <BR>history, etc.) seaport, and take time out for the infamous Cliff walk which follows behind the mansions on cliff overlooking the Atlantic. The town is charming & quaint with its cobblestone streets (very New England). <BR> <BR>Enjoy!

If you are staying in Providence, it's an easy train ride to Boston (less than an hour). When you get into South Station, either walk or take the T to Downtown Crossing (Filene's Basement, jeweler's building, etc.), Copley Plaza, the Freedom Trail, etc. If you want to explore beautiful and quaint towns in the Providence area, go to Wickford, Jamestown, Watch Hill. Drive to Point Judith and take the ferry to Block Island. There's plenty to see and do in this area! Enjoy!

I don't live here, so only one experience, but I was in Providence in October and it was raining, windy and very dreary. That might be an exception rather than the rule, you'd have to check with natives. I would think head inland---I would revisit Lexington and Concord in a minute or Boston, of course. <BR>

Definetly if your gonna have a few free days head up to Boston without a doubt. I live about 20 minutes north of Providence and work in Boston. It's a little more than 50 miles and it DEFINETLY is not a 50 minute drive. The traffic heading into Boston and out of town is rediculous! Especially now that they are doing tons of construction of the expressway!! Your better of taking the train in town, to South Station like someone had previouslt mentioed. There's A LOT of history to Boston, if you walk the Freedom trail you'll get a good feel for Boston and then you can possibly hook up with a tour or go on your own. If your a shopper, Copley Square has a lot of nice stores a little pricey but VERY nice. Also downtown crossing is another good area to spend sometime and do some shopping. You could get off the commuter rail at South Station and walk up to downtown crossing or switch over to the "T". The subway is VERY easy to adjust to so make that the least of your concerns. Driving into Boston like I said before can be a nightmere sometimes about 2 hours from Providence to Boston depending on the time. I work at 9am so I get it both ways and the longest it took was 2 1/2 hours so don't drive. Parking is ridiculous also!! You can buy a T pass for so much that you pay one flat rate and ride all day or you can keep purchasing token which are $.85. You may want to buy just a few tokens it would proabblly work to your advantage cuz theres a lot of walking involved. Feel free to email me if you want so more advice!! Also Definetly visit Legal Seafood and have a cup of famous clam chowder!! Have a great time. <BR>