Providence in One Day

Begin at the Rhode Island State House, where the south portico looks over the city of Providence and the farthest reaches of Narragansett Bay. Next, proceed along the riverfront to the East Side's College Hill area, for a stroll along Benefit Street. Must-sees in this neighborhood of abundant Colonial architecture are the Museum of Art at the Rhode Island School of Design, the Providence Athenaeum, the magnificent John Brown House Museum, and Prospect Terrace, a pocket park with a statue of Roger Williams and a gorgeous view of Downtown. You'll find plenty of great lunch options, as well as some cool shops, along Wickenden Street, at the neighborhood's southern end.

Head back down the hill toward Downtown, strolling along Waterplace Park and Riverwalk, the centerpiece of the city's revitalization. As dinnertime approaches, make your way west into the famed Italian-American neighborhood of Federal Hill, where you'll find dozens of restaurants and cafés.