Going To R.I.

[tj's400ex]

I'm flying in to Providence for a business trip. I will on have about 4+ hours to squeeze in some sight seeing. Any suggestions?

[tjtryon]

Sightseeing, in Providence, RI? Didn't know that people actually did that... If you can get more time, a trip to the cape is not too bad for a day trip...

[McGee]

4 hrs isn't much time to see any city really, but assuming your meeting is IN the city of Providence I'd offer these suggestions (in no particular order.)

Walk along the river and look at some of the sculptures.
Take a tour of the State house
Go to the RISD art museum
Walk along Benefit St/College hill to see the colonial houses and Brown University buildings.
I believe there is a "duck tour" now which highlights some of the historical buildings and then splashes into the bay for part of the tour.
Go take a walk on federal hill, look at the old time sausage and poultry stores and have a meal in one of the MANY fantastic restaurants (I know I said no particular order, but this should be #1)

If you have a REAL solid 4 hours, a car, and a good map you can always head down to the south coast beachs or even newport if you just want to drive by the front of the mansions.

Providence isn't a bad city, it just has a bad rap...

[land_shark3]

Pack a canoe and enjoy the new river.

[tj's400ex]

4 hrs isn't much time to see any city really, but assuming your meeting is IN the city of Providence I'd offer these suggestions (in no particular order.)

Walk along the river and look at some of the sculptures.
Take a tour of the State house
Go to the RISD art museum
Walk along Benefit St/College hill to see the colonial houses and Brown University buildings.
I believe there is a "duck tour" now which highlights some of the historical buildings and then splashes into the bay for part of the tour.
Go take a walk on federal hill, look at the old time sausage and poultry stores and have a meal in one of the MANY fantastic restaurants (I know I said no particular order, but this should be #1)

If you have a REAL solid 4 hours, a car, and a good map you can always head down to the south coast beachs or even newport if you just want to drive by the front of the mansions.

Providence isn't a bad city, it just has a bad rap...

Thanks McGee.
Turns out I will have a solid 4-6 and it looks like Food and Newport are on the list. The cliff-walk looked interesting too. Seeing I've never been farther east than Chicago. What's the bad rap of Providence?

[elderflowerapplejuice]

I know you may not have time to get there, but it's worth a shot. In Jamestown R.I. There is a great Margaritaville-type bar. It's called Tricia's Tropic Grill. It looks like something right out of Key West, they play Buffett and reggae all day, excellent food and drinks. Newport is a great place to see too. Hope this helps.

...throught the people and places and Caldawoods rum...

[SchoolGirlHeart]

I know you may not have time to get there, but it's worth a shot. In Jamestown R.I. There is a great Margaritaville-type bar. It's called Tricia's Tropic Grill. It looks like something right out of Key West, they play Buffett and reggae all day, excellent food and drinks. Newport is a great place to see too. Hope this helps.

...throught the people and places and Caldawoods rum...

Two thumbs up for Tricia's.

Best Cuban Sandwich around.

Great boat drinks.

Conch fritters!!!!!!!!!!!!

[aeroparrot]

First thing I have to say is I'm sorry.

Sorry don't remember much of Providence to see.

[McGee]

Turns out I will have a solid 4-6 and it looks like Food and Newport are on the list. The cliff-walk looked interesting too. Seeing I've never been farther east than Chicago. What's the bad rap of Providence?

If you have the 4-6 hours like you think you do, then I'd leave providence and head to Newport (or Jamestown as stated above) You'll get to see some really nice New England shore line if you do. If you've never seen it, it will probably be more fulfilling than seeing some of the colonial architecture or modern sculptures in Providence. As an FYI, in non rush hour traffic times you can plan on 40 minutes to Newport (35 minutes to Jamestown) from Providence. If you're going back to the airport you can chop 10 minutes off for the return trip.

If you decide on the coast, let me know what you'd like to see (sandy coastline, the mansions, rocky coastline, the touristy area of Newport, etc) and I'll give you some more ideas.

[SchoolGirlHeart]

If you're going to Newport or Jamestown, you'll have to time your trip carefully, as traffic can be pretty ugly during rush hour.....

Do you know what four hours on what day of the week? And are you going all the way back to Providence or straight to the airport?

[McGee]

I lived in RI 37 years and now live only 5 minutes from the state line but I've never been to (or heard of for that matter) Tricia's tropical grille until I read about it on this thread.

Me and Mrs. Mcgee went there for lunch today and it is about as close to a key west restaurant as I've found outside of the Conch Republic itself. If you squint a little and use your imagination you can almost believe the trees you're sitting under are Banyon trees!!

Great food, fresh Florida Grouper and the best conch fritters north of Alabama Jacks (I was afraid they'd be too much like clam cakes but they weren't)