Providence

The capital city of Providence, from Benefit Street's Mile of History on the East Side to festive Federal Hill, Rhode Island's own Little Italy, is known and loved for its abundance of historic and cultural attractions.

Four centuries of history are alive and well on the streets of Providence, as evident in the scores of immaculately preserved Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian houses located throughout the city. The Rhode Island State House, Arcade, John Brown House and the First Baptist Meeting House in America are among the many historic buildings, which are open to the public year-round.

The city-scape of Providence has undergone some dramatic changes, with the opening of the Providence Place Mall, one of the finest shopping and dining centers on the East Coast.

The Westin Hotel has already become an architectural landmark with its multi-gabled roofs and brick facade, and the Courtyard by Marriott has recently opened directly across from the new mall. Adjacent to the Westin is the Rhode Island Convention Center with 100,000 square foot main exhibition hall, perfect for international business and world-class events. The complex also houses a World Trade Center.

Another major development is Waterplace Park, a magnificent four-acre oasis in the central business district. From the Park's Cove Basin, one can explore the city along a landscaped river-walks system.

The historic campus of Brown University, one of the four original Ivy League schools, is a highlight of Providence's East Side. Nearby is some of the finest restored architecture in the country ranging from the colonial to the Victorian period. These are the very streets where Edgar Alan Poe wooed Helen Whitman and H.P. Lovecraft wandered for inspiration.

Providence's restaurant scene has attracted national attention for its quality and creativity. Shoppers should not miss the historic Arcade, America's oldest shopping galleria, built in 1828. There is also a good supply of fine art galleries and antique shops in the historic district.

Providence also offers a host of renowned attractions for connoisseurs of the arts. Tony Award winning Trinity Repertory Company, the Rhode Island Philharmonic and the Museum of Art/Rhode Island School of Design offer acclaimed theatre, fine arts and orchestral music. Other exciting entertainment options include the seasonal Broadway series at the Providence Performing Arts Center.

Providence is also home to the finest zoo in New England, the Roger Williams Park and Zoo. Animals at the zoo range from penguins and polar bears to elephants and giraffes. There is also a petting zoo. A Plains of Africa exhibit takes visitors into a landscape that recreates the flora of Africa. The Park and Zoo also have a pond where visitors can rent paddle boats and there is a picturesque Temple to Music that is the site of numerous fresh-air concerts and a popular backdrop for photos.

Providence is home to the Boston Bruins' top farm team. The 1999 Calder Cup champion Providence Bruins play all their hockey games at the Providence Civic Center, which is also home to Providence College basketball games and major concerts and special events.