Museums
Roger Williams National Memorial
282 north main street, +1 401 521-7266, (http://www.nps.gov/rowi). daily 9am-4:30pm. the memorial is on a common lot of the original settlement of providence, and celebrates our freedom of religion as first proclaimed by roger williams 1603-1683 and now set forth in the first amendment of the constitution. the memorial is set upon 4.5 acres of landscaped park and includes several interpretive exhibits about roger williams and his time, including a short film. free.
Providence Children's Museum
100 south st., +1 401 273-5437 (http://www.childrenmuseum...) offers a variety of exhibits to provide hands-on fun. open september to march tuesday through sunday and monday holidays 9am to 6pm 8pm on select friday evenings and april to labor day daily 9am to 6pm 8pm on select friday evenings. admission is $8.50 per person, children under 12 months free. the museum accepts cash, check, discover, visa and mastercard. family memberships can be purchased at (http://www.childrenmuseum...). park a picnic lunch and eat either in one of the 3 assembly rooms or in the beautiful outdoor picnic area. the museum is fun for all ages and includes exhibits such as a water table, an exploration of the history of rhode island, wind rooms, dinosaur digs, building blocks and so much more.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Museum
The museum was founded in 1877 as a part of the Rhode Island School of Design. The museum building is a gem. It houses over 86,000 pieces of art from all over the world, ranging from ancient to modern times. The museum thrives on its diversity, creative and cultural expression and its consistency to open new exhibits.
John Brown House Museum
Visit the first mansion ever built in Providence from 1768! Located in College Hill, It was built and named after John Brown, one of the early benefactors from Brown University. It was donated in 1901 to the RI Preservation Society and available today for tours including original pieces from the Brown Estate.
Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum
Visit this historic mansion from the Victorian era for a chance to see some beautiful architecture and a small piece of Providence history. Today it is a National Historic Landmark and available for guided tours and even wedding receptions. Located near College Hill, this mansion includes original stained windows and stenciling which is a must see.
Culinary Archives & Museum at Johnson & Wales University
315 harborside blvd. tu-su, 10am-5pm.this museum documents the history of the culinary and hospitality industries, which includes a diner and stove museum.
The Museum of Natural History and Planetarium at Roger Williams Park
1000 elmwood ave, +1 401 785-9457 ext.221 (http://www.providenceri.c...) museum: su-sa 10am-5pm. admission is $2, $1 for children under 7. planetarium: weekends 2pm-5pm, also open on holidays and school vacation summer, winter and spring break. admission is $3, $2 for children under 7. founded in 1896, the museum of natural history is rhode islandâs only natural history museum and houses the stateâs sole public planetarium. the museum is modest in size, yet houses a wide array of local selections: birds, marine animals, insects, floral and faunal species, minerals, fossils and much more. exhibits specializing in the tools and textiles of new englandâs native american populations can bee seen here. the building's colonial style of architecture is history lesson in itself. see the museum for a quiet and intimate learning experience. this museum is highly recommended for children, as it hosts tons of interactive activities and workshops. the cormack planetarium offers multiple programs and exhibitions such as cosmic collisions, field trip to the moon, our place in space, sky views, and much more. shows rotate often and are offered to both general and family audiences. the planetarium shows run usually for a half hour, and are available saturday and sunday at 2 pm as well as daily during ri spring and winter breaks (http://cityof.providencer...). the planetarium now features a state-of-the-art zeiss star projector and an enlarged domed ceiling, which is able to show the starry sky and the motions of the planets at unprecedented detail.
Providence is a city rich in unique architecture, beautiful streetscapes and stimulating intellectual pursuits. One of America's older cities, Providence features many historic buildings like the Rhode Island State House and Trinity Repertory Theater. These locations, among others, exemplify some of the country's best 19th and 20th century architecture. The RISD museum and Roger Williams Park Zoo offer days of fun sightseeing for adults and children alike.
architecture
Rhode Island State House
82 Smith Street, +1 401 222-2357, (http://www.rilin.state.ri...). M-F 8:30AM-4:30PM. Built from 1894 to 1901. The current state house is a wonder that has the world's fourth-largest self-supported marble dome. This monumental amazement is 300 feet long, 180 wide, and 233 feet high. Features inside this gigantic building are: the Bell Room, American Revolution regiment flags, a Rotunda, Gun Room, the State Library, House and Senate Chambers and Lounges, Charter room, and many other fascinating tantalizing rooms including one that houses the original 1663 portrait of George Washington by RI native Gilbert Stuart; whose painting is the same face that went on the U.S. one dollar bill. Designed by the notable McKim, Mead and White architectural firm. Come see the State House lit up in pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness every October. Accompany this visit of the pink State House with a walk around Providence's WaterFire See below in 'do'. Guided tours of the building are offered Monday - Friday 9am to 12pm. Self-guided tours may be taken Monday - Friday 9am to 3:30pm.Brown University
45 Prospect Street, +1 401 863-2378. The school's Ivy League campus, dating back to the 1700's, features buildings from nearly every American architectural movement. Best to visit in May-September when school is largely out of session and weather is amenable to walking.Besides the State House, Providence has some significant works of architecture, of the more noteworthy:
Though professional tours of the city are not offered, a book featuring 12 self-guided walking tours of the city's architecture is available for purchase at the Providence Preservation Society, 21 Meeting Street, +1 401 831-7440, (http://www.ppsri.org/).