Providence City Guide: Attractions

WaterFire Providence (pictured above)
Riverwalk and Waterplace Park, Memorial Boulevard and Exchange Street, Providence, RI
(401) 273-1155
www.waterfire.org
Hours: Saturday (May–October): Sunset-Midnight
Price: Free
Age Range: Baby, Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

Labeled by the Providence Journal as the most popular work of art in the city’s history, this award-winning installation can’t be missed. With over 200 on-going fires and lightings, WaterFire has revitalized and maintained the city as the Creative Capital. All “Full Fire” installations are located in Waterplace Park, and take place on Saturday between late May and early October from sunset until a little past midnight. Schedule for other fire installations are listed on the website.

Providence Children’s Museum
100 South Street, Providence, RI
(401) 273-5437
www.childrenmuseum.org
Hours:
April-Labor Day: 9am-6pm (daily)*
September-March: Tuesday-Sunday: 9am-6pm (daily)*
*Select Friday evenings until 8pm.
Price:  Children (under 12 months): Free, $8.50 per person
Age Range: Baby, Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

When the Providence Children’s Museum first opened in the 1970’s, their goal was to create a place for lively learning and fun, just as the already established Boston and Brooklyn children’s museums. Since then, it’s welcomes over thousands of visitors per year and has expanded its commitment to serving children with the Playworks Campaign for Kids and other interactive exhibits. There’s even an Imagination Playground program, and the Discovery Studio for the little explorers in the family.

Roger Williams Park Zoo
1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI
(401) 941-4998 x 316
www.rwpzoo.org
Hours: 9am-4pm (daily)
Price: Children (Under 3): Free, Children (3-12): $9.95, Adults: $14.95, Seniors (age 62+): $12.95
Age Range: Baby, Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

You and your grandkids could a little wild and let loose at one of the country’s oldest zoo, Roger Williams Park Zoo. Your grandkids could enjoy a tropical experience with the new anteater exhibit, or explore an old-time favorite, Wetlands Trails, where visitors can see a variety of blue herons, Canada geese and turtles.  

Providence Museum of Natural History & Planetarium
1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI
(401) 785-9457
www.providenceri.com/museum
Hours:
September-June, 10am-5pm (daily)
July-August, 10am-4pm (daily)
October-June, 10am-4pm (daily)
Museum Price: Children (age 4 and under): Free, $2 per person
Planetarium Price: $3 per person, Children (age 4 and under) Not permitted
Age Range: Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

The Providence Museum of Natural History and Planetarium is home to over 25,000 specimens from all over the world. Some of its best exhibits include cultural objects from Africa, the South Seas and the Victorian era, which inspired the founding of the museum itself. The Planetarium also has a great, on-going exhibit on Saturn and other cosmic explorations. Check the website for exact schedule of Planetarium exhibits.

La Gondola
Memorial Boulevard and Exchange Street, Providence, RI
(401) 421-8877
www.gondolari.com
Hours: May-October: 9am-1pm (daily), Sunday-Thursday: 5-11:00pm
Price: $79 (for 2 people).*
*Up to four (4) additional passengers may be added for $15 per person.
Age Range: Elementary, Tween, Teen

While in Providence, don’t forget to visit the gondeliers and musicians that make up, La Gondola. These artists take visitors along the Woonasquatucket and Providence Rivers through the City, river walks and Providence’s new waterfront parks. The trips are approximately 40 minutes long and reservations are strongly suggested.

Rhode Island State House Tour
90 Smith Street, Providence, RI
(401) 222-2357
www.rilin.state.ri.us/statehousetour/index.htm
Hours:
Guided Tours: Monday-Friday: 9am-12pm
Self-Guided Tours: Monday-Friday: 8:30am-4:30pm, Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Price: Free
Age Range: Elementary, Tween, Teen

This white, Georgia marble masterpiece was built in 1900, and was one of the first public buildings in the State to use electricity with 109 floodlights and two searchlights at night. What makes this building unique, however, is its self-supporting marble dome. This is the fourth of its kind in the world. To make it even more extraordinary, there’s also the gold-covered bronze statue of the “Independent Man” that sits on the very top. This statue, originally named “Hope”, represents the freedom and independence that led founder, Roger Williams, to settle and establish Providence and later the beautiful state of Rhode Island.

Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum
199 Hope Street, Providence, RI
(401) 272-5101
www.preserveri.org/content/gov-henry-lippitt-house-museum-history
Hours: May-October, Fridays: 11am-12pm, 1pm & 2pm
Price: Children (age 12 and under): Free, Students: $5, Adults: $10
Age Range: Baby, Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

The Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum has remained true to its original 19th century, high-style Victorian decoration for many generations. Many have graced these elaborate hallways with colorful stained glass window, since it was completed in 1865, including the founding families of Providence and the well-known Professor, Alexander Graham Bell. Your grandkids will enjoy this depiction of 19th century Providence.

Trolley Tours of Providence
11 Dorrance Street, Providence, RI
(401) 421-3825
www.providencetrolleytours.com
Hours:
May-June:
Monday, Wednesday-Friday: 11am-1pm, Saturday & Sunday: 11am, 1pm, 3pm, Tuesday: Closed
July-September:
Monday, Wednesday-Sunday: 11am, 1pm, 3pm, Tuesday: Closed
September 7-October:
Monday, Wednesday-Friday: 11am, 1pm, Saturday & Sunday: 11am, 1pm, 3pm, Tuesday: Closed
October-Fall:
Monday, Wednesday-Friday tours at 11am, 1pm, Tuesday: Closed
Price: Children (age 3 and under): Free, Children (age 14 and under): $14, College Students: $16, Adult: $18, Seniors (age 65+): $16
Age Range: Baby, Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

Although trolleys are long gone in most big cities, Providence still maintains the architecture and structure for it. Several of the tunnels and alleys for trolleys still remain in the city, and you and your grandchildren can enjoy this touch of history with the Trolley Tours of Providence. Visit the First Baptist Church in America, as well as the home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The trolley will also cruise along the city’s beautiful riverfront and waterfront, along Roger Williams National Park and through the State Houses.

John Brown House Museum
52 Power Street, Providence, RI
(401) 273-7507
www.rihs.org/museums_mwc.html
Hours:
April 1-November 30:
Tuesday-Friday: 1:30pm-3pm, Saturdays: 10:30am, 12pm, 1:30pm, 3pm
December 1-March 31:
Friday & Saturday: 10:30 am, 12pm, 1:30pm, 3pm
Price: Children (ages 7-17): $4, Adults: $8, Seniors: $6
Age Range: Baby, Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

Located along Power Street on College Hill, and adjacent to the borders of Brown University, John Brown House Museum was the mansion of one its benefactors. It was also the first mansion built in the city. Unlike other museums, however, this one has several hands-on projects and programs for your grandchildren to enjoy, including lesson plans that depict the American Revolutionary War, Neoclassical Architecture, and George Washington in Rhode Island.

Blithewold Mansion Gardens & Arboretum
101 Ferry Road (Route 114), Bristol, RI
(401) 253-2707
www.blithewold.org
Hours:
Mid-April – Columbus Day
Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-4pm, Sundays: 10am-4pm
Price: Children: (age 6 and under): Free, Children (ages 6-17): $3, Adults: $11, Senior: $9, Family (2 adults & 2 children): $24
Age Range: Baby, Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

Located near the beautiful and unique Narragansett Bay, the Blithewold Mansion Gardens & Arboretum is Queen Ann-style mansion with most of its decor and architecture still intact. Once owned by Augustus and Bessie Van Wickle in 1896, the mansion called Blithewold (Old English for “happy woodland”), had 40 rooms was decorated in carved crests and gargoyles. It was reminiscent of the wealthy class design of the time. Although your grandkids might not appreciate all the landscape and exhibits, they will appreciate the large space in the garden to venture and explore.

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