Providence

Since the "Renaissance City" took off in the 1990s, the secret arts life of Providence is getting out. Artists drawn to the Rhode Island School of Design form the core of a thriving city-wide creative community. Printing, painting, textiles, ceramics, and metalworking join installation arts like the spectacular Waterfire, which brings the whole city into the streets. Minor-league teams Providence Bruins (hockey) and Pawsox (baseball) ensure high-quality sports at an affordable price, with a chance of seeing tomorrow's greats in action. Home to a major culinary school, Providence is a food-lovers' city for both high-brow and low-brow tastes, ...

Since the "Renaissance City" took off in the 1990s, the secret arts life of Providence is getting out. Artists drawn to the Rhode Island School of Design form the core of a thriving city-wide creative community. Printing, painting, textiles, ceramics, and metalworking join installation arts like the spectacular Waterfire, which brings the whole city into the streets. Minor-league teams Providence Bruins (hockey) and Pawsox (baseball) ensure high-quality sports at an affordable price, with a chance of seeing tomorrow's greats in action. Home to a major culinary school, Providence is a food-lovers' city for both high-brow and low-brow tastes, offering both national-caliber chefs and beloved "New York System Weiners." Providence is a city of contrasts, all in walking distance, from the posh East Side surrounding Brown University to the gritty downtown with bright farmers' markets, a public skating rink, and arts venues like AS220 overflowing onto the sidewalk.

About the Expert

Juliette Rogers is coauthor of the guidebooks Eating New England: A Food Lovers Guide to Eating Locally, Secret Providence and Newport, and two Thomas Cook guides on France.