Providence trips and vacations

You’ll get a feel for Providence’s past on the Mile of History on Benefit Street, home to the Providence Athenaeum and 19th- and 20th-century buildings. And the Rhode Island State Capitol offers free self-guided tours, Mondays to Fridays. For even more history, stop by the Culinary Arts Museum at Johnson and Wales University to see White House crockery, 16th-century cookbooks and kitchen curios.

From downtown’s colorful murals to the RISD Museum and the Providence Performing Arts Center, the city wears its nickname, ‘The Creative Capital,’ with pride. Time your trip to Providence between May and November when the famous WaterFire art installation takes place — a monthly attraction featuring 100 bonfires perched along the city’s three rivers.

Bustling downtown is where to stay for historical architecture, nightlife and riverside walks. And College Hill is where you’ll find Brown University, the RISD Museum and the Providence Athenaeum. For a scenic stay on the waterfront, try Fox Point, which has parks, a boating center and the East Bay Bike Path.

The birthplace of the diner and consistently named one of the hottest food cities in America, Providence isn’t lacking in good restaurants. You’ll find some of the city’s best Italian eateries in Federal Hill. And the Riverwalk is known for its sushi and seafood spots. Looking for a local delicacy? Try ‘stuffies’ — chopped clams mixed with spiced breadcrumbs, baked and served in the shell.

History and retail therapy go hand in hand at the Westminster Arcade, the United States’ oldest indoor shopping mall. And Wickenden Street in Fox Point is where to go for antique stores and art galleries. Looking for independent fashion boutiques? Thayer Street near Brown University is always popular with the college crowd.

There’s no shortage of beaches near Providence — this is the ‘Ocean State,’ after all. Buttonwoods Beach is just a 30-minute drive south and offers sandy shores, picnic areas and baseball fields. Conimicut Point is a favorite with photographers for its sunset views and scenic lighthouse. If you’re prepared to drive a little further, Narragansett Town Beach is one of Rhode Island’s best.