Providence RI is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. With so many amazing places to choose from, it can be hard to know where to go. To help make your decision easier, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to visit in Providence RI based on traveler ratings and reviews. So whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway spot or an adventure playground, there’s something for everyone in this metropolis!
The Best Place to Visit in Providence RI
Roger Williams Park Zoo
- Address: 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (9815)
- Phone: +1 401-785-3510
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMTuesday: ClosedWednesday: ClosedThursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
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Top 15 Tourist Attractions in Providence RI
Waterplace Park
- Address: Memorial Blvd, Providence, RI 02903, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (1717)
- Phone: +1 800-556-2484
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
- Reviews:
We were in this area for dinner and we were an hour earlier than expected. So we decided to check out this place for passing time. We were on a January Night and there was not much activity going on. We had the park all for ourselves and had a good time strolling around the river and catching glimpses of the buildings near by. Had to climb down few stairs from the street level to get to the park. Car parking was on the streets.By Saiprabhu B (8 months ago)Waterfire is a must see if you’re lucky enough to be in Providence when the event is happening. Tons of people. Can hardly move when walking on the level of the river. 2 stages for live entertainment. Lots of vendors. Definitely a must see.By LM C (3 months ago)Cute area to walk around and chill. Great views! Awesome place to grab some photos.By Christine Li (8 months ago)Nice area to walk around in downtown Providence. Best known for WaterFire, which is a really cool experience, I actually prefer being here at other times without the huge crowd. However, this is the best spot to sit and enjoy WaterFire in my opinion. No matter where you’re standing, the backdrop of your photos will be impressive. My biggest complaint is that the current pushes all of the trash in the river into the southwest corner of the basin and it doesn’t seem like they remove it very often, but they are on top of it before WaterFire and other big events downtown.By Ben Roth (7 months ago)Very calming atmosphere. Went one night with the family and there was nobody else there so it was nice to just look over the water and do some relaxation. Admittedly, there’s nothing really interesting there to look at besides the distant buildings and slow-moving water, but that’s good enough for someone who is just looking to relax for a bit. There are a few trash cans around and a good amount of benches for people to sit and relax.
Also, I saw a bunny hopping around the park which was kind of cool because I didn’t know there were bunnies in this area. I saw some more the next day as well outside of the park. Also, if you’re here during the warmer months and are hanging around dusk or dawn, I recommend using mosquito repellant on your body because I did get a couple of bites because I was wearing shorts and short sleeve, but it was nothing serious and not the fault of the park. Wildlife is wildlife. And just something else to note, I heard an owl making its hoot noises, but didn’t get a glimpse of it!
By Jonathan S (a year ago)Providence Children’s Museum
- Address: 100 South St, Providence, RI 02903, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (1543)
- Phone: +1 401-273-5437
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: ClosedTuesday: ClosedWednesday: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 4:30 PMThursday: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 4:30 PMFriday: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 4:30 PMSaturday: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 4:30 PMSunday: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 – 4:30 PM
- Reviews:
This is a great little stop for kids about 10 and under! They can touch everything! In fact, they are expected to play with the props while the parent either reads a few little signs or just plays with them, learning about early Rhode Island history. Such a cool place, not to mention the water room. My kids loved it so much over the years. I am now happy to bring my granddaughter there!By Joan Law Lowell (4 months ago)WOW, what an excellent experience for our family! We have 2 young boys and they loved every minute of this museum. There were lots of different areas to learn and play in as well as exhibits between each. You can be a masonry, work on a ship, market worker, and many more. There were ample bathrooms all around the museum to change diapers, use bathroom, ect. There was even an entire water room to play in which was my kids absolute favorite part. I think we spent almost an hour there. I do recommend you wear a bathing suit for the star room if you kids like to play in water tables.
The museum truly understands what it means to be a children’s museum, if we lived closer we would be there all the time. Great staff too, keep up the great work and donate if you can give anything to help them out!By Dallas Garven (3 months ago)Had a great day at the children’s museum with my 4 year old nephew. He really enjoyed all aspects of the museum but the water section in the first floor was definitely his favorite. As an adult, my favorite part was he autumnal crafts on the second floor. Being Cape Verdean, I was so excited to see the little education section of the Nellie Mae ship coming to America from Cape Verde and I was able to relate it back to our family for my nephew. Lots to see and do at the museum, the staff was amazing, the building was very clean, and it wasn’t too crowded on a Friday afternoon.By Lindsay LeBoeuf (a year ago)We had a fun time at this museum. The staff was friendly and my girls age 2&5 enjoyed it.
Do bring a change of clothes for after the water room .
The only bummer was having to wear masks which thankfully my 2 year old can handle but most simply can’t at that age.
The water room was a blast but I would like to point out there needs to be more grips on the ground because when little ones get excited about the exhibits in there they tend to run and the floor is wet and it’s very dangerous. My 5 yeaR old took 2 nasty spills even after I reminded her to walk.By Ana M (5 months ago)Great children museum kids will have fun ? ? little costing other than that very niceBy Alan DELACRUZ (5 months ago)Roger Williams Park
- Address: Pine Hill Ave, Providence, RI 02907, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (1415)
- Opening hours:
Monday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PMTuesday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PMWednesday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PMThursday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PMFriday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PMSaturday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PMSunday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Reviews:
Roger Williams Park is my favorite place for walks and enjoying the nature. You can relax, do some exercise, have a picnic, read a book or enjoying some music. There are events at the Temple to Music and food trucks some Fridays. They always offer recreational and educational attractions. The Park is huge, with trails, beautiful lake and a lot of cute animals. I really recommend this place for you, your family and your dogs. Everybody loves it ❤️By Aline McDonough (3 months ago)I went for the Asian Lantern showcase. It was beautiful! You could still view most of the animal exhibits. The lanterns were even more gorgeous after sunset. Great event to take an evening stroll with loved ones and family.By Cassandra LaRose (5 months ago)We visited the Roger Williams Zoo today. We saw so many different type of animals including giraffes, zebras, otters, toucans, elephants, cheetahs, etc. I’m always weary of zoos because I worry about the habitat enclosures the animals are in. Is it spacious enough? Do they have enough greenery? But I felt for the most part the animals had plenty of space and their habitats we’re close to what they would be in nature. You’re able to see the animals from more than one viewing area, which makes it less crowded. The zoo also had a food area and a gift store. They had interactive stations for goats and armadillos which the children loved. Aside from the zoo, we made a full day of it by visiting the Botanical Gardens and the Carousel for a minimal fee The park also has swan boats you can ride on the pond. Overall, we had a full, fun day!?By Madeline Murphy (3 months ago)Easy to get to with a lot of entrances. Good 3 mile loop around the lakes. Lots of other walking paths as well. Good spot for and evening picnic or walk. Went to food truck friday a few weeks back and was able to find parking easily.By Mark Hotz (3 months ago)We love this little zoo featuring a number of amazing animals. You can easily spend a day if you are not in a hurry. Currently, they have a beautiful Chinese lantern animal display. It is a separate ticketed event in the evenings, but they are still impressive during the day as well.By Jerry Harrow (4 months ago)
RISD Museum
- Address: 20 N Main St, Providence, RI 02903, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (1370)
- Phone: +1 401-454-6500
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: ClosedTuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 12:00 – 7:00 PMFriday: 12:00 – 7:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Reviews:
I really liked the museum! It was bigger and better than I expected! Good collections! Loved the signs with artists’ names and texts, placed next to paintings – they did a great job! It was interesting to read and learn!
I loved the room with European icons and religious sculptures. Many objects were 1000 years old. I loved seeing them!
European art of XVIII and XIX centuries was very nice! The collection of American art was great! Interesting room with textiles.
Highly recommend to visit! Loved the cafeteria in the museum, too! ?
By Yulia Berry (4 months ago)Unbelievably large collection of interesting and unique art. I get bored quickly in art museums but this sprawling collection had so many diverse collections; every room was a new medium to explore! Lots of impressive pieces to recognize juxtaposed with unknowns to discover. I loved it!By Dee Kelly (6 months ago)Much larger and more interesting place than just looking from the outside. The museum connects like four buildings in various walkways, ramps, stairs, and bridges. We ended up spending like two hours here and could have easily spent the entire day.By Edwin Yu (a month ago)It’s my favorite location in Providence to visit.
Stunning ancient brown stone building with a charming patio and a secret garden.
One of the best coffees in PVD is served at a cafe there, and it is quite good.
There is a good variety of paintings for several decades.
Impressionist works by artists like Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, and Monet are among my favorites.
On Sunday, Thursday, and Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., admission is free.By Isabelle Lee (3 months ago)Came in Sunday because of free admission. Well-known art museum in the school of design. Most of the buildings are open for exhibition, including student works. The variety of artwork and historical pieces are as reputable as the school’s name.
Because the exhibitions are shown in multiple buildings and interconnect with each other. Strongly suggest to ask for maps and staff about directions and guide.By Bryant Wu (2 weeks ago)WaterFire
- Address: 4 N Main St, Providence, RI 02903, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (1316)
Prospect Terrace
- Address: 60 Congdon St, Providence, RI 02906, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (1078)
Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
- Address: Floral Ave, Providence, RI 02905, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (700)
Memorial Park
- Address: S Main St, Providence, RI 02903, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (487)
Burnside Park
- Address: 40 Kennedy Plaza, Providence, RI 02903, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.1 (457)
La Gondola Providence, Inc.
- Address: 1 Citizens Plz, Providence, RI 02903, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.9 (386)
DePasquale Square
- Address: 57 De Pasquale Ave, Providence, RI 02903, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (301)
The John Brown House Museum
- Address: 52 Power St, Providence, RI 02906, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.5 (111)
The Providence Athenaeum
- Address: 251 Benefit St, Providence, RI 02903, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (99)
Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
- Address: 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (98)
The Stephen Hopkins House
- Address: 15 Hopkins St, Providence, RI 02903, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (75)
Although Providence RI is a large state with many amazing places to visit, these 15 locations stand out as the best according to traveler ratings and reviews. Did your favorite spot make the cut? Let us know in the comments above!
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I like this zoo so much. They have so many animals. The size is good for a family. The Roger Williams Park also huge, includes museum and a lake that you can play swan boat. Will definitely go back when weather is better. Highly recommend to go early like 9am then you can easy to find a parking spot.
What a fantastic zoo. We were very happy to see the large enclosures the animals had. The zoo is very large and very easy to make your way through the entire zoo. There are many benches along the way if you get tired to take a rest. They time event the tickets so the crowds were not overwhelming. All the staff we encountered were friendly and helpful. There is a good variety of animals. This was the nicest zoo I have ever visited. If you get tired of looking at animals they have a very fun zipline you can do for an added cost inside the zoo. There are carriages to rent for children and wheelchairs for those who need one. Parking was easy and ample. Very affordable prices would definitely recommend this for children and adults.
A very large zoo, as we ended up walking around for over two hours. It boasted a wide variety of animals, displays and a food court area that actually had good food. Parking can be a bit of a challenge, but the lots are close to the park entrance. It was beneficial to start in the back of the lot as I was able to snag one of the only spots left, for the lot closest to the entrance. We would definitely go back if in the area.
Amazing and well designed zoo! Free parking and big parking lot with tons of spaces. I saw so many animals today from elephants to red pandas! I loved seeing the red panda, that is probably one of my favorite animals I saw today.
This zoo for me is over rated. They have a lot less animals than other zoos I’ve been too. Although some enclosures seem nice, others seem very inadequate. Like the red panda. That seems like someone’s city back yard area. Kinda sad.
Now, for the quick weekend time waster for the kids by all means. But it’s still over 19 bucks for an adult. Should be more like 15 or less. We spent about 2 hours wandering slowly through taking pics for a video we are doing but all in all you could do the zoo in an hour or so. The water natural trail was closed as the prep for October pumpkin event. Not much to see there anyway. Don’t forget change for the farm feed!!