Things To Do
Eat & Drink
Aguardente
One of our favorite date spots for dinner or weekend brunch! Go for the delicious Portuguese-Guatemalan tapas, truly excellent cocktails, and ample outdoor seating on their (heated!) patios.
Aleppo Sweets
Another fave in the Fox Point area! We love their fatayer, foule, mezze, and chocolate baklava.
Amy's Place
If you ask us, the Hash It Out is the best breakfast sandwich in the city. Amy's is also right on Wickenden, which means it's surrounded by tons of little shops so you can do some browsing while you digest.
Oak Bakeshop
Perfect destination for a morning treat! We are big fans of their babka (weekends only) and chai, but you can't go wrong with any of their offerings.
Brown Bee Coffee
Brown Bee is a coffee and pastry shop on Benefit Street in Providence known for their delicious, inventive croissants! Warning - it is relatively expensive ($6-9 for a pastry), but it's worth a stop if you want to grab a drink or snack while strolling around the historic neighborhood.
KNEAD Doughnuts
Rhode Island has the highest number of donut shops per capita in the United States, and in terms of shops in our neighborhood, we're team Knead (they have multiple other locations in Providence as well). Not into donuts? They also have great pastries, both sweet and savory.
Pastiche Fine Desserts
WWT(ony)S(oprano)D? Get a cannoli and walk around Federal Hill!
Track 15
A Providence food hall where you can sample seven Rhode Island restaurants in the former Union Station! Very close to both of our hotel blocks.
Ellie's
A French-inspired café in downtown Providence that's a short walk from our hotel blocks. We once got lunch here after shopping on Westminster St. and saw a couple that looked eerily similar to us.
Maruichi Japanese Food & Deli
A Japanese market and deli in downtown PVD (5 min walk from our hotel blocks)! Great place to do some browsing and grab a snack or meal.
nicks on broadway
Nicks is consistently named one of Providence's best restaurants (especially for brunch), and not without reason. Favorites include their eggs benny and house blend spiced chai.
Sura
Popular spot for Korean food and sushi in downtown PVD!
India Restaurant
Our favorite Indian spot in town! They have tons of vegetarian options and a great patio. We recommend their paneer kabobs, channa masala, Punjabi-style rajma, and, of course, their mango lassi. Warning: If you're going in person, you should know that their margaritas are Enormous.
Providence Vegan Deli
Providence's 100% vegan deli! They've got a wide menu with a variety of sandwiches, sides, and snacks and conveniently share a building with a vegan ice cream shop.
Anna’s Vesuviano
Local spot for wood-fired pizza that's made with high-quality fresh ingredients sourced from Italy, Palestine, and New England!
Diego's East Side
Diego's has a nice porch for outdoor dining and is located in the heart of Wayland Square. They have multiple vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options. We're fans of their smoked tofu (we've both gotten it in the Cali burrito), charred street corn guac, and cocktails. They've given us free churros on multiple occasions (once for our anniversary, once for Virginia's birthday, and once as an apology for a wrong drink order even though it was fine)!
The East End
Cocktail lounge on Wickenden with great cocktails, food, and a patio! They have a dedicated fryer for their gluten free options.
Narragansett Brewery
Sample some Rhody beer and then walk it off in India Point Park across the street!
Pane e Vino
Gonna be honest - we've never been here together but we wanted to round out the list with some recommendations in Federal Hill! It has a great gluten-free menu and a reputation for being careful with allergies.
Big Feeling Ice Cream
A local ice cream and sorbet shop known for their innovative flavors and overall good vibe! Their menu rotates but always includes non-dairy and gluten free options.
Shopping
Providence Flea Indoors at Farm Fresh RI
If you're feeling super ambitious on Sunday morning, the Providence Flea is indoors at Farm Fresh from 11-3!
Bloom Collective
A shop designed to support and spotlight over 30+ small businesses and independent designers in the Providence community!
Craftland
A downtown shop full of local art, gifts, and the titular crafts!
Symposium Books
Browse new books, used books, vinyl, and an assortment of snacks from Ireland and the United Kingdom! Anna came here a lot in college and we always make a point to stop by when we're spending time on Westminster.
Riffraff bookstore and bar
An independent bookstore, bar, and cafe in Providence!
The Nest
A secondhand clothing shop that also offer tailoring services, swaps, mending, and workshops!
Frog & Toad - East
A gift shop that sells a wide range of local goods! There are two locations - one on Hope Street and one on Westminster.
Attractions
RISD Museum
Going to art museums is one of our favorite things to do together, and this is Providence's main one! We once saved a baby squirrel in the courtyard. Admission is free on Sundays (though it's recommended that you register in advance).
The Providence Athenaeum
A nearly 200-year-old circulating library on the "mile of history" in Providence! Admission is pay-what-you-can with a suggested donation of $5.
Roger Williams Park
Enjoy the extended Roger Williams Park universe! Our wedding is at the Botanical Center, but they also have a Zoo, a Planetarium, gardens, and miles of walking paths.
Prospect Terrace
Vista alert! Prospect Park is best known for its statue of Roger Williams and views of the Providence skyline. Hillary loves to walk here when she's visiting Virginia's parents.
India Point Park
Another great place for a walk in Providence! India Point Park offers waterfront views, bike paths, bench swings, and more. There's also a pedestrian bridge that allows you to safely and easily cut across the highway to get to Wickenden Street while enjoying the view.
Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge
Sincerely thought this was just called the Providence River Pedestrian Bridge - the more you know! Anyway, take a walk along the Providence River!
AS220 Aborn Gallery
AS220 is a local artist-run organization that offers classes, workshops, and generally supports art and the Providence community. They have multiple gallery spaces where Rhode Islanders can exhibit their work, free of charge.