By Summer Brons
Providence
Rhode Island
Photo gallery
If you're looking for a unique New England vacation, look no further than Providence, Rhode Island. One of the 13 original colonies, Rhode Island has a lengthy history that shines beautifully through today's big-city lifestyle. EscapeWizard.com would love to help you plan your visit to the self-proclaimed "Creative Capital:” Providence, Rhode Island.

Flying into Providence is easy, thanks to Theodore Francis Green International Airport (PVD) located in Warwick, just 6 miles from the city. Boston's Logan International Airport (BOS) is also just an hour and 15 minutes away, for those looking for additional flight flexibility. EscapeWizard.com is happy to secure a low price for your flight to either airport. Just follow this link (www.escapewizard.com/flight.php) to book with EscapeWizard.com. Then, when booking your hotel reservations, click here (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl).

Once you’ve arrived in Rhode Island’s capital, it’s likely that you’ll want to take in some of the historical sites for which the city is known. Providence’s East Side neighborhood is home to the largest contiguous area of buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States; and also features the 1638-founded First Baptist church, which is the oldest of its kind in the Americas. Another aged building of interest is the Old State House, the state’s capitol from 1762 until 1904, and now serves as home to the Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission.

While a library may not typically be at the top of a traveler’s must-see list, EscapeWizard.com recommends a quick stop at the Providence Athenaeum for novelty’s sake. This is the fourth oldest library in the country, and was even frequented by Edgar Allen Poe. For a further taste of cultural treasures, visit the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, boasting the 20th largest collection in the U.S. Finally, for a truly unique art display, plan your Providence trip during the summer months and experience WaterFire, a dazzling collection of nearly 100 bonfires over the surface of the rivers passing through the city.

If your recreation plans include a few conventional sight-seeing adventures, not to worry, Providence has those too. Roger Williams Park is a popular tourist spot containing a zoo, botanical garden, and the city’s own Museum of Natural History and Planetarium. If shopping is on the agenda, visit the Providence Place Mall and enjoy the offerings of one of southern New England’s largest shopping malls. Although currently closed for renovation, the city’s other mall, Westminster Arcade, was built in 1828 and was the first enclosed shopping center in the country, open to the public.

Providence is also a great place to come to learn. The city has campuses of seven of the state’s higher learning institutions including: Brown University, Johnson & Wales University, Rhode Island School of Design, and the University of Rhode Island. Students make up about 25% of the population of Providence, and as such, those furthering their education have a strong impact on the businesses and economy of the city.
   
EscapeWizard.com loves Providence, Rhode Island for the history, charm, and bragging rights of being one of the country’s first cities. We know you’ll enjoy a visit to the capital of the “Ocean State” and encourage you to book your travel arrangements with EscapeWizard.com!