2 Best Sights in Providence, Rhode Island

Culinary Arts Museum

Fodor's choice

This offbeat gem on the Johnson & Wales University campus celebrates the joy of cooking and eating throughout human history. An authentic 1920s diner is one of the high points, and there are examples of cookbooks, menus, and restaurant advertising, along with exhibits about cooking in ancient times, eating in transit, and cooking competitions ranging from the county fair to the Culinary Olympics.

Downcity

Downtown
A highly walkable section of Downtown—and for some residents synonymous with it—Downcity contains a thriving mix of college buildings, restaurants, independent shops, theaters, hotels, and financial institutions. The Downcity merchants' association defines the neighborhood as encompassing the area west of the Providence River bordered by Memorial Boulevard and Empire, Sabin, and Pine streets, though others stake out slightly more territory. Technically outside Downcity but adjacent to it and aligned with it in spirit are Waterplace Park and the sprawling Providence Place shopping center and neighboring bus and train hubs.