Providence restaurants, hotels...6/22-6/25

Hi -

Looking to visit Providence for the first time - just husband and I. Where should we stay? I found a reasonably good deal for the Westin, so am considering that, but open to all options. Best romantic restaurants (we don%26#39;t want anything kid-friendly, we get enough of that with our 3 small ones!) Best bars? Also, how far is Newport? Do we need to rent a car? Any thoughts, opinions, etc...much appreciated!

Suzanne

Providence restaurants, hotels...6/22-6/25

Newport is a good half an hour by car. You could take the public transit speed ferry which in the summer runs pretty late, the schedule is at RIPTA. Many of the good restaurants are on Federal Hill.

Providence restaurants, hotels...6/22-6/25

Thanks, I%26#39;d like to avoid renting a car if at all possible.

Suzanne

Westin is well located and a good choice. Providence is very walkable. Besides Federal Hill, restaurants that you should consider for location and food are Capital Grill, Cafe Nouveau, Hemenways. The Providence visitor center is in the Convention Center next to the Westin. Stop in for ideas, maps, coupons, menus,etc.

Great suggestions from all those folks but check out some of the inns in Providence the Edgewood Manor especailly is extremely romantic and just gorgeous. We stayed there on several occasions and have had family stay there as well. Also you might need a vehicle to see other areas of Rhode Island like Bristol and Little Compton. Narragansett is pretty as well. Best restaurants are in Providence.

You can%26#39;t go wrong with the Westin. It%26#39;s a nice place with all the amenities and right in the middle of downtown Providence. You can walk from there to any number of downtown restaurants and bars. Check out rimonthly.com for dining listings. Also look to see if Waterfire is on when you visit -- not to be missed. Waterfire has its own website for more info. Newport is great, too, but I wouldn%26#39;t want to have to take the bus to there. You might want to talk to the people at the Westin to see if they offer any transportation to Newport or have some deal with a transportation company that you can take advantage of.

What a coincidence! Thanks for all the advice you gave me for my anniversary trip to Philly last week - hopefully I can return the favour in a small way. I haven%26#39;t lived in Providence long enough to know the best, but I know what I like so far!

Brunch:

Amy%26#39;s Place, 214 Wickenden St

Brickway on Wickenden, 234 Wickenden St

Dinner:

Siena, 238 Atwells Ave - Italian restaurant in the Federal Hill (Italian) area. I haven%26#39;t been but am waiting for an occasion worthy of eating there. We have asked lots of people for restaurant recommendations and almost everyone has mentioned this place.

I have also heard great reviews of Gracie%26#39;s, CAV and Pane e Vino (restaurants).

Cuban Revolution, 50 Aborn Street at Washington Street. Located in Downcity, this a small, friendly neighbourhood restaurant serving Cuban sandwiches and rice dishes for approx $6 - $12. My husband loves the %26#39;World%26#39;s Best Cuban Sandwich%26#39;. We eat here quite regularly because we live close by and the prices are good. http://www.thecubanrevolution.com/

Downcity http://www.shopdowncity.com/

The Downcity area has a pretty poor reputation but seems to be undergoing a revival of sorts. There are some good (expensive!) clothes and home stores on Westminster between Union an Eddy - there was a block party last night so that people could see all the changes. I haven%26#39;t visited Providence Open Market yet but intend to this weekend. It will be open every Saturday until late October, 11am - 5pm. http://www.providenceopenmarket.com

If you%26#39;re in town on a Thursday evening you can watch a movie outdoors at Cinema Paradiso, at the corner of Westminster and Union Streets. I think this is a new development - it%26#39;s very simple but cute. Casablanca was showing last night.

I%26#39;m looking forward to experiencing Waterfire this weekend: http://www.waterfire.org/

There%26#39;s a really good mall (as malls go!)

Thayer Street is nice to walk along. Lots of students around.

I haven%26#39;t come across a great bar yet, hopefully because I haven%26#39;t made much of an effort!

Hope that helps. I%26#39;d love to hear what you find and like after your trip.

I have done the ferry from Providence to Newport and loved it! Takes about an hour, but you see the coastline and it drops you off very close to a great area. Ask your hotel about getting to the Providence peer, though, it is not really in walking distance from the Westin.

For a very romantic restaurant go to Gracies (expensive but a beautiful space with just wonderful food). For funky go to Local 121 or Red Fez. Bravo is also good, as is Parkside and 3 Steeple.

If you go to Federal Hill (Italian section) I recommend eating outside at De Pasquale Square - lots of people and lots of fun.

Be sure a take a walk to Benefit Street in College Hill and also get a great view of the city from Prospect Park on Cogdon St.

Hi Suzanne......you were very helpful on my trip to Philly this past March. The Westin will be nice because it is attached to the mall. Hopefully you will be there during Waterfire. You are across the street from Roth%26#39;s Chris and The Capital Grille, but I don%26#39;t know that you would be interested in chain restaurants. I agree with Sienna on Federal Hill. A good but VERY expensive steakhouse on the Hill is Prime. And next to Prime is the Oyster Bar. A favorite for lunch is Angelo%26#39;s (also on the Hill). Very casual restaurant with good basic Italian. . If you take a walk along Thayer St ( college area) stop at Andrea%26#39;s for Greek. I really think a car would be best, but I suppose you can do without one. They have troliies and you are very close to Kennedy Plaza where the city buses all leave from. Try to stay away from there at night. If you like to slum it, there is a truck (kiner) that pulls in across from Kennedy Plaza at about 6 pm. It is on Fulton St on the side of City Hall. You can get soime good hot dogs and burgers.

Also, check to see if anything is playing at the Providence Performing Arts Center when you are there. It is a beautiful place.

You could take a bus to Foxwoods for the day if you like to gamble.

I will give this more thought and get back to you when I am not so tired!!

Joni

June 23rd is waterfire!