Nestled into Narragansett Bay and bordered on the east by the Seekonk River, Providence is a small, friendly city full of history, culture and diverse immigrant communities. In the last few years, downtown Providence has been undergoing a striking renaissance that has added an official Arts and Entertainment district and European style to its classic New England beauty.

Downtown

Downtown Providence, where three rivers now run, is reminiscent of Venice, complete with seasonal gondola rides, Riverwalk's quaint arched bridges, and a waterside amphitheater at Waterplace Park that is the frequent site of cultural events and scenes from the TV show "Providence." Providence Place Mall, containing among other outlets a Nordstrom's, Filene's and Cheesecake Factory, is located right across the street from Waterplace Park. Downtown Providence also has the Providence Performing Arts Center, where many shows are booked throughout the year. Just down Washington Street from the Providence Biltmore is the renowned Trinity Repertory, which has a busy schedule of critically acclaimed plays. South Main Street and Thayer Street contain the Cable Car and Avon cinemas respectively, which show a range of movies but specialize in art house and foreign films.

On designated evenings throughout the year, wood braziers, interspersed along the riverfront between Waterplace Park and Hemenway's Seafood Grille & Oyster Bar on South Main Street, are lit to create the visually stunning Waterfire, which is often accompanied by strolling musicians and other street performers. Nearby are other popular, upscale restaurants, like Capriccio's and Pot au Feu.

East Providence

The East Side of Providence is home to Ivy League Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and the thriving artistic and intellectual community they attract. Many stately, refurbished Colonial and Federalist mansions can be found in and around Brown and College Hill. The drive down Benefit Street is a visual treat of New England architectural beauty, complete with 19th Century-style streetlights; here you will also find historic churches (Baptist and Unitarian) and the Rhode Island School of Design Museum.

Comfortably fitting into the picturesque East Side neighborhood are a range of small to medium-sized eateries and cafes to suit many tastes. From the elegant riverside Gatehouse Restaurant in the east, and the cosmopolitan Rue de L'espoir, to Louis' Restaurant's diner-style meals on Brook Street, you can find a surprising range of foods and prices in this one very small area.

There are handsome green trolleys regularly conveying passengers between these parts of the city, traveling down Brook Street and Wickenden Street to pick up people heading for downtown and other neighborhoods, like Smith Hill, home of Rhode Island's commanding State House, next to the train station and Federal Hill.

South Providence

India Point Park and South Water Street border downtown Providence on the southeast. The park is a pleasant spot for boating and strolling. At its end, in front of the hurricane barrier, is the ferry terminal for Rhode Island's nearby vacation spot, Block Island. South Water Street and nearby South Main Street contain clubs and restaurants providing a variety of environments and meals to suit many tastes in one five-block area. Hot Club is a popular nightspot that sits on the water, offering a view of boats moored at the docks next to it. Just north of India Point Park is the Wickenden Street area, a trendy strip of shops, restaurants and cafes. You can eat dinner at the Tokyo Restaurant or Taste of India, or you can sit on the porch of The Coffee Exchange, where students pick up coffees and muffins.

The south end of Providence contains the award-winning Roger Williams Park Zoo, a lovely and entertaining spot that is home to more than 600 kinds of animals.

Federal Hill

A lively Italian neighborhood, Federal Hill, borders the downtown area on the west side and is full of interesting restaurants boasting world-class Italian food, such as Caserta Pizzeria and Pastiche Fine Desserts & Café. Marking this community just above downtown on Atwells Avenue is a pineapple sculpture on an arch that overhangs the street.