Thayer Street bears a proud old New England name and is very much a part of life at Brown University. A popular counter-culture hang out from the hippies of the 1960s to the Grunge rockers of the 1990s, Thayer has seen tremendous change since 2000. Almost five blocks of the street, between Waterman and Bowen Streets, it is a shopping and eating paradise for the busy urbanite with nostalgia for the Thayer Street of years past. There are two major bookstores (College Hill and Brown University) for browsing, numerous restaurants offering everything from hot dogs or tea to Greek or Middle Eastern fare, the Avon(an independent movie theater), a florist, and a drugstore.

Gabrielle's is an East Side tradition, a store for women looking for that special, expensive dress or outfit. It is located in a row of businesses in Wayland Square that includes the Newport Creamery and Books on the Square. Gabrielle's is known for tempting window displays filled with flowery skirts, delicate dresses and georgette, crepe and embroidered blouses. The store offers silk scarves, kid gloves, leather bags, and other fine accessories.

Spectrum India has long been a favorite store for denizens of Thayer Street and the East Side. The women's clothes here are unique, often made in India with rich fabrics and unusual designs. You can find everything from elegant dresses to pants outfits and casual tops, along with accessories like scarves and jewelry. Founded over 30 years ago, this clothing outlet has continued to provide attractive clothes with an exotic flair.

The Brown Bookstore is a multi-purpose business. On the second floor there are rows of textbooks. In the basement you can find computer supplies, software and other electronic material. On the ground floor there is a large and clearly marked section of books of all types, from fiction to cooking. There is also a campus gift shop, offering cards and an array of items sporting the Brown name or insignia. If you like books and/or want to get a memento of Brown or Providence, this is a place to stop.

Books on the Square is different from the other fine East Side bookstores in several ways. The comfortable seating arrangements encourage browsers to sit and read. There are frequent local or visiting author signings. Various book clubs meet regularly and there is a large children's section in the modestly sized store, with a children's reading hour provided Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:30a, and at 11a every Saturday. The Wayland Square location makes this a convenient stop while shopping in neighboring businesses.

Wickenden Street has blossomed into a busy and colorful shopping area. Not only are there more than eight major restaurants and cafes here, as well as a few bars, but there are unique stores too. Wickenden Street has a number of antique shops offering a wide range of items. Visit City Gardens florists and the ever-popular Adler's Hardware store, as well as other small specialty, clothes and gift shops. Wickenden Street is right off Route 195, leading you into Providence's East Side.

The Eastside Marketplace is easily the most popular food store on the east side of Providence. While you can get good meats, produce, canned goods and organic foodstuffs, the extras are what distinguish this market from the rest. Free coffee is provided for shoppers. There is a delicatessen, florist, bakery and a cafe. Make your selection from the deli, soup and salad bar or sushi bar, and dine in the cafe among a great selection of newspapers, magazines and books. Sip a delicious latte while enjoying the outside view from large windows.

This is a private 18-hole Bent grass course. Non-members pay a USD25 weekday green fee for 18 holes, and USD25 during peak season for 9 holes. The fees for weekends are the same. Gas carts are available, priced from USD13 for nine holes, and USD24 for 18 holes. Pull carts and rental clubs are not available. A Golf Pro is on site, and there is a no denim dress code. Check with pro shop for weekend hours. A bar and restaurant are on site. Members sign for everything, no cash or credit cards.

This store caters to all of your Mac and iPod needs. Stop in to check out the latest games, software, and accessories. If you're traveling, the staff can direct you towards all the adapters you need for your electronics. Many locations also offer workshops on how to use their various products. See their website for more information and a calendar of events.

For all those pet hobbyist and enthusiast, 'Rhode Island Aquarium & Pet Center' is the right place to be. They house small animals, reptiles and fish. Products include protein skimmers, dog and cat foods such as Abady and Canidae, filters from Eheim. You can dress up your pet with the exclusive ornaments. They also offer free services like diagnosis of fish disease and free water testing among a few.