Amtrak serves Providence through this modern train station that commands interesting views of Providence the moment you step outside its doors. The front of the station faces the striking Rhode Island State House and the new Providence Place Mall, with easy access to Waterplace Park. Out the back door you catch glimpses of historic College Hill rising in the near distance. The station is walking distance to nearby hotels (taxis are available), and boasts state-of-the-art facilities like Cafe LaFrance, a gift shop, and automatic utilities in the restrooms.

From 5pm to 9pm on the third Thursday of every month except December, Gallery Night ArTrolleys take you on a free tour of Providence art galleries. An on-board guide points out attractions as you ride through three neighborhoods of art: downtown (nine galleries), Benefit Street and Wickenden Street. Trolleys can be boarded in front of the Citizens Bank building downtown, where you can park for free in their lot. You will see all manner of artwork on these tours, and many of Providence's other points of interest.

Rhode Island School of Design is one of the country's leading art schools and has a museum to match. Located on colonial Benefit Street, Museum of Art Rhode Island School of Design traces the history of art from antiquity to the present day through more than 85,000 works of art from all over the world. There are also collections showing Providence's history as a manufacturing center for silver and jewelry. Exquisite art replica gift items can be found in the gift shop.

AS220 is a non-profit arts venue complete with a sandwich cafe. They have various resources open to the public including a computer lab, darkroom and print shop. In this 22,000-square-foot building, you will also find several galleries and a stage where local artists are invited to display their talents. Space is rented to artists at affordable rates. Recent exhibits featured paintings, mixed media and sculpture.

You do not have to go to New York City's Rockefeller Center to capture the flavor of outdoor ice-skating and events. The Bank of America Skating Center has 14,000 square feet of skating space. Concession stands and skating rentals are available in the 3,500-square-foot pavilion. The rink-side PrimeSource Gift Shop sells skating accessories and Providence memorabilia. The rink also converts into a roller blade arena during the summer months. 

About 40 minutes outside of Providence, in the small community of Coventry, lies the Greene Homestead. Built in 1770 by the Revolutionary War hero himself, the place is surrounded by lovely gardens and overlooks the Pawtuxet River. The building has been converted into a museum; inside is a comprehensive history of the man and his exploits. War buffs of all kinds will marvel at the on-site cannon, and souvenirs can be had at the museum gift shop.

Chepachet, thirty minutes from Providence, is an example of small town New England life. The town is one of several in northwestern Rhode Island. Chepachet, considered country before the advent of highways, retains the atmosphere of small-town Main Street life with its stores and groceries, antiques and craft shops. It even boasts a Stage Coach Tavern and tales of ghostly lore. You will have to visit Chepachet to find out why it is known for its own civil war and the demise of Betty the elephant.

Providence Children's Museum is a hands-on place of fun and learning for children and adults. Explore the awesome power of air, light, sound and magnets in Play Power. Splash around in Water Ways, a wet and wild playscape of pumps and fountains.  Discover Littlewoods, a whimsical woodland environment especially for young children.  Investigate Rhode Island plants, trees and shrubs  in the Children's Garden. Plus, go on a time-traveling adventure, solve bridge-building challenges, and much more! It remains open until 8p on certain Fridays. Check the Museum's website for details and admission prices.Until Labor Day it is opened daily.

This museum tells the fascinating story of Cape Verdean Americans and their culture. Cape Verde was a Portuguese colony, located off the coast of West Africa, that gained independence in 1975. Men and women from there migrated to New England in the 1800s and onward, working on whaling ships and Cape Cod's cranberry bogs. They brought with them a unique culture. part African, part European and have continued to have strong bonds with their mother country to this day. Their story is a fascinating one and this museum, the first of its kind in the country, tells it with well-organized exhibits and rare artifacts. The museum is closed during the winter.

The Meehan Auditorium on the Brown University campus was originally built in 1961, and was renovated in 2002. The dome of the Meehan is awe-inspiring and rises above the city skyline. The auditorium houses a spacious Brown Hockey Association room, also called the Davis lounge. The centerpiece of the auditorium is the ice rink, with NHL dasher boards, and glass partitions. The auditorium has a great lighting system and newly installed insulated windows. Meehan is the venue where the best Hockey matches are thrashed out and champions are crowned.