Jul 31 Providence

Providence, Rhode Island, New England's second-largest city, is an old city, established in 1636 by Roger Williams; but Providence is also young in spirit, with a youthfulness replenished by a steady flow of immigrants.

The hub of culture, governance and commerce in Rhode Island, Providence is also very accessible to other travel destinations in New England, making it both a convenient gateway city as well as an attractive place to live for young professionals, empty-nesters, and Boston and New York refugees.

Six universities call Providence home, including the prestigious Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design; both are located on the East Side, one of more than a dozen walking neighborhoods in the city. On Smith Hill, you'll find the Rhode Island State House, which has the world's fourth-largest self-supported marble dome. Perched atop Providence's gleaming white Capitol is a bronze statue of The Independent Man—a 10-ft/3-m reminder of Williams and the small band of nonconformists who followed him and founded Providence. In the shadows of the State House building, you'll see massive, centuries-old four- and five-story homes.

Providence is also known for dirty politics, potent organized crime and other assorted controversies. One of Providence's most flamboyant characters is Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci Jr., the former and longest-serving mayor, who held office for 20 years. Cianci served five years in a federal prison for a 2002 racketeering conviction. (He also bottled his own pasta sauce.) Another mayor, David Cicilline, is the son of a reputed Mafia lawyer and was also the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. state capital.

Since the 1970s, downtown Providence has been the focus of a large and successful urban renewal project. At its heart are the upscale Providence Place Mall and WaterPlace Park, a 4-acre/2-hectare public area with riverwalks, an amphitheater and a tidal basin created at the confluence of the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck rivers. The renaissance has placed the city on any number of best-cities lists, and whether you're interested in early U.S. history, the arts, authentic Italian food or just hanging out on popular Thayer Street, with its trendy bookstores, eateries and shops, Providence is well worth a visit.

Destination Guide

Aug 1 Providence

Providence, Rhode Island, New England's second-largest city, is an old city, established in 1636 by Roger Williams; but Providence is also young in spirit, with a youthfulness replenished by a steady flow of immigrants.

The hub of culture, governance and commerce in Rhode Island, Providence is also very accessible to other travel destinations in New England, making it both a convenient gateway city as well as an attractive place to live for young professionals, empty-nesters, and Boston and New York refugees.

Six universities call Providence home, including the prestigious Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design; both are located on the East Side, one of more than a dozen walking neighborhoods in the city. On Smith Hill, you'll find the Rhode Island State House, which has the world's fourth-largest self-supported marble dome. Perched atop Providence's gleaming white Capitol is a bronze statue of The Independent Man—a 10-ft/3-m reminder of Williams and the small band of nonconformists who followed him and founded Providence. In the shadows of the State House building, you'll see massive, centuries-old four- and five-story homes.

Providence is also known for dirty politics, potent organized crime and other assorted controversies. One of Providence's most flamboyant characters is Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci Jr., the former and longest-serving mayor, who held office for 20 years. Cianci served five years in a federal prison for a 2002 racketeering conviction. (He also bottled his own pasta sauce.) Another mayor, David Cicilline, is the son of a reputed Mafia lawyer and was also the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. state capital.

Since the 1970s, downtown Providence has been the focus of a large and successful urban renewal project. At its heart are the upscale Providence Place Mall and WaterPlace Park, a 4-acre/2-hectare public area with riverwalks, an amphitheater and a tidal basin created at the confluence of the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck rivers. The renaissance has placed the city on any number of best-cities lists, and whether you're interested in early U.S. history, the arts, authentic Italian food or just hanging out on popular Thayer Street, with its trendy bookstores, eateries and shops, Providence is well worth a visit.

Destination Guide

Aug 2 Martha's Vineyard

A summer resort island just off the coast of Massachusetts, Martha's Vineyard floats in the memories of generations of vacation society. Visit the beach front avenue of Oak Bluffs lined with gingerbread-trimmed cottages, and the Flying Horses antique carousel.

Destination Guide

Aug 3 Nantucket Island/Martha's Vineyard

Aug 4 At Sea

Aug 5 Block Island

Located about 13 miles off the coast of Rhode Island, Block Island is a popular tourist destination during the summer. The area is well known for its bicycling, hiking, sailing, fishing, and beaches. Although, nearly 40% of the island has been set aside for nature conservation, there is still room for popular attractions like the Block Island North Lighthouse, the Southeast Lighthouse and the Block Island Historical Society Museum. The island is also home to the Block Island Race Week, a competitive, week-long sailboat race as well as the renowned annual 4th of July Parade.

Destination Guide

Aug 6 Newport, RI

Newport became important as a resort for wealthy industrialists who built their “summer cottages”, modeled after European palaces, here and elevated Newport to position of “Queen of Summer Resorts.” A tour of the mansions is a must. Newport is also famous as a yachting capital and site of international tennis championships. Colonial Newport boasts a collection of 18th- and 19th-century and pre-Revolutionary buildings. Colonial Downtown is best explored on foot, and much of the town was burned down during British occupation, but enough buildings survived to rival Boston in number of original 18th-century homes. George Washington’s assurances to Newport’s Jewish community of religious liberty encouraged them to build Touro Synagogue in 1763, making it the oldest in the nation. St. Mary’s Church is the oldest Catholic parish in Rhode Island. The Grand Newport Casino and International Tennis Hall of Fame held the first national tennis championship in 1881 and is now Tennis Hall of Fame with a museum on tennis fashions and trophies.

Destination Guide

Aug 7 Bristol, RI

This deep-water seaport in Rhode Island, was named after the famous port of Bristol, England. Home to the America's Cup Hall of Fame as well as the Herreshoff Marine Museum, Bristol is a popular destination for those interested in boating and other maritime activities. During July, visitors can witness the oldest continuously celebrated Independence Day festivities in the United States. Take a ride along the East Bay Bike Path, constructed on an old abandoned railway, to catch some of the best views of Narragansett Bay.

Destination Guide

Aug 8 Providence

Providence, Rhode Island, New England's second-largest city, is an old city, established in 1636 by Roger Williams; but Providence is also young in spirit, with a youthfulness replenished by a steady flow of immigrants.

The hub of culture, governance and commerce in Rhode Island, Providence is also very accessible to other travel destinations in New England, making it both a convenient gateway city as well as an attractive place to live for young professionals, empty-nesters, and Boston and New York refugees.

Six universities call Providence home, including the prestigious Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design; both are located on the East Side, one of more than a dozen walking neighborhoods in the city. On Smith Hill, you'll find the Rhode Island State House, which has the world's fourth-largest self-supported marble dome. Perched atop Providence's gleaming white Capitol is a bronze statue of The Independent Man—a 10-ft/3-m reminder of Williams and the small band of nonconformists who followed him and founded Providence. In the shadows of the State House building, you'll see massive, centuries-old four- and five-story homes.

Providence is also known for dirty politics, potent organized crime and other assorted controversies. One of Providence's most flamboyant characters is Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci Jr., the former and longest-serving mayor, who held office for 20 years. Cianci served five years in a federal prison for a 2002 racketeering conviction. (He also bottled his own pasta sauce.) Another mayor, David Cicilline, is the son of a reputed Mafia lawyer and was also the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. state capital.

Since the 1970s, downtown Providence has been the focus of a large and successful urban renewal project. At its heart are the upscale Providence Place Mall and WaterPlace Park, a 4-acre/2-hectare public area with riverwalks, an amphitheater and a tidal basin created at the confluence of the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck rivers. The renaissance has placed the city on any number of best-cities lists, and whether you're interested in early U.S. history, the arts, authentic Italian food or just hanging out on popular Thayer Street, with its trendy bookstores, eateries and shops, Providence is well worth a visit.

Destination Guide