A College Kid’s Guide to Providence
Returning to Brown University for my junior year after nearly six months away, I was more than ready to be back exploring all of Providence, Rhode Island’s quirks and charms. I’ve always thought of Brown as having the best of both worlds: a comfortable, green campus and a bustling, unique city only a few blocks away. Brown is in the College Hill neighborhood of the East Side of Providence, but the beauty of the city and its manageable geography means it can all end up feeling like your campus. And as I discover more of Rhode Island in general, I’ve found that while it may be the smallest state, it has so much to offer. The COVID-19 crisis impacted everyone, to varying degrees; Rhode Island, like the rest of the Northeast, was hit earlier on and has been working hard ever since to keep residents safe. Brown let students back in waves, with almost fully online learning and testing twice a week for all students and staff. I’m beyond happy to be back on campus, but of course it’s different. As we all look to the future and getting Rhode Island fully on its feet again, I’d like to think of this guide as not only a fun bucket list, but also a recognition of the vibrancy of the city and suggestions for businesses to support. Here’s my personal guide for living as a college student in Providence, from favorite restaurants to fun day trips.
College Hill — plus neighboring Blackstone, Fox Point, Hope, and Wayland Square
Brown’s campus is centrally located amidst several neighborhoods that offer a multitude of eating options and fun activities. There’s actually a lot beyond the gates of the Main Green!
Quick Bites: Start with Bagel Gourmet, Blue State Coffee, and La Creperie on nearby Thayer Street; further east, there’s Tea in Sahara, Aleppo Sweets, vegan ice cream at Like No Udder, and breakfast at Malachi’s; head down to Wickenden Street for Coffee Exchange and the wildly popular PVDonuts; travel up to Wayland Square to the new Madrid European Bakery and L’Artisan Cafe; make pit stops at Knead Doughnuts and Rebelle Artisan Bagels then top it off with the best bread at Seven Stars Bakery on Hope Street.
Full Meals: Favorites close to campus or on Thayer include East Side Pockets, Den Den Korean Fried Chicken, Flatbread Company, Heng Thai and Rotisserie, and, for when you’re up at 5am, Louis Family Restaurant; Wickenden Street has great brunch spots in Amy’s, Brickway, Duck & Bunny, and The Shop as well as other fun places like Sakura; there’s variety all around the East Side, from quick takeout at Tallulah’s Taqueria to nice dinner spots like Pasta Beach to places you’d take your parents to, like Persimmon or Waterman Grille.
Things to Do: One of the best spots is India Point Park, overlooking the Seekonk and Providence Rivers. It’s perfect for a morning run, midday picnic, and evening sunset watch. Then, you can go by Wickenden for some shopping, from vintage/thrift finds at Togs on Brook to cute gifts and jewelry at NAVA. For a rainy day (and believe me, there will be plenty of those), Avon Cinema shows indie movies and RISD Museum, though temporarily closed, is lovely. And on fall and spring Saturday mornings, take the Blackstone Boulevard Bike Path to the Hope Street Farmers Market.
Downtown — including Federal Hill and RiverWalk
Only a few minutes away down the hill is the Providence River and a lively, individualistic downtown scene. Plus, you can basically walk to any of these spots.
Downtown Dining: Pick up some Dave’s Coffee on the way down to the river then stop at Plant City for a fun, casual meal; bring your visiting relatives to classy Hemenway’s and Cafe Nuovo or cross your fingers for a reservation at Al Forno; on Weybosset Street, grab brunch at Ellie’s or Circe then go to the Malted Barley for the best soft pretzels (and a little Monday night trivia). And of course, the list isn’t complete without Atwell’s Avenue on historic Federal Hill. This bustling street has anything you’d want, but is known for its Italian food. It also has an amazing bakery in Pastiche Fine Desserts.
Providence Pastimes: Downtown boasts the RiverWalk, a two mile stretch alongside the Providence River. Pick up a Del’s Lemonade and make your way through the city; the newly built Pedestrian Bridge offers the best view of downtown. As for the arts, Trinity Repertory Company, though their shows are now online, stages innovative performances. Finally, COVID has altered plans this year, but typically every other weekend in the spring through fall there’s WaterFire, a street festival with local vendors centered around a showcase of bonfires lit up along the river.
Greater Rhode Island
Whether in a car or on the RIPTA—Rhode Island’s public transportation that’s free for Brown students (and yes, RI is small enough to have just one bus system!)—there’s tons of fun day trips in the Ocean State.
Best Beaches: Visiting Rhode Island’s 400 miles of coastline is perfect for social distancing and enjoying the weather while it lasts. For something closer and more lowkey, go to college student favorite RISD Beach (then stop at The Daily Scoop for ice cream); further south, there’s East Matunuck State Beach, Narragansett Beach, and Newport Beach, among many others; and if you’re really looking for an adventure, take the ferry to Block Island for the day, or travel to Watch Hill and try to spot Taylor Swift’s house!
A Few More Fun Things: Go on a nature walk through Lincoln Woods or Roger Williams Park Zoo; travel along the scenic East Bay Bike Path in East Providence; explore the Cliff Walk in Newport; and finally, though it’s in Massachusetts (but only 15 minutes away), this list isn’t complete without a new favorite of mine and my roommates, The Ice Cream Barn, where all ice cream is made on site and is absolutely delicious.
I’ve come to love Providence so much in the time I’ve been at Brown, and have only appreciated it more this fall as I’ve been able to spend more time trying different take out food, exploring other neighborhoods, and going on outdoor adventures. Rhode Island may be small, but it’s got a huge heart. Enjoy exploring!
