Trip to Providence (Bristol: renting, hotel, theater)

[Nazira]

I am planning to visit Provdence in Feb. for 4 days. I need some time to relax, so I'll be alone and staying at Biltmore Hotel without car. Need suggestions on what to do. I would like to visit some museums, maybe a theater. Is there any kind of public transportation there or I'll have to take a cab everywhere?

Also planning to visit Red Door Spa in the hotel for half-day treatment. Does anyone have any reviews? Any special treatment I should try?

This is my very first visit to Providence and RI, so I am clueless. If you have any helpful links, I'll be grateful.

thank you!

[fwright]

Nazira, if you are staying at the Biltmore hotel you will not ever need a car to hit most of Providence's high points. It is a compact walkable city with a vibrant alternative nightlife, spectacular restaurants, and amazing live music and theater venues. The few things that are probably not walkable can be easily reached by the excellent trolley system. Every time I go back to Providence (nearly every month although I live in Florida) it is more diverse and more dynamic.

I recommend:

the RISD Museum of Fine Art on College Hill.

Gracie's Restaurant downtown or Chez Pascal on the East Side for a 5 star world class meal

Almost anywhere on Wickenden Street/Fox Point for a cheap and excellent ethnic meal: cambodian, vietnamese, japanese, indian, vegan, korean, new american, etc. Plus numerous live music venues.

The Federal Hill area is renowned for its Italian-American restaurants, pastry shops, and public squares. Unpretentious and friendly.

Grab a free copy of the Providence Phoenix, the local alternative newspaper as soon as you arrive so you can get the latest listings for clubs, live music, theater, independent movie nights at Brown University or other things going on. There is something amazing happening almost every night.

Have a wonderful time!

Frederick
fwright@myself.com

[professorsenator]

Originally Posted by Nazira

I am planning to visit Provdence in Feb. for 4 days. I need some time to relax, so I'll be alone and staying at Biltmore Hotel without car. Need suggestions on what to do. I would like to visit some museums, maybe a theater. Is there any kind of public transportation there or I'll have to take a cab everywhere?

You might think about renting a car and driving down to scenic Bristol, RI for an afternoon. Even in winter its a nice spot.

Hemenway's (note the spelling: not the same as the famous author) is a downtown restaurant noted for it's seafood.

[Nazira]

Thank you for suggestions!

I will arrive via Amtrak train. Google maps tells me it's 0.5 miles from Biltmore hotel. Are those streets walkable? I would love to walk to the hotel if it's not very cold instead of taking a taxi.

[Coem]

Downtown Providence is very walkable. Bring your most comfortable sneakers though because it's very hilly... especially if you walk up to the East Side. From the train station to the Biltmore is about a five minute walk. Don't forget to have a Del's lemonade (might be hard to find in the winter actually).