Providence combines the accessibility and friendliness of a small town with the culture and sophistication of a big city. With a thriving arts community, vibrant and diverse neighborhoods, outstanding hotels, a renowned restaurant scene and so many things to do, Providence is the perfect place to visit. The city's compact size and convenient location make it easy to get to and hard to forget. Nearby Warwick offers bountiful shopping and 39 miles of coastline, while the scenic beauty and rich history of Rhode Island's other regions are a quick drive away. Historic and hip, sophisticated and small-town, Providence packs the best of New England into one convenient and colorful package.

Providence Highlights:

Nationally recognized for its outstanding design, WaterPlace Park is the focal point of Providence's revitalized downtown. This four-acre urban park surrounding a tidal basin features an amphitheater, landscaped terraces, boat landings, a clock tower and an outstanding restaurant. The river is edged by cobble-stoned pedestrian walkways, park benches, trees and flowering plants.

A series of Venetian bridges connects downtown Providence to the city's historic East Side. From here you can ride a water taxi down Providence's redesigned rivers, stroll the scenic riverwalk, or idle in the gazebo and enjoy the view. WaterPlace Park is also the site of special events such as outdoor concerts and one of the best views for the acclaimed WaterFire. Cited by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America's premier urban parks, Roger Williams Park was designed by Horace Cleveland, noted American landscape architect. With more than 430 acres, the Park is comprised of waterways, walks, outdoor gardens, a Carousel Village, Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, the magnificent Temple to Music and the park's crown jewel, Roger Williams Park Zoo. The Carousel Village features a vintage carousel, pony rides, a themed miniature golf course and kiddie go-boats. The Tennis Center has Rhode Island's only clay courts available for public use. The boathouse has paddle-boats and mini-speed boats. The newly constructed Botanical Center provides an enviable evergreen oasis.

India Point Park is currently transitioning from outdoor afterthought to an architectural focal point. An 18-acre city park overlooking Narragansett Bay, the park is undergoing a fantastic new re-design and improvement under the umbrella of the city's I-Way public works project. Bike paths, playgrounds and waterfront views sparkle amidst lush lawns and a new pedestrian bridge. Parks with rolling green hills, a botanical center that's an oasis of green in the dead of winter, Riverwalks with kayaks and gondolas sharing space - Providence has plenty to catch your eye and keep your attention.

Visit the Oficial Providence-Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau for more info.

Getting Around:

The Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA) offers low-cost bus service throughout Rhode Island. Visitors to Providence can access the city's Downtown, Federal Hill and East Side neighborhoods through RIPTA's Providence LINK Trolley. LINK trolleys run on CNG (compressed natural gas), a clean fuel, and offer two routes to Providence's restaurants, hotels, theaters, universities, historic sites, shopping and more. The cost is $2 per person, per ride or $6 for a one-day pass.

Rhode Island Convention Center

The Conference venue is the award-winning Rhode Island Convention Center (RICC is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Providence. It is connected via skybridge to the Dunkin' Donuts Center, the Westin Providence Hotel, and a parking garage. The RICC is a Green-certified property, with a MORPH system that allows for composting.

The RICC is a 50-minute drive from Boston and a three-hour drive from New York City, both via I-95. An Amtrak station is located within easy walking distance of the RI Convention Center and most downtown hotels. The station also offers commuter rail transportation to Boston and to Warwick's TF Green Airport, just 15 minutes from the city.

Award-winning T.F. Green Airport (PVD) facility offers scheduled rail service from Warwick to Providence and Boston. The Interlink also includes a consolidated rental car facility and bus transportation options.

Boston Logan Airport (BOS) is approximately 80.47 km/50.0 miles from Providence. Logan has four passenger terminals, A, B, C and E, each with its own ticketing, baggage claim, and ground transportation facilities. The terminals are connected to the central parking garage by a walkway system. In all, there are 94 gates with contact jet bridges and nine regional jet gates at the airport and more than 40 airlines fly nonstop to more than 100 domestic and international destinations. Options for getting to and from the hotel include the Peter Pan Bus Line or the MBTA.

EXPLORE RHODE ISLAND

The smallest state in the U.S., Rhode Island packs plenty of excitement into its borders. From stunning ocean vistas to a rich colonial heritage, our state's diverse tourism regions offer a wide variety of entertainment options.

Blackstone Valley
History unfolds along the Blackstone River - the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. www.tourblackstone.com

Block Island
Unspoiled natural beauty 12 miles off our coast. www.blockislandinfo.com

Newport & Bristol County
Where scenic coastline meets magnificent mansions from the Gilded Age. www.gonewport.com

South County
Miles of beaches and trails make South County a perfect getaway. www.southcountyri.com

Warwick
Parks, golf courses and more shopping than anywhere else in the state. www.visitwarwickri.com