Providence attractions

The big shot, so to speak, among Providence's attractions is Waterfire, a free, seasonal outdoor sculpture that takes place on select evenings (mostly Saturdays) between May and October. On those evenings, 100 bonfires, which are suspended just inches above the surface of Providence's three rivers, are lit and kept ablaze from sunset until after midnight. Music is played in the background, and visitors can stroll around and enjoy the unique display. Waterfire is a huge draw, so expect crowds when the show is on, and plan accordingly.

Waterfire may bring in the masses, but it was the Trinity Repertory Company, founded in 1964, that put Providence on the cultural map. Almost immediately, Trinity Rep was recognized as one of the premier theater companies in the country, and it won the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater Company in 1981. The theater produces everything from world premieres to a popular annual production of A Christmas Carol. Theater fans can also catch a performance at the Perishable Theater and the Providence Black Repertory Company, or check the listings at the Providence Performing Arts Center, which often hosts traveling Broadway shows in addition to rock and pop concerts.

Art enthusiasts should head over to the RISD museum (RISD is the acronym for the Rhode Island School of Design) which, while not particularly large, is home to more than 80,000 pieces of art from numerous time periods and styles. Visitors will find Greek sculptures, French impressionist art, and a prized, wooden Buddha nearly 10 feet tall. General admission is $8, and there are several discounts and free-admission days each month. The museum also has a children's program that combines hands-on activities with art appreciation lessons to create a fun learning experience for the youngsters.

Providence showcases local artists with Gallery Night, a free event that takes place on every third Thursday of the month from March through November. How it works is simple: park your car and board a free shuttle bus that travels through the city from 5 to 9 p.m., stopping at participating galleries along the way. You are free to hop on and off at whichever galleries you choose throughout the evening. There is also a map if you wish to walk from gallery to gallery.

There are plenty of activities ideal for families as well. The Roger Williams Park Zoo is the third oldest in the nation and houses nearly 1,000 animals. Two minor league teams, the Providence Bruins and Pawtucket Red Sox, provide a chance to take in a hockey or baseball game at a fraction of the cost of their big league parents. During the colder months, the Bank of America Skating Center, with a rink twice the size of Rockefeller Center's, creates that quintessential experience of ice skating in the city. Adults can skate for $6, children and seniors for $3. For rainy days, the Providence Place Mall has seemingly innumerable shops and restaurants, an IMAX theater, and a regular movie theater.

Finally, there's food. Johnson & Wales University, the world's largest culinary educator, calls Providence its home, and as a result, Providence has more degreed chefs per capita than any other U.S. city. The Providence Journal (free registration required) has a list of restaurants and reviews.