Providence’s winter charm is undeniable, offering a perfect blend of outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and cozy indoor delights. Embrace the season and create lasting memories in this enchanting New England city.
Roger Williams Park. [Photo provided]
Snowy Park Strolls
Embrace the serenity of winter with a scenic walk through Roger Williams Park. The snow-covered landscape provides a tranquil setting, and the park’s beauty is amplified by its frozen lakes and charming bridges. Bundle up and head over to India Point Park to witness the beauty of winter wildlife along the Seekonk River. Keep an eye out for migratory birds and enjoy the peacefulness of the snowy landscape.
The famous grilled pizza at Al Forno. [Photo provided by the Providence-Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau]
Providence Restaurant Week
Now through Jan. 20, you can savor culinary delights during Providence Restaurant Week, where local eateries present exclusive offers for lunch and dinner, including prix fixe menus, breakfast, and signature cocktails. Secure your spot with reservations or opt for takeout to relish these delectable deals at home. And make sure to prioritize a cozy dinner in Federal Hill, Providence’s renowned Little Italy. From comforting pasta dishes to mouthwatering desserts, these local eateries offer a culinary experience that will make you feel like you’ve taken a trip to the old country.
Ice skating rink at the BankNewport City Center. [Photo provided by the Providence-Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau]
Ice Skating at BankNewport City Center
Glide into winter bliss at the BankNewport City Center, where the outdoor ice skating rink becomes a twinkling oasis. You can bring your own skates or rent them, and whether you’re a skating pro or a novice, this is the perfect spot to enjoy the crisp winter air and picturesque surroundings.
Rooftop at the Providence G. [Photo provided by the Providence-Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau]
Live Music
Providence has a long list of great venues, bars, and restaurants that all regularly feature live music, a lot of which is performed by well-renowned local musicians. Check the websites/social media accounts of local staples like Askew, Tiny Bar, Fish Co., Rooftop at the Providence G, Narragansett Brewery, Long Live Beerworks, Fete Music Hall, Free Play Bar & Arcade, and The Parlour Providence for schedules of their live music and stop by for a bite and a brew before dancing (or head banging!) the night away. Plus, famous downtown theaters The Strand and Providence Performing Arts Center often draw big-name musical acts, so make sure to check their schedules, too!
White Electric. [Photo provided by the Providence-Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau]
Hot Bevvy Tour
Warm up your taste buds with a tour of Providence’s best cafés as you explore charming neighborhoods and discover hidden gems. Little City Coffee & Kitchen on Mathewson has excellent house-made pastries (both sweet and savory) and is located just off Westminster Street, a downtown drag of excellent boutiques, gift shops, and a famous Providence bookstore – Symposium Books; White Electric is Providence’s only worker-owned, co-opted cafe and uses fair-trade, organic coffee and espresso beans locally roasted by New Harvest; Cafe Choklad on Thomas Street near the canal serves up Swedish treats in a homey atmosphere; specialty roasting company Bolt Coffee has two locations and, if they don’t run out, sells locally made Knead Doughnuts to go along with your brew; and east-side café and tea house Ceremony specializes in traditional Asian-inspired pour-overs, sake mixology, pastries, and snacks.
RISD Museum. [Photo provided by the Providence-Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau]
Museums
Providence offers easy access to numerous notable museums, including the RISD Museum, linked to the renowned Rhode Island School of Design; the John Brown House Museum, an 18th-century landmark; and the Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum, a National Historic Landmark. You can also set out on a number of guided tours at historic homes in the area, many of which date back to the mid-18th century. Family-friendly options include the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, the Providence Children’s Museum, and the Roger Williams Park Zoo.
A snow leopard at Roger Willilams Park Zoo. [Photo provided by the Providence-Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau]
Winter Wonder Days at Roger Williams Park Zoo
Discover more than 100 extraordinary species from various corners of the globe at the Roger Williams Park Zoo. Interact with an armadillo, witness the sole Komodo dragon in New England, and explore many other captivating experiences! The zoo’s Winter Wonder Days half-price admission will be available now through the end of February, offered daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to the zoo’s many exotic animals, don’t miss its newly-opened “Faces of the Rainforest” exhibit and experience the indigenous monkeys, birds, amphibians, and reptiles of the Amazon Rainforest.
Farm Fresh RI Market Hall. [Photo by Kendall Pavan St. Lauren]
Indoor Markets
From holiday markets to cultural celebrations, Providence hosts a variety of winter festivals and events, but one of its most popular is the year-round Providence Flea. This year’s winter indoor market will start up February 5 at Farm Fresh RI Market Hall (which also holds a weekly farmers market on Saturdays). Known as more than just a traditional flea market, The Flea touts itself as a “juried vintage and artisan/maker market” that has provided a platform for more than 2,500 local vintage vendors and some of the region’s most imaginative artists, artisans, and creators, in addition to community nonprofits, food trucks, carts, and live musicians.
Providence Place Mall. [Photo provided by the Providence-Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau]
Shopping at Providence Place Mall
Downtown’s Providence Place Mall is a stunning destination featuring numerous renowned stores and dining options. Its “cityside” offers picturesque views of WaterPlace Park, a Venetian-inspired walkway along intertwining rivers. Marvelous arched bridges connect the downtown area to the East Side, providing a charming atmosphere for both shoppers and city explorers.
Prismatica by Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles International. [Photo courtesy of Boston Seaport]
Lumina
Experience Lumina, a new, month-long light festival in Downtown Providence running through February 20. The art installment features a modern ice palace adorned with 25 towering prisms by Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles International, each standing over 6 feet tall. These prisms captivate with vibrant colors through diachronic panels, interacting with ambient light and diverse viewer perspectives. Central attraction “Prismatica” transforms downtown Providence into an imaginative playground, offering performances, programs, tours, and a weekend of activities on Jan. 26 & 27, which will include a light-up parade, food trucks, local beers, family-centric programs, and more surprises. Stay updated on the schedule of events at downtownpvdpark.life.
