Rhode Island’s creative capital, Providence, embodies both urban sophistication and small-town charisma. The tightly-woven fabric that binds the city’s cultural heritage comes from its gilded history that dates back to the Puritan settlers. The wealth of historical attractions in Providence swells in numbers, largely because it ranks as one of the biggest cities in New England.
Ivy League town
It was a divine stroke of luck that a liberal-minded theologian Roger Williams discovered Providence. It was made into a haven for creative and independent thinking, safe from the strict Puritan ways. Today, the city still bears that passion for free thinking. It is home to an Ivy League institution, Brown University, and equally impressive colleges such as Rhode Island School of Design and Johnson & Wales University.
History and architecture
Being a historic city, Providence has plenty of architectural highlights. If you take pleasure in seeing well-restored buildings, then a visit to Providence will unravel its own share of architectural charms. Stay at the Renaissance Providence Downtown and see the State Capitol that exudes sheer grandeur, with its white marble façade built in the late 1800s. Dating earlier than the capitol is the campus of Brown University and its structures dating back to 1764. Another architectural showcase from the Georgian era is John Brown House, a three-storey mansion filled with a collection of fine art and decorative pieces. Providence’s First Baptist Church shouldn’t be missed as well, being one of the most beautiful samples of Georgian architecture in the country.
Art city
Art finds a passionate home in Providence. The renowned Rhode Island School of Design, near the Hampton Inn & Suites Providence, offers the Providence Museum of Art, containing extensive works of Impressionists and fine art from every continent. A different form of art can be found in Governor Henry Lippit House Museum, which honors the legacy of a prominent figure in Rhode Island’s history. The house’s woodwork and antiquated central heating system are sources of wonder for anyone who visits this stately home.
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