Providence

About Providence, Rhode Island Real Estate

Big personality, fantastic schools, and waterfront living

Rhode Island⁠—affectionately nicknamed “Little Rhody”—is a small state with a big history. Even though Rhode Island is the smallest of the 50 states, it has much to offer residents, whether they enjoy the arts, an afternoon out on the trails, or dining at some of New England’s best restaurants. Providence, as the state’s capital, reflects the state’s strong sense of history, as well as its uniqueness. The architecture in Providence is eclectic, with buildings ranging from Neoclassical and Greek Revival to Victorian, Queen Anne, and Georgian. 

What to Love

• A thriving arts scene with several historic theaters
• Unique traditions and events like WaterFire
• Home to top colleges and universities like Providence College, RISD, and Brown

Local Lifestyle

Considered one of the top places to live in the United States, Providence combines small-town charm with big-time culture. It’s a classic New England city with stunning, historic structures and quirky seasonal events.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Providence and Rhode Island are a foodie’s paradise with dozens of high-end restaurants to enjoy. Waterman Grille, in Providence, is on the beautiful Seekonk River. It has an intimate ambiance perfect for date nights and special occasions. Try the calamari or the chestnut soup and know you can’t go wrong at Waterman Grille.

With ample space for meetings, events, and celebrations, Mills Tavern is an excellent choice for a corporate get-together or family function. Voted one of the best seafood restaurants in Providence, Mill Tavern is revered for its seasonal menu and extensive wine list.

New Rivers, on Steeple Street, is an American restaurant in a repurposed warehouse setting that lends its visitors a unique and historic ambiance. Its locally sourced ingredients combined with a pristine presentation make New Rivers one of the best restaurants in the heart of Providence.

Providence is a hub for the arts and has no shortage of performing arts opportunities. Topping the list of art venues is the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC). Putting on shows in a restored 1920s theater, the PPAC performs musicals, tribute shows, plays, and concerts. Just around the block, the Trinity Repertory Company is a more intimate venue that hosts films, plays, and musicals in addition to classes for children and adults. The Players, founded in 1909, holds the record for being the oldest continuously-running theater in the United States, and the Veterans Memorial Auditorium is another beautiful venue with a historic Neoclassical theater.

The Arcade Providence holds the title of being America’s oldest indoor mall. Housed within an early 19th-century Greek Revival, the Arcade is home to micro-loft apartments, restaurants, and unique boutiques. Providence Place is a more modern establishment and is Rhode Island’s largest mall, offering retailers like Apple, The Lego Store, and Tiffany & Co.

Things to Do

The RISD Museum is part of the Rhode Island School of Design and allows residents to see the museum’s permanent collection or take in a seasonal showing. Exhibits have included topics like “Drawing Closer,” a look into 400 years of drawing at RISD, and “A Changing Reflection,” which put 19th-21st-century metalwork on display.

Designed by Donald Ross, the Triggs Memorial Golf Course is just northwest of downtown Providence and provides a well-maintained, 18-hole course that’s open to the public. Or, nature enthusiasts can visit the Blackstone Park Conservation District, 45 acres of woodlands with playgrounds for the kids and plenty of peaceful hiking trails to explore.

Providence hosts a variety of annual festivals, including the infamous WaterFire event that happens bi-monthly from May to November. During those months, an array of braziers are placed in the middle of the river and set on fire. The Rhode Island Black Film Festival also takes place in Providence, as do several farmers’ markets.

Schools

The school district serving public schools in Providence, Rhode Island, is the Providence Public Schools District.

• The Wheeler School, PK-12
• Rhode Island School of Design, ranked #1 best design school by Business Insider
• Providence College, ranked #1 in regional universities north by US News
• Brown University, ranked #14 in national universities by US News

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