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Vacation In Providence

How to enjoy your home city like a tourist

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We all know PVD is a beautiful, interesting, delicious city. But when was the last time you took a day to truly appreciate it? This is the perfect season to take some time – yes, a whole day, your laundry can wait until tomorrow – to vacation in the city we’re lucky to call home.


Spend a Day... Going on a Date

Friend date or romantic date, this day is designed for two.

Start the day off right: with wine and cheese. Cindy Salvato’s Savoring Federal Hill culinary tours start promptly at 9am at the fountain at DePasquale Square. From there, Cindy gives a guided tour of the delicacies of the Hill, stopping to talk with shopkeepers and chefs, and to get ample samples. The tour is over at noon, and you may be tempted to shop afterwards, but don’t. You won’t be home for quite a while yet. 934-2149. 

You probably won’t be hungry at noon, but you will want a bit of a rest. Make it a poolside rest at Aqua at the Providence Marriott, which is a poolside lounge with cabanas, cocktails and access to the pool if you need to cool off. Once you’ve worked up an appetite by staring longingly into each other’s eyes, Aqua serves tasty poolside snacks. 1 Orms Street. 272-2400.

 

The conversation is flowing, the water is sparkling. Keep that relaxed vibe going on a Providence River Boat Tour. They offer narrated tours of the Providence River aboard the MV Proud Mary, as well as sunset and WaterFire tours but don’t blow the sunset, because there’s an even better view of it waiting for you on your next stop. 575 S Water Street. 580-2628.

The Rooftop at the Providence G will get you bonus points on your date for three reasons. One, the view is incomparable – the G is downtown, in the shadow of the Superman Building, with a unique perspective on the city’s gorgeous architecture. Two, the cocktails are delicious. And three, because it just opened last year, the Rooftop is still one of the city’s hottest spots to see and be seen. 100 Dorrance Street. 585-8005.

But if you’re still on your date by dinner, it’s safe to say that things are going pretty well. Pick a more secluded spot for your evening meal. The Waterman Grille, at the far end of Waterman Street in Richmond Square, has a huge deck overlooking the Seekonk River. It’s private and romantic, with some of the best waterfront dining in the city. 4 Richmond Square. 521-9229. 

Finish off the night in the most romantic way possible: at WaterFire. There’s one lighting in June, two in July and two in August. The full schedule is at www.waterfire.org. Sure, you’ve been before, but once in a while it’s nice to forget about the traffic hassle and just enjoy the show.


Spend a Day... Searching for Adventure

Have fun, see the sights and get some exercise while you’re at it.

Start off by getting in a good morning run. But don’t go it alone. Shake up your route by taking a Providence Running Tour. Waterfront running tours start at 7am daily, or you can schedule a different tour (like the Union Station Brewery Beer Tour). The route runs a 5k course along the river. 

You might want to hit the showers before you go to lunch, but if you can’t wait to get to Tallulah’s Taqueria, we can’t exactly blame you. This delicious outpost of Newport’s Tallulah on Thames is all about California-style tacos, where chef Jake Rojas honed his culinary skills, and his palate. 146 Ives Street. 272-8226

Ready to burn off those calories? Head to the Community Boating Center in India Point Park. You can take a sailing lesson, or rent a kayak for the day. For today, go with the kayak. Spend some time exploring the uppermost part of Narragansett Bay, and then paddle through the hurricane barrier. Your next stops will be by boat. 109 India Street. 454-7245. 

All that paddling has definitely made you thirsty. Tie up at the docks and then head into the Hot Club. There’s no better place to enjoy a cold beer on a hot, sunny afternoon. The crowd is always diverse, the beers are always chilled, and the popcorn, well, it isn’t always fresh, but it’s always pretty delicious. 575 S Water Street. 861-9007.

You’re probably going to want some food if you’re going to keep paddling. Walk next door to the Whiskey Republic. At night, it’s a bar with great live music. In the evening, though, it’s a restaurant with solid pub food – think wings in seven flavors, ribs and burgers – and an expansive deck overlooking the river. 515 S Water Street. 588-5158.

Now that you’re fueled up, you’re ready for the final leg of your journey. Get back in the boat and paddle over to the Waterplace basin for a WBRU Summer Concert Series. The concerts are packed on land, but they sound just as good from the water. Smart concertgoers avoid the crowds and listen from some kind of water transportation. Concerts happen on Friday evenings in July and August, and feature a mix of local and national acts. Check out the schedule at www.wbru.com.


Spend a Day... With the Dog

Take Fido with you for a fun day on the town

Today is all about your pup, which is why you’re going to begin it with something new: The Waterman Street Dog Park, at the end of Waterman near the Henderson Bridge. This is the first summer for this off-the-leash dog park, so your dog will have plenty of new places to run and other dogs to sniff. There are walking paths and an enclosed area for furry friends to run free (without you running after them). 

You can’t go into the restaurant with your dog, but nothing is stopping you from making a visit to the Wurst Window, which services Chez Pascal’s gourmet lunch counter, The Wurst Kitchen, from the sidewalk. Grab one to go for yourself – we recommend the bacon-wrapped meatloaf sandwich – and one for your pup if you’re feeling generous. Eat across the street in Lippitt Park, but be prepared to get some attention from kids at the park’s playground. 960 Hope Street. 421-4422.

Stroll up the street for a little bit of pampering. The Cheeky Hound is a new “do it yourself” dog groomer on Hope Street. There are three stalls for washing your pup. Afterwards, apologize to him for all that wetness with a treat from their dog bakery, or a new toy from the cute pet boutique. 727 Hope Street. 454-4444.

Now that you’re ready for some dinner, you might think it’s time to take Fido home. But not so. You’d be surprised to learn how many dog friendly restaurants there are in Providence. Aspire, at the Hotel Providence on Westminster Street, has a dog friendly patio. How friendly, you ask? The restaurant hosts a weekly Yappy Hour during the summer, where dogs and their owners are encouraged to have a bite and enjoy the view. 311 Westminster Street. 521-3333.

Your dog has been patient through cocktails and dinner. Let him blow off some steam before you head home at the Gano Street Dog Park. The best part is that if he’s running around with other dogs, you won’t even have to throw a ball to tire him out so you can get some rest tonight. E Transit Street


Spend a Day... Having Fun with the Kids

Get the whole family involved for a great day together

Start off your day of family fun at the park. If you only make it as far as India Point Park, we can’t blame you. The park’s water views and playground are hard to resist, not to mention all of the festivals happening there, like the Food Truck Festival on June 6, or the Independence Day fireworks and concert on July 4. Gano Street. 785-9450. 

But India Point is also the beginning of the East Bay Bike Path, which stretches almost 15 miles into the East Bay. Don’t bike that whole distance, but do bike into Bristol for a visit to Coggeshall Farm. This working 17th century farm has animals, cooking demonstrations, tons of kids activities and costumed interpreters to give fun history lessons to the whole family. 1 Colt Drive, Bristol. 253-9062. 

Unless your kids are hardcore bikers – and really, who isn’t? – they’re probably going to need a rest on the trip back to Providence. Stop at Crescent Park for some lunch at Blount Clam Shack, and a ride on the Looff Carousel, which is still only a dollar per ride. Bonus: if you catch the brass ring, your next ride is free. 700 Bullocks Point Avenue, East Providence. 435-7518. 

You’re going to want to cool off after all of that riding. Resist the temptation to go home and take a nap, and instead head to the Providence Athenaeum. Though you have to be a member to check out books, there’s no membership necessary to chill out inside the Sayles Gorham Children’s Library and catch a story time, or just read a few books together. 251 Benefit Street. 421-6970.

Time for an afternoon snack – and maybe an adult beverage for the parents. Harry’s Bar & Burger on North Main Street offers half-price sliders every day from 3-5pm, and is always a hit with the kids. What will be a hit with the adults? Spiked milkshakes. You heard us. 121 N Main Street. 228-7437.

End the night by breaking out your lawn chairs and sitting down for a movie al fresco. Movies on the Block presents a different movie, projected on the side of a Westminster Street building, every Thursday night during the summer. Shows start on June 4 with Who Framed Roger Rabbit and end September 24 with a creature double feature of Dracula and Frankenstein. Grant’s Block, 260 Westminster Street. 

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