Vacation In the City

Summer is upon us and that means a few things: your kids are home from school, your boss has graced you with free Fridays, and you’re probably in desperate need of a vacation. You don’t need to spend all of your 401K on a trip to Bermuda to get the excursion you want when Providence is bustling with activities that make it easy to vacation at home. When it comes down to it, a vacation is about eating, relaxing, exploring and drinking three (or ten) too many margaritas. Any city can give you that. Here’s how Providence does it.

Shack Up
Clam cakes and chowder are to Rhody summers like hairspray is to Pauly D.’s wall of bangs: necessary and frequently needed. The best news is that you don’t have to travel far to indulge in the delicious summer staple anymore. Blount Clam Shack and Soup Bar, located on Richmond Street, offers dine-in, take-out, and catering of their famed clam shack fare, salads, sandwiches and wide variety of hot soups. No shorelines necessary for this piece of summer vacation. 

Escape For Lunch
Dine al fresco – and on world cuisine – at Food Truck Tuesday at Grant’s Block.

Sipping By The Water
A vacation without cocktails by the water is basically a Monday afternoon where you forgot to pick up your kid from school – a big ‘ole mess and in dire need of a redo. Avoid the faux pas by hanging out at one of the many waterfront restaurants and bars that offer up signature drinks, fruity concoctions and maybe even a little paper umbrella. From the badass whiskey-rita at Lola’s Tequila Bar & Cantina to the blueberry mojito at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse to the Pink Panther at Waterplace Restaurant, there’s a vacation happening in glassware around Providence at all times. Make it a waterfront bar-hop and stop over by Cafe Nuovo, Hot Club, Whiskey Republic and Waterman Grille, while you’re at it. Just be sure school is out for vacation so you don’t pull a Monday afternoon mishap again.

The Big Screen
Movies on the Block in Downcity is the city’s only outdoor movie theater, which plays free flicks from years past. Everything from Old School to The Godfather to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest has lit up the oversized projection screen against the brick building of Grant’s Block. Grab your beach blanket, chairs and some friends, and head down for a fun night under the stars. 

Walk This Way
I have a clear memory of vacationing in Charleston, South Carolina. Gorgeously warm southern nights. Delightful sounds of jazz. Bustling rooftops of happy people. And a haunted city walking tour guided by a drunken sailor. Ok, maybe he wasn’t a sailor, but there was no doubt that he was five tequila shots deep as he frantically tried to spook us with rattling chains and outbursts of apparition sightings at every old pirate dungeon. But that fascinating tour (and guide) was the highlight of our week. Providence has its own haunted walking tour (minus the drunk leader) at Providence Ghost Tour, where you’ll be led by lanterns through the darkened streets of the East Side, visiting only the most haunted buildings while listening to the stories that unfolded before them. If you’re afraid of the dark, maybe a day time collection of museum-worthy 18th and 19th century wood-frame houses during the Benefit Street Walking Tour  is more your speed. And if you’re just plain hungry, book a Culinary Walking Tour with Cindy Salvato. She will guide you through the popular Italian destination that is Federal Hill, where you’ll spend three glorious hours meeting chefs, bakers and ravioli makers, sampling food, learning cooking tips and tricks and get exclusive behind-the-scenes looks at each retail establishment.

Tee Time
Let’s face it, vacationers like to golf. Whether it’s the husbands sneaking away while the wives hit up the beach or the wives grabbing a quick game while the husbands sit on their room terrace without sunblock on, crushing 62 Bud Lights, someone is teeing off (and throwing up) before the week’s end. You don’t need to leave Providence for that magic to happen. Established in 1932, Triggs Memorial Golf Course of the west side of Providence is an exceptional par four public course that hosts tournaments, fundraisers and private events, while also offering lessons, golf camps and clinics. If you’re looking to brush up your skills or get your kids in on the action, Buttonhole is the perfect nine-hole par three course to check out. Grab your tees (and Tylenol) and make way for the greens.

Get Festive
Get your authentic Italian on with the Federal Hill Stroll, while sampling signature cuisine, listening to live entertainment and enjoying exclusive discounts at restaurants, shops and galleries. $30 admission gets you two free beverages. June 4th.

Over on Empire Street, The Foo Fest, a music and arts festival hosted by AS220, transforms a downtown street into a spirited one-day block party, with a genre-spanning bill of nearly two-dozen musical acts – including a nationally known headliner. The festival also calls out to your inner-artists and your children with over a dozen installations and family-friendly participatory creative activities. August 10. 

You don’t have to be Martha to get involved in this do-it-yourself art carnival. The annual family-friendly Wooly Fair is created by an enthusiastic group of Providence-based artists (The Woolies), connected by science and innovation, and is a showcase for all performing, interactive and participatory arts – rotating annual fun and quirky festival themes. August 16-18.     

Go Where The Music Is
A warm evening breeze, a cold beer in hand and live music seeping out of a lit up, lively venue or stage is what vacation is all about. (Well, besides not having to work.) Transport yourself to that happy place instantly when heading to Waterplace Park downtown to check out one of the free weekly outdoor alt rock shows in the WBRU Summer Concert Series, happening Friday nights in June and July. If jazz, blues, Celtic or other worldly music is more your style, enjoy the Thursday night Concerts Under the Elms at the John Brown House Museum, starting on June 27. Other outdoor summer musical happenings include the Burnside Park Beer Garden Music Series in July and August or the Burnside Park Noon Tunes (for all you afternoon imbibers), both happening downtown on Thursdays in July and August. The free concerts at the Trolley Shelter on Blackstone Boulevard also happen throughout the summer. Whatever your musical preference, there’s a concert waiting for you.

Love On The River
When I’m on vacation, I like to romance my husband with long walks on the beach, poems in the moonlight and an extra large coffee from 7-11 (flavored creamer included). When these notions of adoration run their course (I know it’s hard to believe that they ever could), we like to get up and do something. Sometimes, that something involves a boat. Or a tour. Or a boat tour. Which really means we just need to head downtown to keep our marriage alive. Grab a drink from Hot Club and walk out of its doors and onto its docks for an evening or night cruise around the harbor, while admiring the diversity of the city around you, with Providence River Boat Company (440-6920). Make it an extra special “candlelit” date and schedule your ride during a WaterFire. For an even closer look at the mini blazes of beauty, jump on over to the Providence River for a gondola ride by La Gondola. Each authentic Venetian vessel provides a gondolier steering you through the Renaissance City, with complimentary locally made wine biscuits, ice bucket and glasses (for you to bring your beverage of choice) and Italian music.

Get Ready, Set, Learn
Every place I’ve ever visited has boasted an array of museums. (Well, except for Costa Rica. They had monkeys and hotel blackouts). From the Smithsonian in Washington DC to the Ripley’s Believe it Or Not in Key West, a museum is a perfect way to spend a day exploring your surroundings. Providence has plenty to choose from. The John Brown House offers a glimpse into the lives of the Brown Family of the 18th century and all they encountered – from manufacturing goods to the slave trade to women’s education and domestic activities. Over on the other side of town sits the Governor Stephen Hopkins House. Governor Hopkins was one of the two Rhode Island signers of the Declaration of Independence and his 18th century house, that he crafted much of himself, remains preserved and houses pieces of the personal belongings and furnishings. Stepping up to the 19th century, the Roger Williams Museum of Natural History and Planetarium opened its doors and now curates over 250,000 objects and specimens from all over the world, ranging from natural history plants and fossils to cultural and archeological artifacts. The family-friendly museum also houses a state-of-the-art planetarium, which provides cosmic displays daily throughout the summer. For all you art lovers, the RISD Museum is never-ending gallery of worldly works of art and design, which offers a plentitude of workshops, interactive displays (like The Big Draw), tours, resources and discussions. It even offers free admission on Sunday mornings.

Bike the City
While rollerblading down a boulevard in nothing but a bikini top and cut-off shorts is someone’s idea of a nice way to spend a day when they’re away, it only reminds me of the time I ate at the soccer field next to a track after an unfortunate mishap with the two-year-old triker who tried to assassinate me. From that point forward, the only wheels I blazed on were a bike’s. With a helmet. And maybe some ice cream. Enjoy your own (safe) vacation day on wheels right here in town. Need a bike? Build your own at Recycle-A-Bike. Restore two abandoned bikes and you’ll keep one for yourself. And if you already own one that needs a little loving, you can drop in to Recycle-A-Bike at any time and use their tools and space to repair. Once you’re ready to roll, check out Caster’s Bicycles and Fitness for an indoor trainer class – a program focusing on aerobics, muscular strength and pedaling efficiency. Now that you’re fully equipped, ride along The Fred Lippitt Woonasquatucket River Greenway Bike Path, which is a 5.5 mile path that runs from Providence Place Mall to Lyman Avenue in Johnston and includes Providence’s only off-road bike path. The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council also hosts an annual Woony River Ride fundraiser in September – a 35/20/10/5 mile ride circling from Providence through North Smithfield, along the scenic Woonasquatucket River, culminating in an outdoor barbeque. And, if you’re simply looking for a day group ride to join, check out Providence Bicycle for their schedule of leisurely weekly gatherings.

It’s Getting Hot In Here
What’s vacation without lush flowers, a little humidity and a body of water to cool off in? A trip to the tropics is closer than you think. Head over to Providence’s own urban oasis at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center. The Botanical Center is the largest public indoor display gardens in New England, housing two green houses that include over 150 species of plants and 17 types of palms. After you’ve worked up a sweat exploring the tropical jungle, cool off in a poolside paradise at Aqua in the Providence Marriott. Aqua is Providence’s only poolside lounge, offering everything from fire pits to luxurious cabanas to decadent cocktails. It can host parties of up to 200, so even if you don’t swim, that’s enough space to make your own rap video... which is really a gateway to having your own vodka line. Who doesn’t love the tropics?

Get Jazzy
After a hectic work week with no vacation in site, the best way to unwind and pretend you’re anywhere but home is to enjoy some cocktails outdoors while listening to the soothing sounds of jazz. Aspire in the Providence Hotel hosts an impressive rotation of live jazz musicians every Friday night (Greg Abate and Tish Adams, to name a few), out in their courtyard, under the stars. Over at the Providence Biltmore, live jazz is taking place in the form of Thursdays on the Terrace, with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, summer cocktail menu and a beautiful view of the city. Relax, unwind and call out sick on Monday. 

Let’s Take A Cruise
I’m not going to lie, my idea of boating on vacation involves Moët, deck-top dance parties and pretending that I’m a celebrity. So it only makes sense that the only time I experience any of these things is when I’m watching reality TV. Lucky for us, we have a bunch of real-time boating fun right here in our lovely city. For starters, if you do own a yacht, (and want to invite me onto it), you can join the Rhode Island Yacht Club, whose marina’s high-end amenities, clubhouse and events make it a sought-after spot to enjoy dinners on the docks, racing, cruises, fishing tournaments and endless social activities and happenings. Over at the Narragansett Boat Club, switch nautical gears and move into the world of rowing and sculling. With public rowing classes for all ages, the NBC offers memberships, regattas, events, camaraderie, competition and more. Lastly, set sail to the Narragansett Bay at the Community Boating Center in India Point Park. Become a member of the Center and you (and your children) will be able to access sailing lessons, free use of their boats and boating equipment, discounts for functions or parties, and peace of mind in knowing that you don’t have to actually buy a boat or maintain its upkeep.