Rhode Island’s capital is a city of neighborhoods. The city offers activities and atmospheres for many tastes depending on where you are. Looking for authentic Italian food or perhaps a nightclub? Head to Federal Hill. If you prefer a collegiate atmosphere, head over to College Hill, home to Brown University, eclectic shopping, and plenty of good, inexpensive restaurants.

Providence is a typical New England city with warm summers, cool, crisp autumns, and cold winters. It is a place where intellectuals debate the latest political issue over cups of coffee or kombucha. With its liberal atmosphere, it is a haven for hippies, scholars, and the generally odd. But don’t worry, there are plenty of mainstream types here, too. If you’re looking for a fun-loving, laid back city, you’ve found it.

Liberal and tolerant, Providence is a wonderful city for gay travel. You can be openly out here while feeling safe and accepted. Areas like College Hill, Federal Hill, and Downtown are particularly fun with gay-owned and gay friendly coffee shops, stores, hotels, and other locales. Divine Providence, the local gay weekly paper, keeps tabs on all the best events in the city as well as gay friendly activities and destinations.

For nightlife, you’ll find several gay bars on the southern edge of Downtown and many eclectic bars in College Hill. There are a few women’s dance clubs and some nightclubs with dance shows in Providence as well.

For daytime activities, you’ll find many art galleries and history museums in Providence. Plus, it is a good city for walking with several parks, a waterfront area, and colonial architecture.

If you’re bringing the kids along, there is plenty for them to do. The Providence Children’s Museum is mostly hands-on. There is an exhibit on the history of Rhode Island, a natural history exhibit where the kids can dig for dinosaur bones, building blocks to play with, and plenty of activities for all ages.

The Museum of Natural History and Planetarium is a good time for the whole family. Study fossils, learn about Native Americans in New England, inspect some stuffed birds, and then hit up the planetarium. The planetarium offers many shows about the moon, our solar system, and mysterious cosmic events. Perhaps you’ll inspire the next generation of astronauts.

Roger Williams Park is a wonderful place for a picnic lunch. It is a vast park with a lake and fountain, walking trails, and many other attractions in its more than four hundred acres. One highlight is a Victorian carousel with many animals to ride like big rabbits, lions, and mythical creatures. There also a playground, zoo, botanical garden, and an area for pony rides.

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