Providence/Downtown

Downtown Providence (also known as Downcity Providence) includes the core of the downtown area as well as Waterplace Park, the Providence Place Mall, and Capitol Hill.

Understand
A number of Providence's historic buildings are downcity, as are many businesses, as well as Rhode Island's main public transportation station, Kennedy Plaza (KP). Parking is hard to find, with meters and lots scattered throughout the city. Downcity Providence is home to a growing number of interesting restaurants, nightclubs, and shops.

Get in
See Providence for details on how to reach the city Providence.

Within Providence, driving or RIPTA buses will take you to Downtown.

Get around
Downtown Providence is very compact and can easily be covered walking. There is some parking available throughout the city, but RIPTA's public transport network is extensive and an alternative to driving.

By bus
Although public transit in Providence is almost entirely comprised of buses, the buses are on-time, reliable, and much of RIPTA's bus fleet is new. Kennedy Plaza, RIPTA's downtown bus station is well laid out with digital displays at each terminal that tell when the next bus will be coming.

Two of the downtown lines are run completely on natural gas trackless trolleys (called the Providence LINK Trolley), and cover most of historic Providence. Base fare is $2.00, though e-riptiks or ride passes may be purchased either on-board or at local Shaw's and Stop and Shop supermarkets. Seniors or disabled persons ride for half-price during non-peak hours with the presentation of an ID. Students from some local colleges can buy discounted bus passes or use their school id cards (policy varies depending on the school).

By car
Driving is another way to get around Downtown Providence. Once you are in the downtown area, everything is about a 5-minute drive from one location to the next. Parking on Federal Hill is available but fills up fast. There is also valet at almost every restaurant there. Parking on Thayer Street is available but you may be going up and down the streets around it a few times before you actually find a spot.

By taxi
If walking and/or bus trips don't suit your fancy, cab rides are also an option. Taxis are constantly idling in the area of Kennedy Plaza, just outside of the 7-Eleven, and also just a couple of blocks away at the Providence Westin (One West Exchange Street).


 * USA Taxi, +1 401-516-3177
 * City Express Cab. Providence, +1 401-286-9277

Arts and culture

 * Fools Ball. AS220's signature gala event. This yearly party spans five days and countless exhibits. Every year brings a new theme. Major events usually include live music, art exhibits, dinners and film screenings.
 * Providence Poetry Slam. Held on the first and fourth Thursday of every month. This eclectic event, one of the venue's most popular, features both local and national poets and musicians. All artists (novice and professional) and spectators are welcome; the Providence Slam team has had great success in the National Poetry Slam over the past decade.
 * Geek Dinners. Held on the last Wednesday of every month. These dinners allow those involved in Rhode Island's technology industry to communicate and collaborate. Geek Dinners always have a featured presentation or discussion. Topics vary greatly, from startups to web services to hardware.
 * Fools Ball. AS220's signature gala event. This yearly party spans five days and countless exhibits. Every year brings a new theme. Major events usually include live music, art exhibits, dinners and film screenings.
 * Providence Poetry Slam. Held on the first and fourth Thursday of every month. This eclectic event, one of the venue's most popular, features both local and national poets and musicians. All artists (novice and professional) and spectators are welcome; the Providence Slam team has had great success in the National Poetry Slam over the past decade.
 * Geek Dinners. Held on the last Wednesday of every month. These dinners allow those involved in Rhode Island's technology industry to communicate and collaborate. Geek Dinners always have a featured presentation or discussion. Topics vary greatly, from startups to web services to hardware.


 * Rhode Island Convention Center Providence. A multipurpose facility available for almost any event, from dog shows to dinner banquets. Special Events at the Rhode Island Convention Center:
 * Northeast International Auto Show - Automobile extravaganza featuring hundreds of new model cars, trucks, minivans and sport-utility vehicles from more than twenty import and domestic manufacturers.
 * Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show - More than twenty-eight gardens, lectures and demonstration, children’s activities, bookstore and more than 200 garden-related vendor booths.
 * The Home Show - Largest and most informative consumer home show in southern New England. Features hundreds of exhibitors and displays of the latest products and services for building, remodeling and decorating homes. A variety of seminars and demonstrations.
 * Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show - More than twenty-eight gardens, lectures and demonstration, children’s activities, bookstore and more than 200 garden-related vendor booths.
 * The Home Show - Largest and most informative consumer home show in southern New England. Features hundreds of exhibitors and displays of the latest products and services for building, remodeling and decorating homes. A variety of seminars and demonstrations.



Buy
Downcity is the new place to grab a cappuccino or snag a great pair of jeans. You can drool over must-have furnishings or stop for a bistro lunch. Browse art books. Then toast a day well spent. You can do it all in Downcity Providence, home to a collection of fine design, fashion, and dining opportunities.


 * Westminster Street boasts much of the newest and most diverse local shopping in the city. Parking along this one-way street is nearly impossible; walk there if you can, or park in one of the nearby lots. A selection of the shops along Westminster include:
 * Westminster Street boasts much of the newest and most diverse local shopping in the city. Parking along this one-way street is nearly impossible; walk there if you can, or park in one of the nearby lots. A selection of the shops along Westminster include:
 * Westminster Street boasts much of the newest and most diverse local shopping in the city. Parking along this one-way street is nearly impossible; walk there if you can, or park in one of the nearby lots. A selection of the shops along Westminster include: