In 1837, the cathedral was established with the celebration of the first Mass. It is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence. The structure is made from brown sandstone and is a standing example of architectural brilliance. Inside the church, green marble is extensively used. Oil paintings and statues form an integral part of this church. The stained glass windows, depicting scenes from testaments, take you back in time. It also has the largest organ featuring 6,616 pipes.
India Point Park is located in the Fox Point neighborhood, right outside of bustling College Hill. It is a tranquil oasis with waterfront paths that meander between graceful trees, attracting bikers, joggers, dog-walkers and anyone else who enjoys the outdoors and spectacular views of the harbor. The park holds an important place in American history as it is where Roger Williams landed in 1638. The park's name itself is the product of its historic use as a launch for trade ships heading to the East and West Indies. India Point Park attracts an eclectic crowd with its myriad pleasures, and is often used as a venue for spectacular open-air events like concerts, fireworks shows and festivals.
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum is a vast estate spread across 33 acres (13.35 hectares) of land. Established in the late 19th Century, this sprawling estate was the summer home of the Van Wickle family. The grounds feature over 250 varieties of native and exotic plants. The mansion, perched in the center of the property, occupies around 10 acres (4.04 hectares) of the land. It is designed in the Queen-Anne style and houses 45 rooms. The gardens can be used to host private celebrations. Take home souvenirs of your trip from the gift shop located within the visitors center. The mansion is open only from April to mid-October; check the website for further details.
The Southwick's Zoo is a zoological park owned by the Southwick family for the past 50 years. This zoo features deer, birds, lions, leopards, and many other species from the animal kingdom. Visitors can also avail of camel or pony rides while they are here; there is a petting zoo too. The zoo hosts a number of interactive programs, activities, and events for all ages throughout the year. The African Plains exhibit and the North America exhibit are two of the most popular. The Skyfari Sky Ride offers breathtaking views of the entire zoo landscape and a bird's eye view of the animals. Spend an afternoon here with the family; you won't regret it!
The Torpedo Boat PT-617, also known as the Big Red Cock and Dragon Lady, is the only surviving boat of its kind. IT was the most utilized, combat tested PT boat in the World War 2. Today, the boat is a museum ship at PT Boat Museum in Fall River. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989. The boat carried with her Mark 13 torpedoes, guns, .50 caliber machine guns, rifles and grenades.
Home to two greenhouses, namely the Conservatory and the Mediterranean Room, the botanical center shelters hundreds of species of plants and palm trees. It is known as the largest of its kind in New England. The botanical gardens are located inside the massive Roger Williams Park, which is named after one of the state's founders. With Edgewood and Cunliff lakes as a backdrop, it makes the visit to the greenhouse even better. The center provides docent-led tours with reservations in advance and during the summer, the center organizes field trips for elementary school students and other events for adults.