This Hampton Inn located right in the heart of downtown Providence offers straight-forward and friendly service along with super amenities and their signature complimentary hot breakfast every morning. The building was once known as the Old Colony House and it was built in 1920. Many of the original architectural features remain throughout, yet Hampton has tastefully updated all of the modern furnishings and fixtures in the rooms and suites. Other highlights include the elegant, eleventh-floor Capitol Room and its location is perfect for excursions around town on foot.

Riverwalk & Waterplace Park is pegged against the confluence of the Woonasquatucket and Providence rivers in a little corner of downtown Providence. It's best known for its WaterFire events, which are mini-bonfires that bob atop the water to the beat of world and classical music. The city revitalized the entire area in 1994 and the walk makes an otherwise droll stroll into a pleasant one when walking to College Hill over the Washington Street bridge. The park's bridges are fashioned after those classical ones in Venice, and it's not uncommon to see gondoliers gliding under them.

Omni Hotels simply embody class and this one in Providence is no different. It's located adjacent to the Rhode Island Convention Center and within walking distance of many historic attractions. The luxurious rooms and suites provide all of the modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, organic toiletries and many of the rooms are ADA accessible. Some of the extras include 24 hour dining, yoga classes, indoor heated pool and concierge service. Additionally on the premises, guests have their choice in dining options with the popular Fleming's Steakhouse or the upscale Italian restaurant, Centro.

The Providence Performing Arts Center is the second largest theater in New England. It seats 3200 people and it originally opened as a Loew's movie theater in 1928. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places after its 1977 renovation. In this baroquely elegant space, the stage is set for Broadway musicals and concerts. Events as diverse as a Jackson Browne concert or The Sound of Music can be found on this venerable establishment's schedule. Located downtown on Weybosset Street, PPAC (pronounced Pea-Pac, as it is known locally) is close to many downtown hotels as well as other attractions.

WaterFire is a magnificent array of more than 80 mini bonfires or braziers that illuminate the three rivers of Providence. It began in 1994 when artist Barnaby Evans used the confluence of the rivers to create this ephemeral water exhibition. However, it was not that fleeting because the city of Providence along with generous volunteers and donors continues to present the exhibition every weekend. The route runs from Waterplace Park to South Main Street and it winds nearly two-thirds of a mile through parks and public spaces in downtown Providence. Here, people can stroll along the riverbanks while listening to the sounds of classical music hum over loudspeakers. The fires are lit approximately 20 minutes after sunset each Saturday and usually burn for two to three hours.

The Renaissance Providence Downtown is definitely one of Rhode Island's most stately and elegant places to stay. The Freemasons began construction on the massive edifice during the Roaring Twenties, but with the advent of the Great Depression, work came to a halt in 1929. It was abandoned for years until the city began to repair its sister building in the 1980s (the adjoining Veteran's Memorial Auditorium) and in 2004 revitalization began on the 'Temple.' The hotel renovation maintained the original facade built in Greek-Revival style so its architecture is still very apparent upon its facade. Inside however, the interior is entirely new and all of the well-appointed rooms contain the amenities in which the Renaissance brand is known to provide its guests, such as luxurious bedding and toiletries, video games and even a wet-bar. Most of the rooms also have great views of the Capitol Building and its location is ultra-convenient for venturing out on foot to explore downtown.

Easily accessible from I-95, the Hilton Providence is adjacent to the Dunkin' Donuts Center Providence and within walking distance to downtown attractions like historic Federal Hill, Providence Place Mall, and the Rhode Island Convention Center. The hotel features 274 guest rooms with Hilton's awesome 'Serenity' bed, LCD televisions alongside luxury toiletries and everything else you could imagine. For more leisurely or athletic pursuits, the indoor pool and health club are excellent. Dining options include Shula's 347 restaurant and bar (named in honor of the legendary coach and his win total), a lobby lounge that offers an all-day menu and room service.

Providence Marriott Downtown offers visitors a wide variety of sleek, well-furnished rooms that are perfect for both business and leisure travelers. All rooms come equipped with plush linens, luxurious toiletries and complimentary Wi-Fi. The indoor/outdoor pool and cabana area called Aqua is fun for the whole family, and the adjoining G Salon & Spa cannot be beat for those who seek extra treatment. The Bluefin Grille is this property's restaurant and it has a full menu of steaks, seafood and a remarkable selection of local beers.

The Providence Children's Museum is a hands-on place of fun and learning for children as well as adults. Here, children can explore the awesome power of air, light and sound in the exhibit entitled Play Power or splash around in Water Ways, a wet and wild playscape of pumps and fountains. There is also Littlewoods, a whimsical woodland environment made especially for younger toddlers. Some educational exhibits include activities that investigate Rhode Island plants, trees and shrubs in the Children's Garden or little guys can go on a time-traveling adventure, solve bridge-building challenges and do much, much more!

This park is named after former governor Charles W. Lippitt and it's located on the east side of Providence in the affluent neighborhood of Blackstone. The park encompasses six acres and it provides a perfect spot for cyclists, joggers and walkers to start a trek down the Blackstone Boulevard Walking Path. Overall it's a nice green space to bring the kids and during the summer, the Hope Street Farmers Market opens up shop much to the delight of the neighborhood.

This massive 427-acre park is located in South Providence, adjacent to the suburb of Cranston. It sits upon land that was once inhabited by the Narragansett Tribe before it was granted to Roger Williams, one of the Rhode Islands's original colonists in 1638. His heirs donated it in 1871 and the park was subsequently built in 1878. Once on the grounds, the park contains seven different lakes and it's also home to the city zoo, botanical gardens, the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in addition to some other quirky attractions like the Temple to Music and Carousel Village. The aforementioned lakes are also the perfect spot to take a tranquil boat during the summer and especially during the fall when the leaves change their colors.

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.