The Providence Athenaeum is one of America's oldest member-supported libraries, and it has functioned as such since 1753 (although the present structure was built in 1838). According to a 19th-century legend, the poet Edgar Allen Poe courted Sarah Whitman in the stacks of this granite Greek Revival building. Some of the collections include documents and books from the original Providence Library, rare editions from the likes of Louisa May Alcott, Herman Melville and other American authors, along with the Robert Burns collection, which has more than 400 items. Today, the Athenaeum hosts events round the year focusing on education for both adults as well as children.
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.
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.
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.
Home to the New England Patriots football team, this impressive stadium has a seating capacity of over 68,000. Luxury suites with a capacity of 16-32 persons and a Super Suite with a capacity of 70 persons are also available. This stadium has played host to several NFL games, ice hockey and football matches as well as college football seasons. You can buy tickets from the northwest corner of the stadium.
The winding sculpted paths of this park named after one of Rhode Island's founding fathers will allow you to see more than 900 different zoo animals. There are giraffe, zebra and cheetah habitats as well as an open-air aviary which allows visitors an up-close look at the birds. Some of the animals with more exotic names include the Babirusa, the Binturong, the Aoudad or the amphibious and endangered Axolotl. The exhibits also feature different geographical regions and environments, such as Australasia and North America or a Wetlands Trail and a Marco Polo Adventure Trek. The zoo is always hosting events that focus on conservation, environmental stewardship and an overall zoological education for schools throughout the greater Providence area.
A beautiful structure constructed from Milford granite and inspired by the Merton College Chapel in Oxford, the Bancroft Memorial Library is famed not only for its lovely collection of books but also for the intricate details in the building itself. The ceiling boasts a wonderful medley of exposed beams and intricate carvings while the walls are lined with classic photographs of iconic people from yesteryear. The amazing collection of antiques, and dark and spooky corners add to the special touch in this storybook library. The library is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00p to 8:00p, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00a to 5:00p, Fridays from 1:00p to 5:00p and Saturdays from 10:00a to 2:00p.
The renowned Dane Estate was originally referred as Roughwood. The structure design depicts influences from the Richardson style and the estate is mostly made from locally sourced materials. This 1891 structure is now owned by the Pine Manor College and is available for weddings and other private events.