The RISD Museum in Providence is one of those places that catches you off guard with how much it…read morehas to offer, especially if you are not already familiar with it going in. I found the building spanning six floors, and the spaces were well organized throughout, giving each piece enough room to be appreciated properly without the galleries ever feeling sparse or rushed. It is the kind of museum where I could spend a couple of hours moving through it and still feel like I left things unexplored. The collection is the main reason to visit, and it covers a genuinely impressive range, from ancient artifacts and historical portraits all the way through to modern and contemporary works. The curation does a good job of making those transitions between periods feel intentional rather than disjointed, and the rotating exhibits add a reason to come back beyond what is already on permanent display. The Liz Collins exhibit drew a lot of attention during its run and was a strong example of how well the museum handles contemporary work alongside its more classical holdings. Staff were present and approachable throughout the floors, and coat lockers near the entrance were available, a small but appreciated detail on a longer visit. The building was easy to navigate even on a first trip, and the overall experience felt well managed without being overly structured. One thing worth knowing before planning a trip is that Sundays offer free admission to all visitors, which makes it an easy addition to a Providence weekend without having to think twice. Weekday visits run quieter if you prefer more space and a slower pace through the galleries. For a museum connected to an art school, it holds up as one of the stronger art museums in the region and is well worth the time.

The RISD Museum is worth a visit. I'm sharing photos of the pieces that stood out to me most. I…read morestarted in the RISD student galleries, which were full of impressive work. my favorite was a floor installation that looks like a woven rug but is actually made entirely of salt. So many pieces made you stop and think, "How did they do that?!" I visited the whole museum, but my favorites were the Costume & Textile galleries, the exhibit on kingfishers in art and poetry, the European Grand Gallery with its oil paintings and the 18th/19th‑century American rooms in Pendleton House. I also loved how the museum's architecture fits together like a puzzle across several older buildings and street entrances. That was a surprising add-on to the visit. Extra tip: street parking is nearly impossible. Check their website for the free weekend parking lots (within walking distance) they make the visit much easier.

We went for the 250th university of the redaction, the event was free and open for 4 hours. The…read moremuseum was small but very informational. The displays prompted deep thinking about our past, both good and bad. The staff were dressed in period clothing and everyone there was friendly. The museum has stairs to get to the second floor, the building is beautiful and it holds just enough artifacts to be interesting without overwhelming.​

This site does a great job showcasing John Brown's house and his historical ties to the slave…read moretrade. The house is from the 18th century, but there are elements from later homeowners that were kept up and add a nice aesthetic touch, but it is important to know more about the Brown benefactor, both good and bad. They have his original carriage which is impressive. There is a beautiful mural in one room with George Washington, added in the 1930s but so impressive it had to stay up. The tour was self-guided, but there were staff members around to ask questions too. Gift shop was small but some good options. The hours are limited, but it's worth a stop as a historically significant site. There is also a parking lot to make your visit easier.

The collection of taxidermy was amazing, this is a phenomenal resource for RISD students and a…read moregreat exhibit for those visiting.

I had no idea the Nature Lab even existed until I wandered in one day. This is definitely a hidden…read moregem! The Nature Lab is a repository of plants, animals, and minerals, both alive and dead, which was started as a resource for RISD students. They have a pretty amazing collection, and anyone can go in and check it all out. A nonexhaustive list of cool stuff in there: trilobite fossils, live snakes and birds, at least a hundred stuffed animals, a mummified cat head, and hoards of bones and skulls - including real human skeletons. They have a lot of space to draw if that's your thing. My only wish is that more stuff was identified - the material in the lab obviously isn't rigorously curated. It could be a great resource for scientists if it were!

We had a wonderful visit to the Museum and would definitely recommend it for families with young…read morekids. There are tons of interactive exhibits including water play, climbing structures, pretend play areas, and building activities--that kept my toddler engaged the entire time. One of the highlights for us was the special area just for ages 0-4. It's such a thoughtful addition because it gives younger children their own safe space to crawl, climb, and play without being overwhelmed by the bigger kids. My toddler loved it, and as a parent, I appreciated that it was clean, well-designed, and developmentally appropriate. The superspace jumbo magnets were another hit amongst kids and adults alike. The parents got so invested into it and were building tunnels for the kiddos. Great fun for us too! Overall the space is very thoughtfully designed, and you can tell the staff really care about creating an engaging environment. They have a new craft activity everyday as well. Everything felt safe, clean, and inviting. It's easy to spend a few hours here without the kids getting bored. Another bonus is that the museum is in a great spot--there are a few restaurants within a block or two, which made it perfect to grab lunch right after all the fun.

What a great place! Friends recommended to us and was a great way to spend a few hours getting out…read moreof the house! My son loved the water play area especially. Highly recommend getting library or discounted passes where available though as it cut tge cost of admission in half

Haffenreffer is a tiny and FREE museum of anthropology on Brown's campus that my friend and I…read morevisited during our weekend of exploring Providence and Newport. When we visited, they had some very interesting exhibits. The one that interested me the most was "Sacred is Sacred: The Art of Protecting Bears Ears." It was very interesting and well-displayed. Why only three stars for this interesting and free museum? Well, it's tiny. It's essentially a single room. And I would think (given the size) that the likelihood of someone enjoying the museum is very dependent on the quality of the exhibits at the time of the visit. But it's free - so if you're walking around Brown, stop in! You never know what you'll find!

Free admittance but really not worth going out of your way to see anything here. If you're at Brown…read moreor in the general area and have an interest in anthropology, you'll do well to stop in. I would not make special trip. My favorite items here were some Taino figurines.

Great place to go if you have any ancestors who lived in Rhode Island, I was able to find an…read morearticle about my great-great grandfather and his brother's deaths. Also was able to get information on their children and other aspects about the area. The staff is very friendly and interested in helping you find that missing connection, don't be afraid to ask for help :) The only downside of this place is the state of some of the machines...they are really expensive to replace, so its understandable that some are in bad condition. Just remember to leave your pens at home! Bring some money for the photocopy machines.

This review is for the library only, not the entire RIHS…read more First off, the gated front door is a bit unwelcoming, I hit the button and they buzz me in, you maybe? Go ahead try it. The library itself is small once inside but it has lots and lots of microfiche, directories, family histories, etc. You can find RI newspapers going back to 1700s on the fiche. Looking for a dead body? They have a huge database of RI burial grounds / cemeteries and their burials going back to the 1600s - it's how I found a lot of my family bones. They also have a lot of special collections, photos, etc. I was please to be able to read first hand how my great grandfather met Abraham Lincoln along with other members of his regiment during the Civil War, and many other entries made by its regimental officers. They give a first hand account of daily life back then. I think the daily fee is three dollars, but go ahead and just buy a yearly membership to the entire society for $40, and check out all their other programs.

The house is beautiful and full of original furniture. Our guide Elizabeth was very professional,…read moreknowledgeable and friendly. She loves history and answered all our questions. Enjoyed the tour immensely! I would recommend this tour as a DONT MISS!

Last Friday, we had the pleasure of touring the historic Lippitt House in Providence--and it was…read moreabsolutely amazing! What made the experience truly unforgettable was our guide, Elizabeth Gilbert (not the author of Eat, Pray, Love, but THE Elizabeth Gilbert who brings history to life). Her tour was informative, engaging, and full of fascinating details that transported us straight into the elegance of Victorian times. If you're visiting magical Providence, don't miss this gem. It's a beautiful step back in time, guided by someone who clearly loves what she does.

Came here for the bloom event and it was wonderful! It seems like they do a lot of great event here…read morenow. Not sure if they have for years and I'm just learning about them or if they are new, but no matter what---they're using this giant space well. I look forward to attending future events at the center!

I love how diverse and unique they can make this space. I've come here for shopping expos, for food…read moreexpos and recently a private event for my school which it was a very upscale gala event it was magnificent, I had no clue they could turn that space into what they did, I was just used to it being for shopping. This place is huge, and very clean. They have a good amount of clean restrooms and the workers are always very genuine and nice. I must say again- this is a huge space. It can be rented out for a number of different things and I love that. They also have an attached gallery on the side- which is pretty cool to look at - always features something new and unique. I love some art! There's a massive parking lot, and it's very easy to find. I'm not sure if they still have art upstairs but I know at one point I seen art upstairs as well. This place is just massive I know I keep saying that. I really enjoy every event I come to here.