We knew we were going to be in the area around the time of WaterFire so we made sure to find a…read moreplace to stay and spend the night here. We had never been to anything like this or even really heard that much about it so we were interested to see what it was. WaterFire started about 30 years ago as an art installation that was meant to bring more people to the area and it definitely works. They light the braziers along the rivers, pipe beautiful music through the air and have volunteers on boats going from spot to spot, tending the flames and refilling the wood. There are tons of people there. Just walking and enjoying being outside and being together. The vibe is so relaxed and so peaceful but yet busy and exciting at the same time. It's kind of hard to describe unless you see it for yourself. We headed out around dusk when there was still light in the sky and it was a little chilly but I soon forgot about that. Words can't really express how you're just sort of drawn into the piece and beauty of this whole thing. I feel like this review can't even do it justice. We walked around for over an hour but our dog did start to get cold even though we had her in her jacket, so we headed back to where we were staying for a little while. Once it was dark and we were all warmed up, we headed out again because it was just so enjoyable to be there that we really wanted to come back. The second time we wandered through the street fair area and looked at some of the tables and street vendors. I got a really cool ring that was made out of a an old ornate spoon. There were also food vendors but everything was pretty busy so we ended up getting food on the way back to our hotel. There were families and groups of friends and couples, all just soaking in the magic and ambiance and ultimately we drifted back towards the water again because that is where the real magic is. We sat for a long time watching people float by in gondolas and watching the volunteers slowly push the boats through the canals, adding wood to the flames causing them to rise up. Everyone was friendly and in a good mood and strangers were chatting with each other. There was a real sense of community and peace. This was honestly one of the most romantic evenings I've had with my husband in a long time as well. We nuzzled noses and shared a few kisses to the music and the flame. If you are anywhere near Providence during WaterFire, don't even think about it just go. It's totally free! You don't need tickets or even to plan really. You can just enjoy the fire light and the music and being together in a beautiful place. It's absolutely unforgettable.

Last night, the Waterfire theme was Clear Currents. A yearly event that brings kayak enthusiasts…read moreto the river and basin with brightly lit paper fish figures. One of the Chinese dragon boats from the Pawtucket Dragon Races made an appearance as well. The event was very well attended, with many areas of the Riverwalk at capacity during peak times. Foot traffic jams made it difficult to navigate freely around the basin area. Lots of vendors and food trucks located around the RISD campus gave the event an even more festive flair. A great way to bring downtown Providence alive !

I haven't spent very much time in Providence - but hope to go back because there are some pretty…read moresweet places in town. I was excited to see that the Lion King was playing at the Providence Performing Arts Center! The theater is very easy to get to and there is a ton of parking nearby. Admissions was swift and not crowded - they definitely are organized and know how to keep the traffic moving. They sell various snacks and some are even locally made like the popcorn I bought. The venue itself is beautiful, especially the theater. The seats are as you would expect - velvety and small. The sound and lights were great. I really enjoyed the show. I will say that at times, I felt distracted - it seemed like the audience was louder than I expected - especially with the snack bags. Oh well, what can you do At intermission the women's bathroom was a little bit of a you know what. But this seems to be a common problem with older theaters. Regardless, I had a great time and would def come back to see another show!

The PPAC is a staple in Providence theater and never disappoints. The establishment has been here…read morefor a long time, but they keep it maintained. I went to see The Lion King and it was fabulous! The theater is small enough to capture the details without binoculars or an additional screen. The music was captivating. The colors were vivid. The storyline was familiar, and the characters were great. I would absolutely go back to PPAC to watch this play, and looking forward to other plays coming later this year and next year.

Thursday nights are for theater & this production was truly unforgettable! Primary Trust tells a…read morepowerful story about how even the smallest acts of kindness can profoundly change a lonely person's life & it does so with such heart. This was one of the best performances I've seen in a long time - deeply moving, beautifully acted & emotionally resonant from start to finish. Taavon Gamble was absolutely spectacular - his performance was nuanced, captivating & left a lasting impression. The entire cast & production team brought incredible energy & authenticity to the stage, making the story feel both intimate & universal. If you see one show this year, make it Primary Trust at Trinity Repertory Company. It is the kind of theater experience that stays with you long after the curtain falls. Highly recommend.

I went to Trinity Rep over the weekend with 3 of my friends to watch Primary Trust. This was an…read moreexcellent show. Story line, actors really made us feel like we were there in each scene. The space is nice, laid back vibe. From entering to being helped to our seats to exiting the theatre everyone was so nice. We definitely enjoyed the show. The parking is a bit pricey and the drinks are also pricey for a small glass with more ice than drink. The selection is also limited. They have a few snacks and a small area outside the theatre room where you can sit while you wait for the show to start.. I love coming to this theatre for shows. I just wish they would work on the pricing to drink ratio

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.

Cultural venue, where one fan see wrestling, and other forms of performance art…read more Usually standing room only.

I love teaching Belly Dance at AS220 the amazing community arts center of 95 Empire St , Providence…read moreRI

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.

Amazing shows and classes! For $10 you get over an hour of entertainment. There is a bar…read moredownstairs and plenty of local restaurants nearby to make it a fun evening out.

Waste of time and money! Really should be zero star…read more I went looking for comedy and found none!

I'm not sure if this is the yelp page for AS220's events or not. But just in case it is, I want to…read moreshow some love here! I attended the Rhody Revue Burlesque show last night and had so much fun! The host and performers were great. This space in general is super cool with a space for galleries, bands, shows, and drinks! It was extra fun sitting in the front row too.

Cool space. Tonight there was a band and also Rhody Revue. Bar was in the center. Love that it…read moreprovides a safe space for people expressing themselves through their art. Didn't know this existed before tonight! Will need to find out what else is happening here! Thanks Yelp for introducing me to it!

We were a party of ten and went to the Dinner Detective show for our first time to celebrate the…read more60th birthday of one of our family members. It was an absolute BLAST!! Our party ranged in age from 16 to 83, and every single one of us had an unbelievably fun time! There were 7 actors involved in the murder show, but a few of them were scattered here and there as "plants" at various tables. They all did an amazing job of acting, even the plants who only had a few minutes of action. The two main detectives were fantastic! There was a lot of interaction throughout the show with each of the ten or so dinner tables. In fact, I was selected to assist the two main detectives as a "Rookie" detective. I leaned into the role and really really enjoyed myself! It helps if you're a "yes, and" kind of person rather than a "no, because" type. And I'd say that's true of the show overall because they frequently singled out people by asking them to stand up and answer some questions or even come up to the front of the room and act something out. The food was acceptable, and the bartended cash bar drinks were fine. The quality of the food and drinks is probably going to vary by venue. We went to the show in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick, RI. The plot of the murder story was actually just difficult enough that you had to do some thinking to solve it. And they gave you enough clues that it was definitely solvable for a few people, including one at our table who solved the mystery of "who done it" and won their award for the best explanation! All of us in our group absolutely want to do another Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show! It's incredibly fun if you go with the right attitude!!

Fantastic fun and laughs. Very entertaining and funny. Perfect addition to your partyread more

Super super cute!! Such a good rainy day event! They have many different ways to get discounted…read moretickets (military, memberships, ebt holder, library card holder etc). Check in process is easy and simple. Such cute fun activities for kids of all ages. Could certainly spend half a day to a full day here! Plus full price tickets aren't bad either ! (20 bucks).

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.