I can't imagine a time when Providence didn't have this bridge to connect the city like this! It is so beautiful and I love all the events that they have! read more

Providence River Pedestrian Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

A beautiful addition to the city of Providence! Every time we visit, we would make a stop there. This bridge was renamed to the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge in 2020; it opened in August 2019. It was built on existing piers from the old highway, I-95. The bridge goes over the Providence River and connects two neighborhoods, Fox Point and the Jewelry District. There's a park nearby, called District 195; events are hosted at this location. The bridge was beautiful to walk on day and night. There were railings, benches, tables, and chess tables; at night there were LED lights that brighten the area. A wonderful area for walkers and cyclists. The view of the city skyline was breathtaking. One evening we were there, we saw the star-link satellite flying by, it was awesome. The downfall was, this bridge cost the city $21.9 million when the original budget was supposed to be $2 million. People were opposed with building this bridge because RI had the highest amount of bridges with structural issues. In the end, the bridge was built and it's become a popular attraction and landmark. read more

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The Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge, also known as the Providence River Pedestrian Bridge, connects the city's Fox Point neighborhood on the East Side to the Innovation & Design District (Jewelry District). The pedestrian bridge opened in August 2019 and reuses the existing piers of the old I-195 highway bridge. It stretches 450 feet across the Providence River. The deck of the bridge features matching wooden benches, built-in chess boards, and illuminated tables. At the end of each side of the bridge are urban parks often featuring pop-up vendors, entertainment and food trucks especially in the spring and summer. During January 19 through February 20, 2024, there is a light festival called Lumina at 195 District Park. 195 District Park is on both sides of the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Pedestrian Bridge. Lumina features an interactive Prismatica public art installation, which consists of 25 pivoting prisms. The prisms stand 6 feet tall and radiate a rainbow of colors. No matter the time of day or the weather, it is always nice to walk across the pedestrian bridge to get amazing views of the Providence skyline, feel the breeze, and see the river. read more

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Such a beautiful spot in Providence. Lots of entertainment today. Cant ask for nothing more when it's sunny and 75 on an early October weekend. read more

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I feel very lucky to have such a beautiful bridge that improves accessibility & provides gorgeous views of my city. A walkable city benefits everyone - thank you Providence for properly investing in your people. read more

Loved it!!! We spent a couple hours at the River walk recently and thought it was beautiful!! We've been to the San Antonio River Walk before and my partner thought this was better!!! There is plenty of gorgeous architecture to see along the walk, but wear sturdy walking shoes because a lot of it is uneven cobblestone. We went on a Saturday morning and we didn't see a lot of people. Also, there wasn't much to offer for food or beverages, we ended up walking to the Providence Place Mall to grab a coffee at Dunkins, and later driving to Federal Hill for lunch. read more

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From moving the river, building a gianormous mall, WaterFire (woo-hoo!) and now extending the riverwalk and adding the Providence River Pedestrian Bridge, a lot of space for the community has been created in Providence. These riverside pathways, with their sculptures, seating, parks and views have been designated part of the East Coast Greenway (https://www.greenway.org/). From a local and tourist perspective I appreciate how these projects beautify the city and bring the community together with spaces to meet and socialize. The Providence River Pedestrian Bridge is located south of the previous crossings located at busy street intersections on Rt 44 and College Street. This bridge, and the new walkways that gain access to it, are away from the busy financial district traffic, while still close enough that you can easily take a walk and enjoy the day on a lunch break from work or while touring the city. The bridge includes two levels, the upper which directly crosses the river and contains a number of seats, including chess boards (bring your own pieces) and tables to enjoy a picnic, play cards, etc. This level offers good views in both directions, especially back toward the city. The lower level offers views toward the I-Way bridge and hurricane barrier. This modern bridge joins form and function in a section of Providence lined with historical buildings. When visiting Providence, follow the river on the east side to enjoy the river, new art installations, historical buildings and the new bridge. There are often food trucks on this side of the river near the bridge offering coffee, sandwiches and more as well as many fine restaurants along the way and nearby. This bridge and new riverside paths are good additions to the city landscape. read more

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It is a beautiful scenic area for walking, enjoying some ice cream, or whatever your heart desires. There are plenty of open space and food trucks stationed throughout to make this an enjoyable space for adults and children. read more

Providence River Pedestrian Bridge - Start of the bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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The Providence Pedestrian Bridge is an amazing landmark for the city of Providence. Inaugurated in 2019, the bridge connects Providence's East Side, full of shops and dining options, to the Innovation District, with its bustling businesses and facilities like the new Wexford Innovation Center. In the heart of the city's Innovation District, Buro Happold has completed work on the Providence River Pedestrian Bridge. Ten years in the making, the design for this bridge has evolved from being a simple crossing to get people from A to B, into an iconic structure that is a destination for the city's inhabitants. More than a single connector, it is a flexible, seamless extension of the new riverfront parks. Two 12ft wide levels, an upper and lower, ensure safe circulation for bikers, runners, walkers, and strollers. Terraced gardens provide seating and connect the two pathway zones. The design includes a boardwalk and landscaped green space linking two new riverside parks together, as part of a large city scheme of harborside and downtown redevelopment. The alignment of this urban intervention simultaneously considers fluid movement through the city, orientation and views during the procession, and frames of view toward the bridge as an artistic object itself. The lower platform of the bridge provides a gathering space for residents and tourists alike. You'll find restaurants on the east side of the river, including Hemenway's, Dave's Coffee and Plant City, along with shops all along South Main Street. On the west side of the bridge, you'll find the Jewelry District with plenty of historic landmarks to visit. It really is a beautiful piece of architecture that is now iconic for the city of Providence read more

It's a great area for a walk , enjoy the view of the city plenty of nearby parking, Lots to see many nearby monuments and they do a flea market and have food trucks. Do a loop around the river read more

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This is a neat bridge that my family and I'll visited while we were in Providence Rhode Island. We didn't spend a lot of time in Providence but we could do a few cool things. This is one of the cool experiences that we had. We walk the bridge saw the river so if you memorials and different things at the bridge has to offer it's a really nice walking bridge bridge read more

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The bridge and surrounding area has become a destination over the past 4 years. Restaurants and shops nearby. Most nights on street parking is usually available on both sides on the streets. Great place to take the family, friends or even on date night. read more

We love walking around Providence, a beautiful, small and walkable city, with a plethora of excellent restaurant options. It's a certainty that our walks include a stroll over the Providence River Pedestrian Bridge, which spans 394 feet and connects new green spaces on the east and west sides of the city's riverfront. The bridge has an interesting and cost controversial history. Some excerpts from Wikipedia are below. The Providence River Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge is a footbridge crossing the Providence River. It was built on the piers which formerly supported part of Interstate 195. The idea of building a pedestrian bridge on the old I-195 piers was suggested in 1999 by a Rhode Island School of Design architecture student. Since money would need to be spent to demolish the old piers, why not build a footbridge with those funds. In 2008, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation allocated $2 million towards its construction. A Design Competition was announced in 2010 and entered by 47 design teams from as far away as Barcelona, with Detroit inFORM chosen as the winner. The cost grew dramatically from initial estimates of a few million dollars, to $8 million in 2014 due to design changes. In 2016, it was found that the height of the bridge would have to be raised due to rising sea levels, the cost inflated to $13 million. The lowest bid the agency received was $16.9 million. In 2018, construction finally began, while changes in the price of steel and other costs led to the final project expense ballooning to $21.9 million. The west side of the bridge joins a 4.5-acre green space and Providence's Innovation and Design District. When the grass and trees mature, this will be a beautiful park. Adjacent to the park is Dune Brothers Seafood, a great spot for a casual seafood lunch or dinner, with picnic tables outside their "shack" for diners. Suffice it to say, the end result of the Providence River Pedestrian Bridge was an expensive, but beautiful pedestrian bridge! read more

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WOW. Last night was my first time ever stepping foot on it and its gorgeous. The views of the city when you look in either direction are absolutely amazing. It makes you fall in love with the city even more than you loved it before! From the finishes they used, to the design, to the many seating areas... They nailed it! On one side you have Plant city on the other you have Dune brothers and in the middle you have amazing views of all of Providence. Watch a sunset, play cards, chat with friends, sit and relax.... Bravo Providence, this may have been expensive but it is gorgeous. read more

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We loved the walk from our hotel (Hampton Inn) past the RI Irish Famine Memorial and along the canal to the bridge where we parked ourselves on a bench and enjoyed the river traffic. Shortly before sunset on a Sunday we returned and discovered a number of locals had congregated at the bridge to enjoy the view. We followed South Water Street to complete the loop back to our hotel. read more

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I have been to the Pedestrian Bridge every weekend since its opening and I love it. The Bridge is gorgeous and gives you a beautiful view of the Providence skyline. The bridge is a nice place to walk and/or relax. There are several good coffee shops and restaurants nearby. At night the bridge is lit up and there is always security patrolling the area. Great place to walk your dogs and take photos. read more

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This bridge just opened up about a month and a half ago so it's brand new. It cost the city $22M to build. While I think it is a beautiful bridge, I don't know if i'd consider it $22M beautiful.. the funds probably could have been used towards something better, but it is what it is. Aside from the outrageous cost, it is truly a beautiful pedestrian bridge right in the city. I've been here a few times at all different times including both day and night time hours and have always felt safe here. It is well lit and I've always seen a police officer or two on the bridge. When it first opened, people were allowed to ride their bikes across, but they've since changed it where you now have to walk your bike across. It's a great place to take pictures, enjoy a coffee, take a stroll, people watch, or just take in the view. You may also catch a boat or gondola going by. I think it is a great addition to the city! And really makes Providence more beautiful than it already was. It's also a short walk to the sunflower field in the summer time and Plant City (also newly opened) which offers all kinds of veg options. There are also many other restaurants nearby. There are many metered parking spots on the street. read more

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I don't know if this was a smart investment for the city of Providence, there are budget short falls thoughout the state and this bridge had cost $22 million. It has been a criticism which I won't get into on this platform, but merely an observation to consider. That being said, it's a beautiful foot bridge, with space to wander and to sit and enjoy the scenery with benches. The bridge is lit up at night, with the lighting it feels welcoming and safe. Many couples and groups of people walked across this bridge the night we visited. We didn't stay terribly long due to the cold (I gave my trench coat to my wife because she was freezing) and because we wanted to see WaterFire. I imagine in years to come, this will be a prime spot when WaterFire expands down this way. It was nice that two sections of downtown are connected, plant city is on one side. I was interested in checking it out, my wife, not so much. Worth checking out whike in Providence. read more

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Gorgeous new bridge between South Main Street and Dyer Street. Great views of the Providence skyline. I recommend visiting on a Sunday in the summer to enjoy the Providence Flea, Plant City, the 10,000 suns sunflower art installation and other nearby businesses such as the shops on Wickenden Street and Dune Brothers seafood. The park area surrounding the bridge is still unfinished but a stroll on the bridge is relaxing and beautiful, especially at sunset. View the swans and geese as well. There are various benches along the bridge to relax. You will want to take photos! read more

Providence River Pedestrian Bridge - Sunset view - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

A supreme link to two separate areas of DownCity! Surrounded by outstanding food, coffee, and views sits a little jaunt to pause upon and take it all in. Serenity and civilization meet here. Not much else to say, I guess you just have to see it for yourself! read more

The Pedestrian Bridge is a stunning centerpiece of downtown Providence. When I first heard about it, I was like "oh it's just a bridge, what's so great about it?" It quickly became a favorite place. It's very pedestrian friendly and spacious, has a lot of seating and a great place to gather with some friends or a date. You almost feel like you're not in Providence -- it's so modern. You get two gorgeous views on the river of the skyline and also the iconic power building. Another great way to describe it is romantic. Day or night, it's a lovely place for inspiration and feeling happy to be in Providence. read more

The Providence River Pedestrian Bridge and boardwalk is a great place to visit in the refreshing Fall weather. There are all kinds of people out. One such lady had all the volcanoes that she has visited, tattooed on her arm.Another was a man in every color clothing and a 70s vest riding his bicycle. People used all kinds of modes of transportation. Of course walking and bicycles, with single or even triple seats and scooters and those things balancing things with the tires. In the river were kayakers and boaters. Then of course there was plenty to take pictures of including birds, buildings and sky. There also were benches and tables and picnic tables available to sit and rest or eat at. As well as Food Trucks with an assortment of different kinds of things to purchase. My favorite stop was a food truck called Smoke & Squeal Barbecue where I met Adam who was cooking up a storm. His door reads Veteran owned Veteran operated. I asked - he is a Marine. I can't say was. Because "Once a Marine, always a Marine". I saluted and he smiled and saluted back. Along the boardwalk were breakdancer in a competition with a DJ on site. The were all really good and fun to watch for a bit and then move on to other beautiful views. Nearby was a wonderful field of Sunflowers just out of full bloom though still looking quite nice. That must have taken quite a well worth effort to plant all of them. Near that was a church and a small rather well kept sanctuary within the outside area. So, when you are in R.I. or the nearby areas, particularly when the weather is nice, take some time to take it in and stop and visit here. read more

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Totally in love with this new bridge! The scenery is beautiful and the little walk is nice! My son and I completely enjoyed it. Restaurants are walking distance! Will be coming again! Don't forget to see the sunflowers across the street!:) read more

Providence River Pedestrian Bridge - Beautiful view! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Gorgeous. Stunning. Also patrolled by police. No bikes or skateboards allowed. You have to walk them across the bridge. read more

Providence River Pedestrian Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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A really amazing addition to a blossoming part of Providence. This is a great place to come take a walk, or just hang out on the bridge and enjoy the scenery. The view from the bridge is just as beautiful as the view OF the bridge itself. I can't wait until the rest of the park is open as well! read more

Providence River Pedestrian Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Pretty little bridge, wish it was longer! We were blessed with a beautiful day to explore around town. Dogs are allowed, plenty of street parking around, endless photo ops on all the artsy benches and tables. Neat little spot for sure! Glad we were able to check it off the list before winter came! read more

Providence River Pedestrian Bridge - The end (or the beginning). Park construction to the right, will be awesome once it's complete! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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