Some people call it the Ocean State. Some know it as the last member of the original 13 colonies. Others may not know it at all – after all, it’s the smallest U.S. state in terms of area. Nevertheless, Simon and I were determined to uncover what the state, specifically Providence, Rhode Island, had to offer.
This was state #14 that we had visited together. Providence, Rhode Island, specifically, was one of the cities on our “we might move here” list. By the end of this trip, it fell off though.
The flight from Texas to Boston took almost exactly 4 hours. Flying out of Texas, no U.S. state really feels like a long trip, but this one was one of the longest, unsurprisingly, given that Boston is the last large U.S. city on the Eastern Seaboard.
We landed at Logan International, and one of the first things I noticed was the lobster smell. The region is known for all things seafood: lobster, oysters, shrimp, all of which are way better than what we’re used to catching out of the Texas Gulf.
Given we were leaving at 5 pm, the car rental attendant gave us some side-eye when he asked where we were headed. Providence, Rhode Island was about an hour’s drive south of Boston, but given the traffic, that time could easily increase to 1.5-2 hours. I didn’t mind; it would give me time to look out and see what could be a frequent drive for us. We were happy to find we were upgraded from a “Toyota Corolla or similar” to a Toyota RAV4 and hit the road.
I noticed drivers in Rhode Island tend to be pretty bad, almost as bad as Texas drivers but for different reasons. In Texas, it’s normal to go 10-15 (or more) mph above the speed limit, bullying any car you approach until they give up and change lanes. Drivers in Rhode Island have a sense of “I forgot where I’m going” mentality. Cutting you off feels like a split-second decision. Defensive driving is a must here if you don’t already practice it.
We stayed in an Airbnb in the historic neighborhood of East Providence. East Providence is also where Brown University is located, giving it a charming small-town vibe. We found the area very walkable; just be prepared for the hills! As you walk through the quaint streets, you’ll admire the historic houses. Some of them are outfitted with a plaque that proudly displays the year the house was built. The oldest house I saw dated back to the late 1800s. This was definitely different from what we were used to in suburban Texas.
One of the best streets in Providence is Thayer Street. If you start at the northern part, you’ll notice the historic houses (primarily occupied by Brown students) eventually give way to a series of small independently owned restaurants and shops. We ordered one of the best wraps I have ever had at East Side Pockets. Coming from a recent trip to Germany, this definitely rivaled the döners I had there. It tasted like a cross between a döner and a gyro.
Continuing south, you’ll reach Brown. It’s a quaint but lovely campus with the traditional red brick buildings you would imagine on the East Coast – reminiscent of Harvard. I would be lying if I said the bunny on the quad wasn’t my favorite sight.
Returning north to our Airbnb, we stopped at India Point Park. This park has one of the best views of the city. We made a quick stop, but I could envision us coming back for sunset and grabbing a seat on one of the many benches.
Providence also has a traditional and quaint downtown. We crossed a river to get there from East Providence and were surprised to see boats, specifically Venetian gondolas, in the water. The oarsmen even wore the nautical striped shirt and hat typical of someone in Venice. Street parking downtown was ample, something we were not used to in Austin.
One night, we walked a cool 15 minutes to a Korean restaurant – Mokban Korean Bistro. It was a mix between traditional Korean dishes and something more modern that an everyday visitor could enjoy. I had the stonepot bibimbap. Simon ordered something more creative: Fiery Noodles – udon noodles stir-fried with chicken in a spicy peanut sauce. Another night, we went to a pizzeria fittingly called Providence Coal Fired Pizza. The ability to order half-and-half pies gave us the chance to try a couple of options on their delicious menu.
They don’t call Rhode Island the Ocean State for no reason. If you head further south, continuing down Thayer Street or cutting over to beautiful Hope Street, you’ll arrive at India Point Park, a tranquil place to rest on the Providence River.
One evening, we opted to drive 30 minutes to another town on the peninsula – Newport. This historic city is everything you want from a coastal town in New England. The main street was lined with seafood restaurants and bars, most of them with perfect views of the sunset over the ocean. We snagged a couple of lobster rolls at a small food stand, Luke’s Lobster, and were not disappointed. The food was expensive, but it included chips, a drink, and a pickle which softened the blow. Most importantly, it was delicious. Just be prepared to push through the crowds on the pier, especially if you’re visiting on a holiday. We were there on July 4th, possibly the busiest time of the whole year. Parking was not easy and there were people everywhere, but it was manageable.
If we had the time, we would have done the Cliff Walk – a 3.5-mile trek along the water. On one side you’ll see the waves crashing against the rocks on the coast. On the other, you’ll be rewarded with views of some of the most intricate and beautiful mansions.
So, if you asked me if we enjoyed Providence, Rhode Island, I would say yes. But if you asked if we would move here, I would be more apprehensive. We loved being able to walk everywhere and have history everywhere. The proximity to NYC and Boston was ideal. The beaches weren’t too far either. We just didn’t connect to Providence as a place we would put down roots like we had initially hoped.
Follow along to read the next edition of Destination Home.
