Planning a Trip

Getting There

I-95, which connects Boston and New York, runs right through the city. From Cape Cod, pick up I-195 west.

T. F. Green/Providence Airport (tel. 888/268-7222 or 401/737-8222; www.pvdairport.com) in Warwick, south of Providence (exit 13, I-95), is served by feeder and major airlines, including American (tel. 800/433-7300), Continental (tel. 800/525-3273), Delta (tel. 800/221-1212), Northwest (tel. 800/225-2525), Southwest (tel. 800/435-9792), United (tel. 800/864-8331), and US Airways (tel. 800/428-4322). The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) provides transportation between the airport and the city center. Taxis are also available, costing about $20 for the 20-minute trip.

Amtrak (tel. 800/USA-RAIL; www.amtrak.com) runs several trains daily between Boston and New York that stop at the attractive new station at 100 Gaspee St., near the State House.

Getting Around

Traffic on local streets isn't bad, even at rush hour. Taxis are not easy to come by, though; few can be found outside even the largest hotels, and they can take up to an hour to arrive when called from restaurants. Alternatives are the RIPTA buses of the Green and Gold Lines (tel. 401/781-9400; www.ripta.com). Made to look like old-time trolleys, these buses have routes that reach most major hotels and tourist destinations. Each ride costs $1.50. RIPTA (the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority) also provides ferry service between Providence and Newport.

A singular attraction is La Gondola (tel. 401/421-8877; www.gondolari.com). A faithful replica of the Venetian original, it carries up to six passengers along the Woonasquatucket and Providence rivers. Especially popular for rides during the WaterFire events, its rates run from $79 to $139 for two persons (about what it would cost in the Italian city itself, minus the airfare).

Visitor Information

For advance information, contact the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, 1 West Exchange St. (tel. 800/233-1636 or 401/274-1636; www.providencecvb.com). In town, consult the visitor center in the Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin St. (tel. 800/233-1636 or 401/751-1177), or check with the helpful park rangers at the visitor center of the Roger Williams National Park, at the corner of Smith and North Main streets, open daily from 9am to 4:30pm.