My wife has a conference in Providence RI, this October. Neither of us has ever been to RI, or NY, but we have been to Boston many times.

We only have Sat-Mon to spend on our own. Is there enough to do in the Providence area to spend 3 days? or should we stop in NYC for Sat-Sun, then take the train to Providence on Sun PM?

Thanks for any tips and places to see, things to do and places to EAT!!

 

No doubt. If you're staying downtown check out the river walk on Saturday night. Hemingways is always a favorite dining spot as is TEN Steak and Sushi on Pine St.

Personally, I'd skip Providence and drive 30minutes down 195 to Rte 6 straight into Newport. Best seafood, bars, shops, boats you'll find.......a great time and the views are incredible if you drive down America's Cup and check out the mansions from the Getty era.

Topic is perfect timing for me. I'm leaving Thursday morning to drive to RI for the weekend. Playing in a golf tourney on Friday then parking the 4S in Newport for the weekend. You can find me at the Black Pearl Saturday afternoon at the outdoor bar !!!

 

no. 1 place to see this time of year is Newport, RI. fantastic area. great restaurants, mansion tours, on the water, and everything is open very late at night. Its where the old money used to hang and watch the americas' cup yachts race!!! one of my favorite places.

 

Very good Italian restaurants on Federal Hill, Atwells Ave. (Best Italian restaurant in Boston? it's in Providence!!). IMO, it's Walter's. Recommend making reservations in advance(401-273-2652). Newport makes a nice trip; will be pretty quiet in Oct though.

 

+1 on Newport and Providence for good retaurants.

Foxwoods-- world's largest casino-- is less than an hour from Providence if gambling is your thing.

 

Try Capriccio's in Providence. http://www.capriccios.com/The absolute best Fettucini Alfredo ever. They prepare it fresh at the table.
The restaraunt was once a hang out for the wise guys of Providence with an attached "speak easy". Great atmosphere. It is right on the river, so it is close to the Fire Water presentation.

After dinner you can stroll up by Brown University and RISD to find a funky coffee/dessert cafe.

Jessie's Desert Bar on Federal Hill is also a very good place to finish off the night.

 

October is the perftect time of year for Newport. It's not that crowded, and you can have your pick of restaurants. Check out some of the mansions, and bring a camera for some spectacular oceanside shots.

In my opinion, the Italian restaurants in Providence are some of the best in the country.

Regarding casinos, Foxwoods is great, but IMO Mohegan Sun is more upscale and has better dining. I still haven't visited MGM yet.

Enjoy!

 

+1 This is a great place, especially if you are with the wife or GF.

 

Take the long way to to Newport and visit the Sakonet winery. Tastings all day until 4:30PM Good wine and a very nice drive on some nice twisty roads.

 

+1 for Newport. Stay at the Inn at Castle Hill. Beautiful overlooking the entrance to the harbor.

 

Oh...and be sure to check out the Mansions. Amazing to see how Vanderbilts and others lived in the 1920's

 

Wow! Hey thanks guys! it sounds like there is plenty to do in RI without the added complexity of stopping in NY. I love Italian food, althgouh I must say, since I have visited Italy the last 2 summers, I have gottern pretty picky about Italian food! I think I am up to the challenge of tasting a few of RI's finest though!
Italian food, wine, walks on the waterfront, touring mansions! My wife will love it too!

Thanks all! I will be sure to report back. keep the recommendations coming.

 

I grew up in the Newport area and lived in Providence right out of college. Newport is definitely the place to be! By October the tourists will be gone and the harbor will be quite quiet, no mega-yachts to see unfortunately. As others have mentioned, make sure you make it around "Ocean Drive" aka Ocean Avenue that runs along the Newport coast, it is a great drive and there will def be some good spots to take pictures. There are a few nice restaurants in Newport depending on what you are itching for, 22 Bowens and the Spice Pear are $$$$ and fancy, Brick Alley Pub is both a local and tourist favorite, however you may need reservations even during the fall (they must be doing something right).

Providence is somewhat of a different place, there are plenty of steak houses that are all around the same cost, although I've never really been a fan of any of them. Italian isn't to my liking so I can't speak much for those establishments. Lastly, when you go down to Newport, take the west side of the state down, the ride over from Jamestown is one of the best views of Newport! Have Fun!

 

My wife is big on seafood, so any recommendations for clams, mussels, lobster, crab etc...?
Thus far my east coast standard is Legal Seafood in Boston and Saturdays on the Bay in Key Biscayne.

 

Any of the places on the wharfs in Newport will typically have some good seafood. The Moorings, Scales and Shells, 22 Bowens, Castle Hill are all great places. Seafood is hard to go wrong in Newport. Your safest bet is 22 Bowens (I hear they have great sushi now too). There is also Big Fish in Providence which I have had a few times and enjoyed.