Rhode Island State House, 82 Smith Street, +1 401 222-2357, . M-F 8:30AM-4:30PM. Built from 1894 to 1901. The current state house is a wonder that has the world's fourth-largest self-supported marble dome. This monumental amazement is 300 feet long, 180 wide, and 233 feet high. Features inside this gigantic building are: the Bell Room, American Revolution regiment flags, a Rotunda, Gun Room, the State Library, House and Senate Chambers and Lounges, Charter room, and many other fascinating tantalizing rooms including one that houses the original 1663 portrait of George Washington by RI native Gilbert Stuart; whose painting is the same face that went on the U.S. one dollar bill. Designed by the notable McKim, Mead and White architectural firm. Come see the State House lit up in pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness every October. Accompany this visit of the pink State House with a walk around Providence's WaterFire (See below in 'do'). Guided tours of the building are offered Monday - Friday 9am to 12pm. Self-guided tours may be taken Monday - Friday 9am to 3:30pm.
Downcity Providence overlooking Waterplace Park
Brown University, 45 Prospect Street, +1 401 863-2378. The school's Ivy League campus, dating back to the 1700's, features buildings from nearly every American architectural movement. Best to visit in May-September when school is largely out of session and weather is amenable to walking.
Besides the State House, Providence has some significant works of architecture, of the more noteworthy:
Old Stone Bank - S. Main St. & Crawford St. Greek Revival building from 1854.
The Arcade - Westminster St. The oldest enclosed shopping mall in America from 1828. Also in Greek Revival style, replete with Ionic columns.
City Hall - Dorrance St. & Washington St. Finished in 1878, the Second Empire Baroque City Hall only survives today because of former Mayor Buddy Cianci's careful restoration in 1975.
Industrial Trust Tower (Bank of America Tower) - Kennedy Plaza. The tallest building in Providence is an intent Art Deco impression from 1928.
Trinity Repertory Theater - Washington St. & Empire St. This 1912 building, clad in terra-cotta houses the area's finest reportory company.
Providence County Courthouse - S. Main St. & College St. Built in 1930, the Courthouse is one of the earliest examples of architectural contextualism anywhere. The building's large mass is tastefully fragmented and detailed.
First Baptist Church - Main St. & Waterman St. Built on the site of the original 1638 First Baptist Church, this 1775 edifice is beautifully restored.
Cranston Street Armory - Cranston St.
Biltmore Hotel - The 1922 Neo-Federal Beaux-Arts styled hotel. Dorrance St. & Washington St.
Federal Courthouse - Exchange St. & Washington St.
Athenaeum - The fourth oldest library in the country. Benefit St. & College St.
Market Square - College St. & S. Main St.
Though professional tours of the city are not offered, a book featuring 12 self-guided walking tours of the city's architecture is available for purchase at the Providence Preservation Society, 21 Meeting Street, +1 401 831-7440, .
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Providence
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Providence - updated May 2024
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Providence Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
