Downcity is the new place to grab a cappuccino or snag a great pair of jeans . You can drool over must-have furnishings or stop for a bistro lunch. Browse art books. Then toast a day well spent. You can do it all in Downcity Providence, home to a collection of fine design, fashion, and dining opportunities.
Providence Open Market Saturdays May - June 11AM-4PM, Saturdays September - October, 11AM-4PM . The Providence Open Market, now in its 3rd season, is the city’s only Open-Air Market where you can shop for artisan made goods, fine art, and fresh produce. Located Lippitt Park on the East Side of providence, the Market features a different group of artists every week ensuring that each visit will be unique. This year, the Providence Open Market is committed to partnering with community based artist and development organizations.
OOP!, 220 Westminster St., +1 401 270-4366, . M-Th 10AM-8PM, Fr+Sa 10AM-9PM, Sun 10AM-5PM. OOP!, a Providence institution for the past 18 years for all things whimsical and wonderful. OOP! specializes in handmade contemporary crafts, furniture, jewelry, toys, home accessories, and fun stuff from here, there, and everywhere. OOP!'s largest store is located at 220 Westminster Street.
Butterfield, 232 Westminster St., +1 401 273-3331, . T, W, F, Sa 10AM-6PM, Th 10AM-8PM, Su 12PM-5PM. Butterfield is a well known resource for beautiful quality home furnishings and accessories. Featuring Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams furniture, along with an always changing assortment of lighting, mirrors, jewelry, bedding, ceramics, and apothecary. Interior design consultations also available.
Symposium Books, 240 Westminster St., +1 401 273-7900, . M-Wed 10AM-6PM, Th-Sa 12PM-8PM, Su 12PM-5PM. Sympoium Books consistently offers some of the finest books in Providence. Browse their diverse selection of carefully chosen titles in a broad range of subjects, specializing in Academic, Scholarly, Literary, Art, Architecture, Photography, Design, and University Press books. Most books are discounted at 10-80% off all the time!
Queen of Hearts, 186 Union St., +1 401 421-1471, Tu-Sa 11AM-7PM. Queen of Hearts is before all else, an original women's clothing and accessories boutique, but is also a showroom for visual art, home goods, gifts, and lifestyle paraphernalia. Merchandise is all one-of-a-kind, handmade material, designed and created by local and regional artists and designers.
Clover, 233 Westminster St., +1 401 490-4626, . Tu-Sa 11AM-6PM, Su 12PM-5PM. Clover offers a collection of women's and men's clothing that provide a contemporary and unique selection of lines, styles, and versatile offerings for both "dressed up" and "dressed down" occasions. Clover displays its carefully chosen pieces in a modern and clean showroom-like environment, and merges established labels with young emerging designers.
Elsa Arms, 231 Westminster St., +1 401 383-5558, Tu-Sa 11AM-6PM, Su 12PM-5PM. Elsa Arms is an upscale women's clothing boutique located in the Peerless Building, right in the heart of the "Downcity Renaissance." Stop in for an exquisite shopping experience and see the latest offerings from Adam+Eve, Alice & Olivia, Nili Lotan, Rag & Bone, and many others.
Homestyle, 229 Westminster St., +1 401 277-1159, . Daily, 10AM-7PM. At Homestyle, fine art pieces sit among top-shelf/great value upholstery, accent home furnishings, and truly artful gifts. A savvy, creative, staff is available to assist you in selecting just the right piece, or come in and browse at your leisure. Extraordinary gifts in a wide range of price points make Homestyle the "go-to" place for unique gifts in all categories from hostess to housewarming to wedding to birthday.
Eno, 225 Westminster St., +1 401 521-2000, . M-Sa 12PM-10PM. Eno is Downcity's full-service spirits shop, with an extensive selection of wine, beer, and fine liquors. The store, with its bank vault decor, is an environment for wine connoisseurs and novices alike, and an expert staff is on hand at all times to assist your selection. Eno hosts regular tastings and food pairings and offers delivery service to downtown residents and employees.
American Apparel , 159 Weybosset St., +1 401 861-0007, . M-Sa 10AM-8PM, Su 12PM-5PM. Located on Weybosset Street between Eddy and Union, American Apparel is the world famous LA-based manufacturer and retailer of clothing for men, women, kids, and dogs. All stages of production occur under one roof at their downtown Los Angeles factory- from the cutting and sewing, right through to the photography and marketing.
Thayer Street is the place to go if looking for a pleasurable and eclectic shopping experience. It is good for those who enjoy walking outside from store to store. It is also a good place to buy gifts because many of the stores sell quirky trinkets. Located near two Colleges, it attracts many young adults. It could be called an “artsy” street with stores that sell, beads, imported clothing, handmade crafts, clothes, art, house wares, and books.
Bead Works, 290 Thayer St, +1 401 861-4540, . M-Sa 11AM-7PM, Su 12PM-5PM. The store sells beads of all kinds. Some are imported from Africa; others are made with swarvoski crystal. There are glass, wood, stone, gem stone and metal beads. Price ranges are generally 15c-5$ per bead. The store also offers it's patron’s lessons in how to build a necklace, as well as workshop tables for customers to make their own unique beaded creations.
Army/Navy Surplus, 279 Thayer St, +1 401 272-8217. Offers a large selection of Military Clothing and camouflage attire. Carries authentic, new and used army supplies such as pocket knives.Also carries police uniforms as well as outerwear such as hats and footwear for almost every type of outdoor activity or occupation. Prices range from moderate to high according to whether items are new or used.
Berk’s Shoes and Clothing 278 Thayer St, Phone: +1 401 831-0174. Reasonably priced clothing averaging around $30 for tops. Shoes tend to be more pricey with various not so well known designer shoes averaging around $150 a pair. Some sandals on sale for $20-$40.
Brown University Book Store, 244 Thayer St, +1 401 863-3168. The last independent trade (Ivy League) college bookstore in the country, it offers only new books as well as Brown University merchandise.
City Sports 271 Thayer St, +1 401 521-6555. Carries various types of sports apparel and equipment accommodating almost every lifestyle and sport.
Details Clothing 277 Thayer St, +1 401 751-1870. Offers a wide variety of inexpensive jewelry ranging in price from $5-$40.Also specializes in leg ware such as stockings and leg warmers with all items under $40.
Foreign Affairs Warehouse, 219 Thayer St, +1 401 274-1484. M-Tu 11AM-6:30PM, W-Sa 11AM-8PM, Su 12-6PM. Thrift shop which offers a variety of vintage clothing and shoes, ranging in price from bargain finds at $5 to high priced designer items at around $100.
Pie in the Sky 225 Thayer St, +1 401 861-3954, M-Tu 11AM-6PM, F 11AM-8PM. Specializes in sterling silver jewelry and semi-precious stones. This store also offers a mix of decorative items such as candles, incense and jewelry boxes. Prices for items are generally moderately priced ranging from $5-$400.
Shades Plus 281 Thayer St, +1 401 861-9309. This unique shop specializes in classic party favors and novelty items. Some items include: Magic 8 Balls, yo-yo's, snow domes, wind-up chattering teeth and gummy rats, whoopee cushions and joy buzzers. Also offers moderately to higher priced TV collectibles such as stickers and lunch boxes. Stocks hundreds of different Pez dispensers, Hello Kitty and friends collectibles, Sailor Moon and novelty candy. Also carries high-end hair care products and sunglasses averaging from $50-$200.
Spectrum, 253 Thayer St, +1 401 421-1010, . Features clothes, jewelry, books, incense, and gifts meant to enhance well-being. Many of the products are imported from Asia. Those looking for exotic, handmade clothes, tapestries, and jewelry would enjoy this store.
Second-Time-Around clothing, 294 Thayer St. Offers quality second hand selections that retail for usually half the original retail price with most items sold at�%30-%40 off.
Urban Outfitters, 285 Thayer St., ☎ 401-351-4080, . 10am-9pm. Urban Outfitters which is a nationwide retailer is where you can find some of the most innovative clothing inspired by contemporary music and art. Clothing is always very trendy and unique and a must see for any fashionista. They have a Women's and Men's department and specialize not only clothing but furniture, shoes, accessories, and gadgets. $$. �
ZuZu's Petals! 288 Thayer St, +1 401 331-9846 . Voted best for party dresses in 2005 by Rhode Island Monthly, ZuZu's carries casual dresses, accessories and seasonal items. Some of the designers that ZuZu's carries include: Nicole Miller, Betsey Johnson, BCBG Max Azria, Milly, Shoshanna, Rebecca Taylor, Laundry by Shelli Segal, Susana Monaco, and Maria Bianca Nero.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Providence
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Providence - updated May 2024
SAVE up to 75% on Last Minute deals! Search for discount Providence hotels, motels, apartments, hostels, guest accommodations and vacation resorts. Book now and pay at the hotel. Instant email confirmation!
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.
