Rhode Island Travel Guide

Providence

The historic city of Providence has recently been reborn - in the past few years the city fathers have been overseeing the re-routing of rivers, rebuilding of railways, upgrading of dilapidated neighborhoods and the building of a modern convention center, an upmarket shopping mall and a beautiful riverfront park. Most of the renovation has been undertaken in Italian style, with imported artisans and artists from Florence being responsible for most of the building work.

Despite the modernization Providence remains known and loved for its abundance of historic and cultural attractions, and it's three and a half centuries of history remain alive and well on the streets in the form of scores of perfectly preserved colonial, Greek Revival and Victorian houses and public buildings. With 12 colleges and universities full of young people, the city's nightlife is constantly buzzing, and Providence is also renowned for its excellent restaurants - it has more restaurants per capita than any other major American city.

Providence was founded in 1635 by a dissident Puritan from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Roger Williams. Williams established the city as a refuge for freethinkers and religious dissenters, encouraging independence of spirit. The city still reflects this independent spirit today in its academic and cultural realms and with its recent renaissance seems set to keep on moving, countering trends in other New England cities.

Newport

Billed as America's 'First Resort', the fabled city of Newport lies just 30 miles (48km) south of Providence, Rhode Island's capital, accessed by two bridges that cross the blue Narragansett Bay.

Newport is famed for being America's yacht racing Mecca, and for boasting dozens of magnificent mansions built during the so-called 'gilded age' at the turn of the 20th century when one needed a distinctive pedigree and hefty bank account to holiday here with America's elite. Nearly a dozen of these extravagant 'summer homes' of America's wealthiest families are now open to the public, and Newport itself today welcomes all and sundry to enjoy a leisurely visit to this lively city with its beautiful beaches and varied attractions.

Newport is no longer just a summer fun destination, but it is hip and happening all year round thanks to a full program of festivals and events that encompass classical, folk and jazz music festivals in the summer; the 'Harvest-by-the-Sea' fest in October; a renowned Christmas celebration in December; and the Newport Winter Festival in February. In between events the lively waterfront, shops and cultural attractions are enough to keep visitors entertained even when the weather makes beach going or sailing not too desirable.

For more information contact the Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau on (800) 976 5122, or at www.GoNewport.com