Winter
DAY 1 : STREET-SAVVY IN PROVIDENCE Head to Wickenden Street and start your day off at a local favorite at Amy ’ s Place , and order The Hangover — bacon , egg , cheese , spinach , onion , guacamole and hot sauce on a bolo ( i . e . a Portuguese muffin ) — or grab one of the specialty smoothies .
After breakfast , brave the cold with a selfguided walking tour . The Early Black History Tour showcases important sites in the city ’ s African American history , from the North Burial Ground to the Congdon Street Baptist Church . Art enthusiasts will love the Avenue Concept ’ s self-guided tour , which shares the story behind the dozens of colorful murals dotting downtown , the South Side and the West End . Duck into the ivy-covered Providence Athenaeum to escape the bustle of the city and while away the rest of the morning amid the nineteenthcentury library stacks . Or find your next great read in Twenty Stories and enjoy it over a slice of baklava and a steaming cup of gingercardamom tea next door at Aleppo Sweets . If walking tours aren ’ t feasible , hop on a Discover Providence bus tour for a ninetyminute cruise around the city . Explore the food scene on Federal Hill , the hilly college area around the Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University and the lively Downcity business blocks .
Everyone loves pizza , and although we differ on toppings and style , Providence Coal Fired Pizza is sure to win everyone over . Each pie is made from scratch and baked in the coal fired oven to perfection . After a short walk over to BankNewport City Center , it ’ s time to get on the ice at the Providence Rink for an afternoon of bumper cars and showing off your skills . Don ’ t worry if you forgot your skates — the rink offers skate rentals as well as merch like scarves and winter gloves for all your last-minute skating needs . On extra chilly days , browse the shops inside the Arcade on Weybosset Street , the nation ' s oldest indoor shopping mall , or take the kids inside to Escape Rhode Island .
By dinnertime , you ’ ll be hungry for a warm bowl of comfort food , and Federal Hill is the place to find it . Rhode Island ’ s “ Little Italy ” neighborhood has every kind of Italian food imaginable , from classic to modern , plus international options like sushi , Mexican and Lebanese . Save room for dessert from Pastiche Fine Desserts , hidden on that back street behind the grand facade of Atwells Avenue . There you ’ ll find cakes , cannoli , eclairs and biscotti , but make sure you grab a cappuccino or cocoa to warm up . Tuck in with a nightcap from one of Providence ’ s many speakeasies like The Royal Bobcat or Courtland Club ( see page 14 ).
DAY 2 : SNOW DAY FUN IN SOUTH COUNTY After a good night ’ s sleep , it ’ s time to hit the hills . The gentle slopes at Yawgoo Valley Ski Area in Exeter are the perfect place to master your parallel turn . For those of us with a little less coordination , the tubing park packs a rush of adrenaline as you race down the slopes , no ski boots required . Fuel up enroute at Jitters Cafe for a shot of caffeine and a fresh-baked croissant . After a day out in the snow , relax on the plush seating at Audrey ’ s Coffee House and Lounge in South Kingstown , owned by “ The Bachelor ” stars Jared Haibon and Ashley Iaconetti . Kids can warm up with a creamy hot chocolate , while adults will love the specialty lattes and cocktails , like the s ’ mores martini or the churro chai latte . Shoppers can visit downtown Wickford Village for cute finds at stores like Different Drummer and Green Ink .
While you ’ re in South County , head to Back 40 in North Kingstown for dinner with comfort food choices ranging from handhelds to pastas and fried chicken . Fun fact : former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo and her family own the restaurant .
DAY 3 : SHOPPING AND CULTURE IN THE WEST BAY Start your morning with a sweet or savory crepe at Crepe Corner , saving time to browse the charming storefronts in the seaside Pawtuxet Village . For the ultimate shopping experience , head to Garden City Center and indulge in some retail therapy on everything from brand-name stores to local finds . Get a matching necklace and bracelet set from Air & Anchor or something for the home from A Gracious Soul . Stay close by and grab lunch at Newport Creamery and be sure to try an Awful Awful — a classic Rhode Island staple
Avenue Concept in Providence .
of a thick ice cream milkshake loaded up with toppings of your choice — or venture out to Macera ’ s Italian Restaurant in Cranston to warm up with the best chicken soup and classic Italian fare .
For the golf afficionados , the game is always in season at Topgolf Rhode Island ( scheduled to open in fall 2023 ), with more than 100 climate-controlled hitting bays and electronic scoring for your best game . After swing practice , stop by Apponaug Brewing in Warwick for a cold pint and a flatbread to share . Once home to a textile mill that produced Fruit of the Loom cloth , the industrial-chic taproom and cozy firepits overlooking the Pawtuxet River now make for an ideal hangout spot in any season .
For dinner , head across the street to Cork and Rye Gastropub and start off your meal with the house-made clam cakes and chowder ( a Rhode Island specialty of beer-battered clam fritters and thick , creamy New England-style seafood stew ) before indulging in elevated American fare .
Winter is the best time to catch a show in Rhode Island , and the state ’ s tight-knit theater community offers plenty of options . Browse the offerings at the nearby Gamm Theatre , or head back to Providence and purchase ahead for a touring Broadway production at Providence Performing Arts Center or an in-house performance at the award-winning Trinity Repertory Company . The Wilbury Theatre Group , also in Providence , is known for its avant-garde productions , while Pawtucket ’ s Burbage Theatre Company and Wakefield ’ s Contemporary Theater Company offer high-quality productions further afield from the big city .
WHERE TO STAY The Hilton Garden Inn Providence Airport / Warwick is the perfect pick for families who want to be close to the airport with access to an indoor heated pool . For an upscale option , The Beatrice in Providence will allow you to indulge in the Creative Capital with its in-house restaurant and rooftop bar open only to members and hotel guests . In South County , the oceanview designer rooms at Narragansett ’ s The Break Hotel are perfect for an off-season stay .
YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO RHODE ISLAND RHODE l FALL-WINTER-SPRING ISLAND MONTHLY l l JULY 2023 2023 – 24 27