Top Providence Art & Culture

Discover many of Providence’s top landmarks—and learn all about the city’s centuries of history—on this immersive walking tour. Pick between morning and afternoon departure times, and explore Rhode Island’s capital in the company of a local. You’ll see highlights like the Rhode Island State House, the first Baptist church in America, Providence City Hall, and much more—and will hear the stories behind the sights as you go.

Lift the veil on Providence’s dark history with this spooky walking tour through the storied College Hill neighborhood. Join your guide and small group for an eerie stroll past some of the city’s top landmarks as you learn about local legends and lore, unexplained mysteries, and the spirits that are said to roam the city still.

Taste your way around the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence with a guide to show you around and tell you about a unique side of the city’s history at the same time. Learn about mob bosses, corruption, and illegal gambling that ended in violence. Walk away from the tour with a delicious souvenir to take home with.

Explore the capital of Rhode Island, Providence, on a sightseeing bus tour that departs right from downtown. See the city's top sights including Brown University, Benefit Street, and Roger Williams Park, and enjoy the opportunity to walk around the historic Federal Hill neighborhood. While you drive around, your guide regales you with stories about Providence and its importance in American history. This tour lasts approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.

Make your trip to Providence unforgettable with this 1-hour walking ghost tour. Let a local guide lead you down the city’s old streets and regale you with spooky tales of alleged hauntings and the darker side of Providence’s history. Whether you’re looking for a good scare or you just want to learn more about the city’s past, this tour should do the trick.

A tour for those that don't want touristy tours. your walking tour begins at the grand Providence City Hall, a building that has witnessed the city’s evolution for more than a century, winding your way through downtown before looping back to the nearby Burnside Park as your last stop. Welcome to Providence, the “Creative Capital” of Rhode Island! Providence is a riverside city nestled at the head of Narragansett Bay, famous for its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and a spirit of independence that dates back to its founding in 1636 by Roger Williams-a man who believed in freedom of thought and built a community where everyone could belong. Go at your own pace, anytime. The tour is hands free, location aware and plays as you walk. Go anytime, at your own pace.

Get an in-depth look at Providence from a boat cruise that travels along the waterways of Rhode Island’s capital city. Your guide shares live commentary about historical landmarks and modern destinations as you take in sites including the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier, Providence Industrial Harbor, Providence River, Waterplace Park and the pedestrian paths of Riverwalk. Choose a daytime or evening cruise, and feel free to bring your own refreshments on board.

Delve into the spine-chilling history of Providence on this unique true crime ghost tour. Explore the city’s haunted past as you uncover chilling tales of murder, scandal, and the restless spirits that linger. Visit eerie locations like the former Biltmore Hotel and the Old State House, where dark trials took place. Each story is substantiated by historical records, making it a fascinating experience for true crime enthusiasts and history buffs alike. The tour lasts 90 minutes and is perfect for anyone intrigued by the darker side of history. Optional post-tour cocktails add a delightful finish to your evening. - 90-minute tour exploring Providence's haunted history - Visit infamous sites and hear true crime stories - Tour starts at The Graduate by Hilton Providence - Add a post-tour cocktail experience nearby for $20

Explore the eerie history of Providence on the Haunted Benefit Street walking tour, where chilling tales come to life under the glow of streetlamps. This immersive experience delves into the ghostly legends of the Mile of History, including the haunted Providence Athenaeum and the Benefit Street Armory. Discover the stories of lost love, vampires, and local hauntings, and hear about the unsettling past of an old funeral parlor. Ideal for history enthusiasts and ghost story lovers alike, this walking tour offers an unforgettable glimpse into Providence's spectral side. - Discover the ghostly legends of Providence's Mile of History - Visit haunted locations like the Providence Athenaeum and Armory - Listen to chilling tales of lost love, vampires, and hauntings - Perfect for history buffs and those intrigued by the supernatural

WaterFire—an annual installation by artist Barnaby Evans, which sees lighted braziers and flickering flames reflected along the Providence River—is a much-loved Providence event, and this boat tour offers unparalleled access to the exhibition. Meet your captain at the basin of Waterplace Park, hop aboard your vessel, and set off along the full length of the installation after dark, to enjoy the best views of the fires.

Discover the smallest state in the US in just one day aboard this exciting excursion that begins in Providence. Join a small group and venture through the 'Ocean State,' stopping at several points of interest along the way. Visit villages, see memorials, walk through parks, and stroll along beaches all while listening to commentary from your guide.

Walk through Providence's dark side! The eerie writings H.P. Lovecraft- one of the most significant supernatural horror fiction authors of the 20th century- are inexplicably bound to his hometown of Providence. This tour walks in the tortured author's footsteps through his traumatic upbringing and favorite haunts; guests also meet some of the fictional characters that Lovecraft wrote into the city's fabric through dramatic retellings of his creepiest tales. But Lovecraft isn't the only author that ambled the city's centuries-old sidewalks: Sarah Helen Whitman was an eccentric local spiritualist and poet who was briefly engaged to master of the macabre Edgar Allan Poe. This tour also explores her life and relives the couple's whirlwind- and doomed- romance.

This isn’t just a brewery crawl. It’s a murder mystery van adventure through Providence where you and your fellow detectives will solve one of Rhode Island’s most fascinating historical crime while visiting some of the city’s best breweries. Along the way, you’ll uncover clues, solve puzzles, and follow the twists of a real 19th-century murder case that once dominated national headlines. Can you solve the mystery before the final round?

Enjoy a memorable way to explore Providence—and learn all of the city’s spookiest ghost stories and creepiest lore—on this after-dark boat tour. Make your own way to the dock, hop aboard your vessel, and set sail with Captain Peter. Your costumed guide, accompanied by flickering lanterns, will share stories and secrets as you cruise along the water and admire views of the city illuminated after dark.

⭐ Top-Rated Vacation Photoshoots 2025 We’re not just photographers, we’re storytellers capturing your holiday exactly as it feels. With over six years of experience photographing travellers around the world, our small team specialises in authentic, natural photography that truly reflects your trip. In Providence, we combine creativity with local knowledge to show you hidden gems, secret angles, and the best light. You’ll not only get beautiful, professional photos but also insider tips to make the most of your time here. We’re proud to be recognised among the top-rated photography tours of 2025, trusted by travellers worldwide for our relaxed style and stunning results.

⭐ Top-Rated Vacation Photoshoots 2025 We’re not just photographers, we’re storytellers capturing your holiday exactly as it feels. With over six years of experience photographing travellers around the world, our small team specialises in authentic, natural photography that truly reflects your trip. In Rhode Island, we combine creativity with local knowledge to show you hidden gems, secret angles, and the best light. You’ll not only get beautiful, professional photos but also insider tips to make the most of your time here. We’re proud to be recognised among the top-rated photography tours of 2025, trusted by travellers worldwide for our relaxed style and stunning results.

Goodbye, drab walking tours and crowded museums. Hello, exploring Providence with your crew via photo scavenger hunt. With just your wits and teamwork (and your smartphone leading the way), you’ll explore this historic town by snapping hilarious photos, solving puzzles, completing challenges, and racking up points. As you wander, you’ll learn about Providence’s past and present—and you might taste victory, too.

Discover the vibrant history and charm of Providence through an interactive scavenger hunt walking activity. Navigate the city at your own pace, exploring pivotal landmarks like City Hall and the State House, while unraveling fascinating stories about figures such as Roger Williams and Teddy Roosevelt. This unique adventure combines elements of a scavenger hunt and self-guided activity, allowing teams to engage in puzzles, snap memorable photos, and even take a light-hearted turn at traffic court. Perfect for families, friends, or couples, this experience offers a fresh way to appreciate the beauty of Providence.

Our Mother’s Day Mimosa Tours offer a fun, relaxing cruise through the beautiful Providence waterways, featuring a 50-minute cruise packed with local sights and charm. Our Captains will guide you along the Providence Riverwalk, Rhode Island School of Design, WaterPlace Park, District Park and the Providence Industrial Harbor. Sit back, soak up the scenery, and toast Mom with complimentary mimosas, while the whole family enjoys time together on the water. It’s the perfect blend of sightseeing, sipping, and celebrating Mom! Please Note: These cruises are not narrated. If you would like a narrated tour, please book the Historic Narrated Tour.

From pivotal social justice movements to the personal narratives of unsung heroes, Voices of Resilience offers a deeper understanding of Providence’s identity and legacy of courage, resistance, and triumph. We'll take a closer look at how Rhode Island's tremendous profit on the international slave trade powered the Industrial Revolution, how the state barely overcame revolution in defiance of rebellious suffragists, all the way through how the state fought but failed to prevent the first Gay Pride parade from taking place in Providence in 1976. ​ Providence has been home to diverse, courageous, and resilient people who were able to achieve incredible feats despite the deck being stacked against them in every way. Learn about Edward Bannister, a 19th-century Black barber who overcame prejudice to become a painter of national acclaim; Princess Red Wing, a Narragansett and Pokanoket activist; and the 1902 labor strike that stopped Rhode Island's urban core in its tracks.

Cruise the Providence River as you sample a selection of beverages from a Rhode Island winery on this wine-tasting boat tour. Your captain will share information about downtown Providence landmarks while you savor and discuss six different wines. Experienced oenophiles and those new to wine-tasting can both enjoy this fun and festive twist on a sightseeing tour.

Take a boat tour along the Providence waterways to discover 300 years of architectural history. Led by the Providence Preservation Society, uncover the city's stories, sight lines, and subtle details. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, witness historic Providence from the best vantage point in town. Passengers must be at least 10 years old to join this tour.

Enjoy a relaxing evening cruise along Providence’s waterways while being entertained by the magical WaterFire show. Starting from Providence Marina, you’ll get a great view of this seasonal attraction, which lights up the city. Travelers with all kinds of interests will be amazed by the WaterFire show, which includes movement, participation, and, of course, fire and water.