Top Providence Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

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.

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.

Learn why Providence is a foodie favorite with this 3-hour small group tour. Follow your professional guide to at least six tasting spots in the Downcity Arts District, a pedestrian-friendly area known for its charming architecture. Visit award-winning, high-end eateries like Gracie’s and Oberlin, as well as casual spots like an experimental bakery, Chinese bun shop, Greek emporium, and seafood shack.

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.

Join us for this elegant stroll through time! Allow our historically costumed, local guides to lead you down the most beautifully preserved street in all of Providence, RI- Benefit Street! Guests will learn the history of some of Providence's most prominent residents and families, including the Dorr family, Roger Williams, and the Hoppin family. See architectural icons including the John Brown House, the First Baptist Church, the Fleur de Lys Building, and the original State House. Learn about the events that shaped our state and nation, including the suffrage movements (yes, there were two!) and the Civil War. This tour will leave you feeling more connected to the city's past and with a greater appreciation for Providence. Benefit Street is a mostly flat street and is suitable for people of most levels of health and fitness.

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.

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.

Savor the flavors of Providence’s Little Italy on the Federal Hill Dinner Stroll, an intimate guided tour that takes you through the heart of one of New England's finest culinary neighborhoods. Enjoy a multi-course Italian dinner featuring antipasto, house-made pasta entrées, and delectable desserts, all while walking between the city’s iconic restaurants. With food, tax, and tips included, your only task is to relax and choose your favorite drinks at each stop. This 2.5 to 3-hour experience is perfect for food lovers and requires a minimum of four guests to run. - Explore renowned dining spots like Cassarino’s and Trattoria Appia. - Indulge in a 3-course meal paired with optional wine or cocktails. - Enjoy a guided stroll led by a knowledgeable host celebrating local traditions. - Convenient valet parking available at the meeting point for ease and comfort.

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.

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

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.

See a new perspective on the Providence waterfront—and enjoy a romantic, one-of-a-kind evening activity—aboard this sunset cruise. Make your own way to the centrally located docks at Fox Point Marina, board the vessel, and set off as twilight descends. With music playing in the background, you can sip Rhode Island-made wine and prosecco, glimpse architectural highlights and landmarks, and savor the tranquil ambiance.

Explore the rich history and vibrant culture of Providence on the Perspectives on Providence tour, an engaging journey through the East Side. This 3-hour van tour showcases iconic landmarks such as the Rhode Island State House and Roger Williams National Memorial, while also providing curated photo opportunities. Discover notable historic neighborhoods like College Hill and Benefit Street, where each era tells a unique story of the city’s evolution. With a maximum group size of 12, enjoy a comfortable experience as you learn from knowledgeable guides about the people and events that shaped Providence. - 3-hour guided van tour of Providence's East Side - Visit landmarks like the Rhode Island State House & Roger Williams National Memorial - Explore historic neighborhoods, including College Hill and Benefit Street

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.

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.

An immersive clue-solving adventure around xxx. Search for real-world clues, solve puzzles, and discover the neighborhood with an experience you'll never forget! Reschedule anytime with no fees. It's a scavenger hunt, escape room, and urban crawl all-in-one. Follow the storyline around town as you find clues and use them to crack codes. Then enter solutions on the app to find out where to go next. Clues can be anywhere - murals, statues, landmarks, and more! Plan on about two hours of playtime, depending on your experience level and how much time you spend exploring along the way. Difficulty level is adjustable - take as many or as few hints as you’d like! Bookings made a week or more in advance receive their kit in the mail. Last-minute bookings pick it up at the start point on the day of the adventure - exact location sent after booking.

Step into the shoes of a newly-minted detective, tasked by Commander Mahoney to solve a gripping case... murder on the streets of Providence. Throughout this crime-solving audio adventure, visit each of the 10 mapped locations. You'll have the option to explore the downtown area using the Walking Map or follow a Driving Map on the city's outskirts. Once you choose, the exact starting point will be revealed. *See images for route. Park or stop at each location, listen to the audio story, and put your detective skills to the test by gathering clues and piecing together the evidence. Finally, make your deductions and issue an arrest warrant. Your overall detective skills will be evaluated, culminating in a Case Performance Score to measure your sleuthing prowess. This game is suitable for solo detectives, dynamic duos, or groups of mystery enthusiasts, offering an immersive audio tale filled with intrigue.

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?

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

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.

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.

Pride Rides 2026: Make Waves, Make Magic! Celebrate Providence Pride where it sparkles the most—on the water. These cruises bring big energy, bold color, and pure queer joy as our Captains guide you through the city’s iconic waterways. Expect laughs, vibes, and a whole lot of fabulous fun. What Makes This Ride Iconic? A Pride‑powered cruise past the festival grounds at District Park, the historic Riverwalk, and into the basin of Waterplace Park. Bomb beats and TikTok‑worthy moments that practically demand a camera roll takeover. Epic skyline views of the capital city as your backdrop. Event Details Launch Site: Just steps from the festival grounds at 101 Dyer Street, Providence, RI Limited Sailings: Spots disappear fast—So grab your crew, grab your glitter, and let’s make waves for love, equality, and celebration in Providence!

Step aboard for a one-of-a-kind river tour as we welcome Roger Williams back to Providence! Portrayed by historian and Roger Williams expert John McNiff, our founding father will guide you through his remarkable life, travels, and the legacy he built right here in Rhode Island. This exclusive 75-minute cruise blends scenic views, immersive storytelling, and a touch of theatrical flair. From tales of exile and religious freedom to the founding of Providence itself, Roger brings history to life in a way that’s both entertaining and enlightening. Don’t miss your chance to meet Roger…on the river! It’s history with heart, humor, and a front-row seat to our capital city. We welcome passengers ages 12+ on this tour.