Activities in Providence, Rhode Island

Downtown Providence – Ride a Gondola or Tour Federal Hill

Nov 1, 2009

The city of Providence offers a variety of fun activities for visitors while traveling in Rhode Island. Here are two that show the unique flavor of this city.

Providence is a city that has undergone a major revitalization over recent years. The downtown area has become a major attraction with impressive buildings and beautiful public areas. One of the highlights is the beautiful river system running through the heart of the city in the form of the Providence and Woonasquatucket rivers. One of the major attractions of the city is WaterFire, when 100 night bonfires are lit in the middle of the river and thousands flock to the banks to admire the beauty. One of the great ways to see WaterFire is to ride in a gondola on the river.

Gondola Rides in Providence

Whether during WaterFire or just on a beautiful night when romance is in the air, a fun way to experience Providence is by taking a ride in a gondola on the downtown river system. La Gondola, operated by Matthew Haynes, offers a variety of ride packages to enjoy the evening as Providence takes on a taste of Venice. Rides leave from Citizen’s Plaza, in the heart of the downtown area.

When he’s on the river, Matthew becomes “Marcello,” and entertains his passengers with his renditions of beautiful Italian songs as he navigates the river in authentic 36-foot-long boats that were originally built in Venice.

On WaterFire nights, riders can take a 30-minute trip, gliding by the bonfires while people-watching as the crowds gathered around the river. On other nights, one can add a variety of amenities to the trip – cheese and crackers, an accordion player, chocolates – to make the trip even more romantic.

Federal Hill

Despite the revitalization of the downtown area, some neighborhoods of Providence have kept their traditional character. This is particularly true of Federal Hill; a traditionally Italian neighborhood featuring shops, bakeries and restaurants that have operated for decades. While one can get a taste of the area by simply dropping by for a meal, the best way to experience this historic area is by taking the “Savoring Federal Hill” VIP market tour under the direction of Cynthia Salvato, a certified executive pastry chef, cookbook author and former faculty member in the culinary arts program at Johnson & Wales University.

Besides her expertise, Salvato has friendships with the owners of the various shops and restaurants which allow people taking the tour an inside look at how the operations work, as well as getting to try some great food. Whether it’s watching local women making raviolis by hand at Venda Ravioli, learning about Italian cakes and flavors at Sicalo Brothers Bakery or finding out about how to tell when the prosciutto being purchased is authentically from Italy at Tony’s Colonial Food Store, Salvato knows the people and has lots of interesting information.

One of the most interesting stops on the tour is Antonelli Poultry, Inc. Even in the 21st century, this store still keeps live poultry, ranging from chickens to pheasants to partridges, in the back. Customers, many of them new immigrants to America, call up with an order, and the bird is butchered and plucked right on the premises and presented fresh to the customer.

While there is much to do in Providence and other parts of Rhode Island, a great way to spend the day is by taking a market tour of Federal Hill and a gondola ride on the river.

The copyright of the article Activities in Providence, Rhode Island in Rhode Island Travel is owned by Kathleen Curry. Permission to republish Activities in Providence, Rhode Island in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.