Founded in 1636, the City of Providence is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The city is home to around 178,000 people, which makes it the third-largest city in the New England region behind Boston and Worcester.

Providence's residents enjoy a beautiful location at the mouth of the Providence River, right at the head of Narragansett Bay. The city was once nicknamed Beehive of Industry because of its thriving manufacturing industry and sea port, but today it is rebranded as the Creative Capital; emphasizing its educational resources and vibrant art community. Providence boasts several acclaimed schools, including the Ivy League Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design.

Downtown Providence is a historic gem with two narrow waterways trickling amidst the neat streets in the form of the Moshassuck and Woonasquatucket Rivers. The rivers are lined by cobblestone walkways, park benches, trees and plants, and pedestrians can cross over to the city's East Side through a series of graceful Venetian bridges. Thanks to the adorable old-world ambience, visitors feel like they are thrown back in time. If you happen to find yourself in the historic haven of downtown Providence, allow yourself a relaxing glide through the city in one of the gilded gondolas, while reveling in the quaint beauty and taking in the unique atmosphere.

In the center of downtown you will find the Water Place Park with its stone-stepped amphitheater where residents can enjoy free summer concerts and other events. The park serves as a starting point for the world-famous Water Fire, a multi-sensory art installation, which features close to 100 dancing bonfires along the Providence River.

Providence's thriving art community should not be neglected, with features like the Tony Award-winning Trinity Repertory Company and the Providence Performing Arts Center. These two venues are not only historic landmarks, but also offer a range of Broadway musical, children's plays, ballet, opera and more.