How to plan an affordable weekend getaway from NYC to Providence, Rhode Island?

The best way to travel to Providence is by bus if you don’t drive. It takes about 4.5 hours to get to Providence with the express bus. I actually was able to get a round trip bus ticket through Greyhound for $57.00. I personally think it’s always wise to book a few weeks or months prior to your trip to score the cheapest deal.

Where to stay in Providence?

I’d absolutely recommend staying in the heart of downtown Providence if you can; that way you can explore a chuck of the city by foot.

• The Omni Providence Hotel in downtown Providence caught my eyes for several reasons. For starters, the Omni is about a two minute walk from the bus stop/convention center, walking distance to all the places on my lists I’d wanted to visit including museums, art center, restaurants, cafes and historical sites.

•  I’d also heard that President Obama stayed at the Omni when he visited Providence some time back. This hotel also has two restaurants, a cafe and it gives you a stunning view of downtown Providence especially in the night.

Day 1 in Providence:

• Had an early authentic Italian dinner at Pane E Vino. The food here was delicious, I’d ended up sitting at the bar and had two glasses of Chianti; fresh local lobster ravioli and chicken Parmesan with asparagus.
• I’d highly recommend visiting Pane for a delicious Italian dinner in a family oriented and Italian classical restaurant. Also, the bartenders Amanda and Dante were welcoming.
• After that, I had the opportunity to see the Chinese classical show Shen Yun at Providence Performing Arts Center. This Art Center is incredibly beautiful with lavishing ceilings, chandeliers and detailed walls, which will definitely take your breath away if you pay close attention.

• I’d highly recommend seeing a show at Providence Performing Arts Center to better enjoy and appreciate the theater atmosphere.

Day 2 in Providence:

My second day in Providence, RI was delightful and meaningful. Here is a recap of how I spent my day:

• Had a tasty and healthy breakfast at Sydney Providence. This cafe was influenced by Sydney, Australia. They served healthy and tasty breakfast.
• Scoped out Rhode Island State House from the outside in Federal Hill. A beautiful spot to take memorable pictures and take in the history of this Providence, Rhode Island.
• Observed “The first Baptist Church in America”…one of America’s oldest Baptist Church and Rhode Island’s first Baptist Church. It was pleasant to see this part of history in person vs reading about it in a textbook.
• Enjoyed a tiramisu donut and iced coffee at Bolt cafe while I charged my phone.
• Spent a few hours touring the Museum in Providence, RI…I was amazed by how diversified the exhibits were…they had representation of artwork from all walks of the world…this museum is free admission on Sundays.
• Rushed to Roger Williams Botanical Gardens and was fascinated by the indoor greenhouses and fishpond. It was a peaceful way of ending my trip. Another beautiful place to take pictures and appreciate the gardens especially in the winter months.

• For dinner, I’d stuffed my face with some spicy lamb vindaloo and garlic naan bread at Kabob and Curry restaurant.

💫When I travel, I always want to end my trip with experiencing a touch of my culture in another city.

In total, I’d spent a total of $250 on food, drinks, admission tickets to the theater/garden and Uber rides (I’d taken the Uber during the night back to the hotel since I was traveling alone).

I hope my blog was helpful with planning your trip to Providence, Rhode Island. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if there are questions. Happy Travel!