Explore Providence and Rhode Island

View of the Providence River Pedestrian Bridge with Providence skyline in the background

The Providence River Pedestrian Bridge, which opened in 2019, was renamed the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge in 2020 in honor of a 1965 Rhode Island College alumnus. (Image courtesy of GoProvidence.com)

RIC is located in Providence, Rhode Island, the "Creative Capital" of New England, and truly one of the great college towns in the Northeast.

Colleges and Satellite Campuses

With five colleges and three satellite campuses within the city:

  • RIC
  • Providence College
  • Brown University
  • Rhode Island School of Design
  • Johnson & Wales University
  • University of Rhode Island
  • Roger Williams University
  • Community College of Rhode Island

Providence welcomes an estimated 35,000 students at the start of every school year and, once again, it has been named one of the "25 Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S." by Travel & Leisure.

The Creative Capital

Providence balances the arts, culture, food, history and excitement of a major city with the intimate feel and manageable scale of a small college town. It's been noted as one of "America's Best Food Cities," "America's Favorite Cities," and GQ Magazine once called it "America's Coolest City." Our 180-acre campus offers a quiet, suburban oasis that's still only minutes from the vibrant city center.

What Rhode Island Has to Offer

Beyond Providence, there is plenty more to explore across the Ocean State, from the beautiful beaches of South County, to the historic grandeur of Newport, to the coastal charm of the East Bay, to the unspoiled nature of the northern and western parts of the state.

Start Exploring

Image of the Providence skyline as seen from Prospect Terrace

Go Providence

Official website of the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau. Includes dining and hotel information, neighborhood guide, events calendar and much more.

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In Downcity

Dining, shopping and events guide for Downtown Providence.

Image of WaterFire on the Providence River

WaterFire

Official website of Providence's signature event. Includes events calendar, as well as resources for exploring the city.

Image of local magazine covers

Hey Rhody

Home of four local lifestyle magazines – Providence Monthly, So Rhode Island (South County), The Bay (East Bay) and Hey Rhody (statewide) – with information about dining, events, arts and culture and more.

Image of Rhode Island Monthly magazine cover

Rhode Island Monthly

Rhode Island's lifestyle magazine, featuring dining, shopping, arts and annual "Best of Rhode Island" list.

Image of The Towers in Narragansett

South County Tourism

Official tourism website for South County, including beach guides, event listings, things to do and more.

Image of the Breakers mansion in Newport, RI

Discover Newport

Official tourism website for historic Newport, the state's Gilded Age resort city.

Image of Bristol Fourth of July Parade

Explore Bristol

Official tourism website for Bristol, the cultural center of Rhode Island's East Bay and home of America's oldest Fourth of July parade.

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Blackstone Valley

Official tourism website of the historic Blackstone Valley corridor in northern Rhode Island.

Image of Arcadia Management Area in Exeter, RI

Explore RI

A nature exploration guide to the state's blueways and greenways.