The Providence River Pedestrian Bridge 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)
With five colleges and three satellite campuses within the city:
Providence welcomes an estimated 35,000 students at the start of every school year. And once again, it was named one of the "25 Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S." by Travel & Leisure in 2025.
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 even been called "America's Favorite City" and "America's Coolest City."
There's so much to see and do in Providence, and plenty more to check out across the Ocean State. The beautiful beaches of South County, the historic grandeur of Newport, the coastal charm of the East Bay, and the unspoiled nature of the northern and western parts of the state make Rhode Island a special place to call home.
Official website of the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau. Includes dining and hotel information, neighborhood guide, events calendar and much more.
Official website of Providence's signature event. Includes events calendar, as well as resources for exploring the city.
Home of four local lifestyle magazines that provide dining, shopping, events, arts, culture, and "Best of Rhode Island" updates.
Student Engagement & Leadership Development manages and supports a diverse assortment of co-curricular programming, student organizations, community service initiatives, and leadership development opportunities.