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City of Providence Accolades

2018

 

  • “Providence Ranks in the Top 100 World’s Best Cities” – Best Cities (Resonance)

“The smallest state in America has a capital city with plenty of big ideas, a lot of very smart and creative people, and a happening nightlife.”

 

“Although the Providence Athenaeum is a library open to the public, it’s not one paid for with state money. Instead, this small but beautiful Greek Revival building is supported by private donors. There’s a heavy focus on Rhode Island history and authors who hail from the Ocean State, including Providence native HP Lovecraft—you’ll find a bust of the famed horror author on display, with familiar names like Guillermo del Toro on the list of benefactors.”

 

“With 1-bedroom apartments having an average rent of $1,000, there’s no seeing where your career will take you. Providence is filled with original food trucks and funky restaurants you’ll want to try. While you’re there, be sure to explore their famous donut shops, which are the integral of Providence. YUMM!”

 

 

 

“A weekend in Providence is a fun escape for the kids, as the city offers many kid-friendly activities like the Providence Children’s Museum, the Roger Williams Park Zoo, and WaterFire Providence. WaterFire is a series of bonfires on the city’s three rivers, which happens several times monthly from May to November. For a taste of history, walk down Benefit Street, which has one of the highest concentrations of Colonial buildings in the United States.”

 

  • “Providence is Bursting With New Things To See, Do and Eat” – BostonGlobe

“In the last decade, as regular weekend visitors to Providence, we have seen the waterfront capitol undergo a major cultural and artistic revival. But with the latest wave of new restaurants and hotels, the city has gone from unique to downright cool. That’s because Providence is a few cities rolled into one.”

 

“Just under an hour from Boston, students from Brown, Rhode Island School of Design and other local universities bring in a young, progressive population. PrideFest, Providence’s Pride celebration and one of the city’s signature events, is a celebration of love, respect and joy on June 16, 2018. Don’t miss other family adventures: WaterFire Providence, the Providence Children’s Museum or a Pawtucket Red Sox minor league baseball game.”

 

“Beyond the Pride observances in major U.S. cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Chicago are an ever growing number of celebrations in smaller—and just as prideful—in cities all across the county. Rhode Island Pride in Providence is a perfect example. First held with about 75 participants in 1976, participation has grown to more than 60,000 every mid-June. For a unique twist, it holds an after-dark illuminated Pride parade, one of the few nighttime Pride parades in the U.S. and the only one in New England.”

 

  • “30 Cities You Can Experience in One Weekend” – (MSN)

“There’s a lot to see and do in the smallest state’s capital city as it’s been named among the quirkiest cities in America as well as one of the best for foodies. Visitors will certainly want to scratch the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art off of their bucket list. Afterward, they can take their time touring the city’s vibrant neighborhoods.”

 

2017

“This cultural hub has figured out ways to entice other people to stay—and visit. Its well-liked galleries host plenty of events, and restaurant week comes in January.”

 

“10.8 percent of commuters walk to work.”

 

“In Providence, hallmark dishes and drinks often come with a quirk: The Olneyville New York System restaurant’s classic eponymous “wiener,” for example, is slathered in meat sauce, while beloved local “coffee milks” are milk blended with coffee-flavored syrup. Both victuals reflect the patchwork of traditions in the Ocean State. “One of the other things that really separates us from other cities was that we have one of the best culinary schools in the country [J&W] in our backyard, and they’re consistently turning out graduates who stay,”

 

“Rhode Island may be the smallest state in geographical size, but Providence is a major hub for the visual and culinary arts.”

 

“Beyond that, it’s been called the “Beehive of Industry” and “Creative Capital” because of its plethora of educational institutions and arts community. It’s the home of Brown University(of the Ivy League), Johnson & Wales University, Providence College, Rhode Island College, and the Rhode Island School of Design.”

 

“To see why T+L readers gave Providence such high marks for architecture, head to College Hill, where Brown University’s red brick buildings look over the downtown skyline. Classic New England church steeples dot the city, as do revamped 19th and 20th-century factory buildings and Art Deco towers.”

 

“The academic and artistic talents of Providence’s community run deep, largely due to the presence of an outstanding art school (RISD), an Ivy League university (Brown), and one of the nation’s top culinary schools (Johnson & Wales). Providence is an oft-overlooked mecca of cultural offerings and intelligent, interesting people. Pedestrian-friendly streets and amazing architecture make this city a perfect place to stroll aimlessly.”

 

“As one of the original 13 colonies, Providence holds a special spot in America’s heart. To experience the country’s major historical turning points (like the American Revolution and slavery) and understand Rhode Island’s implication in shaping a brand new United States, head to John Brown’s House Museum. Before the home was a museum, notable guests like George Washington used to pop by for tea. On certain evenings the city’s three rivers of downtown are set ablaze – over eighty braziers of the WaterFire sculpture are lit on the waters, a symbol of Providence’s efforts towards a cultural revival.”

 

“It feels like a cross between a European and a New England village,” said Pezzillo. “In the summer, you can take gondola rides up and down the river and learn about its history. During WaterFire, there are 90 metal baskets with bonfires roaring [on the water]. There are festivals and bazaars. Even though I live here, I never get tired of it.”

 

  • “Top 10 Downtowns That Are Making a Comeback”  – Successful Meetings
2016

“This cobblestone-lined capital has the sort of bearded liberalness and ever-rising food scene”

 

“ Providence is an oft-overlooked mecca of cultural offerings and intelligent, interesting people. Pedestrian-friendly streets and amazing architecture make this city a perfect place to stroll aimlessly. The state’s access to the freshest seafood and local produce makes the culinary offerings second to none, and there is always something happening, from hockey games at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center to art gallery openings and exhibits. Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but Providence proves that bigger isn’t always better.”

“There is no shortage of treasures awaiting visitors to the Ocean State’s capital city. Downtown Providence is getting a promising makeover starting with the arrival of the Dean Hotel which includes Bavarian bites at onsite restaurant Faust and backroom imbibing at the oh so cool Magdalenae Room.”

“These Rhode Islanders ranked near the top of the survey for being nerdy, hip, and offbeat—a solid foundation for a thriving arts scene. You can tap into the city’s cultural roots at the Providence Athenaeum, the nearly 200-year-old public library and cultural center that is now home to weekly Balzac and Tolstoy reading discussions; or, glimpse into the future at downtown arts space AS220 or edgy puppet theater Big Nazo.”

“The culture here is diverse, with one of America’s most authentic Italian enclaves in Federal Hill and history on display at museums and historic homes along the Providence River. But much like other college towns, it’s a Neverland you might eventually have to leave, as WalletHub rates Providence right between Newark and Modesto for jobs.”

“Diverse immigrant communities, academics (including creative types graduating from art and culinary schools), and young professionals thirsty for fair trade coffee bring dynamic epicurean energy to Rhode Island’s quirky capital.”

“Locals in this New England city—which readers applauded for being LGBT-friendly—came across as hip, smart, and quirky. They also love good food, with Providence ranking near first place for everything from fine dining to bakeries”

“Ranking highly in the survey for its pedestrian-friendly streets and cool architecture, the Rhode Island capital makes it easy to work up an appetite. The city also landed at No. 2 for its legendary street food—like Haven Brothers, which serves lobster rolls, fries and shakes next to City Hall until 4 a.m.—and the local “grilled” pizza, perhaps topped with spicy soppressata at downtown’s Bacaro.”

2015

 

“Providence finally has a food scene to match its expansive immigrant and academic populations. At North restaurant, a tiny, no-reservations spot in Federal Hill, Momofuku alum James Mark serves inventive fare like green “chow mein,” redolent with toasted almonds and fresh herbs. A few blocks away, at North Bakery, the skinny jean set cure hangovers with goat dan dan breakfast pastries. Benjamin Sukle, a Johnson & Wales grad and Rhode Island native, does his home state proud at the 18-seat Birch restaurant, which celebrates local bounty in remarkably seasonal fashion”.

“The College Hill section of Providence is a living timeline of architectural motifs: from the 18th century Georgian-style Old State House, to the 19th century Greek Revival Providence Athenaeum library, to the modern, boxy design of Brown University’s Granoff Center for Creative Arts. It sounds like a lot, because it is. But that’s a good thing.”

  • #1 America’s Best Cities for Sweet Tooths   – Travel + Leisure 

“Don’t ruin your dessert by eating too much dinner in the Rhode Island capital, which ranked near the top of the survey in a number of gastronomic categories—from hipster food trucks and notable restaurants to sweets-filled bakeries”

The capital of Rhode Island has always punched above its weight in terms of smarts and creativity. But lately Providence has added a few new bullet points to its résumé—like a celebrated food scene and a high-style party hotel—that cement its rep as the coolest city you haven’t been to. Yet.

  • “America’s Most Densely Packed Restaurant City”  –  Yahoo

“Because of the student population here (Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, Johnson & Wales University), there are lots of cozy places geared to a tight budget,” says Jamie Coelho, associate editor at Rhode Island Monthly, where she writes and edits the publication’s local food newsletter, The Dish.”

“A weekend trip to Providence isn’t just a chance to enjoy arts and culture without breaking the bank. You could say that Providence is on the cusp of a Renaissance. Its “downcity” neighborhood is home to many of the city’s eclectic storefronts — and feels as safe as any. In other parts of town, new mayor Jorge Elorza has big plans to repurpose every single one of the city’s 500 abandoned buildings into affordable homes and creative workspaces.”