5 Summer Activities in Providence
Providence in summertime, from the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge (photo by Abigail Clarkin for InDowncity)
We know that when summer comes around, many flit off to the seaside in Rhode Island… But between beach days, we are soaking up every second of the season in the city of Providence! From wine tastings to boat rides, here’s what we recommend for summer activities in Providence, RI.
GRAB DINNER & HEAD TO WATERFIRE
The beacons are lit! When people think of Rhode Island, the iconic WaterFire lightings are often top of mind. Stroll along the Providence River downtown after sunset on the following dates, and enjoy music, vendors, art and artists (we adore the somewhat spooky living statues), and more: Thursday, July 4; Tuesday, July 30; Saturday, Aug. 3; Saturday, Aug. 31; Saturday, Sept. 21. We recommend grabbing dinner at one of our go-to dinner spots beforehand! From soul food, to sushi, to fine dining, we have so many ideas. Make sure to make a reservation, if possible, since the city gets quite busy.
START YOUR SUMMER READING
During summer, life sometimes slows down a bit... Alternatively, even if it’s a season when things gear up (be it travel, work, or time with friends and family), diving into a good book is a great way to relax. The next time we’re lightly toasting on the beach—keyword “lightly” because we believe in sunscreen, folks—or we’re in the passenger seat on a road trip to somewhere fun, here’s what we’re bringing with us:
For the Best by Vanessa Lillie (a psychological thriller by a Providence author)
Funny Story by Emily Henry (a rom-com perfect for the beach)
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (a lush and haunting historical fiction mystery)
None of these quite to your taste? Browse Symposium Book’s shelves or catalog!
ATTEND A WINE TASTING
A wine flight tasting at Gracie’s (Photo by Abigail Clarkin for InDowncity)
We love a summer wine tasting! Whether you’re looking to learn more about wine, or you simply like to explore the flavor palette of different varieties, wine tastings can be a delicious affair. Check out Gracies’ monthly series of tastings, “Journey Through the Vines.” On Thursday, July 18, sleuth and sip during a blind taste test of French and Californian wines. And on Thursday, Aug. 22, find out how sparkling wines are made across the globe. Eno Fine Wines also has a tasting on the calendar for their “Loire Rooftop Party.” Try white wines on Thursday, July 18 on the rooftop of a historic building in downtown Providence. (More details to come.)
GO FOR A RIVER BOAT RIDE
Sunshine on our shoulders, wind in our hair… We love a boat ride along the Providence River in downtown Providence! Check out twilight river cruises (catching the sunset on the water is an incredible sight), 4th of July Fireworks boat rides, Providence architecture tours, or even charter a boat through Providence River Cruises. And pssst- we’ll have a summer giveaway for a gift card to Providence River Cruises along with a gift card to Gift Horse going on over at our Instagram @indowncitypvd. It’s running beginning at 12 p.m. on Thursday, June 27 through June 29, so don’t miss it.
TRY ICED DRINKS AT LOCAL COFFEE SHOPS
If you’ve been following InDowncity for any length of time, then surely you know that we live for sampling the latest and greatest dishes, cocktails, and coffee spots in downtown Providence. This summer is no different- we skipped along the streets of the city to three coffee shops and decided on our favorite chilled, seasonal drinks. Find out what we’re sipping from Small Point Cafe, Bolt Coffee, and Little City Coffee & Kitchen right here.
And there’s still even more to do- catch a show at one of the local theaters, browse exhibits at the RISD Museum, shop on Westminster Street, or check out the beer garden right near the pedestrian bridge. Wherever you end up, we hope you stay cool and have fun this summer, PVD!
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