Well that was super fun…read more When we arrived no one was on the desk so we began to wander the first floor. If you just want to walk around, and check out the machines that is free. I saw someone who works there and he gave us a quick 'tour'. Pinball machines are set up here by year beginning in the 1930's! There a many from the 70's, a big collection of 80's and then further back it's a mix. The tour took up upstairs. There is a wheelchair lift here, however, you have to step over a barrier at the bottom of the doorway leading to the stairs so not really handicap accessible? Call if you need info on that. Keep that door at the bottom of the staircase open so you can get back! At the top of the steps is a private event room. (sorry no photo, a meeting was going on). Turn right after the event room and follow the hallway to the 'Blue Room' on the left at the end. Here you'll find a small, open space for a party with shelves of board games, a table and comfy couches. The Blue Room includes several racing games (seated style), shooter games, skeeball, basketball throw and other arcade games. There were a couple dozen pinball machines without an outlet to play them stored in this space. Our tour guide tells us for events up to 150 people, these games are moved out and tables moved into that space. The second floor hosts many other businesses so be respectful when in the halls. Our visit lasted about two hours playing all the games. Some of the pinball machines include information on who designed them and other info. The Star Trek machine is signed by some of the actors. Scoobydoo, Addams family, Aerosmith, Rick & Morty, Dolly Parton, on and on. Some games have hepatic feedback - like when the dinosaur eats your ball in the Jurasic Park pinball game the entire machine shakes. I love how the machines are all set to 'free play'. You just hit the start button (usually a round button on the front) and you get your three balls. When that game ends, hit start again and you get another three balls. Also, if you loose a ball quickly, you get an extra ball. Really makes for a fun experience. Admission is ten dollars per person (all ages), cash or credit, and covers playing all the available games for the whole day - come and go as you please. Parking is available next to the building in two lots. No food or drink are available for sale here. When hosting an event here, bring your own catering. Contact them/visit their website for details on hosting events. Public restrooms are on the upper level off the hallway. The museum space is more or less warehouse space. It was cold in there when we visited and we left our coats and hats on (February). When there are a lot of games being played, it gets loud, so be prepared. There are a few step stools for the smaller kids. Check next to or under the machines for those or if you have a collapsable one at home maybe bring it along just in case they are all in use. During our week day visit there were a fair amount of adults in there enjoying pinball and all the other games. Staff are knowledgeable and very easy to chat with. Definitely plan an outting to visit this fun museum diguised as an arcade. Alone, or with the kids. You might become the 'fun uncle' after a day here with the nibblings.

We had so much fun discovering the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas several years ago, so when I…read moreheard about this similar concept in Rhode Island, I had to visit. It did not disappoint! The variety of functioning arcade games is limited, but there are many working/playable pinball machines from different eras and manufacturers. And sadly, many non-functioning machines (hopefully temporary). Michael and the quirky staff will enthusiastically provide a quick tour of the no-frills warehouse. With the super reasonable $10 all-you-can play concept, I was really able to test out so many different machines which gave me a new appreciation for the differences between the older Bally and Williams machines, and some of the modern outrageously themed machines. Surprisingly, I quickly discovered I had strong preferences in pinball machines. Who knew?! Ultimately, I found myself drawn to the simpler Bally style machines from decades ago, as the modern flashing lights in the dark warehouse were a bit of a sensory overload for me. As fun as The Simpsons and Family Guy might be, I hope Michael and his team are able to preserve the classic machines for many others to discover and enjoy for a long time!

Didn't feel like doing the guided tour, but having never been here as a lifelong RI-er I figured…read moreI'd take the plunge. Nice, historical sight with loads of history and information even without taking the tour. Just on the out squirts of the shady part(s) of the state, but right next to the police station. The water was really bustling on this day. On a day where I have more time I'll definitely have to take a more extended look.

This is a free historic site that has a really great tour. The site is just off the river and there…read moreare a few buildings on site, but not all of them are open. But there are multiple tours during the day, so after perhaps watching the intro video, you can join one. The guide took us into the mill and demonstrated multiple machines used in various stages of cotton to thread production. It was great to see the process in front of us, and it was quite a complex process that required a lot of engineering using waterpower to get completed. I found it very informative, and the guide was able to answer all of our questions, so it's a great experience for kids and adults. No gift shop though, but there is a bathroom on site. The building was described to me as "yellow" when it's peach, but I won't fault that, just saying if you're looking for it, look for peach. There is parking across the street and a small lot next to it.

The RISD Museum is worth a visit. I'm sharing photos of the pieces that stood out to me most. I…read morestarted in the RISD student galleries, which were full of impressive work. my favorite was a floor installation that looks like a woven rug but is actually made entirely of salt. So many pieces made you stop and think, "How did they do that?!" I visited the whole museum, but my favorites were the Costume & Textile galleries, the exhibit on kingfishers in art and poetry, the European Grand Gallery with its oil paintings and the 18th/19th‑century American rooms in Pendleton House. I also loved how the museum's architecture fits together like a puzzle across several older buildings and street entrances. That was a surprising add-on to the visit. Extra tip: street parking is nearly impossible. Check their website for the free weekend parking lots (within walking distance) they make the visit much easier.

I get to visit the RISD Museum for free as a Brown University student!…read more Had fun spending a morning walking through the exhibits on all the floors. There was a room dedicated to costumes and textiles from different cultures around the world! As a sewist and costumer, this was very fun for me to have the room to myself and go through the drawers (everything was behind glass). I want to say I was here for roughly 2 hours and saw everything and took lots of photos.

Came here with little to no expectations but it ended up being one of my favorite spots in the…read morearea. $5 suggested donation /person admission Very quiet but cozy library. Feels like an amazing place to study and take a second to read. Highly recommend a visit for anyone coming out of state. Definitely would enjoy coming back for a whole day.

What a cool gem in Providence! If you are not a member and just want to look around you can pay the…read moresuggested donation of $5/person. There is a QR code to scan for a self guided tour. Filled with history, nooks and crannies to read and study in, and so many books. Edgar Allan Poe was once a visitor with his love interest at the time. Worth a stop if you are on the East side of Providence.

This small book shop is located inside The Arcade. It's focus is on 'the weird', aka books related…read moreto sci-fi, horror stories, tarot, witchcraft, and more. They have a few t-shirts for sale too. Books include local authors, famous authors, fiction, the history of witch trials such as in Salem, MA and several other non-fiction topics. I picked up a book I have been hoping to find for years now; the original stories by the Brothers Grimm. None of this tinkerbell fairytale stuff. This is raw, gorey, brutal stuff. The woman who assisted me was such fun to chat with and made some recommendations based on my interests. Definitely more books here I plan to return for. They even have a small area out the door (in the center of the building) to sit and read if you have time, or can't wait to begin your new book. Seriously, I have passed this shop half a dozen times and didn't realize what I was missing until I read their write up in Rhode Island Monthly magazine. Very glad I did!

I love this bookstore! (Now called "Weird Providence.") Great staff; great selection; I make an…read moreeffort to visit every time I'm in New England.

This is a large Visitor Center located on Main St in Pawtucket. It's mainly focused for those…read morewanting to learn more or wanting to visit Slater Mill. The amount of information on the textile revolution is large and they have a 15 min video on the subject. Wendy was very nice and helpful showing me the various brochures and books highlighting the tourist attractions in the area....There are about 10,000 historical sites between Providence and Worcester related to textile mill history....just amazing.... Slater Mill (1793) was the first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill in the United States and the first property to be added to the National Register of Historic Places (November 1966). For more than two centuries, people have transformed Slater Mill. These workers have changed the meaning of the mill, from a place for making thread to a place for learning about the consequences of industry....so learning about all that history which was key for our country, was really interesting.... This site is part of the National Park service, so if you want a stamp for your collection, you can ask for it and they will gladly stamp your book for you.

A cultural treasurer that I never knew existed. I always knew the building was there, but the…read morestories of the history of RI written on the walls was very surprising to me. The space can be used for events and open to the public for learning and community engagement.

Ladd observatory is a great place to take the kids if they are curious as mine is about space and…read moreall the astronomical wonders out there. Tue nights is open to the public. It houses a refractor telescope which makes it great for observing the planets and other dark-sky objects. One thing they were sure would be visible very clearly was Saturn and it's rings.. wouldn't that be kool to see! But not in the day which was the time I was there.Definitely i learnt a lot from just one short visit. I hope to go back again and explore and experience more.

Nice place for young and old. On certain Tuesday nights (weather permitting), you can go in and…read morecheck out the stars and planets on the telescope. The view is set to whatever the scholar has pre-set, but still it is a great easy outing. The rest of the place has much literature and information on the planets, solar system and stars. Small venue for astronomy, but easy access if you live in the city or nearby areas.

This site does a great job showcasing John Brown's house and his historical ties to the slave…read moretrade. The house is from the 18th century, but there are elements from later homeowners that were kept up and add a nice aesthetic touch, but it is important to know more about the Brown benefactor, both good and bad. They have his original carriage which is impressive. There is a beautiful mural in one room with George Washington, added in the 1930s but so impressive it had to stay up. The tour was self-guided, but there were staff members around to ask questions too. Gift shop was small but some good options. The hours are limited, but it's worth a stop as a historically significant site. There is also a parking lot to make your visit easier.

We went for the 250th university of the redaction, the event was free and open for 4 hours. The…read moremuseum was small but very informational. The displays prompted deep thinking about our past, both good and bad. The staff were dressed in period clothing and everyone there was friendly. The museum has stairs to get to the second floor, the building is beautiful and it holds just enough artifacts to be interesting without overwhelming.​

This place is amazing. All the events that are done here are amazing well planned. Definitely going…read moreback for another event . Staff is super friendly and communication is great before days of the event . A must visit

It's Halloween eve and a rainy night. My 10 year old and I embarked on a Victorian mourning tour…read moreat Hearthside. When I booked the tickets I thought it was a good idea, turned out to be a GREAT idea! I grew up just a few miles away and have driven by Hearthside thousands of times (no lie I now drive by twice a day to get to work) and have never been inside. Tonight my intrigue has been fed. Beautiful house, restored and maintained nicely. The volunteers are knowledgeable and willing to answer any questions. They were well equipped with information not only about the house but also about a former resident who passed away inside and even more about Victorian mourning traditions. Our tour was 6:30pm so it added to the slightly eerie feel the night before Halloween, entering in dark. The tour group was kept small (about 9 of us) which I think was the perfect size to move about through the house but also to fit in the size of the rooms. The volunteers were all dressed in proper Victorian attire and the house was prepared for mourning and a wake. A few tips when visiting the house: 1. Contrary to my thought of it being an old house and probably a little cold, the heat was roaring inside. 2. There are stairs and touring this house requires a lot of standing 3. This specific tour does go into deep detail about embalming, not for the faint of heart 4. My daughter enjoyed the tour and understood almost everything with little explanation. I would say not suitable for kids under 10 years old. A beautiful house filled with people who very much care about the stories that lie within its deep history. Well worth visiting. RIP Simon Eddy Thornton.