I participated in Gallery Night Providence on August 15th for the first time. There were 5…read moredifferent guided tours visiting different art spaces in Providence leaving from the Graduate Hotel at 11 Dorrance Street and the WaterFire Arts Center at 475 Valley Street at different times. I chose the 5:00 pm tour leaving from the Graduate Hotel with a friend. I registered through Eventbrite and made a donation to guarantee our spot on the tour. Half of the seats on the trolley or mini coach will always be available (first-come, first-served), completely free, to anyone who shows up on Gallery Night. The other half of the seats are available to those that reserve in advance via Eventbrite by making a donation. If you are reserving multiple tickets like I did, Eventbrite requires a separate reservation for each ticket since each order is only for one ticket. Eventbrite also charges a small fee ($0.03). A confirmation email was sent on the day of reservation and reminder email was sent earlier in the week about the event. On August 15th, my friend and I checked in at the podium with a Gallery Night banner near the main entrance. We were handed a pamphlet with a list of the different tours and all the galleries on view. Around 5:00pm, we met our Gallery Night Guide Jenn Wilson and walked to the mini coach. I'm glad we chose the trolley/mini coach tour instead of the walking tour, because there was torrential downpour of rain for pretty much the whole duration of our tour. Our first stop was at Galerie le Domaine at Domain Properties (a real estate office). At this gallery, we saw the works of Neal Walsh. Walsh's work is primarily abstract, inspired by seasonal shifts of light, the elemental forces of nature, and an everlasting faith in the elegance of ferns and the song of the wood thrush. This exhibit title "Our days are weatherworn" is from the poem, "The Goneness of Lost Things" by Don Domanski. Walsh hopes the paintings evoke invisible threads, a bit of mystery, a spark of recognition, and perhaps a lost memory of connection in the viewer. The pieces were interesting to see and definitely gave me feels. It was also cool to see artwork on a mantle and on top of a couch compared to the usual art studio or gallery. Second stop was Anahid Ypres Art Studio located on the 3rd floor of 118 N Main St. At the studio, we saw pieces by artist Anahid Ypres and guest artist Fior De La Cruz. There were big pieces with vibrant colors and even pieces using fluorescent paint. These pieces were beautiful. There were also cups of wine, mini bottles of water, and snacks (peanuts and pistachios). The third and final stop was Providence Art Club. We spent time looking at pieces by young artists affiliated with Riverzedge Arts of Woonsocket. The young artists are so talented! There was a reception with cheese and we had the opportunity to meet some of the artists and talk about their work. Around 7:00pm, we arrived back at the Graduate. Time went by so quickly and I had such a great evening. Jenn was a great guide and very personable and friendly. In between stops, she would talk about RISD, Brown, downtown Providence, and encourage us to think about the art setting and the artwork we were looking at. Each of the galleries we visited were different and stunning in their own way. I am definitely interested in participating in another Gallery Night Providence. It'll always be a unique experience since there are different galleries and different works displayed.

Gallery Night In Providence should definitely be on your bucket list. My friend got me tickets to…read moresee 3 different galleries and they were all so unique! It was nice to hear the artists explain the thought process behind the painting as well as speak with the artist if you had any questions. Paintings were for sale with reasonable value. Some galleries even had selections of wine, water, cheese and crackers which was a nice touch. I would definitely do this again since every gallery night is different.

Have to drop them to 3. Had been on a few trips with them that went well, but after this past…read moreFriday they lost me. The 'Friday Funday' Mystic trip was cancelled. Ok. I get it trips get cancelled when there aren't enough people signed up for it. But in this case, they didn't even bother to tell me/us. Even got the confirmation/reminder email the day before. So being at the pickup point and its 5 minutes after we're supposed to leave, I call them to see what's going on and then they tell me it got cancelled and I should've been told Tuesday, but obviously wasn't and again, even got the confirmation/reminder email the day before. As someone that doesn't get a lot of time out work to burn a day off with nothing to show for it is extremely frustrating, and honestly, I just can't risk getting burned again. The owner Ted called later that day offering to make it right and I was refunded the money for the trip and the other trip I cancelled but I can't risk burning another day off with nothing to show for it. The people have always been nice, so I won't completely knock them, but beware even getting a confirmation email the day doesn't mean the trip is happening.

I joined Experience Rhode Island Tours on their A Day on Martha's Vineyard tour. There were three…read moredeparture locations: Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick, RI, Visitor information Center at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, RI, and the main entrance of Hampton Inn New Bedford in Fairhaven, MA. Ted picked us up from the Visitor information Center two minutes prior to 7:00am. The mini coach bus was pretty full from the first pickup location. We then went on our way to the third pickup location. After our mini coach bus was full, we crossed Bourne Bridge to Woods Hole Terminal in Cape Cod to take a 45 minute Steamship Authority's ferry ride to Oak Bluffs. The ferry ride was smooth. When we got to Oak Bluffs, Ted told us about the history of Martha's Vineyard and gave us a map. First, we went to the fishing village of Menemsha for lunch and I walked to Menemsha Public Beach. Stanley Larsen, owner of Menemsha Fish Market, came on board the bus and showed us the jaws of a great white shark he caught in 1983 while swordfishing. Next, we went to the Aquinnah Cliffs Overlook to admire the beautiful cliffs of Aquinnah and Gay Head Light. This was my favorite part of the whole trip. Then, we explored the lovely harbor of shops and homes in Edgartown. I walked to the Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse, which is very close to Harbor View Hotel. Ted talked to us about the Chappaquiddick incident that occurred sometime around midnight, between July 18 and 19, 1969, while standing in front of the Harbor View Hotel looking out at the Poucha Pond. On the way to Oak Bluffs, we stopped at the "Jaws Bridge," a popular spot for jumping into the water despite signs prohibiting it. Lastly, we saw the gingerbread cottages and the tabernacle of Oak Bluffs. We then took the Steamship Authority's ferry ride from Vineyard Haven back to Woods Hole Terminal. We returned to Visitor information Center at the Rhode Island Convention Center about 7:30pm. Everyone on the trip were very respectful of the time Ted told us to return to the bus and were very friendly. This was a wonderful, fun, informational day trip to New England's most popular island and I am so glad I got to explore Martha's Vineyard for the first time with Experience Rhode Island Tours. Ted took us on a tour of the entire island, exploring its six towns. The tour included admission to Martha's Vineyard ferry, narrated tour, and round-trip transportation to and from the ferry, and transportation throughout the day on the Vineyard. Experience Rhode Island Tours always does a great job with their tours and I am looking forward to what other tours they plan in the future!

The house is beautiful and full of original furniture. Our guide Elizabeth was very professional,…read moreknowledgeable and friendly. She loves history and answered all our questions. Enjoyed the tour immensely! I would recommend this tour as a DONT MISS!

Last Friday, we had the pleasure of touring the historic Lippitt House in Providence--and it was…read moreabsolutely amazing! What made the experience truly unforgettable was our guide, Elizabeth Gilbert (not the author of Eat, Pray, Love, but THE Elizabeth Gilbert who brings history to life). Her tour was informative, engaging, and full of fascinating details that transported us straight into the elegance of Victorian times. If you're visiting magical Providence, don't miss this gem. It's a beautiful step back in time, guided by someone who clearly loves what she does.

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.

This local art piece is part of the Avenue concept art tour of downtown Providence…read more Erminio Pinque, aka MinioMindWarp, is the author of this piece. He is an educator, Illustrator and creature fabricator, well known in Rhode Island. He is also the Editor of the Comics Page in the free, widely distributed Motif Magazine. In his "Space Transformation Stationary" strip, Minio MindWarp integrates improvised doodle reactions to imagery revealed in his mail art envelope windows. All of them fun and whimsical. As a result of the encouragement by the Avenue Concept to expand public impact beyond the printed page, five creature characters representing abstract & subconscious concepts in corporeal form now exist as large murals framed within the sealed former windows of a demolished building's steel beam supported facade....if you are in this area of downtown Providence, it's fun to look a these colorful pieces.

I had a wonderful time on this tour! I attended this tour in late March or early April 2024. Our…read moretour guide's name is Kelly. I liked that she was dressed up in a costume and was a wonderful presenter. I've been on ghost tours before and this was my favorite! The tour starts in a park dedicated to the founder of Providence, Roger Williams. The park offers wonderful views of Providence. Especially at night! The tour will take you to several places in old town Providence. Some of the stops are the Athenaeum, AnnMary Brown memorial, a famous street in Providence that Edgar Allen Poe walked on and where some have seen his ghost. There are many more stops. You will do a good amount of walking and stopping. Dress weather permitting and be prepared to take plenty of photos! You may have the opportunity to capture a ghost like I did. I recommend reviewing your photos after you get back home and if you capture any ghosts in your pics, email Providence Ghost Tours. They will be happy to hear from you! Looking back on all the pics I took, it brought back a lot of memories from this tour. I was so happy that I attended this. Also, they offer a souvenir flashlight to purchase in addition to your ticket. The tour itself is so worth the money. Again, Kelly was great! Don't forget to tip your guide. They also offer Venmo. Happy ghost hunting and don't get too spooked! Have fun and be safe!

This was mostly an alternative history of Providence/storytelling tour, but that was fine by us…read more We thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience & wish Carson, our tour guide, the best of luck! It was only their third time hosting the tour, & they did a wonderful job. Their outfit, especially the dashing tailcoat, was one of my favorite parts of the tour. I hope they stay with the company & continue to host tours. The tour was about 90-minutes, starting & ending at the Roger Williams statue in Prospect Terrace Park. The College Hill streets are so marvelous to meander. On a crisp, October evening, with the wind blowing & leaves tumbling around our feet, it was extra marvelous. The coolest thing we learned was that THE Edgar Allen Poe spent quite some time in Providence with his lover, back in the day. I had no idea. Providence Ghost Tour is coming up on their 20-year anniversary! Very impressive. I wish them continued success.

This food and historical tour usually takes place on Saturdays during the warm season in…read moreProvidence's Federal Hill area. This year the tour will run until the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The focus of the tour is to learn about the mafia personalities of the 20th century in the Italian section of Providence (Federal Hill). Pat was our guide and she gave a great summary of the highlights related to Raymond Petrarca and his relationship with the crime lords in the country, not only New England but also along the East Coast, Midwest and West Coast. Another personality that was highlighted was Buddy Cianci, two times mayor of Providence and larger-than-life figure in Rhode Island history. The tour made a stop at five restaurants for a culinary taste of the Hill...highlighting homemade fresh pasta dishes, meatballs, pizza, eggplant appetizers, mortadella and cheese rolls and dessert. All delicious. The tour runs for about 3.5 hours and it costs $70 for the historical and gastronomical experience. Very nice for those into history, mafia and crime.

This was a fun afternoon out. Katherine was our tour guide. She was very knowledgeable and easy to…read moretalk with. The food was excellent!

Vasanzio 'Troy' is a modern stainless steel art piece that consists of five steel beams caught in a…read moremomentary state of equilibrium. Their various sizes and tapered edges play with the viewer's sense of perspective and the artwork's overall sense of balance and composition. By "drawing" the form of the sculpture in tandem with its surrounding space, artist Steven Buduo explores a variety of hidden synchronicities and meanings--equilibrium versus instability, stasis versus movement, order versus chaos. Buduo, the artist uses a language of art-making informed equally by the surrounding architecture, the human condition, and the unyielding laws of the natural sciences. Buduo sees art as a way to bring to the forefront the limits of our perspectives, and his hope is that viewers find themselves intellectually challenged and hooked into a moment of contemplation and reflection. When I saw this piece for the first time, I thought, oh...just some pieces of metal put together, but as I walked around it, I could see the different angles and perspectives...and many of them provide a different feel for the art piece. Many flowers surround it, making the visual impact different from different points of sight.

We go every year around the holidays to see the Little Picture Show. All the artwork in the show is…read moresmall format original works by local artists and the pieces are priced under $350. There's a good variety of different styles and mediums (jewelry, photos, paintings). A great spot to get a unique holiday gift and also support a local artist! The club itself is located in a very cool historic building. The period details are beautiful. You can get a drink in the lounge/bar area and hang out by the fireplace. They also offer art classes to the community which I haven't taken yet, so I can't comment on that. Definitely a unique spot to check out and a true gem of Providence history!

On August 15th, the Gallery Night Providence 5:00pm tour leaving from the Graduate Hotel stopped at…read morethe Providence Art Club. I've walked past this building many times, but never walked in. I was so glad this was a stop on the tour and I spent time looking at pieces by young artists affiliated with Riverzedge Arts of Woonsocket. The young artists are so talented! There was a reception with cheese and we had the opportunity to meet some of the artists and talk about their work. Michael Rose, the gallery manager, welcomed us and informed us about Providence Art Club's mission to preserve the four historic buildings next to each other on Thomas Street. I can't wait to come back and check out the other galleries. The galleries of the Providence Art Club are always free and open to the public.

Shout out to Kirk and Forrest!!! You two are fantastic guides - so knowledgeable and entertaining!…read more I'll definitely be recommending your tours to everyone I know! Thanks again for such a memorable birthday !!

The staff are so friendly! We were unfortunately running a couple minutes late, but they called us,…read moreprovided directions, and waited for us to start the boat tour. That was so kind of them! Also the shop where you check in was really cute and the ice cream was so tasty. I am glad that we booked this experience for our time in Providence!