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!

We had planned a visit today with a small group of friends and family members and to be honest, we…read moredidn't really know what to expect. We were immediately impressed with how beautiful the grounds were, there were lots of beautiful flowers, magnificent water views, and abundant charm. We had an amazing time touring the house and grounds. Our guide, Maggie, was excellent, she shared interesting details and told the story of the Smith-Appleby family with humor and pride. We were most impressed at the sustainability of the homestead and how it has served this family for nearly 300 years. It was an absolute privilege to spend time here and we felt very fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend the morning touring the buildings and grounds, including a visit to the family cemetery at the front on the property. Tours cost $5 per person and a yearly membership is only $20.

I've always seen the sign on the highway, so last weekend I just happened to look up what their…read morehours were... sure enough, the next tour being held was the next day... Sunday. They give tours the third Sunday of the month from 1 - 4 , so plan accordingly! It was a beautiful day... I have to say the grounds are lovely. What a great place to just enjoy a short stroll. My son enjoyed picking up sticks and poking around the small stream that runs down from the road. We also took a look at the graveyard with all the old stones. The house itself is very interesting with a few things I'd never seen before. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Everyone there was very welcoming and we just had a really nice afternoon... my son ,who is 7, really enjoyed it as well. A great local place to visit, especially on a nice day. I'll be back to check out some of the events that they hold periodically.

I visited the Arnold House for the last tour of the day. The tour guide is really knowledgeable…read moreand they take you all the way up to the attic. The house is very minimalistic in its contents, but the main focus is the architecture. Free parking is available at the park next to the house. There is one bathroom available for use.

Today, Historic New England, the group that manages and maintains Arnold House, offered free tours…read moreof all their properties. I had visited Arnold House back in 2021 but the interior was closed. Today, I got a great tour of the inside. The family that originally built and lived in the house in the late 17th and early 18th century had 10 children and lived in the space of one large living/ great room, one kitchen, one huge bedroom for the entire family on the second floor and a spacious attic for storage and maybe also a few kids. The docents here were extremely knowledgeable about the site and friendly, encouraging questions and photos. There are also beautiful, short trails around the property as well as a small picnic area near the parking area.

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.

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 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.

Fake museum. Possible fraud operation. Avoid. 20 years ago pumped themselves up as a real entity…read morebut ultimately left nothing of substance. Rotting and molding diners left unattended. Fake- oh renovation projects. Garbage operation.

This is essentially an sham operation and a fraud. There is no actual physical "museum" building…read more It's a collection of stuff in warehouses and a website. Beware. See www.dinermuseum.com

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.

We always prefer to sleek out and support small businesses whenever possible. With that being said,…read moreAndy is a star perfectionist at his craft. We have had several fine art prints framed at his establishment and he never fails to deliver a quality product. The service was impeccable by this very pleasant proprietor. Numerous matting choices and a plethora of frames, you will be sure to find something to fit your needs!

I have a Steelers poster framed at get the picture frame and I have to tell you that it looks…read morereally professional done love it