We hosted a party here on Oct 13, 2019. We booked our engagement party on short notice (about 5…read moreweeks before) and Kaitlyn was so easy to work with from the start. We fell in love with her, the house, everything including the murder-by-mail story behind the house from the 1800s. About 2 weeks before the party we called Kaitlyn and told her it was going to turn into our surprise wedding! She continued to be so helpful and excited, giving recommendations for all kinds of vendors we'd need. The day of the party she was professional and hands-on, making sure everything got done on a quick timeline. She calmed nerves and had great suggestions on where things should go to make sure everything flowed just right. Our rental price included some tables and linens she had available, and some glassware too. It was so perfect from the start and we couldn't be happier!!

Came for an Open Doors RI tour. Online tickets were sold out but they were able to accommodate a…read morebunch of us at the door. Beautiful historic building who's tour guides added in a true life murder mystery of the lady of the houses death. This really added to the event as it was so my scene and absolutely fun. They also had a whiskey tasting since she was poisoned with whiskey which is ironically amazing. I would def host an event here because unlike the Newport mansions I could touch things and see things in the midst of being historically preserved since they're still restoring the house. Open Doors RI has found a new regular customer :)

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.

First time exploring Providence, and while sadly was only here for one day, this was one of the…read morebiggest recommendations I got for an attraction to see. And coming through here, yeah, I can definitely see why. The RISD Museum has a really amazing and eclectic assortment of works from many different eras and locations, and you are certain to find something here to pique your interest. In one building, I went from seeing some ancient Egyptian, Roman, or Chinese statues, to Renaissance and early-modern paintaings, Victorian and Gilded age furniture, an assortments of modern and contemporary works, plus several rotating exhibits which had some very fascinating subject matters. The entire building has a somewhat strange floorplan, but this leads you to explore, discover, and find your path through the exhibits in different ways, almost like working through a puzzle to find some hidden treasures. And if you take your time, the museum can easily eat up half a day at least. As for a couple things to keep in mind; Parking can be a little tricky right close to the museum itself, as there are some street spaces nearby and paid parking garages. But frankly, downtown Providence is so nice that I'd advise parking further away and enjoying a lovely walk over along the canals. Admission price is very reasonable, but Sundays are apparently free entry days (or at least was when I visited). So yeah, if you only have a couple hours to kill in this town, the RISD Museum is very much worth a visit. Hope others can come and enjoy this amazing spot.

The RISD Museum in Providence is one of those places that catches you off guard with how much it…read morehas to offer, especially if you are not already familiar with it going in. I found the building spanning six floors, and the spaces were well organized throughout, giving each piece enough room to be appreciated properly without the galleries ever feeling sparse or rushed. It is the kind of museum where I could spend a couple of hours moving through it and still feel like I left things unexplored. The collection is the main reason to visit, and it covers a genuinely impressive range, from ancient artifacts and historical portraits all the way through to modern and contemporary works. The curation does a good job of making those transitions between periods feel intentional rather than disjointed, and the rotating exhibits add a reason to come back beyond what is already on permanent display. The Liz Collins exhibit drew a lot of attention during its run and was a strong example of how well the museum handles contemporary work alongside its more classical holdings. Staff were present and approachable throughout the floors, and coat lockers near the entrance were available, a small but appreciated detail on a longer visit. The building was easy to navigate even on a first trip, and the overall experience felt well managed without being overly structured. One thing worth knowing before planning a trip is that Sundays offer free admission to all visitors, which makes it an easy addition to a Providence weekend without having to think twice. Weekday visits run quieter if you prefer more space and a slower pace through the galleries. For a museum connected to an art school, it holds up as one of the stronger art museums in the region and is well worth the time.

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.

Recently, I took part of the Providence Ghost Tour. It was great…read more Courtney, our tour guide and owner was full of information, stories and tidbits regarding the history of Providence and some of its famous ghosts who actively still make themselves visible in the area. The tour starts and ends at Prospect Terrace Park, right by the Roger Williams statue. It is about 90 minutes long and it does take you around several sites around College Hill where you will hear stories about lovers, soldiers, poets and many other who have died and have stayed behind as ghosts. Check it out next time you have a few free hours during the evening. Tours run daily.

Did the ghost tour from Prospect Park on Tuesday night with my newly graduated kid. Was a fabulous…read moreexperience and Courtney is so knowledgeable, funny, personable, organized and prepared! You can tell how much she cares about Providence and the world of life and death :) It was a terrific experience and I felt very important following my guide in her gorgeous period dress, too. Thank you!

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!

The art club is so cool! The building itself is amazing and I love that they occasionally open it…read moreup to the public! I have been before and got a tour of the space from the former president of the club. This space is truly amazing! I went last night for an opening. The art is beautiful and they have a bar (credit card only). I had a nice glass of wine and spent some time with friends.

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!

This was something I had been wanting to do. Well 250th…read moreseemed like the perfect year. 4 adults and 2 kids 10 and 15 it was loved by all. The boat ride was the best way to see everything We had no idea we would be waving like royalty but it was completly unexpected and fun. The boat circled around twice and was about an hour long. If you think it's pricey it is not and totally worth it for all ages. Happy 4th America Here we come 251

Captain Tom and his crew always do a good job taking customers along the rivers in downtown…read moreProvidence and the waters beyond the hurricane barrier. He is full of facts about Providence and their standard 45 min tour is a great way to see the city from a different perspective. They also have other varied tours like the architectural tour, twilight tour, Waterfire night tour, etc. A fun way to spend an hour in the downtown district.