With its concentrated layout, Providence is an easily walkable city, with only a handful of sites falling outside the Downtown, College Hill, and Federal Hill areas. Even on foot, it’s easy to walk through each of these areas in one day, though to enjoy them more extensively, you may want to consider dedicating a day to each one. For example, history buffs may want to spend an entire day admiring the architecture on College Hill’s Benefit Street and nearby Brown University, whereas those of a mind to shop may appreciate an entire day to peruse Thayer Street’s shops.

In the summer, try and plan your visit to coincide with Waterfire, the city’s inimitable artistic spectacle. Regardless of when you come, no visit to the city should be without at least one dinner at one of the restaurants on Federal Hill, the city’s Little Italy, which is known as much for its delicious meals as for its equally delicious people-watching. After dinner take in a show at one of Providence’s many theaters, such as Providence Performing Arts Center or the Tony-winning Trinity Rep.

If you have an extra day, it’s well worth it to drive to the southern part of the city to spend a few hours at the excellent Roger Williams Park Zoo, and perhaps stroll the park or rent paddleboats to round out the day. While you can experience most of Providence’s attractions in two days, those staying longer should take the third day to venture north to the Blackstone Valley, where the sites dedicated to the Industrial Revolution, such as Slater Mill, make for impressive viewing. Alternatively, on your way down to Newport, stop for an overnight in all-American Bristol, where you can see the America’s Cup Hall of Fame at the delightful Herreshoff Marine Museum.