TRANSPORTATION & LOCATION GUIDE
Crowne Plaza Hotel
PROVIDENCE-WARWICK (AIRPORT)
801 GREENWICH AVE.
WARWICK, RI 02886 UNITED STATES
Hotel Front Desk: 1-401-732-6000
Airports:
TF Green Airport Providence RI (PVD) 2 miles from show site: www.pvdairport.com
Boston Logan Airport (BOS) 62 miles from show site: www.massport.com/logan
Bradley International Airport Hartford CT (BDL) 88 miles from show site: www.bradleyairport.com
NOTE: Door–to–Door transportation can be arranged for guest & guests traveling with Berners from Logan International (Boston) airport to Crowne Plaza or Holiday Inn with Shoreline Transportation. Special show rates available. Early reservations are recommended. For more information contact Carrie Cheffro, Shoreline Transportation http://www.rideshoreline.com — (888)–224–4110
Rail Service:
AMTRAK 12 miles from show site 800.872.7245 www.amtrak.com
Car Rental:
Alamo 401-738-1475
Avis 401-736-7500
Dollar 401-739-8450
Enterprise 401-732-5261
Hertz 401-738-3550
Driving Directions to show site at Crowne Plaza
I-95N EXIT 12, TAKE RIGHT OFF RAMP, HOTEL ON RIGHT. I-95S EXIT 12A, TAKE RIGHT OFF RAMP, HOTEL IS ON RIGHT
Providence Restaurant, shopping, travel Information:
Rhode Island Travel Guide: Travel Guide
Things to See & Do
Whether you're coming to Rhode Island to live and work or scouting out a new location for your growing company, you'll love what you find here in the Ocean State. Each of our regions has its own special panache. Providence: Spectacular architecture, gourmet restaurants, lively arts and creative scene, great shopping, fabulous riverwalks. Medicine and education.
The center of it all.
South County: Unspoiled beaches. Oceanfront living and playing. Hiking, biking and relaxing. University atmosphere. A great place to unwind.
Block Island: Described by the Nature Conservancy as "one of the last great places on earth." It's a hideaway so breathtaking you won't want to leave.
Warwick & West Bay: A traveler's stepping off point. Hassle free airport and transportation links. Marinas and nautical amenities. Historic charm and comfortable accommodations.
East Bay: Miles and miles of craggy coastline. Rows and rows of historic homes. Acres and acres of "quintessential New England." Boat building capital.
Blackstone River Valley: Where it all began. The birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Bucolic pastures. History and nature juxtaposed.
Newport County: Cosmopolitan. Artsy. Maritime. Technology-intensive. Internationally acclaimed. A four seasons resort.
ENTERTAINMENT PERFORMING ARTS
PROVIDENCE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
220 Weybosset Street. Historic landmark theater built in 1928 as a Loew's Movie Palace. Rhode Island's home for Broadway, children's and other popular entertainment. Free theatre organ concerts Spring and Fall. Box Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 10-6 p.m.; Sat, 12 noon-5 p.m. 401-421-ARTS
TRINITY REPERTORY COMPANY
201 Washington Street. Internationally renowned, Tony Award-winning, resident theater company performs classic, contemporary and new works year-round in two theaters. OPEN: Performances: Wed-Sat, 8 p.m. & Sun matinees at 2 p.m. Selected Wed & Sat matinees at 2 p.m.; Tue & Sun, 7 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. 401-521-1100
AREA SHOPPING
THE ARCADE BUILDING (1828) 65 Weybosset Street. Sole survivor of many such temples of trade built in America during the Greek revival period and America's oldest indoor shopping mall. Now, a lively marketplace with shops and eateries. OPEN: Mon-Fri, 10-6 p.m.; Jun-Aug, Sat, 10-4 p.m.; Sep-May, Sat, 10-5 p.m.; extended holiday hours; closed major holidays. 401-598-1199
FEDERAL HILL Federal Street and adjacent blocks between Broadway and Atwells Avenue. The neighborhood spirit is alive and welcoming on Federal Hill where Providence takes on an old-world flair. Savor the nuances of Italian culture and cuisine while visiting traditional bakeries, shops, groceries and restaurants. Take part in traditions which make Providence a rich tapestry of urban life during special festivals and events. 401-831-7440
HISTORIC SITES
ANNMARY BROWN MEMORIAL 21 Brown Street. European and American paintings. OPEN: Mon-Fri, 1-5 p.m. 401-863-1994
BENEFIT STREET'S MILE OF HISTORY Benefit Street. The most impressive concentration of original colonial homes in America. Beautifully restored houses, churches and museums overlook the city's historic waterfront. Walking or escorted bus tours conducted by the Providence Preservation Society for groups only. OPEN: Mon-Fri, 9-5 p.m. 401-831-7440
CITY HALL (1878) Kennedy Plaza. Designed in the manner of the Louvre and the Tuileries Palaces in Paris. Imposing interior space liberally ornamented. Tours by appointment. OPEN: Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30 p.m.; Jul & Aug, 8:30-4 p.m. Closed holidays. 401-421-7740
GOVERNOR STEPHEN HOPKINS HOUSE (1707; enlarged 1743) Benefit and Hopkins Streets. Home of Stephen Hopkins, ten-time governor of Rhode Island and signer of Declaration of Independence. Chancellor of Brown University. Early clapboard house with 18th century parterre garden. Visited twice by George Washington. OPEN: Apr-Dec, Wed & Sat, 1-4 p.m., and by appt. 401-421-0694
JOHN BROWN HOUSE (1786) 52 Power Street. Described by John Quincy Adams as "the most magnificent and elegant mansion that I have ever seen on this continent." Three-story Georgian mansion. The house celebrates many aspects of Rhode Island's heritage, including its distinctive tradition of fine craftsmanship, Providence's rise as a city and the state's commitment to preserve the fibers of its unique history. OPEN: Tue-Sat, 10-5 p.m.; Sun, 12-4 p.m. Jan & Feb, Fri-Sat, 10-5 p.m.;Sun, 12-4 p.m. 401-331-8575
MEETING HOUSE OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN AMERICA 75 North Main Street at Waterman Street. Oldest Baptist Church in America; congregation established in 1638 by Roger Williams. An artistic triumph, featuring a magnificent Waterford crystal chandelier dating from 1792, designed by Joseph Brown. Flawlessly preserved. OPEN: Year-round, Mon-Fri, 9:30-3:30 p.m., self-guided tours. Guided tours available May-Oct and Sundays, Sep-Jun, 12:15 p.m.; Jul-Aug, 11:15 a.m. Closed Saturdays and holidays. 401-454-3418
OLD STATE HOUSE 150 Benefit Street, between North and South Court Streets. The Rhode Island General Assembly here renounced allegiance to King George III on May 4, 1776. Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission offices are located in the building. OPEN: Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30 p.m. Closed holidays. 401-222-2678
PROVIDENCE ATHENAEUM (1838) 251 Benefit Street. One of America's oldest subscription libraries (1753) and cultural centers. Housed in a granite Greek Revival structure designed by William Strickland of Philadelphia, with additions by Norman Isham and Warren Platner. Stephen Hopkins, Moses Brown, and Silas Downer (who served as a librarian) were all active in the library in the 18th century. Legend has it that in the 19th century, Edgar Allan Poe and Sarah Whitman carried on their courtship in the stacks. Changing exhibitions of rare books and local artist's works are on display in the Charles and Deborah Philbrick Rare Book Library. OPEN: Mon-Thu, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri-Sat, 10-5 p.m. Sun, 1-5 p.m. Closed weekends during the summer. 401-421-6970
RHODE ISLAND HERITAGE HALL OF FAME Located at the Rhode Island Historical Society, 110 Benevolent Street. Portraits and photographs of famous or adopted Rhode Islanders (stage and screen star Nelson Eddy; Broadway playwright, producer, composer George M. Cohan; baseball great Napoleon Lajoie, Good Morning America host, David Hartman, etc.) OPEN: Tue-Fri, 9-5 p.m. 401-222-2669
STATE CAPITOL (1900) 82 Smith Street. Designed by McKim, Mead and White in 1891-92 of white Georgian marble. Considered to have the fourth largest self-supported dome in the world. Important architectural landmark. Building contains original Rhode Island Charter of 1663, and historic portrait of George Washington by Rhode Island native, Gilbert Stuart. Many Rhode Island treasures and battle flags on display. OPEN: Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30 p.m., except holidays. Self-guided tours during business hours; guided tours by appt. only. 401-222-2357
HISTORIC SOCIETY PROVIDENCE PRESERVATION SOCIETY 21 Meeting Street. OPEN: Mon-Fri, 9-5 p.m. Closed weekends and holidays. 401-831-7440
RHODE ISLAND BLACK HERITAGE SOCIETY 202 Washington Street. "Creative Survival," permanent walk-though museum of 19th century black life in Providence. Periodic displays of Black history and culture. Archives and Gallery. OPEN: Mon-Fri, 10-4:30 p.m.; Sat. 10-2 p.m.; and by appt. 401-751-3490
MUSEUMS & PARKS
CULINARY ARCHIVES & MUSEUM AT JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY 315 Harborside Blvd. (Off Allen's Ave). One of the best kept secrets in New England, this is a one-of-a-kind museum containing over 1/2 million items related to the field of Culinary Arts and Hospitality. The holdings were amassed by Chicago's Chef Louis Szathmary and donated to Johnson & Wales University. The collection includes rare U.S. Presidential culinary autographs; a gallery of chefs through the ages; tools of the trade from the third millennium, B.C.; Egyptian, Roman, and Oriental spoons, dating back 1000 years; original artwork; hotel and restaurant silver; and periodicals as well as documents relating to culinary arts and entertainment. Guided tours. Tue.-Sun. 10-5 p.m. Closed major holidays. 401-598-2805
DAVID WINTON BELL GALLERY, BROWN UNIVERSITY 64 College Street. Located in the List Art Center, an imposing modern structure designed by Philip Johnson, the Gallery presents exhibitions of historical and contemporary art in all media. OPEN: Sep 1-Jun 1, Mon-Fri, 11-4 p.m.; Sat-Sun, 1-4 p.m.; closed holidays. 401-863-2932
GOVERNOR HENRY LIPPITT HOUSE MUSEUM 199 Hope Street. Italianate mansion. Home of two Rhode Island governors. Superb interior; decorative details from the Victorian era. OPEN: Tue-Fri, 11-3 p.m., tours on the hour, last tour at 3 p.m.; Sat-Sun & Jan-Mar, by appt. only. 401-453-0688
THE RISD MUSEUM (Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design)(1926) Benefit Street. The Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) has classical art from ancient Greece and Rome, 18th-century European porcelains, Chinese and Indian works, Egyptian objects, 19th-century French art, modern Latin American works, and masterpieces from the early Middle Ages to the present. Pendleton House, the earliest example of an American Wing anywhere, features the Pendleton Collection of 19th century American furniture and decorative arts. The Daphne Farago Wing is dedicated to the display and interpretation of contemporary art in all media. OPEN: Wed-Sun, 10-5 p.m., Fri until 8 p.m. Closed New Years, Easter, July 4th, Thanksgiving & Christmas. 401-454-6500
MUSEUM OF RHODE ISLAND HISTORY AT ALDRICH HOUSE 110 Benevolent Street. 1822 Federal-style house adapted for museum use and headquarters of the Rhode Island Historical Society. The museum offers changing exhibits on Rhode Island history, architecture and decorative arts. OPEN: Tue-Fri, 9-5 p.m.; closed Sat. & Mon. Open Sun., 12- 4 p.m. for exhibitions only. Call for holiday hours. 401-331-8575
PROSPECT TERRACE Congdon at Cushing Street. Site of Roger Williams Memorial, statue overlooking the city. Panoramic view of Providence skyline. OPEN: Dawn to Dusk
PROVIDENCE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM 100 South Street. A hands-on museum. Exhibit areas include: a time traveling adventure through the state's multi-cultural history; a wet and wild exploration of the ways of water; a hands-on geometry lab and more. Gift Shop. Weekly programs. OPEN: Tue-Sun, 9:30-5 p.m.; Mon, during summer and on school holidays. 401-273-KIDS
RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN'S WOODS-GERRY GALLERY (1848) 62 Prospect Street, at Meeting Street. The Gallery, which is open to the public, features student and faculty, work in ever-changing exhibitions. It is located in the Woods-Gerry Mansion, a three-story house designed by Richard Upjohn in 1860. The house is an important example of the city's 19th century residential architecture and houses RISD's administrative and admission offices. Mon-Sat, 10-4 p.m.; Thu, 10-8 p.m.; Sun, 2-5 p.m. 401-454-6141
ROGER WILLIAMS NATIONAL MEMORIAL 282 North Main Street, corner of North Main and Smith Street. Rhode Island's only National Park interprets the life and times of Roger Williams, the founder of the first government in the world with complete religious freedom for all. Visitor Center, exhibits and videos. Original Providence settlement (1636) was here. OPEN: Year-round, daily, 9-4:30 p.m. Closed Christmas, New Year's and Thanksgiving. 401-521-7266
BANK OF AMERICA CENTER PROVIDENCE 2 Kennedy Plaza. A full-scale outdoor ice rink located in the center of the Providence's revitalized downtown area. Skate rentals available. 10 a.m.-10p.m. 401-331-5544
WATERPLACE PARK AND RIVER WALK Memorial Boulevard. Providence's new four-acre urban park surrounds a tidal basin and includes an amphitheater. The park is edged by beautifully landscaped riverwalks and a series of Venetian-style footbridges. Summer long concert series, Waterfire, festivals, gondola rides and paddle boats. Dawn to Dusk. 401-621-1992
ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO (1878) 1000 Elmwood Avenue. Nestled within 430-acres of the beautifully landscaped grounds of Roger Williams Park is the award-winning Roger Williams Park Zoo with over 156 different species and over 900 animals. The Zoo houses polar bears and penguins, a "Plains of Africa" area with elephants, giraffes, cheetah and zebra, a Tropical rainforest with canopy sky-walk, a Madagascar exhibit of endangered lemurs, and an Australasia area with an open-air aviary and clouded leopard exhibit. Marco Polo Trail features animal habitats including the Dromedary camel, the elusive Snow Leopard, and the Moon Bear. Park also features Betsey Williams Cottage, Charles H. Smith Greenhouses, Casino, Museum of Natural History and a Planetarium. Carousel Village features a vintage carousel, pony rides, miniature golf course and kiddie go-boats. Tennis Center has Rhode Island's only clay courts. Boathouse has paddle-boats. OPEN: Park open daily, 7-9 p.m.; Zoo open every day except ChristmasNov-Mar, 9-4 p.m.; Apr-Oct, Mon-Fri, 9-5 p.m., weekends and holidays until 6 p.m.; Carousel Village open daily, Spring-Fall.; Museum open daily, 10-5 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day; Greenhouses open daily, 11-4 p.m.; Tennis courts open Spring-Fall, Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-dusk, weekends, 7 a.m.-dusk. 401-941-3910