What’s New in Providence, Rhode Island This Fall
Fall is the perfect season for a classic New England adventure with a few fresh and foodie twists in Providence, Rhode Island.
Providence, Rhode Island, is an excellent Autumn destination due to a combination of stunning fall foliage, distinctive seasonal events, and a lively atmosphere fueled by the return of college students—all those smartypants at the Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University demand hip and happening cafe culture, cocktails, dining and after-dark fun. Add to that some crisp, cool weather, and you’ve got the makings of a great getaway with some good eats, excellent art, and more.
Nightlife in a Small City
Did you know that Providence has more nightlife establishments per capita than New York City? Choose from Alleycat, Mirabar, The Stable (drag brunches! RuPaul viewing parties!), and The Dark Lady, along with the larger dance club EGO Providence, and you can party in PVD. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley is embracing a booming nighttime economy by announcing the creation of a city position to oversee it all.
The cocktail (and mocktail) culture is being led by stalwarts like the Courtland Club, whose pop-up restaurant, Nimki, earned its chef a James Beard nomination this year, and newcomer Club Frills, which combines ’70s rumpus room vibes with cocktails and cuisine from the brains behind James Beard-nominated Pizza Marvin (a modern and truly funky house of pizza).
Speaking of Pizza Marvin, folks love the casual atmosphere, high-quality, house-made ingredients—including its long-fermented dough, which results in a crispy, chewy crust and flavorful pizzas like the “Roni Island” with hot honey. Reviewers also praise its unique menu items, such as flavorful wings, oysters, and clams, along with excellent house cocktails.
Diverse Bakery Tourism
Travel trends will come and go, but the pursuit for the perfect croissants, muffins, and buns will remain. Travelers are planning their own bakery crawls and pastry itineraries—and sharing every flaky, sugar-dusted bite. Fall gives this trend a taste of Gilmore Girls, combining hot cider with warm pastries to keep away the chill.
Folks love the iconic Scialo Bros. Bakery for its authentic Italian pastries, such as zeppole (fried dough pastry), its long history as a Federal Hill landmark, and its custom wedding cakes. The bakery’s traditional approach to baking bread in an open-fire oven and its role as a community staple, serving locals on major holidays and special occasions for over a century, has made it a fixture that nearly disappeared due to the pandemic, but was saved by a group of investors.
But it’s not just about Italian goodies—even though Providence has a significant Italian history, particularly centered around the Federal Hill neighborhood, since the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when waves of Italian immigrants settled in PVD. Did you know that you can get authentic Syrian pastries, artisanal vegan treats, Puerto Rican delicacies, and more at this 109-year-old institution?
New Openings
The largest city in America’s smallest state combines incredible walkability with a wide range of culinary gems, some old and some new, with innovation and creativity meeting comfort cravings. Foodies will be tempted by some of the newest culinary openings to experience New England’s Creative Capital this fall. There are a few new kids on the block in Providence that are totally worth your while:
Claudine – New England fine dining with a thoughtfully crafted French-accented tasting menu, natural wine, and an intimate, elevated dining experience.
Club Frills – dubbed a “bartender’s bar” with groovy, eclectic, and nostalgic vibes. Opened by the wild folks at Pizza Marvin.
Track 15 – the hotly anticipated 18,000-sq ft food hall within historic Union Station building, featuring seven local, chef-driven food concepts, including Dune Brothers, Dolores, There There, Giusto PVD, Mother Pizzeria PVD, Little Chaska, and Tolia, offering a diverse range of cuisines from seafood and burgers to Mexican, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Italian fare.
SĒZN – the latest innovative concept from Plant City Providence, where plants and plant-based food take center stage.
The Boombox – and after dinner, sing off the calories at Providence’s first and only karaoke bar inside the newly reimagined Neptune Hotel (formerly The Dean).
East Coast Awayborhoods
Vacationer will spotlight numerous Fall and seasonal destinations that offer the pick of leaf peeping and spook delights. But for travelers who want to experience a traditional fall destination without the crowds, wait times, and really long drives, PVD is our pick for ‘townsizing’—big city wow factor with small-town vibes.
The Prov, the biggest city in the smallest state, is the perfect place for urban leaf peeping, combining vibrant, picturesque leaf-peeping displays with historic charm, culinary prowess, and a rich arts scene. Swap the forest for the city with colonial architecture heritage tours, Edgar Allen Poe’s favorite hangout, and a spooky and fun display of tens of thousands of intricately carved pumpkins.
And, of course, you cannot miss the breathtaking performance of WaterFire. Artist Barnaby Evans devised this epic art installation in downtown Providence and has since become a civic event that is the highlight of the city’s calendar.
If you can imagine numerous bonfires strategically installed on the three urban rivers, accompanied by music, often themed differently each year, and a vibrant cultural atmosphere as crowds turn out to witness this free public event. The combo of firelight, wood smoke, and sound blends to create an evocative, immersive, and quite primal ritual perfect for the season. Such an experience couldn’t logistically work in a larger city, but for PVD, the scale and significance are sublime. And that’s part of the charm of PVD—big ideas in a place that fits and feels right.
Browse top places to stay here. For more information about what’s on and things to do in Providence, go here.
