Providence River
Providence River
4.2
About
River running by Providence's popular Waterplace Park and Riverwalk.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Providence River
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.2
103 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
41
Average
11
Poor
1
Terrible
4
Grover R
Pensacola, FL22,740 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
Walking along the Providence River is a beautiful experience in Providence and the center of the city. The river is formed by the convergence of two smaller rivers and it the historic place where Providence was first started by Roger Williams. Along it you are able to walk some of the most beautiful parts of the city with colonial history and community monuments on one side and the high-rise buildings of the city's downtown on the other. It is made for pictures, and I highly recommend you visit here. Visually, it was the highlight of our 2-mile walk through the city.
Written September 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EagleEyeBoston
Boston, MA874 contributions
Oct 2011
Relocated, the river is central to the new down town atmosphere. It draws crowds, day and night. Take a look!
Written February 3, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom W
9 contributions
Nov 2012 • Friends
Visiting Waterfire on the Providence river is a treat. There are numerous venders selling food, beverage and souveneers. My one complaint is that there are not enough places for seniors to sit without having to get a table at a restaurant. Otherwise a great place an evening.
Written February 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie B. Pratt
1 contribution
Mar 2020 • Couples
I was born and raised in Rhode Island until my marriage took me out of state in 1972. I have always prided myself in being a Rhode Islander and have praised its history, beauty and cultural assets to all I meet. Recently I returned for a reunion, and my husband and I decided to take a gondola ride on the river for the first time. The river was filthy and full of trash. Before this feature is advertised, make sure it is clean or your visitors won't be very happy. Plus, the high fee of $99 is a bit much. I have been up the Eiffel Tower in Paris for under $50 US. I will not recommend this advertised attraction to anyone.
Written February 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura J
Denham Springs, LA88 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
We took the Amtrak to Providence from Boston and enjoyed the city for a day. We strolled along on the Riverwalk and had a picnic lunch in the park. We really liked Providence.
Written August 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barry N
Coventry, RI3,174 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
the Providence River has gotten not only national news but now International as well. Other countries have asked for help to make their locations as good as this one is. The difference is things like Waterfire which brings thousands of visitors to events along the river edge.
with Waterfire,music,vendors and seating along with boat rides you get a full package and all for a donation for the events. Of course you pay the vendors for their goods. Just an outstanding event for the entire family to see and enjoy.A must go to event if in Prov. and it is being put on. It is WOW so go.
with Waterfire,music,vendors and seating along with boat rides you get a full package and all for a donation for the events. Of course you pay the vendors for their goods. Just an outstanding event for the entire family to see and enjoy.A must go to event if in Prov. and it is being put on. It is WOW so go.
Written July 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobLeblaw
Greenwich, CT431 contributions
Aug 2014
Waterfire is really cool. The river has steel baskets spaced along its length, which are filled with wood, and set ablaze at night on the weekends (not sure of the schedule). Grab a reservation at a restaurant along the shore, and have a great time.
Written June 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
keil38
Marco Island, FL195 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
For some reason, the day we visited Providence the river had about six inches of filthy water in it and smelled horrible. Not sure what was going on!
Written June 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paris-Cemeteries
Grand Rapids, MI264 contributions
Apr 2013 • Solo
since my office is close to the river, I spend a lot of time strolling along the waterside walkways during my lunch hours. It's a great way to not only get a bit of exercise in but also get a feel for the city.
The layout makes it very pedestrian friendly, especially on the east side, and there's plenty of things to see and keep your mind occupied along the way: plaques, sculptures and various bits and pieces of Rhode Island history to pique your curiosity.
Keep your eye out for the historical signage and maps (very well done) and the Irish Famine Memorial as well as the memorial to Gianni Verranzano who is reputed to be the first European to have discovered Narraganset Bay
The layout makes it very pedestrian friendly, especially on the east side, and there's plenty of things to see and keep your mind occupied along the way: plaques, sculptures and various bits and pieces of Rhode Island history to pique your curiosity.
Keep your eye out for the historical signage and maps (very well done) and the Irish Famine Memorial as well as the memorial to Gianni Verranzano who is reputed to be the first European to have discovered Narraganset Bay
Written April 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
giauline
Providence, RI6 contributions
Sep 2012 • Friends
We took the Lounge Boat ride (new this year) and it was quite magical - I thought it wouldn't compare with the Gondola ride but it was actually just as much fun - perhaps it was the fact that we were sitting at a table on chairs and were high up - you can see more - we needed to duck to not hit our heads under the bridges (fun) - Rick - the captain and his crew are very personable and couldn't do enough to make our trip enjoyable. Even took our picture and sent it to my e-mail. I recommend it hightly.
Written October 3, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing