Rhode Island Visitor Industry

Impact of RI’s Visitor Industry• Tourism activity generated $462 million in state and local

government revenue in 2006.

• In 2006, $314 million in state tax revenue was generated by the travel & tourism sector in Rhode Island.

• If tourism didn’t exist, each RI household would pay $1,140 more in taxes to maintain the current level of state and local tax receipts.

Impact of RI’s Visitor Industry

• Every 166 visitors creates a new RI job

• It takes only 239 visitors to pay for one Rhode Island public school student for one year

• The state department of Labor and Training estimates that 55,000 people work in the tourism industry

Recent and Future Conventions• Academy of Molecular Imaging/Society of Molecular Imaging,

9/2007, 2000 ppl• Estuarine Research Federation, 11/2007, 1600 ppl• US Synchronized Skating Championships, 2/2008,

5000 ppl• Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, 8/2008, 2000

ppl• Ironman 70.3, 7/2008, 2000 competitors• American Assn. Neuromuscular and Electro Diagnostic

Engineers, 9/2008, 1200 ppl• US Conference of Mayors, 6/2009, 600 ppl

Recent Publicity for Providence

Recent Publicity for Providence

Attractions

Benefit Street: The Mile of History Created in 1758 for “the common benefit of all” during the triangle trade era. Best known for the oldest concentration of colonial homes in America.

Providence Athenaeum (1753) America’s fourth oldest library in the U.S. 251 Benefit Street 421-6970.

City Hall(1878) Our municipal palace and home of city government. Open to the public. Kennedy Plaza 421-7740.

The Arcade(1828) America’s oldest indoor

shopping mall. 76 Westminster Street.

Gov. Stephen Hopkins House(1753)Home of Stephen Hopkins, 10-time governor, signer of the Declaration Of Independence. One of the oldest homes in Providence. Tours available.15 Hopkins Street 421-0694.

John Brown House (1788) One of America's grandest mansions. Home to John Brown, business man patriot and politician. Tours available.52 Power Street 273-7507.

Old State House (1758) For over a century and a half, this was the seat of state government and site of many celebratory occasions. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were entertained here.150 Benefit Street 222-3103.

Meeting House of the 1st Baptist Church in

America

Founded in 1638 by Roger Williams. Based on separation of church and State. Tours available. 75 North Main Street 454-3418

Providence Art ClubNation’s second oldest art club, Founded in 1880 to stimulate the appreciation of art in the community. 11 Thomas Street 331-1114.

State Capitol(1901) Designed by architectural firm Mc Kim, Mead and White Fourth largest self supporting dome in the world Top of dome sits the independent man named “HOPE” 82 Smith Street 222-3983. Tours available week days.

Culinary Arts Museum

(1979) The Culinary Arts Museumat Johnson & Wales University is thePremier museum devoted to the preservation of culinary history. Tours available. 315 Harborside Blvd. 598-2805

RISD Museum of ArtThe RISD Museum houses over 80,000 works of art, displayed in 45 galleries on 3 floors. Tours available.224 Benefit Street 454-6400.

Providence Children’s Museum(1997) Located in Providence’s Jewelry District, the museum presents hands-on exhibit areas and lively programs designed for children ages 1 to 11. 100 South Street 273-5437.

Regal Reptiles’ Adventure Center

RI’s only reptile zoo featuring 400 species.

425 Washington Street 277-9000.

Roger Williams Park • Zoo• Botanical Gardens• Carousel Village• Museum of Natural History & Planetarium

Nestled within 430 acres. 1000 Elmwood Avenue

Tours

Trolley Tours of Providence Narrated tour of the city, east side and Federal Hill. Corner of Fountain and Eddy Streets. 421-3825 Seasonal

Summer Walks• A Mile of History. 90 minute guided walking tour.• Providence Riverwalk – During Waterfire lightings. Depart from: The John Brown House Museum At 52 Power Street.R.I. Historical Society 273-7507. Seasonal

La Gondola(1996) The first authentic Venetian gondola ever built in the United States. The second was constructed and shipped from Venice Italy. Gondola Landing at Citizens Plaza 421-8877.Seasonal

Gallery Night A free, fun-filled introduction To Providence’s exciting art Scene! On the 3rd Thursday of each month 23 of the hottest “art spots” open their doors inviting guests to a visual art party. Art buses departfrom Citizens Plaza. March – November5:00 PM-9:00 PM490-2042

•Visit old world bakeries and Italian specialty stores

•Sample cheese, antipasto, bread, wine and cookies

•Watch ravioli makers create their specialties

•Enter the kitchens of some of the Hill's finest chefs

•Receive samples, recipes, coupons and more!

MARKET TOURS OF HISTORIC FEDERAL HILL

Call Cindy Salvato at (401) 934-2149www. Rimarkettours. com

Join us as we lead you bylantern light through the darkened streets of thehistoric East Side, sharing withyou stories that will be sure tosend a chill down your spine.

Providence Ghost Tourwww. ProvidenceGhostTour. com

Dining

Capital GrilleAmerican steakhouse that also serves seafood.1 Union Station 521-5600 Lunch - Mon-Fri Dinner –Daily

Ri-Ra Irish Pub & RestaurantIrish Pub Style Food50 Exchange Terrace 272-1953

Citron California Style5 Memorial Boulevard 621-WINE Lunch – Mon-Fri Dinner – Daily Sunday Brunch 10:30-2

Union Station BreweryBrew Pub Featuring Grilled Pizza,Salads & Full Pub Menu 36 Exchange Terrace 274-2739Serving Lunch & Dinner Daily

Trinity Brewhouse RI’s largest brewery serving beer, burgers, pizzas,sandwiches and more.186 Fountain Street 453-2337

Cuban RevolutionTraditional Cuban Food 50 Aborn Street 331-8829

Blake’s Tavern American 122 Washington Street 274-1230 Serving Lunch & Dinner Daily

Murphy’s Deli & BarHome style food.100 Fountain Street 421-1188

DowncityAmerican Bistro 50 Weybosset Street 331-9217Lunch Dinner & Brunch Sat. & Sun

McCormick & SchmicksSpecializing in Seafood and bar menu.11 Dorrance Street (Biltmore Hotel) 351-4500Breakfast Lunch & Dinner

Gracie’s Bar & GrillContemporary American194 Washington Street 272-7811 Serving Dinner Only

Local 121Regional cuisine featuring locally harvested ingredients.121 Washington Street 274-2121 Serving Lunch & Dinner

Flemings Steak House Steakhouse and wine bar.One West Exchange Street (Westin Hotel) 533-9000

Waterplace RestaurantFresh salads, sandwiches, seafood, and pastasOne Finance Way (Waterplace Park) 272-1040

Shula’s 347 GrillAmerican Steakhouse21 Atwells Avenue (Hilton Hotel) 709-0347

Ruth’s Chris Steak HouseAmerican Steakhouse10 Memorial Boulevard 272-2271

Temple RestaurantContemporary American/Mediterranean120 Francis Street (Renaissance Hotel) 919-5050

Café NuovoEclectic Cuisine421-2525

TazzaEclectic Café.250 Westminster Street 421-3300

CapriccioAmerican/Northern Italian Cuisine2 Pine St. 421-1320

Federal Hill “Little Italy”Featuring over 40 restaurants from moderately priced to fine dining establishments. Federal Hill offers a blend of classic and creative dining from Italian, Mexican, Asian, Indian, Eclectic, Mediterranean, and more. Atwells Ave.

Shopping

Broadway – West Side

Featuring a variety of unique shops and

quality restaurants and the famed Columbus

Theatre.

Federal Hill - Atwells AvenueLined with authentic bakeries, boutiques, shops,

and Italian markets.

Westminster – DowntownFeaturing restaurants, boutiques,

fine home furnishings, art gallery, and a wine store .The only tree lined street in downcity.

Providence Place Upscale shopping complex covering 13 acres.

170 specialty stores, 8 restaurantsand entertainment venues.

1 Providence Place 270-1000

South Main Street Array of boutiques, jewelry, fine linen shops and restaurants.

Thayer StreetConsidered to be the main shopping and dining hub for Brown

University and Rhode Island School of Design students.

Wayland Avenue/Square – East SideA quaint setting and home to uniquely independent boutiques, shops, unique restaurants, and book stores.

Wickenden Street – East SideAnother street popular with college students, it features a variety of unique shops, coffee houses, restaurants, art Galleries.

Entertainment

Bank of America Skating CenterTwice the size of Rockefeller Center in New York City.Available for public skating, lessons and special events.2 Kennedy Plaza 331-5544.

Dunkin Donuts CenterRecently renovated civic arena for entertainment and sports events. Capacity of 14,500 1 LaSalle Square 331-0700.

Feinstein IMAX TheatreRI’s only six-story high movie Screen located in Providence Place 453-4446 ext. 200.

Perishable Theatre CompanyPresents new plays; performance art; concert series; acting, dance, fitness classes, and special events.95 Empire Street 331-2694.

Black Repertory Company; XXODUS Café, bar, and performance space. Celebrates the artistic contributions of black artists throughout American history. 276 Westminster Street 351-0353.

AS 220Uncensored forum for the arts community featuring galleries and performance space. 115 Empire Street 831-9237.

Columbus TheatreLocated in Federal Hill its been described as one of

New England’s most beautiful theaters offering history, architecture, movies and special events.270 Broadway 621-9660.

Providence Performing Arts CenterHistoric landmark theater built in 1928 . RI’s home for Broadway productions, children’s shows, and other popular entertainment.

220 Weybosset Street 421-2787.

Trinity Repertory CompanyTony Award-winning classical & contemporary theatrical productions.

201 Washington Street 351-4242.

Veterans Memorial Auditorium Arts & Cultural CenterVMA is the oldest arts venue in RI and welcomes a range

of cultural and civic events.Avenue of the Arts 222-1467.

Parks

Prospect Terrace Panoramic view of Providence skyline featuring a famous statue of Roger Williams.Congdon Street & Cushing Street 785-9450.

Roger Williams National Memorial A landscaped urban park located on a common lot of the original settlement of Providence in 1636.282 N. Main Street 521-7266.

India Point Park India Point Park features 18 acres of open space, graceful trees, and walking paths along its 3,600-foot shoreline.

Waterplace Park and River Walk(1994) A focal point of the city, the 4 acre urban park surrounds a tidal basin and includes an amphitheater.It is edged by a landscaped riverwalk and a series of Venetian-style footbridges bridges connecting downtown to College Hill.

Universities

Brown University(1764) Founded as the College of R.I. It is a member of the Ivy League. 3rd oldest university in the country. 45 Prospect Street 863-1000.

Rhode Island School of DesignPreeminent art and design college.236 Benefit Street 454-6365.

Providence CollegeThe college is known for its programs in theliberal arts and sciences. 549 River Ave. 865-1000.

Rhode Island CollegeRI’s oldest public institution of higher learning.

600 Mt. Pleasant Avenue 456-8000.

Johnson & Wales UniversityJohnson & Wales University is a private,

non-profit world-class university. Programs in business, culinary, hospitality, technology, & education.

8 Abbott Park Place 598-1000.

Warwick - Attractions

Warwick City Park A 126 –acre park, which includes a salt water beach, children’s play area, hiking, bike paths, and ball fields. Asylum Avenue 738-2000.

George B. Salter Memorial GroveA scenic park on Narragansett Parkway overlooks the bay.Narragansett Parkway 738-2000.

Goddard Memorial State ParkDescribed as one of the “finest examples of private forestry in America.”

Ives Road 884-2010.

Aldrich Mansion

Magnificent château situated on a 75 acre estate on scenic Narragansett Bay with a panoramic view.

Open to the public for special events.836 Warwick Neck Avenue 739-6850.

Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum

Built in 1877 once a working farm, the gingerbread-trimmed stone mansion sits on a hilltop. Open to the public.4157 Post Road 884-4550.

Warwick Museum Of ArtLocated next to City Hall it features two galleries and the Mad Poets Café and performance space. 3259 Post Road 737-0010.

Conimicut Point BeachSalt water beach with a park and play.Point Ave. 

City Park BeachSalt water beach with bathhouseand play area. Asylum Ave.

Oakland BeachSalt water beach featuring restaurants, a play area, picnic area and ball park. Oakland Beach Avenue  

Goddard Park BeachSalt water beach overlooking East Greenwich Bay in Goddard Memorial State Park

  

Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors BureauVisitor Information Center

1 Sabin Street401-751-1177 / 800-233-1636

Open Monday –Saturday 9:00 am-5:00 pm

City of Providence Department of Art, Culture & Tourism272-1191

www.providenceri.com/artculturetourism

Warwick Tourism 738-2000

www.visitwarwickri.com

Rhode Island Tourism 278-9100

www.visitrhodeisland.com