Cranston, RI Road Trips

Formerly known as Pawtuxet, the city is bordered by the City of Warwick and the Town of West Warwick to the south, and the Town of Scituate to the west. Part of the Providence County, Cranston is home to 3½ miles of shoreline of the Providence River—which opens up to Naragansett Bay. Cranston was established from a part of Providence in 1754, but it was not until 1910 that it was designated a city. The climate is temperate, reaching highs of 105°F in the summer and lows of -5°F in the winter.

John L. Curran Management Area, ☏ +1 401 423-1920. Made up of 332 acres which are perfect for hiking, biking, and bird-watching. There are two ponds here where you are able to take out the canoe or do a little fresh water fishing. 1 Joy Homestead, 156 Scituate Ave, ☏ +1 401 603-5937. This historic farmhouse, built in 1754, is on the National Rochambeau Trail and is furnished with period antiques. Narragansett Bay, Edgewood. The area of Cranston known as Edgewood is not simply the city’s segue into Providence. It is also the location of a collection of spectacular homes. Edgewood is a friendly, communal, and old-timey section of Cranston. Everyone knows everyone. There are cute shops and comfy dining. A great place to hang out, walk around and socialize with a group of friends or family. The part of Edgewood, which connects to Pawtuxet Village and Warwick, is on the coast of the Narragansett Bay. The view is lovely, especially at sunset. The nearby homes are also worth checking out, or strolling past. Oaklawn Grange, 40 Searle Ave, ☏ +1 401 942-2899. The Oaklawn Grange is a part of the historical Oaklawn village. The building is over one hundred years old and is now home of a non-profit organization that is run by a group volunteers from the community. The grange puts on a series of various events and fundraisers, most of the time during holiday seasons.

Edgewood Yacht Club. The old Edgewood Yacht Club building was completely destroyed in a fire in 2010. The dock overlooks the bay from an excellent vantage point. The club offers several days throughout the summer for tours of both the club docks and a trip out onto the bay. Learning the basics of sailing can be an enjoyable, relatively cheap activity. The Edgewood and Rhode Island yacht clubs offer sailing lessons. For one on an extended stay, these weekly lessons can be an exciting introduction to the nautical side of Rhode island. Rhode Island Yacht Club. The Rhode Island Yacht Club houses many different yachts and other watercraft, often adorned with lights during holidays. You can reach the area directly from Narragansett Boulevard. Budlong Pool, 198 Aqueduct Rd, ☏ +1 401 781-7477. June–August. Built in the 1950s, Budlong Pool is one of the largest outdoor swimming pools in the nation, at 85 feet wide and 260 feet long. Cranston residents can purchase a season, individual, senior, or day pass, but non-residents can only purchase a day pass. There are swimming lessons for children and Aquafit classes for adults. The pool is open every year from the last week of June until the third week of August. Cranston Veteran's Memorial Ice Rink, 900 Phenix Ave, ☏ +1 401 944-8690. M-Th 10AM-noon; F 10AM-noon, 8PM-10PM; Sa Su 1-3PM. This ice rink, with a capacity of 425 people, is open to the public four days a week. It features a snack bar and a pro shop called Bennett Sports, which sells hockey equipment. Rates: $2-5 (for public skating).

Athena's, 1482 Park Ave, ☏ +1 401 464-9904. An inexpensive restaurant, specializing in huge portions available for Breakfast but also serves lunch. There are two huge rooms open for dining, which on the plus side means there is never a wait. Mother/Daughter owned, it is a family based and oriented atmosphere with great and friendly service. Calvitto's Pizza & Bakery, 285 Park Ave, ☏ +1 401 941-8863. and 1401 Park Avenue, +1 401 464-4200. They have Italian bakery with a great selection of pastries, calzones, pizza slices and strips, cake, cinnamon rolls, and more. They offer phone orders, take-out, and eat-in. Chelo’s, 1275 Reservoir Ave, ☏ +1 401 942-7666. Chelo’s serves Italian and American food, and the restaurant also has some seafood dishes. The food here is either very good or very bad because it all depends on the customer’s preferences. If travelers want to be sure that they are going to enjoy their meal, Chelo’s is not the place to go. However, travelers willing to take a chance should try eating at Chelo’s. The wait for the food here is long, but there is plenty of parking, so at least, the car will be safe. Also, the restaurant has excellent wheelchair access. Del’s Lemonade, 1260 Oaklawn Ave. Del’s Lemonade is classic Rhode Island tradition whose global headquarters is in Cranston. Del’s Lemonade is a summertime treat in most of Rhode Island. These roadside lemonade stands serve frozen lemonade, and they also have a variety of other flavors to choose from, such as bluberry, cherry, watermelon, and peach mango.

Cranston hosts a few small bars but besides country clubs or small bars scattered about, the main drinking locations are to be had in Providence. Billy's Frosted Mug, 594 Reservoir Avenue, +1 401 785-0681 PJ's Pub, 1139 Pontiac Ave, +1 401 383-5885 McShawn's Pub, 1336 Cranston St, +1 401 942-9747. Small Irish pub. Full bar. Take-out. Popular for their corn-beef sandwiches. Sandwiches are large. Knightsville Pub, 1669 Cranston St, ☏ +1 401 942-9868.

Cranston is a short drive from any Rhode Island city or town. From the south, it is easiest to take I-95 N exit 11 (in Warwick, RI), to I-295 N exit 1, to RI-2 N into Cranston. From the north, it is easiest to take I-95 S exit 16, to RI-1 S (Elmwood Avenue/Post Road), into Cranston: RI-12 (Park Avenue) and RI-2 (Reservoir Avenue). For up to date traffic information, consult the RI Department of Transportation's Transportation Management Center Website. The closest airport to Cranston is T.F. Green International Airport (PVD IATA), 200 Post Road in Warwick, less than 5 minutes away (☏ +1-888-268-7222). T.F. Green serves the Rhode Island area and provides non-stop transportation from Toronto, the Azores (seasonal), and many major U.S. airports including Atlanta, Chicago, Tampa, and Las Vegas. Additional cities can be reached by connecting flights at many major airline hubs. Upon arrival, renting a car or taking a bus is a convenient way to enter the city.

Destinations in Cranston are most easily accessible by car. Renting a car or bringing your own is advisable. Many locations of interest are close to each other, and can be walking distance apart, but locations may be car-centrically designed or areas of high traffic volume. Travelling from western Cranston across the city into the Edgewood neighborhood can take quite awhile by Rhode Island standards. Park Avenue is a primary way to do this, and receives much traffic. Central and eastern Cranston resemble the capital city of Providence to a greater degree than western Cranston, so plan for traffic in these places accordingly. A one day bus pass can be purchased on board any RIPTA (☏ +1 401 781-9400) bus and may be used to travel to and around major Cranston streets and into the city itself. Unlike larger city routes, bus routes serving Cranston may not have many trips especially on weekends and nights. Bus rates: one-way: $2.00, transfer: $0.50, multiple ride passes available. Routes serving Cranston: 22 Reservoir/Pontiac - Serving Reservoir Avenue, Garden City, and Park Avenue 31 Cranston St - Route from Providence to Warwick through Cranston, This trip in reverse will also bring you into the heart of Downtown Providence. 30 Arlignton/Oaklawn - Arlington and Oaklawn Cranston has plenty of bike paths and routes to get you to places. The Cross-City Bicycle Route begins along Naragansett Bay and takes you west towards the center of the city. Most of the route is through quiet neighborhoods so you can easily avoid traffic. The entire route is about 25 miles.

Compared to cities similar in size across America, Cranston has a relatively lower average crime rate. However when traveling by bike or foot at night proceed with caution, especially when on the eastern side, more urban side. Even in residential neighborhoods be sure to lock all car and house doors and close all first floor windows in the evening, for break-ins are not uncommon.