East Providence, RI Road Trips

East Providence is not the eastern portion of the city of Providence. The eastern portion of Providence is known as "The East Side." This city began as community of settlers comprised of Puritans from Boston and Pilgrims from Plymouth as part of Rehoboth, Massachusetts. The western portion became the town of Seekonk on February 26, 1812. In 1862, part of Seekonk was annexed to Rhode Island and the residents renamed the town East Providence. Several houses built before the Revolution are still standing. East Providence is located between the urban center of Rhode Island and rural southern Massachusetts. Demographically, there is a high percentage of Portuguese heritage. This community is still growing because of its central location on an available waterway, its modern highway and railroad routes, and the suburban outgrowth from the city of Providence. East Providence is made up of three parts: Rumford, Riverside, and East Providence. Riverside was known as "the Coney Island of New England" because of a major amusement park called Crescent Park. Crescent Park was built in 1886 by Charles Boyden. The park contained ballrooms, a carousel, many amusement rides, hotels, and restaurants. There was a steamship that traveled to many other parks in the area. In 1979 Crescent Park was torn down. The only thing that was left was the Carousel. Now Riverside is a suburban area, located on the Narragansett Bay.

1 Haines Memorial State Park, Route 103, ☏ +1 401 253-7482. Haines Memorial State Park was established in 1911 and is a 101.7-acre park in the towns of Barrington and Riverside. There are benches, 33 picnic sites, and grills available for use in the summer. There are also boat ramps which lead to the Narragansett Bay. The park overlooks the bay. There are ball fields in the park, and the East Bay Bike Path goes through the park. Although the picnic season is only from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the park is open year round from sunrise to sunset. The boat launch is to the right of the main park sign and additional parking is to the left. Drive your boat to the water's edge or pay to have it docked at the adjacent marina. The East Bay Bike Path passes through the park and pets are gladly permitted. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited and there is no fee for on-site parking. 2 Rose Larisa Memorial Park, Bullocks Point Ave, ☏ +1 401 435-7511. After riding the carousel and purchasing some of the tastiest clam cakes around, take a walk across the street to this 10-acre park, located along the beachfront of Narragansett Bay. It includes walking pathways, picnic tables, and benches with a scenic outlook. There is a welcoming gazebo and music amphitheater for live concerts and local entertainment. Explore the paths and wooden staircases that lead to the shoreline of Narragansett Bay. This area is great for the adventurous at heart (swim at your own risk), especially kids in search of sea shells and sand crabs.

1 Sky Zone Providence. - located in East Providence 2 Crescent Park Carousel, 700 Bullocks Point Ave (take I-195 East to Exit 4 (Riverside) to Veterans Memorial Parkway to Pawtucket Avenue, straight ahead to carousel (approx 3 mi)), ☏ +1 401 435-7518. Open from Easter Sunday until November. Built in 1895 by Charles I.D. Looff, the foremost carousel designer of his time, the Crescent Park Carousel is a true masterpiece of wood sculpture. It was saved in the 1970s by a handful of residents, and later declared a historic monument. The historic nature of this building is further amplified by the grandeur of the architecture. This gazebo-esque structure is illuminated by windows, which are accented by stained glass, and surround the building on all sides. The 62 hand crafted horses and 4 chariots circle the elaborate embellishments of decorative panels, glass jewels, and bright lights. It moves to the original band organ music giving the rider a traditional carnival experience. To highlight the experience more, Looff’s Crescent Park Carousel offers additional entertainment for young children. The outside horses become the prime seating location for those interested in possibly winning a free carousel ride. During each rotation a mechanical arm extends dispensing many silver rings and one prized gold ring. The person to collect the golden ring wins a free ride. For those with the dull silver rings fear not, you still have the chance to throw them in the open mouth of the cloth clown.

Davenport’s Restaurant, 1925 Pawtucket Ave, ☏ +1 401 438-3381. Voted best chowder in New England at the Newport Chowder Cook-off. Their menu includes everything from sandwiches and wraps to a taste of Italy, seafood and create your own pizza. They provide a variety of wines and beers as well as specials to sample. Davenport’s is certainly rated a family restaurant with child friendly menus and portions. Need to get on the Internet? Feel free to bring your laptop, as the restaurant is WiFi capable. This restaurant is a sure place to visit, eat and get your work done but you may want to call ahead as the wait can get pretty lengthy. Farnsworth Café, 302 Willett Ave, ☏ +1 401 433-3426. This small, family-owned café is just the place to cozy up with the family. The interior, adorned with a bar and four flat screen TVs, is quaint and comfortable for all customers. The laid back, local atmosphere is evident from the seat yourself sign and idle chatter between tables. Farnsworth Café has an array of food choices but it is usually visited for its poutine (french fries with melted cheese and gravy). So if you are looking for a local experience visit Farnsworth and try some of their as-close-to-home-as-you-can-get cooked meals. For breakfast, they serve everything from french toast, pancakes, eggs, muffins, and omelets. For dinner, they serve various Italian and homestyle foods such as pizza, pastas, and seafood dishes. They also have different daily features. Everything is cooked fresh to order and the prices are affordable.

Sons of Italy II, 99 Hicks St. Open 11am-10pm Sunday thru Thursday and 11am-11pm Friday and Saturday Del's Lemonade, 400 Waterman Ave, ☏ +1 401 434-8024. Open only during the summer, Del’s is known for its refreshing frozen lemonade throughout New England. Good variety of flavors and prices are very reasonable. Honey Dew Donuts, 652 Bullocks Point Ave, ☏ +1 401 433-3219. Honey Dew Donuts offers a variety of different beverage and breakfast choices. They sell coffees, iced coffees, and frozen beverages. They also sell an array of donuts, breakfast sandwiches, muffins, pastries, and bagels. The prices are comparable to Dunkin Donuts.

There are other hotel options less than 3 miles away in nearby Seekonk. Extended Stay America Hotel, 1000 Warren Ave, ☏ +1 401 272-1661. Designed for longer stays, although short visits are welcomed, this hotel offers many conveniences uncommon to others. They include: kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, stovetop and dining utensils, workspace with computer dataport and internet connection for a one time $4.99 fee, free local phone calls, personalized voice mail, iron and full size ironing board, on site guest laundry, and pet friendly rooms.

T.F. Green Airport (PVD IATA) (in nearby Warwick). It offers many low cost and regular flights to cities across the United States and in Canada. This smaller airport is not overly crowded, it is easier to maneuver than Logan Airport in Boston, and offered as an alternative to those who would like to avoid New England's primary airport. T.F. Green's services are completed efficiently and in a friendly manner without the overbearing feeling of a larger airport such as Logan. From points south and T.F. Green Airport, take I-95 North to I-195 East (exit 19) and from points north take 1-95 South to I-195 East (exit 20). In both cases, cross over Washington Bridge and take exit 4. At the end of the exit ramp you have the option to bear left or right. The left exit leads to Taunton Avenue where many shops and eateries are located. The right exit leads to Riverside with many more options for things to see and do. It is easy to travel between both areas of East Providence. There is also the Henderson Bridge which connects East Providence to the historic East Side of Providence. RIPTA provides transit across all of Rhode Island with the central hub located in Kennedy Plaza in downtown Providence. The contact number for RIPTA is ☏ +1 401-781-9400. The RIPTA fleet is almost entirely comprised of charter buses; they are on time, reliable, and fairly new with some newer models utilizing hybrid technology. Most riders keep to themselves: many read, listen to media players, or do homework (RIPTA makes stops at many college campuses).

East Providence is easily accessed by car or bus transportation. Because the city is mostly residential, RIPTA's public transport network provides an extensive alternative to driving. The area is conducive to walking. Car rental options include: Enterprise Rent-A-Car - 365 Waterman Ave, +1 401-438-8550 Thrifty Car Rental - 2312 Pawtucket Ave, +1-800-847-4389 Taxi services in East Providence include: Lions Taxi - 86 Lyon Ave, +1 401-434-9600