Eastside in Providence, R.I.

Shops

Berk's Shoes and Clothing - mostly women's shoes and clothing; 272 Thayer St. 401-831-0174 WEBSITE
Brown Bookstore - university bookstore; books, apparel, gifts, Brown University memorabilia; 244 Thayer St. 401-863-3168 WEBSITE
Henry Bear's Park - toys, games, puzzles, books, crafts, art supplies, musical toys, building sets; 736 Hope St. 401-351-5718 WEBSITE
Kreatelier - custom fabric items for the home; creative textile products; apparel, accessories, reusable bags, baby items; 804 Hope St. 401-432-7995 WEBSITE
Pleasant Surprise - unique gift shop; 297 Thayer St. 401-273-1202 WEBSITE
RISD Store - Rhode Island School of Design Store, online also; 30 North Main St. 401-454-6464 WEBSITE
RISD Works - MOVED to the RISD Store; items created by RISD alumni and faculty; 30 North Main St. 401-454-6464 WEBSITE
Shades Plus - CLOSED; funky toys, knick knacks, cards, novelties; 281 Thayer St. 401-861-9309 WEBSITE
Sneaker Junkies - sneakers, men's and women's clothes, accessories; 290 Thayer St. 401-437-6997 WEBSITE
Spectrum India - Indian imports, clothing, gifts, jewelry, food items, books, parties; 252 Thayer St. 401-421-1010 WEBSITE
Urban Outfitters - clothes, gifts, accessories, decor; 285-289 Thayer St. 401-351-4080 WEBSITE

Article about Wickenden Street Shopping and Eateries - quirky and artsy Wickenden Street WEBSITE
NY Times article about Providence - nytimes.com; photo slideshow WEBSITE

General Information

Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau Info Center - visitor center at the RI Convention Center; brochures, maps, shop, restrooms, self guided walking audio tour; 1 Sabin St. 401-751-1177 WEBSITE
General Information about Providence - good overview & pictures of city and areas near Brown WEBSITE
Go Providence - goprovidence.com; Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau; lots of visitor info; events, self-guided walking tours; 401-456-0200 WEBSITE
Providence Monthly - online magazines about Providence, including Hey Rhody, Providence the Bay and SO Rhode Island; lots of local news and info; 401-305-3391 WEBSITE
Rhode Island Travel Guide - visitrhodeisland.com; visitor information and guide to events, activities, hotels, restaurants and news; WEBSITE
Visit New England - visitri.com; website about visiting New England states, including R.I.; info about activities, lodging, events, dining, transportation WEBSITE

Restaurants

Al Forno - fine dining; innovative dishes on South Main Street; 577 South Main St. 401-273-9760 WEBSITE
Andrea's - Greek American restaurant serving lunch and dinner; 268 Thayer St. 401-331-7879 WEBSITE
Blue State Coffee - CLOSED; very good coffee shop on Thayer Street; also in Brown Bookstore; liberal political theme; 300 Thayer St. 401-383-8393 WEBSITE
Bolt Coffee at RISD Museum - coffee cafe plus breakfast and lunch items; RISD Museum, 224 Benefit St. 401-400-0459 WEBSITE
Hemenway's Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar - long time seafood restaurant on South Main Street; raw bar, chowders, lobster, wide variety of seafood choices; desserts; 121 South Main St. 401-351-8570 WEBSITE
Modern Diner - cozy historic diner in nearby Pawtucket 3 miles north on Hope St.; 364 East Ave., Pawtucket 401-726-8390 WEBSITE
Pasta Beach - pasta dishes and a variety of wood fired pizzas; also, calzones, sandwiches, shared plates and salads; 195 Wayland Ave. 401-270-0740 WEBSITE
Persimmon - modern American cuisine; moved from Bristol, R.I., located at former site of Rue De L'Espoir on the East Side; 99 Hope St. 401-432-7422 WEBSITE
PVDonuts - handmade creative donuts, including brioche-like yeasted donuts, vegan donuts, traditional donuts, seasonal flavors; 79 Ives St. no phone WEBSITE
Tallulahs Taqueria - casual Mexican restaurant with create your own menu; burritos, tacos, bowls, tortas, quesadillas; 146 Ives St. 401-272-8226 WEBSITE
The Coffee Exchange - great coffee, cozy and unique cafe on Wickenden Street, East Side; 207 Wickenden St. 401-273-1198 WEBSITE

List of Restaurants - goprovidence.com site WEBSITE

Accommodations

Aloft Providence Downtown - downtown hotel near the Providence river; city and river views rooms; 1 King or 2 Queen bed rooms; rooftop bar, offsite garage parking, pet friendly; 191 Dorrance St. 401-252-0710 WEBSITE
Christopher Dodge House - 14 room bed and breakfast in a 3 story 1800's mansion serving full brkfst.; variety of rooms with twin, queen and king beds; located north west of downtown (1 mile) and the eastside (1.3 mile) ; 11 West Park St. 401-351-6111 WEBSITE
Courtyard Providence Downtown - Marriott Courtyard located downtown with king, 2 queen and 1 bedroom guest rooms; onsite bistro for breakfast and some dinner options; packages available; 32 Exchange Terrace at Memorial Blvd. 401-272-1191 WEBSITE
Dean Hotel - boutique hotel w/ 52 guest rooms; king, queen, double, 1 or 2 bunk bed rooms; onsite dining at North, weekend brunch, Bolt coffee cafe, karaoke bar, small dog friendly, free bike rental; 122 Fountain St. 401-455-3326 WEBSITE
Edgewood Manor and Charles Newhall House - two historic bnb's next door to each other; 9 and 7 room Victorian and Empire style houses; kings, queens, suites; fireplaces, jacuzzis, full breakfast, discount for multi night stays, antique furnishings, weddings; 232 Norwood Ave. 401-781-0099 WEBSITE
Graduate Providence - historic downtown hotel, formerly The Biltmore; King bed rooms, junior suites, and large suites; also, 2 King bed junior suite; cafe, restaurant, spa onsite; wedding and events venue; next door parking garage package; 11 Dorrance St. 401-421-0700 WEBSITE
Hampton Inn and Suites Providence Downtown - downtown inn across from the Arcade Providence; king, 2 queen rooms, suites; buffet breakfast; 58 Weybosset St. 401-608-3500 WEBSITE
Hilton Garden Inn Providence - king and 2 queen rooms, some w/ sofa beds; restaurant on site; located near India Point Park; 1/3 mile to Wickenden St.; 220 India St. 401-272-5577 WEBSITE
Hilton Providence - downtown hotel w/king, queen and 2 double bed rooms, on site restaurant, packages, adjacent to civic center and convention center; 21 Atwells Ave. 401-831-3900 WEBSITE
Homewood Suites by Hilton Providence Downtown - downtown hotel w/studios and suites with king or 2 queen beds; breakfast buffet, packages; 5 Exchange St. 401-942-2001 WEBSITE
Hotel Providence - historic boutique hotel located downtown close to Downcity shops, dining, theater and universities; rooms with king, queen, 2 queen or 2 full beds; on site eatery w/seasonal outdoor patio, pet friendly; 139 Mathewson St. 401-861-8000 WEBSITE
Omni Providence Hotel - deluxe hotel connected to convention center, civic center and indoor shopping mall; king, 2 double bed rooms and suites; packages, onsite steakhouse; also, meals to go ; 1 West Exchange St. 401-598-8000 WEBSITE
Providence Marriott Downtown - downtown hotel w/king, queen and double bed rooms; on site restaurants, spa; pet friendly, complimentary on site parking; indoor and seasonal outdoor pools; 1 Orms St. 401-272-2400 WEBSITE
Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel - king and 2 queen guest rooms plus suites; on site restaurant, event venue; 5 Avenue of the Arts 401-919-5000 WEBSITE
Residences on Angell - 441 Angell St. 401-273-7777 WEBSITE
The Beatrice - luxury hotel in renovated historic downtown building; king and 2 queen rooms; on site dining, packages, pet friendly; 90 Westminster St. 401-443-2960 WEBSITE

Events, Activities, Attractions

Avon Cinema - independent and foreign files, documentaries too; 260 Thayer St. 401-421-0020 WEBSITE
Brown University - on the East Side, near the Thayer Street shopping; Campus Center; 75 Waterman St. 401-863-1000 WEBSITE
Cable Car Cinema & Cafe - CLOSED; unique films on South Main Street; 204 South Main St. 401-272-3970 WEBSITE
RI Historical Society - walking tours and exhibits; Aldrich House, John Brown House, RIHS Library; 121 Hope St. 401-273-8107 WEBSITE
RISD - Rhode Island School of Design, on the East Side; 2 College St. 401-454-6100 WEBSITE
RISD Museum - art museum showcasing paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, costumes, furniture and more from antiquity to present day; online viewing of collection available; located 1/2 mi. from downtown; 20 North Main St. 401-454-6500 WEBSITE
Riverwalk and Waterplace Park - outdoor park in downtown Providence; 10 Memorial Blvd. 401-785-9450 WEBSITE
Great Events Calendar - sporting events, shows, other city events WEBSITE

Kids

Brown University - on the East Side, near the Thayer Street shopping; Campus Center; 75 Waterman St. 401-863-1000 WEBSITE
Providence Children's Museum - museum for kids with lots of hands on activities designed for learning and play; 100 South St. 401-273-5437 WEBSITE
RISD - Rhode Island School of Design, on the East Side; 2 College St. 401-454-6100 WEBSITE
RISD Museum - art museum showcasing paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, costumes, furniture and more from antiquity to present day; online viewing of collection available; located 1/2 mi. from downtown; 20 North Main St. 401-454-6500 WEBSITE
Riverwalk and Waterplace Park - outdoor park in downtown Providence; 10 Memorial Blvd. 401-785-9450 WEBSITE
Kids Activities - kidoinfo.com has a calendar of events for kids' activities all over Rhode Island WEBSITE

Providence: East Side Shops and Historic Sites, May 2010