College Street, Providence

This route forms a historic connection between the downtown riverfront and Brown University at the top of College Hill. Beginning near Memorial Boulevard, visitors pass a brick entrance marker and gain broad views across the Providence River. The nearby pedestrian areas are also popular viewing points during WaterFire events, when illuminated braziers create reflections across the water.

The path continues beside Memorial Park, which contains the Providence River Greenway, the Rhode Island Holocaust Memorial, and the World War I Memorial. Farther uphill, the buildings of the Rhode Island School of Design reflect the area’s long connection with art and education. The RISD Museum holds works from many periods and cultures, including paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, textiles, and ancient objects.

At the top of the hill stand the Van Wickle Gates, Brown University’s ceremonial entrance. They open inward during Convocation for new students and outward during Commencement for graduates. Beyond them is University Hall, completed in 1770 and designed in the Georgian style. Beside it, the Quiet Green is surrounded by historic university buildings and remains a central gathering place on campus.