Kennedy Plaza, Providence

Kennedy Plaza, Providence

Kennedy Plaza is a public square in downtown Providence. The square is surrounded by some of the city's most important buildings, such as City Hall, the Federal Building and the John O. Pastore Federal Building. Burnside Park and Union Station are also nearby.

Prior to its creation, the area was part of the Great Salt Cove estuary. It was filled in to create a rail yard and terminal in 1846. Unfortunately, a fire burned the large building in 1896 and the spot was turned into City Hall Park.

The square was renamed to Kennedy Plaza after John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Thirty years later, the mayor of Providence redesigned the square into a central bus depot. It has been stated that the square has been renovated more than any other spot in the city.

Today, the plaza is a pedestrian-friendly area that remains rife with history. The bus stops and benches that proliferate Kennedy Place were once a spot where presidents like Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson delivered speeches to the nation. It was where Gen. Ambrose Burnside readied his troops for war. John F. Kennedy gave his last speech as presidential candidate in the plaza.

Kennedy Place is also known for its public art. The 1871 Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument was created by Randolph Rogers and Alfred E. Stone. The Hiker, sculpted in 1911, was designed by Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson. There is also an equestrian statue of Burnside, designed by Launt Thompson in 1887.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Providence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Kennedy Plaza on Map

Sight Name: Kennedy Plaza
Sight Location: Providence, USA (See walking tours in Providence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Providence, Rhode Island

Create Your Own Walk in Providence

Create Your Own Walk in Providence

Creating your own self-guided walk in Providence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Brown University Walking Tour

Brown University Walking Tour

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Brown's historic campus offers a classic New...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Providence Introduction Walking Tour

Providence Introduction Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Providence Historical Buildings Tour

Providence Historical Buildings Tour

A beautiful city on the banks of the Providence River, Providence, Rhode Island, is nearly as old as the United States themselves – founded in 1636. As such, the city has many interesting historical and architectural landmarks worth checking out that tell the story of its past.

Among these, the Providence County Courthouse stands as a symbol of justice and governance. The Old Stone Bank,...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles