Providence City Hall, Providence

City Hall is Providence’s grandiose Second Empire showpiece—think of it as the Louvre’s architectural cousin, complete with a mansard roof and an abundance of decorative details. The building was brought back from the brink of ruin thanks to a much-needed restoration. Its exterior, a striking blend of iron, brick, and granite, sets the tone for the impressive interior: polished granite columns, intricate ceilings, and cast-iron stair railings capped with gleaming brass handrails.

Prior to the City Hall, municipal affairs were run out of the Market House, which soon proved far too small for a growing city. The search for a new location dragged on for decades, a local saga known as “Providence’s Thirty Years War.” Finally, in the mid-1870s, construction began, and City Hall became the symbol of a more modern, forward-thinking Providence.

Since then, the building has been a stage for history: Theodore Roosevelt gave a speech on its steps in 1902, and John F. Kennedy followed suit in 1960, shortly before his presidency began. Today, City Hall is still the heart of local government, housing the offices of the mayor and city council.

Tip: If you’re feeling ambitious, climb the marble staircase to check out the upper floor’s lavishly adorned council chamber and aldermen’s chamber, with gold stars on its blue ceiling. Just check with the city clerk’s office before making the climb; if the chambers are locked, a custodian can let you in.