Water Place Park, Providence (must see)

Located in the heart of downtown Providence, Waterplace Park offers four acres of riverside charm, perfect for a scenic stroll day or night. Since its opening in 1994, this urban park has been a cornerstone of the city’s revitalization, transforming a once industrial eyesore into an urban oasis. With national recognition from the American Planning Association as one of America’s Great Public Spaces, it’s a blueprint for urban redevelopment done right.

The park’s roots go back to the Great Salt Cove, a tidal basin vital to the city’s early growth. But as industrialization rolled in, the cove was filled and covered with an unruly maze of train tracks and roads. This maze, nicknamed the “Chinese Wall,” turned the area into a logistical nightmare that separated the State House from the rest of downtown. City planners, eager to reconnect the landscape, kicked off the River Relocation Project, which ultimately uncovered the area’s waterways and paved the way—quite literally—for the creation of Waterplace Park.

Today, the park strikes a nice balance between natural beauty and architectural charm. Its centerpiece is a circular basin that harks back to the original cove, surrounded by cobblestone paths known as the Riverwalk, which wind three-quarters of a mile along the water. Venetian-style pedestrian bridges add a touch of European flair and offer perfect vantage points for soaking in the city views. An amphitheater, fountains, and terraced landscaping provide the perfect backdrop for both relaxation and community events.

And then there’s WaterFire. This award-winning installation turns the rivers into a magical stage, with more than eighty riverside bonfires set to a soundtrack of evocative global music. Since its debut in 1994, WaterFire has become synonymous with Providence’s cultural renaissance, drawing thousands of visitors and sparking community pride.