Providence is a very unconventional tourist destination. As it is, it offers you a great time to enjoy. One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of this place is to go for a two hour walk between Kennedy Plaza and College Hill. The walk would give you an outside view of some of the major tourist attractions of the area.

The two hour walk should however be avoided on weekdays, as you would be greeted with heavy traffic. It is therefore better to go for the walk on weekends. The following is a list of places, which the walk would cover for you:

1. Kennedy Plaza
The walk starts with Kennedy Plaza. This magnificent place in the center of Providence, with shady trees and benches makes it a brilliant place to enjoy a lazy afternoon.

2. City Hall
This is a structure completed in 1878 and stands as a testimony to the brilliant architecture of that time. A must see for you, this magnificent building is one of the oldest buildings of the area.

3. The Arcade
The arcade carries a long history attached to it. Situated at 130 Westminster Street, this building was designed in 1827. It housed some of Providence’s better shops for more than a century. The building covers three levels of shops, which are topped by a roof of glass panes. Beautiful cast-iron balustrades and stairways are a striking feature of this 19th century construction.

4. Round Top Church
This church is officially known as the Beneficent Congregational Meetinghouse. Constructed in 1810, this magnificent piece of architecture was influenced by the classical revival of that time. Beautifully decorated with crystal chandeliers, this is an amazingly beautiful piece of architectural brilliance.

5. First Baptist Meetinghouse
Founded by Roger Williams in 1638; the first Baptist congregation in the New World, made way for this building, which dates from 1775. It is definitely one of the most outstanding churches in New England.

6. Fleur de Lys House
As you walk through the streets, you come across to this magnificent building, which was built in the year 1885. Built by a Providence architect, this structure is an eye catcher.

7. RISD
RISD or Rhode Island School of Design is one of the best art, architecture and design schools of the nation. It was set up in 1877 and since then it has produced many eminent artists and architects.

Apart from these, you will also come across, the Bayard Ewing Building, the University Hall, John Brown House, the Museum of Rhode Island History and the Prospect Terrace. The two hour walking tour is indeed an amazing experience.

WaterPlace Park in downtown Providence is an amazing place to take a stroll and enjoy the beauty of nature. However, the major drawing feature of this place is the WaterFire providence event, which attracts tourists from all across the globe.

The credit of kick starting this event goes to Barnaby Evans, who created the First Fire in 1994 in celebration of the tenth anniversary of First Night Providence, the city’s New Year’s Eve celebration. Later on in 1996, he created Second Fire for the International Sculpture Conference. His efforts paid off and soon a number of volunteers gathered and thereafter organized a fund-raising effort to support a permanent installation. The 1997 season featured 13 WaterFire events that attracted an estimated 350,000 people. Along with an increase in the number of bonfires, there has also the frequency with which this event would be held. So, residents and visitors now have an opportunity to witness this event for more than eleven times a year.

The hundred sparkling bonfires form a spectacular sight as they are ignited at sundown by volunteers. Boats stocked with additional wood supplies to keep the fires burning until the wee hours keep floating to make it a truly memorable evening for the visitors. Add to it the wonderful music playing in the background and you will never ask for anything else. You are also thrown to the fragrant mixture of pine, oak and cedar creates an intoxicating smoky perfume that wafts delicately off the water. As the carefully selected score harmonizes with the crackling fires, resonates off the river bridges and streams along the walkways in perfect concert with the flickering flames, most people make a silent resolution to make another visit to this amazing event.

While most people ask for the place to get the best view of this exquisite event, it is worth mentioning that there is no bad spot from which to watch WaterFire. As it is, most people prefer to stroll down the riverside walkways, especially under the echoing bridges to view the sculpture from many angles. In fact, it is a good idea to arrive early in Providence, as crowds begin to accumulate well before sundown. As it is, you can get a peaceful atmosphere if you arrive early.

WaterFire takes place in downtown Providence on Saturdays and is usually held every fortnight during the period between May to October. For a visit to WaterFire take exit 22 from Interstate 95 North or South. You now arrive at Memorial Boulevard, which runs along the river. WaterFire is on your left after the first set of lights, and the installation extends down past the Crawford Street Bridge.

WaterFire is an excellent place to spend a romantic evening with your spouse.  As it is, the amazing sight and wonderful music work in perfect harmony, so that you enjoy each and every moment of this evening.

Waterfire Providence is an award winning sculpture by Barnaby Evans installed on the three rivers of downtown Providence. Praised not only by Rhode Island residents, but visitors, from all across the world, Waterfire is indeed a magnificent work of art, as well as a brilliant testimony to this amazing movement. In light of the one hundred sparkling bonfires and the fragrant scent of aromatic wood smoke, the flickering firelight on the arched bridges is very much instrumental in creating the wonderful environment which is a major draw of this fiesta.

The silhouettes of the fire tenders passing by the flames, the torch-lit vessels traveling down the river, and the enchanting music from around the world engage all the senses and emotions of those who take a stroll along the paths of WaterPlace Park. The popularity of WaterFire as a major tourist attraction can be judged from the fact that, it has been able to attract over ten million visitors, bringing life to downtown, and revitalizing Rhode Island’s capital city.

No WaterFire event can be complete without mentioning the immense contribution made by the volunteers. As it is, WaterFire volunteers are an essential part of the event. These volunteers assist in all aspects of the event, right from running the event, to special projects on other days. As ti is WaterFire volunteers engage in a wide range of areas, from construction, to fire tending, merchandise sales, computer support, street performers, stage managers, flower arranging, reception hosting, as well as boat captains.

A WaterFire event can offer opportunity to more than a hundred volunteers in a variety of different activities. Volunteers involve in activities such as preparing the river and park for the evening’s event, setting up receptions, and even help in constructing stages. Later on, the volunteers create a ceremonial communal presence, along with the commendable job of keeping the fire alive. Dressed up in black, in order to be a part of the night, these volunteers are instrumental in carrying out the wonderful job of carrying forward the legacy, by coming together to build community through firelight.

The volunteers who are working as fire tenders are not behind the scenes, but rather, you are actually performers and are an integral part of the WaterFire sculpture. Volunteers form an inseparable part of the WaterFire fiesta. True to the spirit of WaterFire, these volunteers are the ones out on the river weaving the magic tending the fires during the night, and on shore welcoming visitors from far and wide. As it is, you too can contribute to the cause by extending voluntary help. As a volunteer you can also help in assisting with the VIP receptions, as well as helping to manage performance stages, apart from working at a Luminaria station.

However, this should not give you the impression that volunteering is all work and no play. As a volunteer you can engage in a number of fun activities, even between lightings. Activities like potluck dinners, parties, and other interesting events or projects go on throughout the year, for the volunteers who extend their services at WaterFire.

Rhode Island is well known for the scenic beauty, which it offers to the visitors, who come here from far away places. As it is, Rhode Island is home to some fabulous state parks, which include the five state parks with campgrounds. It is also ornamented by some of the very best state beaches and an almost endless range of state heritage offerings. One of the most popular features of the Rhode Island state parks is that most people set up their own campsite for exploring the fascinating state. Follow these steps to find its best state parks.

So, if you are interested in State Park campgrounds, in Rhode Island, then you have a number of options. The following are the five major options which you have:

1. Fisherman’s State Park and Campground
This is one of the best places to experience a laid back atmosphere of a seaside village. You have a wide range of options, with the availability of over 170 campsites. In fact, this state park and campground offers the largest number of campsites of any Rhode Island state park. Reservations are accepted by mail only.

2. Burlingame State Campground
This is another beautiful place starching over an area of 3,100 acres of rocky woodland surrounding the Burlingame State Campground in Charlestown. With plentiful of wildlife in the area, you have some excellent viewing opportunities, including red fox, river otters and over 80 species of birds. Reservations are not available.

3. Charlestown Breachway
You can relax on the beach at the Charlestown Breachway. This state beach has some of the best salt water fishing in South County. A major feature of this area is the close proximity to the fabulous Block Island with beautiful scenery, Victorian hotels and inns. It offers you the option to choose from the 75 self-contained RV campsites available. Campsites are available on a first come, first served basis.

4. George Washington Memorial Camping Area
Great place to enjoy some of Rhode Island’s finest natural areas, the George Washington Memorial Camping Area located in the 4000-acre George Washington Management Area. This area covers 45 gravel sites, which can add to your vacation album. The state park is just 15 miles outside Providence. Reservations are not accepted.

5. Fort Wetherill State Park
This is an excellent area for camping. Situated upon 100 foot high granite cliffs, this former coastal defense battery and training camp can be an excellent place to relax and unwind. Well known for its spectacular view of Newport Harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay, the area of Fort Wetherill has been a popular site for viewing the numerous Tall Ship Events and America’s Cup Races.
The area also attracts a large number of tourists for scuba diving, with Diving Clubs from New York State, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island using the facilities at the boat ramp year round.

Apart from the above camping sites, you have a number of other options, which are available to you. You can make use of the internet to find out the various camping options in Rhode Islands.

Waterfire providence is one of the most famous tourist destinations from all across the world. The entire place is in fact, magic personified. Stroll through the most amazing pieces of artwork in the company of beautiful music; and be a part of a magical journey along the cobblestone walks that border the river canal ornamenting the downtown Providence Rhode Island. With a number of restaurants in the area, this would serve you not only with some mouth watering cuisines, but a bevy of patrons bustling with energy. You will also be greeted by food vendors are set up on the small stone bridges that arch the river canal.

A visit to this wonderful masterpiece by Barnaby Evans, you will get access to a visual treat to more than a hundred sparkling caldrons, ablaze with wood fires, which light up the night. Add to this, the serene music, which is carefully compiled to add to the effect. As the music echoes through the fire-lit river walk, you may stop to chat with friends.

The evening begins just before dusk, with the volunteer fire stokers cruising through the water in a small motor boat. These volunteers, fill the caldrons full of wood, and begin lighting the fires. This magnificently arranged fire tending continues throughout the evening and keeps the fires burning until midnight.

This annual event occurs from May to October. The dates for the 2008 season are May 24, May 30, June 21, June 28, July 19, Aug 2, Aug 16, August 23, August 30, September 13, September 20, September 27 and October 11. For more information, you can visit the official website of WaterFire.

In case you are tourist, interested in making a visit to WaterFire providence, then you will also want to know about the accommodation options in this area. Now, as far is accommodation is concerned, you will have a number of options, but for a truly wonderful hotel experience, there is no other place to go, except for Renaissance Providence, a hotel, at 5 Avenue of the Arts, which was originally built as a Masonic Temple in 1940, but was never completed and stood vacant until its recent transformation into a hotel. Much of the history and grand architecture of the building is retained and evident. Its prime location is one of the features, which makes it an ideal place to stay, while you are on your visit to the providence.

You may also like to know about the restaurants in the area as well. Well you will be glad to know, that the area being a tourist hot spot, offers a number of restaurant options like Café Nuovo, Hemenways Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar, New Rivers and Parkside Rotisserie & Bar.  These restaurants offer you with a volley of mouth watering dishes, which can definitely be one of the major reasons, why you will love to come back for another visit to the providence.

Waterfire is indeed a brilliant tourist destination.  Being an art lover myself, it was indeed an experience of a lifetime.

Rhode Island is fast emerging as one of the most famous tourist destinations all across the world. Each year a number of people make visit to this beautiful place, which has further been into limelight with the setup of the WaterFire providence in 1997. So, it would not come as a surprise if your next vacation is scheduled to be in Rhode Island.

A major area of Rhode Island is bordered by water. Due to this reason, water boats and ferries team up to be the most common form of transportation in this area. So, it is my advice to anyone on a visit to Rhode Island, to consider the Providence Newport Water Ferry, for transportation. Although you could always go for roadways and drive from Providence to Newport, which is actually quite a beautiful drive; but, it is much more convenient to take the ferry and affordable too.

The Option of going through a ferry, gives you the opportunity to sit back and relax on the ferry ride and enjoy the surrounding beauty. Although the ferry ride is not exactly fast, may take a little more than an hour and a quarter to travel from Providence to Newport, yet the advantage of enjoying the beautiful scenery is something you should never miss. Apart from that, you also get a close view of towns like Bristol and Barrington.

The water ferry service is not a daily tour. It is actually one that only leaves in the winter to go to Providence on Mondays through Fridays. As the weather warms up so does the amount of rides available to tourists. It costs eight dollars for a round trip ticket and those going only one way need only pay four dollars.

The water ferry offers you a great opportunity to sit back and relax. This is one of those times, when you can truly enjoy the magnificent weather and the free flowing water, which forms a marvelous sight. In fact, you might find it pretty difficult to get yourself occupied in any other activity like net surfing, while you are on a water ferry and passing some of the most beautiful sites. You will also find this to be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with your family and just calm down after a busy workday.

The water ferry would take you through places which you are most likely to miss due to a fast paced life. So, it is advisable to take the water ferry and everything will slow down and you will see that you can take a moment to catch your breath and enjoy the great outdoors.

Since you are on a holiday, it is always advisable to catch up your breath and leave behind your work schedules, because if you carry your work with you, then you will never be able to enjoy your vacation and the entire purpose of having a vacation would be lost.

As it is, most people coming to Rhode Island make it a point to travel by way of water ferry.

The State of Rhode Island is a state in the New England region of The US. It is one of the smallest states in the United States, as according to area. Location wise, Rhode Island is situated, bordering Connecticut to the western side and Massachusetts to the north and the eastern side. Rhode Island, USA is fast emerging as one of the most favored tourist destinations. A major contributor to this ever-growing popularity is the WaterFire Providence.

The WaterFire providence is a beautifully crafted tourist attraction, situated at the three rivers of downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It is a wonderful place, which offers the visitors, an opportunity to enjoy enchanting music from across the world. Along with this, you are able to witness the wonderful view of sparkling bonfires and silhouettes of the fire tenders who pass by the flames. To add to its beauty, you also have a number of torch-lit vessels down the river. WaterFire attracts millions of tourists from all across the world.

The credit for creating this wonderful masterpiece goes to Barnaby Evans., who was aptly supported by Art lovers, persuading him to create an on going fire installation. This resulted in the establishment of WaterFire as a non-profit arts organization.

In the year 1997, WaterFire Providence expanded to more than forty braziers. In the following years, it was able to attract more than 300,000 people during thirteen lightings. Another feather in the cap came in the form of the Renaissance Award from the City of Providence, which was conferred upon Evans for his work as an artist and his role in revitalizing downtown Providence, Rhode Island. This was a major achievement for Evans and his associates and a befitting tribute to the contribution of Evans and his associates in the field of Art.

It is interesting to note that there are no formal admission charges in the providence. As it is, they do ask for and need donations and support to present the event and cover their expenses. Contributions however, come up in the form of lighting luminaria candle lanterns. Visitors light up these lanterns in honor of someone to commemorate a special occasion or accomplishment. Tables in the park offer the lanterns in exchange for $10.

One of the most attractive features of WaterFire Providence is the beautiful music. It is the wonderful music mixes recorded natural soundtracks with the music related to the ritual, religious and symbolic sources of the sculpture. Each performance presents a different soundtrack with works by artists from around the world that is deliberately juxtaposed, to add to the magic. WaterFire usually occurs on Saturday nights. Arvo Part, Djivan Gasparyan, David Hykes and Nicholas Lens are some of the primary contributors to the wonderful music which forms an inseparable part of the fiesta.

WaterFire is indeed an art lover’s paradise. Not only that; it is also an excellent place to wind up and enjoy the creations of some of the most well known artists from all across the world. As far as my personal opinion is concerned, no tour diary is complete without a visit to WaterFire.

Waterfire can truly prove to be an experience of a lifetime for you, where you can take a break from your hectic schedule and enjoy all that nature has to offer you. Waterfire takes you to an entirely new world, an experience which you might never have had before.

So, you are welcome to Providence, which in my opinion should be renamed Paradise. Give your self a chance to enjoy, to relax, and to discover a remarkable new urban experience and a fascinating modern city. WaterFire is presented for free, as the main objective had never been profit making, but to arrange for a truly fabulous journey, which you can cherish for many more years to come.

You can dress casual, or dress festive; there are no restrictions imposed. Waterfire greets everyone with a warm welcome. While most people choose to go for a trip to Waterfire for a special occasion by wearing something special or romantic, it is no way a hard and fast rule. However, the romantic environment of this place compels people to dress up in the most romantic fashion. Waterfire is a fiesta which celebrates beauty and companionship and so it would be really awful if you miss out on it.

You can have a perfectly romantic evening by being a part of live dancing at the Sovereign Plaza ballroom. You can also enjoy live Jazz at the Verizon Jazz Stage, as well as the fantastic eclectic music program all along the rivers. If you are a music lover, then you would be glad to go through the detailed music program, which is available at the WaterFire Ambassadors that lists all of the music being played that night.

It is also advisable not to bring any seating arrangements along with you, due to the popularity of WaterFire, as they interfere with passage along the narrow river walks. In fact you may want to walk about during the evening and not be burdened by folding chairs. WaterFire is an event, which can best be explored and experienced on foot, as you take a stroll around to discover its many surprises.

As mentioned earlier, Waterfire is presented for free by an independent non-profit arts group. However, you can show your gratitude by way of donations or by lighting up lanterns, which would charge you as low as $10, which is a very minimal amount, especially when you consider the wonderful time, which you have spent in this place. You can also approach WaterFire Ambassadors, who are there throughout the park and will happily accept your contribution.

Another popular way, by which you can make this moment truly memorable, is by way of entrusting your wishes and dreams to the flames or by casting your sorrows and worries into the fires. So, you can add your wishes and dreams, or sorrows to the WaterFire Orbs and watch the spectacle as they are consigned to the flames.

If you are planning a vacation, then you can visit the official website of WaterFire and gather further necessary information in regard to your trip to this wonderful place.

WaterFire Providence is one of the most famous tourist attractions all over the world. Established with the purpose of continuing the WaterFire sculpture installation, it soon became a major establishment, with the growing popularity of WaterFire sculpture. It performs the invaluable function of fostering and promoting the creation, exhibition and performance of works of art by visual and performing artists, both in and out of the State of Rhode Island.

WaterFire offers a sparkling view of a hundred bonfires that blaze just above the surface of the three rivers that pass through the middle of downtown Providence. The fires form a fantastic visual treat which illuminates the nearby areas. This fantastic place offers residents and visitors an opportunity to stroll along the river, in company of the eclectic selection of classical and world music. There are no admission charges to WaterFire.

The founding stones of the renaissance called WaterFire were laid way back in 1994, when Barnaby Evans created First Fire as a commission to celebrate the tenth anniversary of First Night Providence.
Later, in June 1996, Evans created Second Fire for the International Sculpture Conference, which was a huge hit, as it emerged as a gathering place for thousands of participants from all over the world.
Eventually, art supporters at the event were able to convince Evans to create an on-going fire installation and started a grass-roots effort to establish WaterFire as a non-profit arts organization. The result is for all of us to see.

With enthusiastic assistance from hundreds of dedicated volunteers, generous donations from many individuals, contributions from corporate leaders and support from the City and State, WaterFire continues to be a major force to reckon with and today it has emerged as an Artists paradise, attracting art lovers from all across the world.

The WaterFire Providence expanded to 42 braziers in 1997 and achieved the tremendous feat of attracting over 300,000 people during thirteen lightings. Evans later on received the Renaissance Award from the City of Providence for his work as an artist and his role in revitalizing downtown Providence.

In order to respond to the growing popularity of the event, WaterFire expanded in size to 81 braziers in 1998. It further added 16 braziers and the total number emerged at 97 braziers in 1999. Till this date, it continues to be an ever expanding unofficial summit of art lovers from all across the world.

A major contribution to this movement has been from the hundreds of volunteers who, by way of their tireless efforts have been able to make this event such a huge success. Thousands of hours have been put up by these volunteers to create WaterFire for the enjoyment of the public. The huge support for WaterFire Providence and its ability to attract millions of visitors are a glaring testimony to its power as a major force.