TripOut Gay Travel:
Providence

Providence, Rhode Island a college town. It’s a leafy historic town. It’s an old, hard-scrabble New England city known for silver and crockery. It’s a hub for artists and chefs. It’s up-and-coming. It’s the first U. S. state capital to boast an openly gay mayor (current Mayor David Cicilline). And it’s also a great place to dash off for a weekend getaway. Meet Providence: a queer-friendly New England gem.

Providence is an easy train ride from New York City, a very easy drive from Boston, and once you arrive you can easily get around the downtown/historic/collegiate neighborhoods by foot. After consulting with some locals you’ll hear of some other emerging, up-and-coming areas east of downtown and for those you may need a car. But there’s enough to keep you busy without having to get behind the wheel.

Downtown Providence is feeling those familiar efforts happening in smaller cities all over (even in this rough economic climate). New, young businesses (galleries, restaurants, cool shops) are enlivening a neighborhood that’s been dormant for a few decades. So down along Washington,Westminster and Weybosset (the three W’s), there’s a buzz of commerce emerging. Cool eateries and smart shops are popping up, and it’s around here you’ll find much of the gay nightlife; and for a smaller city, Providence has a hopping scene with at least 5 or so venues to entertain you and get you cocktailed.

Why such a comfy yet smart gay vibe to the city? Blame RISD (aka the famous Rhode Island School of Design) one of the nation’s best art schools, which has educated talents folks since the 1870’s. Founded by female artists way back then, RISD has given the world the works of graphic artist Shepard Fairey, Jenny Holzer, Roni Horn, Kara Walker, Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane, filmmakers Gus Van Sant, Todd Verow and Ellen Kuras—and the bands Talking Heads, Les Savy Fav and Black Dice all formed while members were RISD students. Just up the hilltop from RISD is storied Brown University, the Ivy League bastion of liberal thought and progressiveness. Both contribute to draw gay artists and academics, and all sort of groovy, forward-thinking folks.

Over the last few years, Providence has seen a boom in promising new restaurants which many attribute to the rise of the culinary arts program at Johnson and Wales University, which turned out rising chefs who stick around and open thoughtful and tasty eateries.

But it’s the overall vibe of contentedness and city pride that impresses, too. Visiting on a mid-May weekend (which is a great time to catch a lot of the fantastic graduate student shows at RISD, by the way), locals were happy to testify how much they liked their city. Chatting with folks at the wildly popular Sunday drag brunch at Downcity (benefiting a local charity or cause each week) boasted of Providences virtues. “It’s affordable, it’s a great town and there’s always stuff going on,” explained a straight couple, more than happy to pile in with the brunching gays.

Other perks? Providence is beautiful, with its classic New England architecture stately flowing up leafy, hilly streets, across the Brown campus and around Federal Hill. There’s a thriving arts and culture scene, and the city’s college lend a youthful spirit to the entire town. Shops along Wickenden Street range from arty houseware emporiums, to cute boutigues, to cafes serving local produce and hip coffee shops. The river gets lit up monthly on summertime Saturdays as 100 bonfires, known as the art installation WaterFire, blaze up the Providence River. The result is an event that’s both arty, communal, casually fun and approachable. Much like Providence, itself.

Need recommendations on hotels, restaurants, and other points of interest?

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