Whether you’re due for a vacation or in need of a quick weekend getaway, Providence, Rhode Island makes an incredible winter getaway in the Northeast. Providence is one of my favorite Northeast destinations to visit and during the holiday season, it truly feels magical. It’s about 5 hours from Philadelphia/South Jersey and about 4 hours from NYC.
Providence is a New England gem with a rich history, vibrant arts scene, and exciting attractions. No matter what kind of traveler you are, Providence, Rhode Island offers something for everyone. Read along to learn how to have a perfect winter weekend getaway in Providence, Rhode Island.
A special thank you to The Beatrice Hotel for hosting us!
Stay at The Beatrice Hotel
If you’re looking for a fantastic place to stay in Providence for a perfect winter getaway, look no further than The Beatrice Hotel. Nestled in the Historic District of Providence, the Beatrice Hotel is conveniently located near popular attractions, colleges and universities, restaurants, lounges, entertainment, and boutique shops.
This stunning luxury, boutique hotel was recently ranked the #13 Best Hotel in New England in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards and the #1 Hotel in Providence on Tripadvisor.
Steeped in luxury with modern amenities that make you feel right at home, The Beatrice Hotel provides a welcome, relaxing retreat from the day-to-day.
Location
Situated in the historic 1887 Exchange Building, The Beatrice Hotel provides easy access to local attractions. It was fantastic to be just a short walk away from the places on our itinerary. Having cafes, restaurants, and iconic attractions such as Brown University, the Providence River Walk, and the RISD Museum right at your doorstep is truly unparalleled. This prime location allowed us to easily wander through the city and fully enjoy our sightseeing adventures. When staying at The Beatrice Hotel, you’re surrounded by endless options for dining, recreation, and shopping.
Rooms
The Beatrice features 47 well-appointed rooms with thoughtful details and amenities including a Nespresso coffee maker, mini refrigerator, high-speed wifi, desk and chair (some rooms), fabric steamers, plush bathrobes, and TV. Our Grand Double Queen room was just perfect – from the plush linens to the premium bath products.
Rooms at The Beatrice Hotel also boast high ceilings, stunning herringbone floors, and beautiful views of the city. The bathroom included upscale amenities such as a heated towel rack, built-in bathroom speakers, heated bidet toilets, a Dyson hair dryer, and a lighted fogless vanity mirror. Connecting rooms are also available for those traveling as a group. I can honestly say nothing was missing from our hotel stay; it truly feels as though they’ve thought of everything!
Amenities
Amenities abound at The Beatrice Hotel. From the fitness center to the complimentary Lavazza coffee, valet parking, on-site cafe and marketplace, restaurant and rooftop lounge, and complimentary newspapers, you can be sure that they’ve provided everything needed for a comfy stay.
The Beatrice Hotel also features a streamlined, high-tech, low-touch guest experience to make your stay a breeze. Additional amenities include mobile check-in and keyless room entry. The customer experience at The Beatrice Hotel was second to none, as all the associates we encountered were friendly, knowledgeable, prompt, and immensely accommodating. Any time we had a question or request, reaching a staff member was as easy as sending a text or phoning the front desk.
Through their “Bea About Town” itineraries, The Beatrice Hotel helps guests explore all that Providence has to offer. Whether you’re a foodie, parent, or arts enthusiast, discover their local guides here to help you plan an epic stay.
the holidays at the Beatrice Hotel
The Beatrice Hotel is decked out for the holidays and ready for you to explore! During the holiday season, their lobby is beautifully adorned with holiday lights and festive decorations to set the holiday mood. In addition, The Beatrice offers a holiday gift guide and hosts several holiday events to help you savor the season.
From visits with Santa to their Nutcracker Suite and special Christmas menus at Bellini, discover all that The Beatrice offers during the holiday season here.
Don’t forget to pin this post!
Take a Glassblowing Class at Gather Glass
If you’re looking for something fun and interactive to do while in Providence, then consider adding Gather Glass to your list. Located in Historic Federal Hill, Gather Glass produces bold, unique, handcrafted glass pieces. At Gather Glass, learn the art of glassblowing by taking a class or watching an expert demonstration. This was my first time taking a glassblowing class and it was such a fun experience!
My sister and I thoroughly enjoyed the class and have such an appreciation for this special art form. The instructors were thorough, patient, and enthusiastic, which made the experience memorable and enjoyable. We made 2 glass cups which came out so beautifully. Note: you’ll have to leave your pieces at the shop to cool overnight but you’ll be able to pick them up the next day.
Gather Glass also makes for a fantastic group outing, date night, or event. Additionally, they have a mobile unit for special events and festivals throughout the city.
Enjoy a Spirit Tasting at ISCO Spirits
During a trip to Providence, I also recommend booking a spirit tasting at ISCO Spirits. With great vibes, good music, and a cozy, inviting ambiance, ISCO Spirits provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxing night out with friends or a date. This activity is a must for gin, vodka, and bourbon enthusiasts. ISCO Spirits is Providence’s first distillery since prohibition and has become a local staple since its creation in 2018. It features sustainably sourced spirits inspired by creativity. Their menu also includes house-made cocktails and non-alcoholic options.
Their tasting room also hosts events and distillery tours, and their space can also be booked for events. ISCO Spirits is located just a mile from Downtown Providence and is open from Thursday to Sunday.
Dine at Bellini and Enjoy Stunning Rooftop Views From Bellini Rooftop
Located at The Beatrice Hotel, Bellini Providence is a restaurant you need to try if you’re on the hunt for incredible food in Providence. Bellini is an award-winning restaurant serving elevated, Italian dishes. From the ambiance to the cuisine, every part of our experience was fabulous. The service was also top-notch and our server, Lily, was amazing. We started with cocktails – Bellinis of course – which were delicious. From there, we enjoyed the Chef’s Tasting and tried the below appetizers, entrees, and dessert:
Appetizers: Grilled Vegetables, Mozzarella in “Carrozza”
Entrees: Bucatini “Cacio e Pepe,” Pollo Salsiccia e Peperoni, Grilled Salmon
Vanilla Gelato a la Minute (this one is perfect for sharing)
After dinner, we headed upstairs to the top floor of The Beatrice to enjoy Bellini’s members-only rooftop lounge. With stunning views of Downtown Providence, signature cocktails, dinner service, and relaxing music, there’s no better way to end your evening. From start to finish, our experience at Bellini was nothing short of exceptional.
Visit the RISD Museum
Another must-see attraction in Providence is the RISD Museum, located at the Rhode Island School of Design. I’ve visited many museums over the years, and RISD Museum is by far, one of the best I’ve been to. Located in the Rhode Island School of Design in Downtown Providence, this museum features a wide selection of unique art art works across several exhibits, including Modern and Contemporary Art, Costume and Textiles, Photography, Ancient Greek and Roman Art, Ancient Egyptian Art, and much more. If you’re an art enthusiast like me, you’ll want to add this to your list as it’s within walking distance of The Beatrice Hotel. It’s the perfect option for an outing with family or a date day!
Admission is free on Sundays from 10 am – 5 pm and Thursday evenings from 5 – 8 pm.
See Public Art Works from The Avenue Concept
One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to learn more about the local culture through its art, so I couldn’t miss an opportunity to dive into Providence’s art scene. During your visit to Providence, embark on a self-guided tour through the city’s many districts and admire the stunning works of art by The Avenue Concept. The Avenue Concept is a local public art organization that promotes local artists and produces numerous public art works, including murals and sculptures, throughout Providence. Each piece is incredibly captivating and tells a unique story. For added convenience, their website features an interactive map with the exact location of each piece of art.
Enjoy Brunch and Shopping at the Hope and Main Makers Market
Located in The Beatrice Hotel is the Downtown Makers Marketplace by Hope & Main, a local culinary incubator designed to launch and cultivate local food businesses. Hope & Main is uniquely designed to showcase hundreds of small, locally-owned food businesses by makers of all backgrounds.
Aside from supporting great local businesses, this is also an ideal place to grab a bite to eat! This cozy cafe serves a delicious array of made-to-order and grab-and-go items and is open for both breakfast and lunch. Enjoy items like smoothies, coffee, breakfast sandwiches, bowls, and much more. Their Apple Pie French Toast was my fave!
Take in the Holiday Magic of Providence
Stroll through the city’s many districts, taking in the sights and sounds of the season. Take photos with holiday displays, shop at local boutiques to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones, or see a holiday show at the Providence Performing Arts Center.
Final Thoughts
From check-in to our departure, our time in Providence was phenomenal. From our impeccable stay at The Beatrice to the hands-on, exciting activities around the city, we couldn’t have asked for a better winter getaway. The holiday season in Providence is simply spectacular, and having The Beatrice Hotel as your home base creates a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Ready to plan your visit to Providence and The Beatrice Hotel? To learn about holiday happenings at The Beatrice, click here, and to book your stay visit this link.
Looking for more Northeast getaway guides? Find more travel inspiration here.
Leave a Reply