The story of Providence is told by its buildings. Our city’s downtown blossomed during America’s Gilded Age, and has well-preserved examples of Art-Deco, Beaux-Arts, Neoclassical, and many more architectural styles. But this tour goes beyond bricks and windows: peer into the past by learning some of the human stories behind the facades.
This tour also explores the city’s vibrant arts and cultural scene, a key ingredient of its dramatic turnaround from mid-century urban decay to regional arts center. Experience and learn the inspiration for Providence’s most breathtaking murals: these massive works weave into the city’s visual landscape for a result unparalleled anywhere in the United States.
The walk begins in the lobby of the city’s historic Biltmore hotel and concludes after a 1.5 mile stroll at the Providence Riverwalk.
Meeting Point: Inside the Graduate Hotel Lobby
Address: 11 Dorrance Street, Providence, RI
Distance: About 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Tour Length: About 2.5 hours
The Biltmore Hotel
Providence City Hall
Providence Industrial Trust, AKA The Superman Building
She Never Came Mural
Trinity Repertory Company
Providence Performing Arts Center
Still Here Mural
The Providence Arcade
Guests should wear comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate attire, and bring an open mind. In hot weather, hats, sunglasses, water bottles, and sunscreen are usually good ideas.
Tours are rain or shine! Only in dangerous weather conditions will a tour be canceled. A tour guide will reach out to you the morning of the tour to let you know if a tour is canceled- if you have not been contacted, assume the tour is proceeding as scheduled.
Street parking is readily available throughout Providence, and free on Sundays. This is the easiest option.
For the Creative Capital Tour, the closest parking is the Biltmore Garage at 51 Washington Street.
There is a bathroom available at the meeting point.
We love giving tours to private groups- we find that some of the best bonding experiences happen when a group is learning something new together, or sharing a family-style meal.
There are incentives for groups of 10 or above, and we can customize tours to make them more suitable to your group’s budget or timeline. Please send us a message to learn more about group tour options and pricing, or cut straight to the chase and request a private tour.
Tour guide tips are not included in the tour price, but are appreciated when a guide exceeds your expectations. A generous tip is anywhere between $5-10 per guest.
Tours can be canceled for any reason up to seven days after purchase.
The Providence Tour Company also offers trip protection, which allows guests to cancel up 48 hours before the tour is to begin. The fee for trip protection is a flat 10% of the ticket price.
If you believe that your circumstance warrants an exception to this policy, please contact us.
