Tour FAQ
What types of tours do you offer?
Providence Tour Company's niche in Providence is specialty walking tours, catering to specific traveler interests. We believe that travelers have higher standards for tourism than settling for a general "Providence Tour," and want to choose an experience that was made with their personality in mind.
​
As a result, we offer several types of tours- Art and Architecture, for the creatives; Power and Politics, for the historians with an interest in tales of resilience; Crime & Cuisine, for the foodies and true-crime fanatics; Dark Tales, for the spooky-inclined; and Providence Prohibition Tour, for those who enjoy a sip or two on local libations.
​
We truly have something for everyone!
Do you offer private group tours?
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.
What is your refund policy?
Tours can be cancelled for any reason up until 48 hours before the tour is to begin. At this point, our guides have already begun to prepare for the tour, put in restaurant orders, and got the ball rolling to provide an excellent experience.
​
If you believe that your circumstance warrants an exception to this policy, please message us.
Do you offer bus tours?
We do not offer bus tours. We believe that the best way to discover a city is by walking through it: so many sights, sounds, and delightful serendipities are missed when watching the city go by through a bus window.
All of our tours are as accessible as the City of Providence- that means, occasionally, a bump, dip, or crack in the sidewalks. Our guides do their best to accommodate guests with mobility impairments.
Can food tours accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes: when booking your food tour, be sure to indicate your dietary restriction in the provided box. Our vendors can accommodate most restrictions and can do so easily with advance notice.
While we can accommodate gluten intolerant guests on our Crime & Cuisine on Federal Hill tour, it is an Italian food tour and centers on foods containing gluten. The experience is notably different from the traditional tasting tour.
Where can I park?
Street parking is readily available throughout Providence, and free on Sundays. This is the easiest option.
​
For the Crime and Cuisine on Federal Hill Tour, the closest parking lot to the beginning of the tour is located at 38 Atwells Ave, across the highway bridge from our starting location.
​
For the Providence Prohibition Tour, the closest parking is the Civic Center Garage at 165 Washington Street.
​
For the Creative Capital Tour, the closest parking is the Biltmore Garage at 51 Washington Street.
​
For the Power and Politics Tour, the closest parking is the South Street Landing Garage at 330 Eddy Street.
​
For the Dark Tales Tour, the best parking is on the streets around Prospect Terrace Park.
Do food tours include food?
All food and drink is included in the price of our two food tours. Learn more about what is included on the Crime & Cuisine on Federal Hill Tour and the Providence Prohibition Tour on their respective webpages.
How long are tours?
Our tours typically venture around 1 mile and last about 2 hours. Food tours cover the same distance, but including time it takes to have tastings and learn about our restaurant partner offerings, the duration goes up to around 4 hours. These are estimates, however, and you should let your tour guide know in advance if you have a strict cutoff time.
Are tours rain or shine?
Tours are rain or shine! Only in dangerous weather conditions will a tour be cancelled. A tour guide will reach out to you the morning of the tour to let you know if a tour is cancelled- if you have not been contacted, assume the tour is proceeding as scheduled.
What should I wear on the tour?
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.
Are tips included in the tour price?
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.
Can I bring my child on the tour?
Tour content is appropriate for children of all ages; however, only guests 21+ will be served alcohol on our two food tours. Soft drinks will be provided instead of any alcoholic beverages.
Can I bring my pet on the tour?
Pets are welcome on our non-food tours, such as the Creative Capital tour and the Power & Politics tour; however, our partner restaurants on our food tours have to comply with local health code stipulations. Service animals are welcome on all tours.
How can I book my tour?
We thought you'd never ask! Click the "Book a Tour" button at the bottom of this page, or click the "Tours" tab at the top of the page to read more about our options.