East Side of Providence
About
The East Side is a collection of neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city of Providence. It officially consists of the Blackstone, Hope, Mount Hope, College Hill, Wayland, and Fox Point neighborhoods. Roger Williams founded Providence along College Hill, making the East Side one of the oldest sections of the city. Many stately, refurbished mansions can be found in and around the East Side, along with other cultural and historic points of interest. These lovely neighborhoods are often considered to be some of the best places to live in Providence, as residents enjoy a wide variety of amenities in this beautiful area.
The East Side contains most of Brown University’s academic and athletic facilities, as well as the Rhode Island School of Design and its museum. There are also several private schools in the area including the highly regarded Moses Brown School and Wheeler School.
Highlights
The East Side is home to incredible shopping, dining, and green space.
- India Point Park is the largest park on the East Side, located along the northernmost shore of Narragansett Bay and offering views of downtown and the city’s working waterfront.
- In the middle of the northbound and southbound lanes of Blackstone Boulevard is a 1.7-mile path for jogging and walking, as well as 19+ acres of parkland.
- Prospect Terrace on top of College Hill provides some of the most amazing city views. The park is known as “The Jewel of the City” for its dramatic elevated view of Downtown Providence. The park’s west-facing view makes it ideal for taking in the sunset over some of Providence’s most prominent landmarks.
- Benefit Street is lined with elegant historic homes that encompass iconic New England architecture, complete with 19th century-style streetlights.
- Comfortably fitting into the picturesque East Side neighborhoods are a variety of delicious restaurants, bistros, and cafes.
- The Hope Street Farmers Market is a farmer-run cooperative created and managed by many of the best farmers and food artisans in Rhode Island. Vendors sell fruits, vegetables, flowers, cheese, breads and pastries, pasture-raised meats, seafood, poultry and eggs, and many other items. The Farmers Market takes place on the East Side every Saturday morning from 9am-1pm at Lippitt Park where Hope Street and Blackstone Boulevard meet.
- WaterFire, an award-winning fire sculpture installation on the river, is one of Providence’s signature events. WaterFire centers around nearly 100 bonfires that blaze atop the water’s surface. Visitors gather to stroll along the river, listen to the music, and witness the fires crackle while boats pass quietly along the river.