Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, Festival Ballet Provi- dence, and the Providence Singers. In addition to Brown University, Providence is home to Johnson& Wales University, one of the most renowned culinary institutions in the country. Providence’s restau- rant scene reflects the creativity and ingenuity of the culinary students who reside there—many ofwhom opt to stay and open their own restaurants. As a result, Providence has more degreed chefs per capita than any other city in the United States. So whether it’s fresh seafood from Narragansett Bay or authen- tic Italian in Federal Hill (named “one of the five best Little Italys in
the U.S.” by chef Mario Batali), there’s a cuisine executed to perfection around almost every corner. Similarly, the “Creative Capital,” as Providence is known,
lives up to its name with a lively arts and culture scene, much of which is owed to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). The school includes the RISD Museumof Art, which holds more than 80,000 works of art, from Chinese terra cot- ta to French Impressionist paintings.Acontemporary art scene also flourishes downtown within its own arts and entertainment district, anchored by several galleries and alter- native performance spaces.Visitors who enjoy the perform-
CONVENTION CENTER HIGHLIGHTS Easily accessible to themorethan 5,500 hotel rooms within the Greater Providence area.
GRAND GALAS: The Rhode Island Convention Center’s all-glass Rotunda Room, a special function space that can accommodate up to 160 guests for a banquet-style event, offers some of the best views of the city.
ingarts have a number of options to choose from—theTony Award–winningTrinity Repertory Company, Providence PerformingArts Center, and the Perishable Theater, to name just a few. Whether a meetinghas 50 or 5,000 attendees, planners
can depend on the award-winningProvidenceWarwick Con- vention&Visitors Bureau to craft a memorable experience with their knowledgeable staff and welcoming spirit.
Directly connected to Providence Place, an upscale mall with more than 170 stores, eight restaurants, and various entertainment options.
Close to I-95, 10 minutes away from T.F. Green International Airport, and one block from theAmtrak com- muter-rail station.
Twenty-five percent of the U.S. pop- ulation lives within a 500-mile radius of the center. New York City is a three-hour drive from Providence, and Boston is onehour away.