🇺🇸 Providence, RI – Where History Meets Mystery 🏛️🍂

Providence, the capital of Rhode Island, is one of America’s oldest colonial cities. Founded in 1636, it is home to the First Baptist Church in America (built in 1638) – nearly 400 years of history. With its charming canals, Providence carries a vibe reminiscent of Venice and Florence. It's also where you’ll find Brown University, a member of the Ivy League. 🎓 Throughout history, Providence thrived on colonial trade (including the slave trade), textiles, jewelry, and banking. Yet, since the 1970s, industries moved away, leaving a quieter, more spacious city. Its well-preserved cobblestone streets, historic European-style houses, and grand downtown skyscrapers still echo its former glory. You can take Amtrak’s Northeast Regional from New Haven (home of Yale) to Providence – about 1 hour 50 minutes. The city is small and very walkable. Must-dos include: Exploring Brown University and the Rhode Island State House Strolling along the canal park 🏞️ Visiting the RISD Museum 🎨 Tasting local cuisine – especially oysters! 🦪 Johnson & Wales University (a famous culinary school) 👨🍳 On rainy days, cozy up with a book at the historic Providence Athenaeum 📚☔ From late May to November, don’t miss WaterFire – torches light up the river on select weekends. Autumn is especially beautiful here 🍁. Here’s a lesser-known secret: Providence is the birthplace of the Cthulhu Mythos 🐙. Traces of H.P. Lovecraft are everywhere – including a memorial at Brown University. Prospect Terrace (overlooking the city with a statue of founder Roger Williams) is said to be where Lovecraft often walked while crafting his stories. Dinner in the photo is Porchetta from Bayberry Garden 🍖, and I also recommend New River Grill by the canal. #Providence #RhodeIsland #TravelUSA #Lovecraft #CthulhuMythos #IvyLeague #BrownUniversity #HistoricCities #NewEnglandFall