Where do college students hang out in Providence?

Thayer Street in the College Hill neighborhood is the center of college life. It's within walking distance of Johnson & Wales, RISD, and Brown, and a short Uber ride from Providence College.

What can I find on Thayer Street?

Thayer Street has plenty of reasonably priced, casual takeout spots, plus shopping at stores like Urban Outfitters and Sneaker Junkies.

Where is the nearest Walmart to Providence colleges?

The nearest Walmart is at 51 Silver Spring St. in Providence, less than a 10-minute ride from campus. Students without a car can take a RIPTA bus that stops right in front of the store.

Is there a Target near Providence?

Yes. There's a Target at Warwick Mall, which also has stores like Nordstrom Rack, Old Navy, Macy's, and Jordan's Furniture. RIPTA buses run from campus to the mall.

Where can I find food trucks in Providence?

Follow @PVDFoodTruckEvents for updates, or check FoodTrucksIn for a list of local trucks and events. On weekends, try Food Truck Fridays at Roger Williams Park.

Where can I see live music in Providence?

AS220 in Downtown Providence hosts live music just about every night. Musicians can also sign up to perform.

Where can I get brunch on a weekday in Providence?

On the West End, Nicks on Broadway serves brunch Wednesday through Sunday, and Patio on Broadway serves brunch every day except Wednesday.

A Parent's Guide to College Move-In, Providence Style

Dropping off your kids at college can be tough, especially in a new city. You don't know where to park, where to eat or even where to buy toilet paper! But fear not, we have a list of all the places you'll need to know about in order to survive your first college drop-off in Providence.

Thayer Street is a hot spot. Especially for college students.

Thayer Street is basically the center of college town. Located in the College Hill neighborhood and within walking distance from Johnson & Wales, RISD and Brown (and just a short Uber ride from Providence College), Thayer Street is flooded with groups of college students looking to grab a bite to eat, shop or just wander with friends. Thayer is full of reasonably priced, casual takeout joints, perfect for students. Find stylish clothing and sneakers at Urban Outfitters and Sneaker Junkies. Thayer is a great place to hang when visiting for parent’s weekend as well.

You're going to want to know where the Walmart is.

The nearest Walmart is located at 51 Silver Spring St., Providence, and is less than a 10-minute ride from school for all those last-minute necessities. If your kids don't have a car on campus, they can take the bus with RIPTA and get dropped off right in front of the store.

If you prefer Target, we’ve got you covered.

There's a Target only minutes away at Warwick Mall. Pick up a vacuum and some cleaning supplies to use the next time you visit. And, hey, why not check out the rest of the mall while you're there? They have a Nordstrom Rack, Old Navy, Macy's, Jordan’s Furniture, American Eagle, Foot Locker and tons of other stores. Again, if your kids are without a vehicle, they can pick up RIPTA at school and get dropped off right in front of Warwick Mall.

Once back in the city, check out Providence Place for more shopping, great restaurants or to catch a movie.

Food Trucks are an absolute MUST while living in/visiting Providence.

Be sure to follow @PVDFoodTruckEvents for updates on the latest food truck fun. If you're here for the weekend, check out Food Truck Fridays at Roger Williams Park. (Try the Friskie Fries, you won't be disappointed.) And, if you can't locate the truck you're looking for, try searching on FoodTrucksIn for a list of local trucks and events.

Don’t skip breakfast! Try some of the tastiest specialty doughnuts you never knew existed.

Knead Doughnuts has not one, but three locations in Providence. These doughnuts are some absolute, old-fashioned goodness. Knead has a huge fan base and offers a seasonal selection of options, including vegan and flourless, as well as croissants, cinnamon rolls and other pastries. Don't feel like waiting in line? Order ahead and pick them up or have them delivered right to the dorm with Grub Hub or Uber Eats. Try the Vanilla Glazed, you won't be sorry.

You really want breakfast, but you don't want to get up early. We get it.

On the West End of Providence, brunch isn't just for weekends. Nicks on Broadway serves brunch from Wednesday to Sunday, and their menu, featuring fresh local ingredients, never disappoints. Patio on Broadway is open for brunch every day except Wednesday, featuring everything from The Classic (eggs, bacon, sausage and a croissant) and French Toast to Chicken & Waffle or a Breakfast Burger. And if you happen to be here on Saturday or Sunday, the options are endless. Check out our collection of the best brunch spots in the city.

Take a stroll on Federal Hill for an authentic Italian experience.

Walking around Federal Hill never gets old because there is always something new to do or somewhere new to go. Pop into Caserta Pizza (their pizza is absolutely delicious) or dine at a gourmet Italian restaurant in this historic section of the city, also known as Little Italy. Complimentary valet is offered at most restaurants on “The Hill,” so no need to worry about parking. You'll know you're there when you see the huge arched gateway with a bronzed pinecone, which marks the entry to the neighborhood.

Visit the RISD Museum. Providence is The Creative Capital, after all.

Take a tour of the Rhode Island School of Design Museum and check out artwork ranging from ancient times to the present. The collection contains more than 100,000 objects of art and design, with over 2,000 currently on display in the museum. Take a stroll through the halls and get lost in ancient history.

Two visitors view an ancient Roman mosaic portrait of a bearded man in a circular border at the RISD Museum, with a brick-and-window wall beside them

Like live music? We’ve got a totally hip spot for you.

AS220 is a popular venue in Downtown Providence. With four rotating gallery spaces, a performance stage, black box theater, print shop, darkroom and media arts lab, fabrication and electronics lab, and dance studio, this is a space where everyone can find something that they love. And if your kid is a musician, encourage them to sign up to perform. Live music is scheduled for just about every night.

Stay in the know.

Don't forget to sign up for the GoPVD Newsletter. With information on upcoming events, dining, things to do and more, it's your source for everything you need to know about The Creative Capital.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do college students hang out in Providence?: Thayer Street in the College Hill neighborhood is the center of college life. It's within walking distance of Johnson & Wales, RISD, and Brown, and a short Uber ride from Providence College.
What can I find on Thayer Street?: Thayer Street has plenty of reasonably priced, casual takeout spots, plus shopping at stores like Urban Outfitters and Sneaker Junkies.
Where is the nearest Walmart to Providence colleges?: The nearest Walmart is at 51 Silver Spring St. in Providence, less than a 10-minute ride from campus. Students without a car can take a RIPTA bus that stops right in front of the store.
Is there a Target near Providence?: Yes. There's a Target at Warwick Mall, which also has stores like Nordstrom Rack, Old Navy, Macy's, and Jordan's Furniture. RIPTA buses run from campus to the mall.
Where can I find food trucks in Providence?: Follow @PVDFoodTruckEvents for updates, or check FoodTrucksIn for a list of local trucks and events. On weekends, try Food Truck Fridays at Roger Williams Park.
Where can I see live music in Providence?: AS220 in Downtown Providence hosts live music just about every night. Musicians can also sign up to perform.
Where can I get brunch on a weekday in Providence?: On the West End, Nicks on Broadway serves brunch Wednesday through Sunday, and Patio on Broadway serves brunch every day except Wednesday.