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In Providence, Rhode Island, a short walk can take you a long way. This small city boasts 25 different neighborhoods, each one offering a different experience. Some neighborhoods are an ode to the history of the city, featuring well-preserved historic landmarks. Others demonstrate the growth of Providence with modern construction and amenities. And all of them are worth exploring!

JWU students call this city home, and they’ve found their own favorite spots to spend time with friends, eat and explore. These are the top five neighborhoods our students love. 

Downtown

Downtown is a favorite for obvious reasons – it’s where you’ll find our Downcity campus! Students spend a lot of time walking along the bustling streets of Weybosset, Westminster and Washington on their way to class and during their down time. There are numerous cafés, restaurants, businesses, bars and small shops to check out in this area – in fact its where many of our students favorites places to eat are located. 

Downtown is also home to the Providence Performing Arts Center, the Amica Mutual Pavilion, the RI Convention Center and the oldest indoor mall in America, the Providence Arcade. 

Washington Park

The Washington Park neighborhood is home to the other piece of our Providence Campus, Harborside, making it another obvious favorite since its where students spend a lot of time. It’s mostly residential, and many JWU seniors living off-campus opt to live in this area on one of the “state streets” (a lot of the streets in this neighborhood are named after U.S. states.)

Harborside Campus is home to our College of Food Innovation & Technology, as well as our athletics and some of our residence halls. Even though it’s only about three miles down the road from our Downcity Campus, Harborside feels like a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city with its ample green space and proximity to the water.

This neighborhood also borders Roger William’s Park, an expansive park with hundreds of acres, seven lakes, a zoo and more. Each year at the beginning of the fall semester, students can attend JWU at the Zoo, a free evening at the zoo that is closed to the public.

Federal Hill

 If you love Italian food (or really any food), this will be your spot. Federal Hill’s iconic main drag, Atwell’s Avenue, is lined with some of the top restaurants in the city. In addition to the incredible Italian food it’s well known for, the Hill offers plenty of other cuisines such as seafood, Japanese, Lebanese, Thai, Indian and more.

This neighborhood has a rich history of Italian heritage because it was predominantly settled by Italian American immigrants in the early 1900’s. You’ll find that influence in the traditional markets, delis and butcher shops here, some of which have been in business for over 100 years. You’ll also see it in DePasquale Square, an Italian-style piazza for outdoor eating, dancing and concerts in the summer. Throughout the year, the neighborhood also holds several major festivals and events for anyone to enjoy, such as the St Joseph’s Feast and Al Fresco on the Hill. 

College Hill

Just across the Providence River, you’ll feel transported into the past as you walk along the historic streets of College Hill. The famous Benefit Street offers a concentration of Colonial and Federal era homes and buildings that have been preserved as historic landmarks, which is why it is often referred to as “A Mile of History.” 

But for students, there’s another street in this neighborhood that tends to grab their attention. Thayer Street is a popular area for college students, not only from JWU but from nearby Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

This busy street offers tons of shops and boutiques as well as global cuisine options like Korean, Greek, Middle Eastern, Mexican and more. You can also catch a movie at the historic Avon Cinema. New Wildcats have often shared that exploring Thayer Street was one of the things they were most excited about before arriving in Providence.

Fox Point

For JWU students, a stroll to the Fox Point neighborhood includes some great scenery. A beautiful pedestrian bridge connects Downtown to Fox Point, stretching across the Providence River to offer picturesque views of the city and the water. Both sides of the bridge also have small parks and greenspace. This bridge has become a favorite walking spot/hang out space for students looking to get some fresh air and enjoy the small-town feel of Fox Point.

Though it’s mostly a residential area, you’ll find some quaint shops and great restaurants along Wickenden Street. Plus, you can also visit India Point Park, which hosts many festivals and concerts and offers panoramic water views.

There’s even more to explore in the city of Providence and at ÍøÆØÍø — plan your visit!

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