Providence, RI - sights and places to visit?

Be warned, the traffic around providence is terrible. Typically both 95 and 10 back up through the city limits and sometimes well beyond.  The area around the convention center has been redeveloped, including the restoration of some of the historic buildings. It is also an essay walk to both the current train station and the old train station, which has restraunts inside of it. 

Weekday rail traffic through providence includes amtrak regional and Acela, mbta from Wickford jct ri to boston and providence and worcester local pr3.  Overnight p and w road freight/local woda and dawo will run to davisville.  

Kingston, ri, in the central part of the state has a nice station with a tower and is a good place to see amtrak doing 150 mph, but no locals or freight.  

The p and w has their yard to the northeast of providence in valley falls.  Two daytime locals are based out of there and begin their work each weekday in the morning. The motiva ethanol terminal at the port of providence will have a p and w local working and maybe foriegn power if a 66n is in.  

The ocean beaches are about 45 min away and the closest bay beaches are about 15 min.  About 20 min south along amtrak the trains run along the Greenwich cove, but not really any good places to take pictures.  Otherwise the shoreline does not actually run along the shore in ri, you have to go to Connecticut for that.  

 Paul,  I'm less than a half hour from Providence. There's some hotels on the Foxboro, Mansfield line right off Rt. 95. I'm not that far off the highway in Mansfield, MA.  If your looking to visit a layout I'm usually around. There are some other nice layouts in the area as well.

 Early morning traffic tends to be going more north on 95. Just the opposite in the afternoon.

Paul:

I live in Bristol, RI and, from August 9-11, I don't think traffic in and out of Providence from any direction will be an issue.  When I first moved to Rhode Island, I used to marvel at people talking on the radio about a traffic "jam" ... which might have resulted in a whopping 5-minute delay.  In August, much of the working world is on vacation, so I think you'll be fine.

The nearest true ocean coast is a good 35 miles from Providence, 45-50 minutes even in ideal traffic conditions, so staying right on the shore likely won't fit within your time/driving plans.  You can, however, stay at multiple points along Narragansett Bay (including in Providence itself) and still feel like you're on the water.  If you expand the drive you're willing to make to be an hour away from downtown Providence you can, in fact, stay right on the ocean.  The downside to that, however, is that in the summer, places like Newport are packed with vacationers.

You didn't mention in your post whether you're specifically looking for train-related things to do, or just New England-y things.  If you provide a bit more detail concerning what you're looking for perhaps we can offer more help.  Also please mention if you're able to get away during the day to tour or whether this is just for evenings.

Steven J. Serenska

I am not far from Providence.  Dave C  is closer and a must see layout.

Thanks everyone for the tips. I'd love to see your layouts while in RI...although I have to spend most of everyday at the Center I may be able to have a couple of evenings free. I still have to figure whether to fly, take Amtrak, or just drive my car - which may be the easiest and least expensive.

Dave_C posted:

 Paul,  I'm less than a half hour from Providence. There's some hotels on the Foxboro, Mansfield line right off Rt. 95. I'm not that far off the highway in Mansfield, MA.  If your looking to visit a layout I'm usually around. There are some other nice layouts in the area as well.

 Early morning traffic tends to be going more north on 95. Just the opposite in the afternoon.

Hi Dave I grew up in East Mansfield. If you ever do an open house, I'm up for visiting your layout.

In providence somewhat near the convention center is the old Rhode Island Locomotive Works (ALCO) building. http://binged.it/1SXpSYq

http://binged.it/1SXpV6D

Be sure to see the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol.  If you go, say hi to the 1937 Herreshoff 12 "Minx" for me.  She's the boat I learned to sail in!

Jon

I will also plug Dave C's layout.  An excellent hirail rendition of 1950s New England with a New Haven theme.  Well worth visiting, and Dave C is an excellent host.  Dave, if you have another open house, let us know and I will plan to be there.