Staying in Seekonk to see downtown Providence: feasible?

Submitted by pomodorosapwm t3_yziokj in providence

I've always wanted to see Providence, and I have an opportunity coming up to do so (driving from Maine morning of 1st day, driving back afternoon of 3rd day). I'd wanted to book a couple nights in a downtown motel and just walk all over.

I have, however, a discount at a motel in Seekonk. The motel's safe & clean, and there's over $120 difference in pricing for the stay, which does make a difference to me. The problem is that I understand parking is a problem in Providence.

I'm looking to see stuff like downtown architecture, Benefit St., Federal Hill, etc. Am I setting myself up for trouble if I try to see downtown & some of the surrounding neighborhoods without downtown accommodations? If it's a matter that I can't park just right by where I want to walk and will have to park several blocks away, that's fine (safety permitting, of course); after all, I'm here to walk all over. But if safe parking is too much of a hassle, then perhaps I am setting myself up for failure here.

I'm looking to get one good solid day of sightseeing in (the 2nd day; I might head by Newport etc. while I'm down there).

Thanks in advance for any help.

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Comments

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katieleehaw t1_ix0aq8k wrote

Parking isn’t a problem in Providence in my experience.

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MissChampy t1_ix06jmk wrote

Parking is not a problem if you don't mind paying. Rhode islanders don't understand you pay to park in cities. And everything you want to see is walkable in downtown. Park near Westminster St and enjoy the city. There's a bus you can grab to get to College Hill area if you want to explore Brown and Risd an not climb the big hill.

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XanderScott95 t1_ix055ku wrote

If you look for the Roger Williams National Memorial Park on North Main Street, you will find free parking for 3 hours, with much of what you're looking for in walking distance for that time. The State House, Brown University and Downtown are all in the immediate area.

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skape22 t1_ix0deee wrote

Benefit street park there the whole day its fine

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iCaligula t1_ix1pljg wrote

Do this for free parking! You can walk anywhere you need to get from there.

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els1988 t1_ix0aj5e wrote

This should be doable. Seekonk really isn't too far from Providence. The downtown area of Providence is fairly compact. Get a coffee at Bolt Coffee for your walk if they are open when you are in town.

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Hot-Muscle-9202 t1_ix48prm wrote

You can park for free at the state offices. The gates are always open these days, even during the work week. Technically the address is 3 Capitol Hill, but for some reason, it doesn’t always register on GPS. But you would look for the Department of Health and quickly see the biggest parking lot for the state right there.

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Zestyplank t1_ix0hn8x wrote

Totally doable. The parts of Seekonk closest to East Providence will get you to downtown Providence in 10-12 minutes. Parking shouldn’t be too bad.

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mdurg68 t1_ix222kq wrote

Before I moved here I stayed in Seekonk a lot and worked downtown. It’s a short and easy drive. Maybe too cold now, but in the fall my nephews were in town wanted a “tour” so I parked near the pedestrian bridge and we took scooters around. It’s really not too hard to park downtown and walk wherever. You may need to park downtown and do your thing, then maybe move the car up to Federal Hill if your going there too.

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