Deluise Bakery on Chalkstone In Providence. But I give props to La Salle for their Led Zeppole t-shirts.

All I'm saying is Be Careful What You Wish For. Ask Austin, TX. The people I know who used to love it there have moved. Tourists and hipsters ruined it for a lot of those who made it a special place.

Providence is a special place. I'm not a native. I CHOSE to live here. I own property, pay taxes, pick up trash, connect with my neighbors and communities, I try to volunteer in every one of our 25 neighborhoods, every year. I support local music, local art, local farmers, local artists.

You could buy a t-shirt or artwork from a like minded local artist. Check them out Milk Can Industries here

https://milkcanindustries.com/products/providence-weird-since-1636

Also, there's a "movement" to Keep PVD Secret, which I support, too. You can pick up merch at Frog and Toad. I got a nice cocktail glass with the logo.

https://www.frogandtoadstore.com/keep-pvd-secret-t-shirt.html

Also, if you like Frog and Toad, look for their Tuesday, Online only sales. You order online and pick up in store.

And above all, don't tell the tourists. Send them to Gregg's or the mall or something. I avoid touristy place like the plague. Even before we had a plague (pandemic). 😎

I like walks, with stops for coffee, pizza or tacos. I start at the Pedestrian Bridge. There are great walks in all directions. Full disclosure, I might stop for a beer, but most of the time it's coffee or grabbing a slice to eat outside.

The Hope Farmers market on Saturdays and Providence Flea are good all year round, but are even better outside (May to Oct, I think).

I love Aleppo Sweets, but go for the savory dishes and get a pot of the special teas. Possibly the best, or at least most unique restaurant that doesn't serve alcohol.

I also like BYOB places. Bring a bottle if you like or don't bring a botte. Noodles 101 on Ives is such a place.

I recently celebrated my birthday at Lamei Hot Pot. Take your time here. Soup is good for the soul. They do have drinks - and I enjoy a good drink - but was perfectly happy with tea. We went to Moniker Brewery after for one beer, which was perfect.

Everything in moderation, as they say...

I wish they turned at least one of the Benny's into a Benny's Bar - serving all the quirky local foods, local brews, and RI themed cocktails.

There are also beach cleanups through Clean Ocean Access and Save The Bay. I've volunteered with both, and they are fine (nonprofit) organizations.

Here's a short article with info. https://www.rimonthly.com/cleanups/

Go help Cozy Rhody! They're well organized and very active. Lots of young people (or at least younger than me), which I think bodes well for the future.

Here are all their socials...

https://linktr.ee/cozyrhody?fbclid=PAAaZVX40iYF2IkCT-okNgC6HQTI_tSwDHOTcIWEGtmpODoXEAq3BEzUX1N6k

In theory, the RI State House lightings should be available on their website. In practice, not so much.

https://dcamm.ri.gov/dcamm-services/ri-state-house-dome-lighting

The nonprofit suggestions so far are good. But I'm also a fan of "Buy Nothing" groups. Join your local group and offer them to neighbors.

Most buy nothing groups are hosted on Facebook, if that works for you. I joined my neighborhood group and have both given and revieved free items.

https://buynothingproject.org/

I like walking around Fox Point. Start at the Pedestrian Bridge (free), and walk up Wickendon. There will probably be some food trucks nearby.

Browse at Nostalgia, a fun vintage shop. Go upstairs and downstairs.

Grab a slice at Felinis (NY style) or Pizza Marvin (Sicilian). Or grab tacos outside on Ives St.

Walk over the highway bridge to Fox Point Park, and up to Narragansett Brewery. Some good beers on tap. Not your father's gansett.

The Farmers Market on Saturdays and The Flea are both free. Food trucks, coffee and even beer and spirits are close by. Both are held inside at Farm Fresh RI on Sims Ave. They're held outside during the warmer months.

https://www.farmfreshri.org/

Check to see if there's an exhibit at Waterfire Arts Center. They're generally free, but accept donations.

https://waterfire.org/about-the-waterfire-arts-center/

The venues are a couple of minutes apart. You can even walk if you like.

Go to a planetarium show there. It's really cheap, and very relaxing.

It's also free to walk around the whole park.

Captain's Catch on Mineral Spring, just over the N Prov line (across from Lowe's).

It's only take out and only Friday. Available all year.

I always get some original stuffies to take and bake. My favorite anywhere, including seafood restaurants.

I request Los Andes for my birthday every year. I've never been disappointed.

People might remember JP Harris when he lived and performed in and around New England. I think he may have lived in PVD for a while.

Anyway, he has a great song about Q. Take a listen on the You Tubes.

https://youtu.be/LakXBZ1vZgo

My biggest pet peeve is that many people don't understand 4-Way stops.

It's especially annoying when riding a bike. I know the rules and I follow them. Don't stop to let me go. Do your job. I'll do mine.

Oh wait. Don't take a left turn that blocks traffic! If you have a line behind you and no opening in sight, bite the bullet and go straight. It will take you an extra minute, but save several fellow drivers several minutes - each.

I'd suggest looking through some of the similar threads here. There's some great info out there, already.

I like walking, as suggested above. I start near the Pedestrian Bridge. From there, you can do the river walk or Benefit Street or Fox Point or the Jewelry District.

If here on Saturday, go to Hope Farmers Market. If here on Sunday, go to The Flea, and the RISD museum (free on Sundays).

Get a coffee, get a slice of pizza, get a beer or get a cocktail, depending on your tastes.

I did all that 10 years ago, and ended up buying a house here. I've never regretted that move.

I believe that there is a Maine rest stop nearby. So you can visit both in one exit. I love a good rest stop on a long road trip.

Nice. I've never seen it from above. But I was lucky to visit when the store was there. I don't use them to navigate in my car anymore, but I still have several Delorme atlases.

I met lots of great neighbors through volunteering. There's a Cozy Rhody group that picks up trash. The PNPP.org plants trees in spring and fall. You can volunteer at theaters, like Wilbury, and get to see a show for free.

I met some good friends through Meetup. Join groups that interests you. There's a great beer group, a few great hiking groups, etc.

Get a dog. You'll meet plenty of people if it's an approachable dog. I take mine for walks in my neighborhood, and to the Hope Street Farmers Markets.

Go to The Flea and farmers market. They're free to browse. Lots of good people there.

I don't go to Nick's on Fri or Sat. The crowd is more respectful on Tuesdays. Maybe older, too. Marty is an A-list bass player, and only invites other A-listers. I think we're incredibly lucky that he chooses to play there.

Sunday afternoons are pretty chill. Drummer Max Goldman runs a good show.

Both are also nice guys, too. Tip the band and say hello.

Once you realize that Q is the 45th letter of the alphabet, it all starts to make sense.

Tuesday nights at Nick-A-Nee's. Music 8ish. Run by RI Music Hall of Famer Marty Ballou. Taco Tuesday specials are limited, but really good. "A heavenly dive bar". The best. Don't tell anyone.

Also, 4th Sundays at Nick's. 4-7pm. Great time slot, if you asked me.

The Royal Bobcat Wed nights. Very cool cocktail bar. Speakeasy vibe. Don't tell anyone.

Courtland Club. Google it.

Keep an eye out for exhibits at the Waterfire Arts Center. Most are free (donations accepted) or you can support them by buying merch in the gift shop.

I went to both the earth and the moon exhibits, which were very cool. Here's the description of the Earth exhibit.

The earth sculpture was compiled by real photos, so there's no markings and lots of clouds.

https://waterfire.org/events/planet-earth-the-environment-and-our-future/