Providence/College Hill

College Hill is a district in Providence, Rhode Island. It is approximately bounded by North Main Street to the west, Williams Street to the south, Governor Street and Arlington Avenue to the east, and Olney Street to the north.

Understand

The main center for shopping, food, and drink is 🌍 Thayer Street, just off of the Brown campus.

The district gets its name from two college campuses found within its borders: Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. It is an eclectic district swarming with college students, hipsters and wanna-be breakout musicians, but is also filled with a plethora of unique things to do and see.

Get in

By bus

From Kennedy Plaza in Downcity Providence: Aside from providing in the entertainment in the form of people interaction, you can catch a multitude of buses from the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority’s (RIPTA) bus station, Kennedy Plaza. The 51, 52, 53, 54, 58, 72 and 99 lines will place you within walking distance of the district. The 35, 40, 42, 49, 78 and 92 will take you right to the heart and soul of College Hill, Thayer Street.

By train

The Amtrak Station in Providence is within walking distance of College Hill. Walk north on Gaspee Street until you reach Smith Street and take a left. Walk until you reach North Main Street, which is the western border of College Hill.

By car

From the south: take I-95 North toward Providence entering Rhode Island. Exit right onto I-195 E/US-6 E (signs for I-195/E Providence/US-6 E). Take exit 3 toward Gano St. Turn left at Wickenden St. Turn right at Hope St. and follow until you pass Power Street.

From the north: take I-95 South entering Rhode Island. Take exit 24 for Branch Ave. Turn left at Branch Ave. Turn right at N Main St/US-1 and continue to follow N Main St. Turn left at Olney St.

From the west: take US-6 East to downtown Providence. Exit onto Memorial Blvd. Turn left at Washington St. Continue onto Waterman Street.

From the east: Take I-195/US-6 west. Exit at Main Street. Right on Waterman Street.

The city of Providence and the surrounding roads are often under construction. Also, during the afternoon there can be a lot of traffic at the exit for I-195; if either of these things seem to be the case for you, consider taking exit 22A off of 95. Take a right at the light at the end of the exit ramp and follow the signs to College Hill.

Parking

There is parking at a reasonable rate at the 🌍 Providence Place Mall, which is found right off of exit 22C off of 95. The mall is within easy walking distance of College Hill if you feel like leaving your car in a more secure location.

Other than that, there is plenty of on-street and on-location parking throughout the College Hill area. If you're coming in for an evening on the town, you might not be able to find parking directly on Thayer Street, but there are plenty of neighboring streets that should serve your purpose.

Do not try to park in the area during Brown's move-in or move-out weekend (these weekends change each year, but are in early September and late May). There will be nowhere for you to park, and if you do find a spot, your car could end up as a temporary loading bay for college knickknacks.

See

• 🌍 Roger Williams National Memorial, 282 N Main St, ☎ [phone]. Daily 9AM-5PM. Except Jan-March: Closed M-Tu. The memorial is on a common lot of the original settlement of Providence, and celebrates our Freedom of Religion as first proclaimed by Roger Williams (1603-1683) and now set forth in the First Amendment of the Constitution. The memorial is set upon 4.5 acres of landscaped park and includes several interpretive exhibits about Roger Williams and his time, including a short film. Free. Free.  
• 🌍 John Brown House, 52 Power Street, ☎ [phone]. Tu-Sa 10AM to 5PM. Historic house of John Brown, a member of the Orient trade and one of the early benefactors of Brown University. The first mansion ever built in Providence (in 1768). It is available today for tours including original pieces from the Brown Estate. 
• 🌍 Prospect Terrace Park, Congdon Street (next to 48 Congdon Street). This park is the burial site of Roger Williams and contains a monument of him. It offers one of the most spectacular views of the city of Providence. 
• Providence Art Club, 11 Thomas Street, ☎ [phone]. M-F noon-5PM, Sa Su 2PM-4PM. If you appreciate art, this is probably a place you should stop by. It was founded in 1880 to increase the appreciation of art in the local community. It is home to studios, galleries, and a clubhouse, and is a popular hangout for local artists. Maxwell Mays Gallery and Dodge House Gallery are free to the public. 
• 🌍 The Providence Athenaeum, 251 Benefit Street, ☎ [phone]. Sep-May: M-Th 9AM-7PM, F Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM. This library was founded in 1753 and is listed as a National Historic Landmark. It is a member-supported library, and is free to the public regardless of whether or not you're a member. This is more than just a library: it holds many historical and cultural artifacts from the surrounding area, and is a great way to discover some of the city's history. 
• Shakespeare’s Head, 21 Meeting Street, ☎ [phone]. This building was built in 1722 by John Carter and is one of the oldest structures in Providence. It was implemented for printing the Providence Gazette. Contains a popular garden relative to the area. 
• 🌍 Ladd Observatory, 210 Doyle Ave., ☎ [phone]. Tuesday evenings. The astronomical observatory of Brown University was built in 1891. It is open to the public for viewing the Moon, planets, and stars. There is also a collection of historic scientific instruments on display. Free.  

Architecture

• Market Square - College St. & S. Main St.

• Providence County Courthouse - S. Main St. & College St. Built in 1930, the Courthouse is one of the earliest examples of architectural contextualism anywhere. The building's large mass is tastefully fragmented and detailed.

Museums

• 🌍 Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art (The RISD Museum), 224 Benefit Street, ☎ [phone]. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM; open 'til 9PM the third Thursday of every month. It was founded in 1877 as a part of the Rhode Island School of Design. Home to 84,000 works of arts from various time periods, the museum thrives on its diversity, creative and cultural expression and its consistency to open new exhibits. This museum has a variety of different styles. While it does showcase some local talent, exhibits showcasing international artists are often a big part of the museum experience. Tours are available, as are special activities for families. Adults $10 (there are student discounts), children 5-18 $2, children under 5 free. 
• 🌍 Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum, 199 Hope St., ☎ [phone]. May-October. Visit this historic mansion from the Victorian era for a chance to see some beautiful architecture and a small piece of Providence history. Today it is a National Historic Landmark and available for guided tours and even wedding receptions. Located near College Hill, this mansion includes original stained windows and stenciling which is a must see. $10. 

Churches

• 🌍 First Unitarian Church, 1 Benevolent Street Providence 02906, ☎ [phone]. Service begins at the Meeting House on Sundays at 10:30AM from the Sunday after Labor Day through mid-June and at 10AM during the Summer. This is a historic church was built in 1816.  
• Congdon Street Baptist Church, 17 Congdon Street, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. begins at 11AM on Sundays. This is a historic church built in 1874. 
• Cathedral of Saint John, 271 North Main Street, ☎ [phone]. One of the four original colonial parishes in Rhode Island, established in 1722. Church constructed in 1810. 
• First Baptist Church in America, 75 North Main Street, ☎ [phone]. This historic landmark is one of the oldest churches in the country. It has been on College Hill since 1638. The current building dates to 1775. 

Do

There is something to be said for the simple act of cruising the sidewalks of Thayer street. There's always bound to be street musicians and vendors, as well as the broad variety of individuals ranging in population from artists to intellectuals; extreme to traditional, who make for some exciting people watching to say the least. Beyond that, there are a few theaters to check out, but mostly, the area is dedicated to eating, shopping, and going out for some drinks.

If you continue up Wickenden Street, where Hope Street is on your left, you will notice there are often many street vendors selling interesting and affordable art pieces and jewelry.

• 🌍 Avon Cinema, 260 Thayer St., ☎ [phone]. A College Hill institution since the 1930s, the Avon shows independent and foreign films in its genuine Art Deco theater. It's a funky Thayer Street independent theater often showing one-two films a week. Films change every Thursday and showtimes are usually 3-4 times daily starting in the afternoon. The seats aren't as comfortable as more as newer stadium-style theaters and the picture resolution is low. Still a great time and one of the only places in the city to see independent films. Evening admission is $9.50 and matinees are $7.25. 
• 🌍 Cable Car Cinema and Cafe, 204 South Main St., ☎ [phone]. This cinema is known for mixing traditional movie theater seats with cozy couches. You can snuggle up in front of their single screen to watch independent and foreign films as well as operas and concert. Their café area, where you will find cookies and cupcakes alongside the popcorn, also stands out. The Cable Car is the home of Providence’s Annual French Film Festival. Evening admission is $9.25, but there are discounts for children, senior citizens, and students. 
• Picture This Gallery, 158 Wickenden Street. This gallery sells original artwork and prints from artists like photographer Richard Benjamin. 

Buy

Thayer Street

Thayer Street is the place to go if looking for a pleasurable and eclectic shopping experience. It is good for those who enjoy walking outside from store to store. It is also a good place to buy gifts because many of the stores sell quirky trinkets. Located near two colleges, it attracts many young adults. It could be called an “artsy” street with stores that sell, imported clothing, handmade crafts, clothes, art, housewares, and books. It has changed dramatically as years have passed, it has become much more about the restaurants than the shops, but it is still great for both. It is filled with locals and visitors.

• Army/Navy Surplus, 279 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. Offers a large selection of military clothing and camouflage attire. Carries authentic, new and used army supplies such as pocket knives. Also carries police uniforms as well as outerwear such as hats and footwear for almost every type of outdoor activity or occupation. Prices range from moderate to high according to whether items are new or used. 
• Berk’s Shoes and Clothing, 278 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. There are only two shoe stores on the entire block, and this is the ideal store for a woman on the hunt for that perfect trendy pair of shoes. They also have a small men's collection, but it is geared mostly at women. They usually always have sales, but some of their shoes can be a bit pricey. They have also expanded and now have a larger clothing section, specifically for women, which is also a bit pricey but they have some interesting pieces. 
• Brown University Book Store, 244 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. The last independent trade (Ivy League) college bookstore in the country, it offers only new books as well as Brown University merchandise. They also offer small trinkets that can make for good presents. It has a small cafe inside with tables and chairs to curl up with a good book, or one's class work and relax with a coffee. 
• City Sports, 271 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. Carries various types of sports apparel and equipment accommodating almost every lifestyle and sport. 
• Details Clothing, 277 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. Offers a wide variety of inexpensive jewelry ranging in price from $5 to $40. Also specializes in leg ware such as stockings and leg warmers with all items under $40. 
• Pie in the Sky, 225 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. M-Tu 11AM-6PM, F 11AM-8PM. Specializes in sterling silver jewelry and semi-precious stones. This store also offers a mix of decorative items such as candles, incense and jewelry boxes. Prices for items are generally moderately priced ranging from $5 to $400. 
• Shades Plus, 281 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. This unique shop specializes in classic party favors and novelty items. Some items include Magic 8 Balls, yo-yos, snow domes, wind-up chattering teeth and gummy rats, whoopee cushions, and joy buzzers. Also offers moderately to higher priced TV collectibles such as stickers and lunchboxes. Stocks hundreds of different Pez dispensers, Hello Kitty and friends collectibles, Sailor Moon and novelty candy. It is the ideal shop to buy a gag gift or something overtly crude for someone. They also carry an extensive and interesting sunglasses collection, it is a great spot to find a pair of sunglasses that you will see no one else wearing. Also carries high-end hair care products and sunglasses averaging from $50 to $200. 
• Spectrum, 253 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. Features clothes, jewelry, books, incense, and gifts meant to enhance well-being. Many of the products are imported from Asia. Those looking for exotic, handmade clothes, tapestries, and jewelry would enjoy this store. It carries quite a variety of odds and ends, but it is very interesting. Do not go in if you do not like the smell of incense. The man who owns it is usually always at the cash register, he is very personable and always interested in having conversations with the people that come into his shop. 
• Second Time Around, 294 Thayer Street, ☎ [phone]. If the Salvation Army and Goodwill are what come to mind when you think “consignment” or “secondhand,” think again. Second Time Around carries the kind of items women wish their mothers and grandmothers saved for them, like vintage Hermes scarves, Chanel suits, and Burberry trench coats. 
• Urban Outfitters, 285 Thayer St., ☎ [phone]. 10AM-9PM. Urban Outfitters which is a nationwide retailer is where you can find some of the most innovative clothing inspired by contemporary music and art. Clothing is always very trendy and unique and a must see for any fashionista. They have a Women's and Men's department and offer clothing, furniture, shoes, accessories, and gadgets. $. 
• ZuZu's Petals!, 288 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. Voted best for party dresses in 2005 by Rhode Island Monthly, ZuZu's carries casual dresses, accessories and seasonal items. Some of the designers that ZuZu's carries include: Nicole Miller, Betsey Johnson, BCBG Max Azria, Milly, Shoshanna, Rebecca Taylor, Laundry by Shelli Segal, Susana Monaco, and Maria Bianca Nero. 
• Berk’s Shoes & Clothing, 272 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. Definitely works for the ladies with their selection of flats, heels, boots and everything in between. They have a small section for the gentleman; guys, if your girlfriend is walking in here, get your official pocketbook holder jersey on. You’ll need it. 
• Shades Plus, 281 Thayer Street, ☎ [phone]. The permanent menagerie of rubber ducks in the window should be a clue that this place doesn’t take itself too seriously. Fake cigars and cigarettes, adhesive moustaches, Hello Kitty wallets, Japanese treats like Ramune soda and Pocky, and edible underwear are just some of the weird things you’ll find here. It may not be the kind of stuff you need but it will certainly be stuff you want. 
• Pleasant Surprise, 297 Thayer Street, ☎ [phone]. A quirky shop that stocks a range of eclectic items, from Baconnaise and Bob Marley posters to vintage Pam Am bags and novelty ice cube trays. 
• NAVA, 281 Thayer Street, ☎ [phone]. NAVA stands for New And Vintage Apparel, which is exactly what you’ll find, along with accessories and housewares. 
• Brown University Bookstore, 244 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. If you ever happen to be cavorting around Brown University and you think to yourself, “Hey, I really wish there was place around here I could grab a book and a drink, throw on my Brown sweater and contemplate the world and its ills,” stop in at the University Bookstore. There’s sure to be plenty of rich students doing the same. 
• Parla Di Amore, 297 Thayer Street, Floor 2, ☎ [phone]. 
• Urban Outfitters, 285 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. This is a chain, but if you're looking for some more popular (or, as it may be, generic) threads or quirky gifts, check this place out. 
• Army & Navy Thayer Street, 279 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. A great place to find cheap t-shirts, bags, coats, you name it. Some rare finds are to be had as well. 
• City Sports, 271 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. 

Elsewhere

• Marc Allen Clothiers, 200 S Main St, ☎ [phone]. This is for the men who want to walk into an office and have people say, “I thought he was just the intern, but he must have gotten a promotion.” Yeah, those guys. 
• Mod Mama, 16 South Angell Street, ☎ [phone]. If those Wal-Mart strollers don’t suit your way of life, walk that bundle of joy in here and get them situated in a fly carriage that all the kids in the playground are sure to be jealous of. 
• Bedlam, 183 Angell St, ☎ [phone]. Your one-stop shop for goth, fetish, punk, industrial and renaissance clothing... if you’re into that sort of thing. 
• College Hill Bookstore, 144 Waterman St, ☎ [phone]. If the Brown bookstore just isn't for you. 
• Red Carpet Smoke Shop, 108 1/2 Waterman St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Tibet Gift Shop, 112 Waterman St, ☎ [phone]. 
• La Femme Boutique, 112 Waterman St # 1, ☎ [phone]. 
• Ethnic Concepts, 335 Wickedon St. Small tobacco shop. You will find t-shirts, glass pipes, guitars, posters, and variety of tobacco products. 
• Eastside Marketplace, 165 Pitman Street, ☎ [phone]. 8AM-10PM. Eastside Marketplace is a local grocery store owned by residents of the east side of providence. The place has fresh local meats and produce as well as organic foods. The selection of organic foods is very popular with customers. The market also serves free coffee to shoppers. Eastside Marketplace also serves hot food, which is cooked and prepared right in the store. Customers can stop in the cafe section of the store and enjoy a meal and buy a cup of coffee. 
• Curiosities, 460 Wickedon St. Tiny antique shop with an array of different antiques. Keep your eye open because a lot of the stuff is scattered. They have many old cameras. 

Eat

With the great diversity of college students roaming the area, College Hill is bound to be filled with some great restaurants, the best of which can be found on the infamous Thayer Street.

• Andreas Restaurant, 268 Thayer Street, ☎ [phone]. M-Th 11AM-1AM, F-Su 9AM-2AM. Offers some of the only authentic local Greek/American cuisine. The menu consists of souvlaki's and other traditional Greek cuisine but often with an Americanized twist. The burgers are particularly sensational as are the expansive salads. For those that are interested in something new, try the saganaki flambe (read flaming cheese). After 10PM the kitchen closes and Andreas caters to late night drinkers while maintaining a bar menu. Entrees range from $8-22. 
• Antonio’s Pizza, 258 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. A popular pizzeria chain that features pizza by the slice in almost 40 unique varieties, including chicken quesadilla and tortellini. Reasonable prices, offers $1 cheese slices late at night which is awesome for nights after too much drinking. It is always full of college students, and can be very busy at lunch time and late at night. 
• Kabob and Curry, 261 Thayer Street, ☎ [phone]. M-Th 11AM-10:30PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11:30AM-10PM. If the delicious smell of Indian food doesn’t draw you in, the brightly colored dining room most certainly will. A decades old local institution providing both standard and original fare. Voted the best Indian food in Rhode Island. Takeout and delivery available. Meals $11-16. 
• Shanghai, 272 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. Su-W 11AM-11PM, Th-Sa 11AM-midnight. A popular restaurant on the East side; Shanghai serves Chinese/Vietnamese style fresh cuisine. There are two sides to the restaurant, one side offers a casual side for take out, and the other side is great for a fancier night out. Good to have a night out with friends. Available for delivery. 
• East Side Pockets, 278 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 10AM-midnight. East Side Pockets has excellent falafel, served in pockets, in salads, or alone, along with a range of other Middle Eastern pocket fare. Vegetarian and vegan options. Pockets are less than $7. Take out or counter seating. 
• Tealuxe, 231 Thayer Street, ☎ [phone]. Weekdays open 8AM to 10PM; weekends open 10AM to 11PM. This is one of the most relaxing stores on Thayer Street. Tealuxe is a specialty tea shop that offers over one hundred different brews from around the world, by the cup or the kettle. It is a customary gathering place for many of the artistic college students in the area and serves as a place that many will go with laptops and study or relax with friends after a long day. This means that during classes and just towards the end of the class day is when the store is the most packed. The shop also sells various exotic teas, such as the Queen Victoria brew which consists of rose petals and various other ingredients, by the gram. The prices are great, fitting a college student’s budget well. The shop is a tea drinker’s heaven, offering not only the tea itself but a variety of teapots and accessories to use when you bring their delicious mixtures home. 
• Cafe Paragon/Viva, 234 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. Sunday Brunch 10AM-3PM, M-Th 11AM-1AM, F Sa 11AM-2AM, kitchen closes for exclusive drinking at midnight. Acceptable Italian/American fare for lunch but truly lacking in an original dinner menu. As a late night lounge is where the Paragon/Viva spaces excel. Paragon takes the role of a pub after midnight while Viva becomes a dance club. Some of the best drinks and bartenders on Thayer St, but expect to pay for them. 
• Better Burger Company (BBC), 215-217 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. BBC is a great place to get burgers, fries, shakes and more. It's a great hang out place where you can sit down and enjoy a cold beer. The place has a really great atmosphere and the staff is very friendly. Unlike its rival Johnny Rocket's, BBC is a very modern establishment. There is indoor seating but customers also have the option of eating outside. 
• FroyoWorld, 219 Thayer Street, ☎ [phone]. A New England-based, self-serve frozen yogurt chain with over 30 flavors on rotation. You can top your “froyo” with fresh fruit, candy and cereal and eat it while you watch one of the Disney movies that is on loop on the flat-screen TV above the cash register. 
• La Creperie, 82 Fons Aly, ☎ [phone]. Awesome little hole in the wall, where you can get tasty dinner and dessert crepes as well as smoothies for fairly cheap. Also, their late night hours are a big plus. 
• Geoff's Superlative Sandwiches on Benefit St, 163 Benefit St. #1, ☎ [phone]. 8AM-9PM daily. A family-owned sandwich shop where you will find the food a tad on the expensive side, but worth it for the quality of their products and the non-commercial atmosphere. 
• Kabob and Curry, 261 Thayer Street, ☎ [phone]. An Indian restaurant with many vegetarian/vegan, gluten-free, and halal dishes. If you have an iPhone and are interested in ordering takeout, you can do so with the restaurant’s free app. Kabob and curry features an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet on Sundays from 11:30AM-3:30PM. 
• Nice Slice, 267 Thayer Street, ☎ [phone]. The best place to go for a huge variety of pizzas, from a traditional, stringy cheese slice to a southwestern-style pie. Nice Slice is a great pizza place on Thayer Street, with unique and delicious pizza offerings, including a wonderful vegan cheese pizza. The atmosphere is fun and funky, making it a favorite among college students! 
• Antonio's Pizza, 258 Thayer St., ☎ [phone]. Su-Tu 11AM-midnight, W-Sa 11AM-2AM. Located next to RISD and Brown, expect to see college kids here 24/7. This “pizza by the slice” restaurant is great if you want a quick fix and a big slice of New York style pizza. Serves funky pizza creations as well as the original classics for cheap. 
• East Side Pocket, 278 Thayer St., ☎ [phone]. 10AM - 1AM and 2AM depending, except for Su (10PM). A Middle Eastern and vegetarian food joint where you can order up some gyro, falafel, and kabobs, or some fries and wings if you want. Nothing on the menu is over $8. 
• Shanghai, 272 Thayer St., ☎ [phone]. Decent Chinese food with a half take-out and half sit down set-up. 
• Sushi Express, 283 Thayer St., ☎ [phone]. Fresh sushi to go and bubble tea too! 
• Au Bon Pain, 223 Thayer St. #1, ☎ [phone]. The typical French-chain cafe is like a bakery and a sandwich shop in one. The food is good and the prices are decent. 
• Z Bar. If you are looking for a more sophisticated evening check out Z Bar, on the corner of the first major intersection. The menu features a mix of small appetizers perfect for a happy hour drinks, to dinners of roasted chicken, filet and spicy pastas. The meals range from $8 to around $35. This is also a great place for drinks. You can sit inside at the bar which features cool dimmed lighting and indie music or outside on the lighted patio. 
• George’s Deli, 167 Ives Street. Good sandwichs at a decent price. They use quality fresh ingredients. Look at the special sandwiches you can always find something that is refreshingly innovative that tastes good. 
• Redstripe, 465 Angell st. A French bistro with an interesting menu. Fine wine to Colt 45 40oz. A lot of the food is made from scratch. Their most interesting menu item is a grilled cheese made with bellpaise cheese and pear finished off with pesto. Fair prices. 
• Bagel Gourmet, 250 Brook St. Breakfast sandwiches that are quick yet not made in a microwave. Large selection of juices. Homemade cream cheese and fresh bagels. 
• United BBQ, 146 Ives St. Slow-cooked meats that have tons of flavor. Good country style southern meal. They deliver as well. 
• George’s Deli, 167 Ives Street. Good sandwichs at a decent price. They use quality fresh ingredients. Look at the special sandwiches you can always find something that is refreshingly innovative that tastes good. 
• Sharks, 272 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. Across from Shanghai Restaurant. They serve fresh sushi, grill, and hibachi style foods. The restaurant is known for its out of the norm interior design, shocking most customers upon entrance. As you enter the main dining room you are presented to a different and exotic atmosphere, welcomed by a 2000-gallon acrylic saltwater shark tank, living quarters of three live sharks. Also offering in and outdoor seating for those who come alone, and those with a party for two or more. 
• Meeting Street Café, 220 Meeting Street, ☎ [phone]. In the mood for a cookie the size of a hubcap? Meeting Street Café is the place for you! You can enjoy your giant cookie with one of their many salads, sandwiches, and soups, too. BYOB. 
• Byblos, 235 Meeting Street, ☎ [phone]. Voted Best middle eastern restaurant and best burger in Rhode Island for 2006. The Providence Byblos serves authentic Lebanese foods and hosts a Lebanese Hookah Lounge on the second floor open M-Th 7PM-1AM and F Sa until 2AM. Contains two full bars and two floors, and option of sitting inside or out. Enjoy over 30 flavors of hookah and even mix some of your favorite flavors. 
• La Creperie, 82 Fones Aly, ☎ [phone]. M-Th 10AM-midnight, F 10AM-2AM, Sa 9AM-2AM, Su 9AM-midnight. La Creperie specializes in crepes and offers affordable plates, wraps and smoothies. Tough to find from the street sometimes, but worth looking for. Easiest to find if you look between Au Bon Pain and BBC. 

Drink

Cafes

• Tealuxe, 231 Thayer Street, ☎ [phone]. 10AM-10PM. A tea bar and café boasting over 100 types of loose-leaf tea, bagged as you order: they have a big enough selection that there's something for everyone, even those who traditionally don't like tea. Plenty of cozy seating including stools at the window where you can sip your iced or hot tea and watch people walk by. 
• Blue State Coffee, 300 Thayer Street, ☎ [phone]. M-F 7AM to 11PM, Sa Su 8AM to 11PM. A politically driven café that supports (and sells) fair trade coffee with quirky names, hosts open mic nights, and also donates 10% of their charities and causes that support the Democratic ideal, and even lets customers vote on where the money should go. Definitely not the place to go to voice your support for Republicans. 
• Providence Byblos, 235 Meeting St, ☎ [phone]. Su-Th 3PM-1AM, F Sa 3PM-2AM. A lounge and hookah bar with over 20 different flavors of hookah available, comfortable seating, as well as traditional Lebanese food and snacks, it's a great place to spend some time. 
• Starbucks, 218 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. Want to embrace your inner hipster and enjoy a nice cup o' joe but find some of the other selections in the area a bit too hip for your tastes? Not to worry, there's a Starbucks to be found as well. Pour your mochacchino into a Tealuxe cup and no one will doubt your street cred. 
• Malachi’s, 134 Ives St. Large selection of coffees. They also have smoothies, lattes, etc. Friendly service. Half-price refills if you save your receipt. The food is worth checking out. Bagels, breakfast sandwiches, soup, and vegetarion options. 
• Tea in Sahara, 69 Governor St, ☎ [phone]. A relaxing place to drink tea, coffee, and smoothies among authentic Moroccan crafts and décor. You can also order paninis for eating and hookahs for smoking. 

Pubs

• Spats Restaurant and Pub, 182 Angell Street, ☎ [phone]. Sure you can just order a pint of beer of beer at Spats, but why bother when you can order it in a 180-ounce vessel? You can compromise with a 60-ounce pitcher or a 100-ounce tube, too. 
• English Cellar Alehouse, 165 Angell Street, ☎ [phone]. There is something for everyone in this basement bar, which has over 200 beers from around the globe on rotation. Enjoy your pint while watching soccer on one of the flat screen TVs or over a game of pool. Trivia starts every Sunday at 8PM. 
• The Wild Colonial Tavern, 250 S Water St. Wide variety of quality craft beer. They have two dart boards and a pool table. Expect to wait to play darts on a busy night. The atmosphere is fun and the building is set in an old basement. 
• The Hot Club, 575 South Water St. The outside bar overlooks the water, which is nice in the summer. Decently priced drinks, featuring $2 Gansetts. 

Night life

• Fat Belly's Irish Pub, 125 Canal St. Located in the second oldest industrial building in the U.S., overlooks the Waterfire canal. 
• Olives, 108 North Main St, ☎ [phone]. Dining: Tu-Th 5PM-1AM, F Sa 5PM-2AM, Su 5PM-9PM; bar: noon-1AM. Restaurant, martini bar, and nightclub. Ages 21-plus after dinner. Drink menu includes 65 different martinis, ranging from $7 to $9. 
• Tantric, 1070 North Main St, ☎ [phone]. Features include Red Carpet Thursdays, $2 Corona and shots. Dance floor, Hip Hop and R&B music. Admission to Tantric is usually $10. 
• Karta Bar, 284 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. Su-Th 11AM-1AM, F Sa 11AM-2AM. Upscale lounge on Thayer. Exceptional drinks with excellent Mojitos and Caipirinhas. House music is piped across an open floor plan that opens up onto the street during the warmer months. Is crowded for most of the day but after midnight the lounge really heats up. Its dim lighting and black leather seats give it an elegant feel. 
• Viva (Paragon), 234 Thayer St, ☎ [phone]. M-Th 11AM-1AM, F Sa 11AM-2AM, Su brunch 10AM-2PM. Popular with RISD and Brown students. Tables are cleared at 11PM to create a dance floor, DJ spins hip-hop and dance music. Features extensive wine list, bottled and draft beer list, variety of champagne and martinis. Can get quite crowded on weekends, plan on arriving before 1AM to guarantee a spot inside. 

Sleep

While there are no major hotels to be found in College Hill, there are many places to sleep that are within easy walking or busing distance from the district.

• Courtyard By Marriott Providence Downtown, 33 Exchange Terrace, toll-free: [phone]. Diverse meeting space with all natural light. Decent location in Providence for restaurants, entertainment, shopping, and historical sites. $159-239. 
• Old Court Bed & Breakfast, 144 Benefit St, ☎ [phone]. This 11-room bed and breakfast is decorated with memorabilia from the 19th century. Each room has a private attached bathroom. Prices range from $115-199, depending on the season. 
• The Hotel Providence, 311 Westminster Street, toll-free: [phone]. Within easy walking distance to both College Hill and the Downcity arts district; this hotel has kept a turn-of-the-century New England feel and is on the National Register of Historic Places. If you're looking for a place to stay that embodies the historic feel of Providence, this is your place. $205-359. 
• Renaissance Providence Hotel, 5 Avenue of the Arts, toll-free: [phone]. Claims to be a hotel that celebrates the arts and inspires people to reveal the artist within. Has a sense of refined elegance and includes a great restaurant: Temple Downtown. Definitely a great place to stay, and it isn't too full of itself, considering the location and theme. $179-309. 
• Wings and Things, 250 Brook Street Providence R.I., ☎ [phone]. Wings with 20 different sauces, 1/3lb. Angus burgers, wraps, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and 5 kinds of fries. Eat-in or Take-Out and Deliveries. 

Connect

• Brown University Library There are nine libraries spread throughout the Brown campus: for individual hours and locations call +1 401 863-BOOK. While the wireless internet is only free for Brown students, many of the libraries have computers hooked up to the internet that anyone can use.
• Au Bon Pain, 223 Thayer St, [phone]. Free wireless in the building, though they request you don't take up a table just for using the internet during lunch hours (a neat trick is to keep refilling your coffee or beverage, as long as you're eating or drinking something they don't care). Plenty of snacks and healthy fare to munch on while you're surfing the net.
• Starbucks Coffee, 218 Thayer St, [phone]. Wireless internet is free if you're a T-mobile customer. If not, there are a couple of options: if you are a 'Bucks junkie and have the Starbucks card and use it at least once a month, wireless is free. If you don't, they offer paid internet at a rate of $3.99 an hour.
• Tealuxe 231 Thayer Street, [phone]. The wireless is free, but if you go during finals expect the bandwidth to be sucked up by Brown, RISD, PC, and JWU students cramming with a bubble tea.