Water Place Park Reviews

On any day a walk along the Waterfront is a great idea! Watch the history of the city come alive as you stroll along enjoying the beauty of the Capital City of Rhode Island!

Water Place Park is the home of Waterfire, over 80 bonfires on braziers on the water (when they have a full lighting) gondoliers, and music. It's an overall experience: the smell of wood, the water, music that surrounds the riverwalk, and roaming performers. There are different sponsors on different evenings, sometimes there are areas to learn to dance (from swing to salsa). Sometimes it gets too crowded, parking can be an issue. Elemental, dreamy, creative, invigorating.

We came to Providence to check out the waterfire show. Other than the show I wouldn't recommend the river walk unless you happen to be in the area and have nothing else to do. Not a lot of restaurants to enjoy and the ones nearby are very pricey. Not to mention many homeless people walking around. Providence in general is a huge let down. Do yourself a favor and go to newport instead!

a walking scenic area with lots of activities. Waterfire in season is an experience filled with people and attractions, food and drink, music. Very interesting.
The walk leads to (or from) the Providence Place Mall. This is a nice safe way to go out for a walk.

The river is always one of my favorite place to visit when I go to any city. We were not luck enough to come on a time that we can not see the fire and water show.

We had a wonderful night at water fire they let the city have so much fun they like the river with fun fire and a beautiful display it was so relaxing and romantic

Visited for Waterfire and I loved the music which accompanied the lighting of the cauldrons, plenty of viewing places without being crowded

Wanted a nice place to eat lunch but it was really dirty and no real places to sit. No rest room facilities either

The water place park and river walk are located in Providence's main street. You can take a walk from the Roger Williams memorial to this area and check everything in less than 30 minutes. Providence doesn't have much to see or do.

I can't believe that Providence was so ugly (the original I-95 and river-blocking roads ruined everything, coupled with the city's previous pure industry background) not so long ago and now...everyone here likes to take a walk by the beautiful riverwalk from time to time

Located right in the middle of the down town and shopping mall, the park is a nice place for a morning and evening walk along side the beautiful river.

Providence has done an amazing job on the Riverwalk. Beautifully connects businesses and activities to the river. Wonder place to run early mornings or just a stroll. If you’re lucky enough to experience Water Fire you will be in awe. Kettles of Fire on the water, opera music playing along the river walk and kayakers with kite like fish left me with a magical memory. Check the summer dates to be part Water Fire.

Waterplace Park and Riverwalk is a wonderful place for a relaxing stroll along the river with lots of nice shops and restaurants. Waterfire events are a "must see."

I just moved the location marker -- I don't know if it will stick.
Water Place Park is on the north side of the river.
It is an urban green space on a grassy hill overlooking the water.
Nice place to just stroll or rest and hang out as a break from the city streets.
Decent pub nearby across the river by pedestrian bridge.
Should be great on weekend nights for the Fire.

Its my understanding that this river was previously covered and exposured as part of the city's refurbishment in the 1990s. They did a nice job. The tiles under the bridge may be the best part. You'll get a great view of Water Place Park and the Riverwalk from the mall. But the best time to visit would be for Water Fire

The Water Place River walk is a lovely, family friendly place for a stroll. Unfortunately for us, it was November and cold and windy. We hear the fire on the water event is incredible, hope to make it back someday.

Love heading downtown in the morning when the sun is coming up. The city is quiet and the views are beautiful. Water Place Park & Riverwalk are great destinations for a peaceful walk or a if you're up for something a little more intense... Try running the stairs!

It was a gorgeous night to sit by the river and watch the sunset, but to add the Water Fire display was enchanting. The city plays music and a line of boats arrive to light bonfires all along the river. It's beautiful, you have to see it!

Water place park is great if you want to have a relaxing walk in Providence. Most of the park is quite clean and has many attractions nearby.

This is the perfect place to walk around down by the River and enjoy the views.

We came in the afternoon on the day we knew there was a WaterFire show that night. The area has been revitalized recently and has a lot of interesting views, as well as a wonderful exhibit by the Basin dedicated to the 9/11 attacks. Plenty of artwork and design work, too, associated with the RI School of Design nearby.

Perfect for strolling along the various bridges by the River and relaxing.

I was born in Rhode Island and worked during my college years at a business on South Water Street, but had not been back in at least 40 years. What a wonderful re-imagining has taken place in the interim with Water Place Park the star.

The riverwalk is nice, especially during a WaterFire night! Parking on the street is hard to come by, but there are two parking garages nearby without a ton of walking. Restaurants along the walk are more upscale, but well worth the price. Plenty of other restaurants in the Providence Place Mall and surrounding area.

You will see the reviews are pretty mixed – the waterfront area is beautiful (and safe) during the Water Fire events – other times it can be sketch. The Water Fire schedule is easy to find on the Internet, and it is really close to the commuter rail from Boston. The fire is interesting; but I love the kayakers with the fish. We found plenty of parking close by, as well as restaurants and bars.

took a morning stroll with my wife along one side of the river, many very old buildings of varied architectural styles beautiful flower plantings along the walk as well.

This is a nice stroll along the rivers in Providence. Parts of the walk cross streets and certain sides are better when you get closer to the bay. We came during the early spring so not many people were walking and no shows going on but still a nice walk and way to see the city.

I thought the lighting of fire on the river was very nice. Problem noticed, people came early for seats and late comers would just stand in front of them blocking their view. Should rope off a stand only area away from seats. It was just too crowded for me.

Nice area to enjoy the river. Very scenic. We enjoyed the stroll along the river. Wish we could have been here for the Water Fire lighting.

We were lucky to walk when the trees were flowering. Absolutely beautiful. Parking in nearby garage. We went during the day but want to go back up when the fountains light up.

scenic walk during the day.. but definitely check online for waterfire nights when the city comes to life with street performers, vendors, food, etc

We got rained out of WaterFire, but the next day had a beautiful walk up and down the riverfront! True gorgeous spot!

I think Providence could make this walk a little more appealing. It is in a great place, and Waterfire makes it better, but it could be cleaner and more inviting.

A very nice walk to do on a sunny day, the area is very clean and well presented with nice bridges and boats passing by. It is close by to the city and the train station as well as the state capitol building.

Great place to walk and take in the smells and sounds of Waterfire.

The Riverwalk is an easy, well-marked walk and there are numerous restaurants along the way.

The photos people posted sure look great but that’s not what we saw or SMELLED today…. Might have been a great place in the past but very neglected. Dirty concrete, weeds coming through pavement, no care to the foliage, no flowers, trash, dirty water. When walking through one of the tunnels it had a strong smell of urine, no lie. Seedy characters about. Felt unsafe and it was daytime! Hardly anyone there and a beautiful sunny day in the 70’s. $10 to park in the garage next door. Waste of time and money.

I would imagine when there are events going on this area would be packed, but on a warm summer night this is a nice safe area to explore. Head north to walk around the state house after traveling through the park.

What a great area. Good and safe place to walk, stop for a bite, or bring a picnic and enjoy one of the seating areas.

The Riverwalk and Water Place Park are ast the core of the city and make Providence unique among New England cities. Not to be missed.

We traveled here because a friend told us that there was a "Wall of Hope" memorial under the bridge in the park. It is there, done in tile. It was a post 9-11 commemoration and I usually avoid these only as some are less about memories and more about nationalism but this was different. These are tiles done by children and represent the future and hope and diversity, tolerance, etc…So worth going. Some are just beautiful and poignant. As well the walk around the river is nice too...

We came to Providence when the waterfront was covered over with concrete. Now we have a lovely park, excellent restaurants, and best of all - Waterfire, an urban event that's not to be missed.

We were here for the PPAC 90th year celebration, which ended at the Water Place Park and Riverwalk with a band and musical concert as well as a 5 minute full blast fire works display

Very nice water front park, a little oasis in the center of the city of Providence. This park features a bridge called the General Pershing Bridge. That connects to the Union Plaza.

Walked through here both when it was empty and when it was crowded. When it was empty it was nice to walk around an appreciate the views, the art, the bridges, and the architecture. When it was busy it was nice to see all the fun things going on and the people filled with excitement. A great downtown spot!

nice enough place for a pleasant walk. I certainly do not think it is worth a special trip but if you are in the area...worth spending some time

Lovely place for a stroll around the city of Providence. We spent a few hours walking round the city, on a walk recommended by the local tourist office. The riverwalk is a great way to see the city.

We walked along the river walk as they were preparing for the firewater event that would be taking place that evening. It was peaceful. The walk was very clean. We enjoyed the posters showing the history of the riverwalk over the centuries. We also appreciated how the volunteers took such great care as they were setting up. There seemed to be plenty of places for viewers to stand and have a place to put down their drinks and snacks while watching the event. We saw the firewater event from the Biltmore that night. It seemed like a good time.

This is a nice area. The state house is nearby and the park is a decent size. We were able to find parking easily here and there are quite a few nice restaurants around.

It was okay. Nothing great. Visited here on a Monday. It was not crowded at all. For some reason the water level was low and there were some areas of the river that was dried up! Nothing really to do here on a Monday. I guess on the weekend it would have been better.

nice place to walk around and check out historic Providence. Make sure to stop by Union Station Brewery while you are there to experience Rhode Islands oldest continually operated brew-pub.

Visited the Riverwalk before going to dinner on a warm Sunday afternoon. You can park across the street in the mall parking garage - $2 for us. Little confusing to get from parking level to street - have to go thru mall. Not many people in the area, great place to stroll, sit, take pictures.

The event was incredible, and the build up of the river area is impressive. Whether you want to take a walk by the river, or just take a seat and watch the water go by, the Riverwalk has you covered.

Waterplace Park in downtown Providence, is the culmination of a 15 year plan to move 2 rivers that ran thru downtown. Providence has been called the widest bridge in the world since it was built on reclaimed land. So when it was completed Waterplace Park was born. Riverwalk is a cobblestone walkway that circles the park. Bridges criss cross many parts of the river. This is the scene for Waterfire extravaganza. The idea was to make it look like the canals of Venice, so they now have gondola rides thru the area. Connected to Waterplace Park is an underground walkway that will take you under the Main Street above and into the central part of town. Grass, trees and flowers surround the park with the addition of a corporate office building, restaurants, and a high rise condo on the other side. If you are downtown just cross over to behind the Marriott Courtyard and to the side of Providence Place Mall. If you see Gtech building, you found it. Also check out Waterfire schedule for performances usually on Saturday nights.

A lovely walk and some stairs to do as well. Makes a great workout spot or a stroll that leads to the risd campus by the river too.

It was a lovely evening last night when hubby and I took a ride to Providence to check it out for our 28th anniversary. Very alive with a lot of people enjoying the beauty of the fire and the music that accompanied it. Pretty area and will go back again to enjoy some more of Providence when time allows.

You need to be there when they light the river on fire! As the darkness falls and the music rises, the boats pass by and light the braziers and magic ensues.

Visited for Waterfire in July, a huge crowd, it was beautiful and haunting. Avoid parking on an upper level at the Providence Place Mall, we were in line to leave for 1 hour.

This is a fantastic place to walk and look around town. You will be close to downtown and also the capital.

Nestled in downtown Providence, the park and river walk is a great place to spend a few hours with lots of restaurants and bars to enjoy. Try to see a Waterfire Illumination if possible.

The waterfront area has been done very well. There are walking and biking options along with some art sprinkled along the way. All the while you have pleasant water views.

We took a walk along the river walk on a Tuesday evening at sunset. It was very quiet with beautiful sights all along the way. We talked to The Gondoliers but did not take a trip yet! All in all just a nice scenic walk along the river. I’ll need to come back for the fire festival.

Riverwalk is a great way to get at the 'heart' of Providence. On one side is 'downtown', many fine hotels and restaurants near and on the river. On the other side is historic Providence, grand homes, Brown University, and the excellent Rhode Island School of Design Museum, in itself worth a trip to Providence.

This is a wonderful event that happens several times a year and most often in the warm summer months. It transforms downtown Providence into something very special like a slice of Europe.
It is a multi dimensional performance art. From the boats in the river restocking the fires to the street artists and food vendors.The music selections they play are very eclectically chosen from the very best of everything. When I have been there I have heard Frank Sinatra to Joe Satriani to Dead Can Dance! It is one of the very best things about Providence and reflects the variety of it's inhabitants. The smell from the fires will stay in your memory well after your visit!

During the summer they light fires on the water. It is very pretty and a good place to take an evening stroll.

Water Place Park is a great time at night to take in the sights. On the weekends there is always something to look at and to do.

Providence River is a dirty thing...don't like the atmosphere...empty buildings and homeless people and graffii next to pricey expensive restaurants... just dont like it

Waterfront park is great for walking, jogging, picnicking or lounging. It’s a very pretty area where it once wasn’t so attractive.

This was our first visit to Providence and we appreciated how walkable downtown is. Strolling in and around the park is quite pleasant. Also we liked touring the State House and reading the commemorative plaques of the memorials and history posted around the walk.

the area during the day was delightful to walk. in the evening, on water fire nights, the place is hopping. they have a ritual for lighting the water fires......several teams in boats. some of the team members perform as they glide along the river. the gondolier driver sings Italian songs as you ride under the canal brides. the acoustics are phenomenal!!

It could be better with some clean up. Litter detracts from the experience. But it is certainly a great effort for a city that restructured itself to enhance it's downtown. It was
a short walk and weather was not on my side. A good activities for families .

Yeah, not really too exciting, but I love being able to walk down by the river, and when they have the fires on the water on special weekends, it's worth going down to see it. It could be cleaner; we could have no problems in an urban environment, but hey--it's safe enough to walk around, there are some cafes and it's open and welcoming.

I used to live in the city before all the renovations, so this was a treat to actually wander around downtown, with the river rerouted through it. Not during a WaterFire (which is also another wonderful experience), it was very open and quiet, allowing for easy strolls, a little sitting and easy access to everything without needing transportation.

This is one of the favorite spots in the city of Providence, RI. Summer is the moment of the water fire, the Venice inspired water channel is enchanted by the fire coming from the artistic fountain crated along the channel per se. In this period you can take a tour with a gondola (bit too much maybe), or explore on board of a canoe since the channel is connected to the bay. Very nice walk too, as you can go form the large Providence Mall to the end of downtown, looking at building and different architecture, Brown hill to arrive to Art and Silver districts. This square is very closed (5 min walk) to the train station, so visitor can enjoy this spot right away once arrived in the city.

If you have never visited downtown Providence during Water Fire, you are missing a very nice event.
Fires light the way for gondaliers to travel through the water as etheral music fills the air. It is a great walk with all kinds of entertainment along the way. Food spots dot the area and if you want a more romantic approach to the evening, eat at one of the restaurants along the route.
I believe there are 200 volunteerers that help make this evening special.

This is a beautiful walk with or without Water Fire. See so,e of the Providence buildings while slowly walking the river.

Lovely walk along the river. Entered through a tunnel lined with tiles commemorating 9/11. Huge mall is close by. Took a small detour up into Brown University also. Very pleasant.

If you do not know what waterfire is, you are truly missing out on something that has become part of the history of this great city. Check out their website http://waterfire.org/ and make sure you go in the summer. I put their schedule into my phone and would try to go every other one. It was so much fun to walk around with my boyfriend and relax on warm summer nights. Cant wait till the first lighting on the season !

We visited Providence specifically to see the water fires. What a beautiful city! We had a great dinner at Luxe Burger which is very near by and easily accommodated our party of 17. Then we walked along the river, enjoying the street fair, performers, and the river! We had many small children with us. Note - the water fires are lit when it's dark -not right at sun down (the anticipation was great). If I were to do it again, we would go later (or without kids!), and perhaps get a hotel room in downtown Providence. That way we could enjoy the fire festivities later into the night. We saw many people picnicking along the river- that looked like a great plan too!

My phone's camera roll became cluttered with amazing shots of Providence's Water Place Park and Riverwalk after we got back to our hotel. At the Park, you'll get an amazing shot of the city's skyline and there are many stairways leading up to the streets of Providence in case you get bored. Definitely check out this attraction in the city.

was a nice walk, good picture spots,memorial was also nice to see,wish we had time to do the gondolas

My husband and I took a leisurely stroll around the river. Very pretty, safe area. Great view of the city.

If you are able to see the fire show that that would be something worth visiting. Otherwise, there really wasn't much to this place. We walked the distance and it wasn't particularly beautiful or compelling. The area could use some real work to make it a destination.
It's worth a walk through if you're in the area but I wouldn't go out of the way to make time for it.

Nice place. Needs some life and activities. Very dismal. I was visiting from NYC. Couldn’t find one thing to do here. Unfortunately. There was an ice rink few blocks away we went by look around and left.

Had an opportunity to quietly stroll the pleasant area around Waterplace Park and a good portion of the Riverwalk along the Woonasquatucket River in the heart of downtown Providence. I was particularly moved by the Hope Wall and found the informative display about the history of the river basin interesting. This is a real city asset for Providence and I'm sure festivals and events, particularly the WaterFire evenings would be enjoyably lively and lovely. I was impressed that graffiti and tagging were practically nonexistent and was surprised by how few people were strolling the area on such a pleasant end of summer afternoon.

Water Place Park is a great place for a walk right in the middle of the city, it is only a few minutes from the Amtrak station. They were building a new stage on our visit but the water and how quiet it was made for an enjoyable place to take 5.

Just a lovely walk alongside the reasonably clean river. A place very tranquil in an otherwise busy city.

We visited Water Place Park and the Riverwalk. It was unique to stroll along the waters edge and see so many people walking, laughing and enjoying themselves.

We were just there a short time but did enjoy the bridges and walkways of the Riverwalk. Sadly we arrived the day after the final FireWater show. Nearby are PF Changs, Panera Bread and other restaurants, the train station is a 5 to 10 min walk (depending on your abilities) so if you arrive for your train really early then it's a nice place to take a walk. Capitol Building is right across from the train station so it too is a place to visit. I. always enjoy when multiple things are near each other, so was delighted to realize the RiverWalk, train station, Capitol Building and restaurants are nearby!

Wonderful location to take a stroll and talk with your spouse. Nice picturesque area for picture taking. Sorry I missed the water fire show. I know it would have been beautiful.

This area of Providence is a must see for all newcomers, and is the center of city life for those who dwell here! The panoramic views, features such as, restaurants, coffee shops, canoeing, and, when waterfire is happening, simply confirm my statement!
Walking through it's pathways, is a real treat!

This is a must see!!

Situated in town and near the capitol building this recently developed area was pleasant enough. We were there on a sunday and even though a week after labour day were suprised to find everything closed. No cafes , restaurants or even street vendors about so had to go into the local mall for a coffee. Sure it will be busy in high season but disappointed it closed down so quickly

We were there for a full lighting of the Water Fires on the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landing. It was awesome! Providence gets this right. Thousands of people, dozens of vendors, great restaurants or quick bites, plenty of things to see and do and it is a beautiful river walk. We walked the length from the Providence Place Mall to Hemenway's Restaurant at the end of the string of cauldrons in the river. So much fun to watch the gondolas and other boats go by. It is easy to park, easy to get off and back onto Route 95 and a strong police presence made me feel very safe. I can't wait to go again, and would do exactly the same thing. By watching the lighting at the end of the venue, we were able to walk back along the river walk to see all of the fires.

Located in the restored downtown area, we were fortunate to see the more than 80 floating bonfires displayed during the fall exhibit. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn.

Was up labor day weekend. I did not have time to hang at the park area so I am not sure if there was any music. I did have lunch at Luxe Burger, a favorite of the JWU students. Our waiter was supper nice and cool. I can definitely recommend them for a yummy build your own burger!

Great place to walk or just sit back, chill and people watch. We love Providence and this is at the center of it all. Providence has done a great place transforming itself over the years. Proximity to the Mall, Federal Hill....etc. makes this a place to go.

I first came here in the 80’s when the river was totally covered. Now that is has be uncovered and the river can be seen it makes for a beautiful setting. You can walk or drive along the river. The park on water fire nights, pre COVID, was quite the happening spot. Not many of the restaurants around the park are still open, but hopefully in the future this area will come back. I am hopeful there will be water fire again next year. That said, even today its nice to simply admire the flow of the river. There is a pay to park lot right near the river and some metered street parking as well. It is easy walking distance from the downtown area and near many hotels.

Great stop off in Providence. Gondola rides, paddle boats and kayaking. Very close to Providence Plaza and train station.

...or a day! This area is beautiful and seems to be progressing with new beautification projects and areas to enjoy the waterfront. This was my first time to Providence and this is a great place to start!

Love when Waterfire is happening because it brings this area to life. I have also done a gondola ride there right before sunset on a weekday. Highly recommend to locals and tourists. Well worth the walk over from the mall or if one is staying in the area hotels.

See the rest of my review. In the summer you can relax on a grassy knoll with a picnic and listen to the music; enjoy the gondoliers lighting the river sculptures into pillars of fire; wander along the river bank and grab a snack.

this is a beautiful place to stroll, people watch, picnic, or rent a kayak. the stage at waterplace park often has free performances before waterfire.

This is a really nice area in Downtown Providence.
It's a nice place to take a leisurely stroll .
lots of different types of people use this area.

Beautiful, peaceful site. The water fire events are amazing, wish it happened more often. Had lots of fun for Pride events too. Perfect for Dates!

It gets super crowded but that's because the performances and music are great. The park is lovely by day and by night. Providence has done anice job.

A few times a year, Providence hosts Waterfire. It is a fun and easy way to walk around the river and do fun little outside things. The website explains the few times per year the Waterfire is lit. It is something to do to enjoy the community. If you are not part of any of the college communities, I do not know what you would do in Providence except look at the silhouette of the empty office tower against the sky.

This is a neat area of Provence. The area is clean and takes you through the Wall of Hope which was built in honor and memory of those that lost their lives on 9/11. Peaceful..

I ended up in Rhode Island somewhat unexpectedly this past week and decided to use the opportunity to explore the Providence River Walk. It made for a nice afternoon. I knew nothing about the area before that morning but having now worked my way through the heart of it I can safely say that it is worth checking out if you find yourself in Rhode Island with some time to burn. I just wish I had the chance to see it lit up at night.

Water Place Park and Riverwalk are at the center of downtown Providence. This area has helped to put Providence on the map. In the summer, on Saturday nights, there are often wood burning fires along the river. Piped in music all along the Riverwalk, adds to a lovely evening. On these nights, there are many food trucks and even entertainment. It's fun to walk around, but often very crowded. If you don't want to park in a parking lot, you might have to park a few blocks away. Nothing is far and the exercise of walking feels great. "People watching" is part of the evening's entertainment!

great walk, close to mall and downtown area. had very colorful wall which area beautiful to see. advised walk during evening but very late at night unless accompanied.

Loved Water-Fire, the music, and fire. It's an experience that you don't want to miss. A lot of people go and it gets crowded. I walked to the basin from the Hilton and took a Lyft back since it was late. I would definitely go again.

A lovely park..........................Thanks Buddy!

Went during the day in winter. I realize that’s not exactly prime visiting time but we were hoping to have a nice lunch along the river. None of the restaurants seemed to be open yet. There were some men smoking pot under a bridge. Even in sneakers the cobblestones were brutal on my feet.

The picture and written address seem to indicate India Point Park (with a quasi-bay water area), but the map point to the place where you see Waterfire (definitely an artificial river area with stuck-up "racks" to put woods on it and make fire in some occasions).
The latter is good to visit for both day and night, while the former is best for daytime (except for occasions like eclipse)

We had a bit of trouble figuring out how to get onto the Riverwalk from our location in the city. But, once we found it, it was a lovely morning walk along the river. I imagine its quite beautiful in the evening as well.

We were here on a Saturday afternoon. It may have been pretty but there were very few people there other than what looked like homeless and possibly criminal element. We did see a few policemen. Didn’t see much open, looked like some drug exchanges going on. We moved quickly to the Main Street level and walked back. This area was not family friendly at all.

Located downtown near the museums and RISD. Great for strolling along and enjoying a pleasant summers day

You get a totally different perspective of this area if you visit during the day when it's quiet and when there is an event. When it's empty you can still sit and relax and unwind in a peaceful environment, even though there isn't really anything to focus on. But if there is an "lighting event" it's a good setting for the special effects.

This beautiful urban park was created by changing the course of rivers and train tracks running through the city, and it helped usher in a true renaissance for Providence when the city needed it most. Now it’s the site of WaterFire, the city’s signature event, and a great place to visit year-round right at the heart of the city.

Picturesque walk, especially during water fire. Can be a little sketchy if alone on a quiet night. Many of the bordering restaurants are very good and offer outdoor dining.

We strolled along the Riverwalk during the WaterFire festival. It was lovely, and offers plenty of seating along the walk. The chandeliers along the walk are a nice touch, and the hand-painted tiles by local children were touching as well. We were incredibly shocked by how much marijuana was being smoked along the Riverwalk, even while so many families and children were present! Perhaps this isn't always like this, and was just during the nighttime festival.. We would recommend wearing comfortable footwear, as a long stretch of the Riverwalk has cobblestone.

We loved the Riverwalk. We also went on a Gondola ride. We were told it is more romantic without the River Fire where thousands of people stare at you and taking pictures. It was very nice but was little chilly when the wind blew and was under the bridge. When going on the rider during start of the season like in April, make sure to bring a blanket or warmer clothing. I had my lined spring coat and was still cold.
But, it was nice way of seeing the city and relaxing at the same time.

Thank you Marcello for lovely singing and in-depth history of the Rhode Island!

This is a cute area in town if you are looking to go for a quick walk. We enjoyed visiting and it was relaxing .

Lots to see...we walked 5km in an hour and covered most of the main highlights. Everything is clean and compact, lots of potential for great photos. Would be a pleasant spot in summer. People were kayaking on the canals which seems like a great way to see the city too.

The display of tiles by students after 9-11 was amazing and interesting. The gondola tours were scenic, and there were numerous kayaks using the waterway as well.

I enjoyed my walk here. It was so nice and pleasant. I'm a photographer so I got some really good shots. I hope I can go back and walk the entire thing. Beautiful

Go shopping at the Providence Place mall during the day and spend your evening strolling downtown Providence during the evening hours! They have water fires on the river and it's just absolutely beautiful!

Very nice place, there are places to eat along the river walk and Venice style gondola rides are also offered along the river walk.

We planned to see the Water Fire event and was so glad we did! There are fire pits embedded into the river where they put pieces of wood. Then boats come by and light the pits at dusk. It is very beautiful. Be prepared to walk a lot! This seems to be a popular event so there were a lot of people there. I did find that this area was NOT pedestrian friendly and the cross walks were not safe. Cars were rudely honking their horn at pedestrians trying to cross the walks. There was a lot of out door dining. We were able to catch a cab back to our hotel pretty easily. The weather in September is a perfect time to go.

I know the funding has a "dicey" story but we enjoyed walking most of it before our gondola ride and thought it was great. A few upscale places to dine but we had other plans. It was an afternoon so we felt completely safe. Yes, there were some homeless and drug addled people there but just don't engage them and you're find.

Nice walk along the river, restaurants, gondola rides, artists, displays, plenty of places to sit. Very relaxing way to spend an hour or two especially on a nice day or night. You are in for a special treat if you catch a Waterfire night!

I was walking through this park because I was going to KP to catch the bus to go home from school and I looked into the water and there were hundreds and hundreds of fish and they were huge it was a really nice experience I did not knew were they were coming from

Pretty walk along downtown. Lots of restaurants to stop along the way. Its near the mall, but other then that has no shelter so go in good weather.

If you need fresh air, want to people watch, lay on the grass, stroll or read, the Providence waterfront park is a nice place to go. Nice addition to the city of Providence

It was great to go to water fire see a lot of new things got to the owner for water fire got to walk around and see a lot of things

In an age where people want to build condominiums along rivers blocking public access, I must commend Providence preserving this tranquil space for public access. Yes, it could be more tidy, but that is a small issue. It is there for us to use. Thank you, Providence!

The concierge staff was awesome. The handicapped access room was clean and easy to use, breakfast was delicious, location was perfect 👌

Which covers a fair amount of downtown. Provides excess to many other shops and eateries along the way.

VERY quiet for being in the heart of the city. I'm thinking this might not be the case at night.

This feature is a noble attempt to make the most of the Providence River, which is more like a canal. There is a lot of concrete and stone, so the park is sterile, but it is lined with high-end eateries and perhaps in warm weather there are kiosks and muscians and crowds, which would soften the space considerably. It is, however, close to hotels and shopping.

I'd go in summer or early Fall or a warm day in Spring. But a windy day in early April was too blustery, cold and empty for anything except to see the potential on a better day.

Visited here during fire show. Thought the canal and park system were very nice. Clean and well kept. In the middle of downtown. Very charming.

Water Fire event and the canal ride was the highlight of my trip with my 3 grandsons aged 6-11-14. Can't wait to do it again.

So many places to walk around and find a place to perch yourself. Take a book, a camera or just sit and take in the sun.

Beautiful surroundings. lively with people, safe, and small enough to be accessible. Tons of restaurants and bars, nice rivers, easy parking.

Walked around and enjoyed the river. Cool stuff going on - from gondolas to bridges to plenty to see along the way. Set below street level, so a great break from busy avenues. With fewer crowds on Saturday afternoon, there were some homeless who were making camp, which might deter some.

Parking in a nearby lot is $8 for 0-30 min. That’s what we did because there was no available street parking anywhere. Walked in a loop. Beautiful. Saw a few vagrants, but they’re in every city. Quaint amphitheater with charm.

It was hot as Hades -- 97 degrees -- but we went anyway. And it was wonderful, magical and so entertaining. Schedule your trip around this stunning cultural event, if possible.

This is a unique place in the heart of downtown Providence. Special activities will happen during the summer season till some time September. For full schedule look for the updates at the water park website. It is a beautiful location to visit year around. Great location for romantic dates, good for friends and family as well.

Even in daytime, even when there is no Waterfire, Water Place Park and Riverwalk offer one of the most spectacular views of downtown Providence and Providence Place mall any time of the year.

Water Place Park is just as the name implies, a park divided by a river in the middle of downtown that allows you to forget that you are in the city. A place where you can walk, talk, and relax. If you get hungry along the way there are plenty of places to stop and eat.

the one-star review makes no sense. there's no service because it's a river walk. perhaps they're thinking of one of the many restaurants across the street? anyway, i had to write a review because the one-star review is totally ridiculous.
it's a beautiful, albiet somewhat short, walk along the river as it empties out into the bay. it is especially nice during the summer waterfires.
as the other reviewer has said, you might need to understand what it was 25 years ago to completely appreciate it. there used to be a parking lot covering the river and the city has since restored the area and moved the highway a bit further back.

This area is on the rebound from economic depression and is really worthy of a visit. It is historically significant, architecturally fascinating, and frankly one of the most interesting places I have visited since moving to the East Coast. It is a diamond in the rough. Is it a little rough around the edges, yes....but worth the trip? Hell yes. I am an architecture nerd and a total history buff and was enraptured by the aura and feeling of this collegiate area. It houses the Rhode Island School of design so there are also very beautiful people to look at. Gondolas on the river, quaint pubs and interesting restaurants. It is a small area.....maybe 10 blocks square....wear good walking shoes because you will want to do it all!!!

Beautiful area and walk that ties in nicely with a walk around the Capitol grounds. Plenty of restaurants and shopping.

We came to this place during the day on a Saturday and thought this area was a little run down. The paint was chipping off some of the railings and there was hardly anyone around. I guess it's best to come at night when there is a Waterfire show or don't bother coming at all.

Providence water fire is alluring
Canals with fire pits, gondolas, music along waterfront. Dancing in streets big band at Turks Head Bldg. Food stations. In winter the skating rink is alive with action. Fun city great restaurants Federal Hill and downtown.

great place to hang out enjoying the water, the people, and all the great food in the area...so many fun shops and restaurants

Upon our arrival, we asked the hostess at our hotel for some suggestions. She suggested Fire Water at River Place Park. It was an amazing display of fire on the water with beautiful music. Loads of families having a lovely time. A must see

I love this area, even when it’s not the summer time with the water fires. This area is just as festive in the winter time with colors and lights. Of course, the best time to do the Riverwalk is in the summer time when music can be heard throughout.

Great walking area. Plenty to see and do. The river is very inviting with its benches to sit and just watch the world pass you by.

The Water Place Park and Riverwalk has one of the most beautiful view of downtown Providence. It is a nice place for a walk or a run before sunset.

There is nothing which you can call as a view . You may walk around but that you can do it anywhere.We go in the evening might be its better in the morning.

Lovely scenic area. We stayed at the OMNI near the mall and convention center which is about a minute or two away from the park. Very close to the Rhode Island State House. I must for any photographer visiting. There were gondola boats going underneath the walkways and throughout the river, which I have read about, but unfortunately did not have the chance to experience. Seemed lovely.

Very nice place to take a mid day or early evening stroll. During Waterfire, a nighttime walk would also be nice. Like many areas of Providence, a nighttime walk can be more interactive than you want.

Mayor Cianci did a great job in revitalizing this city, and this is just one of the results. wonderfully laid out, easily accessible, and surrounded by a lot of good restaurants and bars.

I have always enjoyed the area, and tell those visiting that this is one of the must dos for our capital city.

It was nice that no one else was around. We have been to the fire water where it is packed. So we enjoyed the peaceful setting and seeing things we missed the last time

Nice, but brief walk along the river. Offered quite a bit of shade and a few opportunities to learn more about the city. We did not take advantage of the kayaks or gondola, which would have enhanced the visit, I’m sure.

A hot day but a constant breeze made it bearable - great way to get 10,000 steps in no time! Appreciated the 9/11 tiles and misc sculptures. A quick hike up a hill towards Benefit st yielded impressive views and old homes to enjoy. A very nice public space!

HOWEVER not super stroller friendly or accessible - bumpy & lots of stairs.

I work on the Riverwalkk and can't help wonder how the City managed to drop the ball on an otherwise excellent concept: The walk is pleasant enough, but there are precious few bars, cafes, restaurants, shopping opportunities... Instead, it's a slab of concrete sidewalk wandering aimlessly through... Nothing...

City planners should visit San Antonio's Riverwalk to see how it's REALLY done...

To really appreciate Waterplace and Riverwalk, you may have to have seen the area 25 years ago. But a walk through it (which takes about 20 minutes) is always delightful, even without ever having experienced the stinking ditch full of old tires and refrigerators (and worse) meandering between dirt lots and rusting weed-infested defunct rail lines.If you're a fan of urban parks, be ready for a treat. The design is well-thought out and interesting, the execution flawless, and the materials and landscaping are high-quality. And, even though it is just a few feet from one of the busiest streets in Providence, it's amazingly quiet, being sunken well below the level of the surrounding land.Plan your visit to coincide with a Waterfire lighting. Check the schedule at www.waterfire.com. Be sure to make dinner reservations well ahead of time if you plan to dine downtown on a Waterfire night. For an special treat, reserve a gondola for the hour after sunset, and have a front-row seat for the spectacle.

Providence's Water Place Park and Riverwalk was a pleasant discovery, even in the winter. I can imagine enjoying summer time dining here with the river fire and gondolas. Will return again in warmer weather to check it out when outdoor dining is open. All cities with urban waterways should try to recreate San Antonio's Riverwalk and Providence has a nice example. It's very close to hotels, the state capital, Providence Place, etc.

Waterplace park is great when waterfire is on other times it is not so nice to many panhandlers from Crossroads Rhode Island hang out there waiting until they know if they are getting a bed for the night.

Visited this location and watched the gorgeous display of fire strategically placed on the river. It’s a mesmerizing, artistic show!

It was pretty hot the few days I visited so I found it unpleasant walking around anyway, but I was surprised and disappointed at the litter that was scattered around, not what I was expecting.

We were in town for a family event and our group took the boat ride on the river. Finding the basin location to find our boat was a bit stressful because we were unfamiliar with the area, but once we got onboard, all of that stress disappeared! It was a cool night, but we enjoyed every minute! Simply beautiful to sit in the boat with my husband, teenage daughter and friends and family )12 of us in all) and enjoy the firewater and music. You can also BYOB, so many enjoyed wine during the ride. Well worth the trip and we will return to ride again!

well what a great place and it shows if a politician puts the money into taking care of his city what can be done. Now places all over the world are trying to copy this great idea of a park,waterfire,vendors,acts and music is bringing visitors and guests from all over the country and the world to downtown Providence. It is a great event when it is held and adults and kids alike are thrilled by its great appeal. when the fires are lit you can hear the people oh and ah and really enjoy the part of the night that they are there. The vendors have a great night as well and the money is spent and the economy gets a big boost. We love it there and hope to go to many more. oh if they ask for a donation.give something.

Not really my type of scenery-but that is just my opinion. it is usually windy there. It is a good place to walk, sit, bike, jog, & lay out in the sun. And some folks cookout there & set up all of their stuff too! People also walk their dogs & Fish there. There is a Ballpark field on the far end & a Boat dock on one end & a place that I believe gives boat tours of the river. You would have to check times though 1st.

I had read about Waterfire at Water Place Park and was disappointed to learn that the fires would not be lit during our visit. It seems they are lit just two nights a month. But we decided to visit the area during the day to see the canals and The Wall of Hope 9/11 memorial under a bridge. The walls are composed of tiles painted by children and adults to remember and honor those who died in the attacks of 9/11. I was particularly touched by the tiles dedicated to particular people, friends and relatives who had died in the attacks. http://www.voicesofseptember11.org/dev/memorials.php?mem_id=574
There are numerous restaurants in the area around the canals and other areas to sit and enjoy the view.

It's really hard to review this event as I do not believe there's enough adequate words to describe it. We went Oct 5 and it was in recognition of breast cancer and The Capitol was in pink. The fires on the river were beautiful and fireworks was an unexpected bonus. The time and effort put in is unbelievable as it is a free event.

No Water Fire during our stay but, it was a great area, easy to walk every where, felt very safe. We were able to get around the water area to restaurants within minutes. Next time, we need to plan for a Water Fire too!

One of the things that made our visit to Providence great and easy is the walk around the river and the community's water assets which come together for a central gathering place between the downtown commercial area and the capitol of Rhode Island. While it is a great open area to walk it appears to have seating to hold events on the water. Nothing was happening during our visit, but it did provide great views of the city. I highly recommend walking the area when you are in Providence.

Our evening began with dinner under the stars at the Pot au Feu Restaurant where they were celebrating Bastille Day (7/14) by blocking off the street and setting tables outside for a wonderful buffet dinner complete with wine and desert, all accompanied by live music.

Following the dinner, Three members of the Kentish Guards led us in a drum & fife march from the Pot au Feu to Burnside Park for a laying of a wreath at the World War II Memorial.

After the laying of the wreath ceremony, we retired to the River Walk to await the lighting of the water fire. The River Walk is the people friendly parks and walks along the Providence River that over the last 30 years of so has replaced the foul smelling, run down dump that lined the river. It is now a very beautiful and relaxing place to reflect on the positive changes people can make when they work together for the good of the community. Providence has come a long way and this spot is worth a visit, especially on one of the nights when a Water Fire lighting is scheduled (A schedule is available online). Additional events may be added throughout the seasons to coincide with other major events occurring in the capitol city.

The lighting occurs at dusk where wood filled cauldrons mounted on cement piers in the middle of the river are set a blaze with torches one-by-one all the way up to Water Place Park. The cauldrons are restocked with wood as necessary to keep the fires going past midnight. It's a very captivating visual effect that will remain with you until your next visit where it will all seem new and exciting all over again. Come, see, and enjoy!

This place is a wonderful use of public space to attract people, awesome views, Yes it could use a little cleaning Remember your in a City. The tile wall is such a great idea it is beautiful with all the childrens drawings commenting of 9/11. Well done RI,

So much potential, and a bit wasted!! Providence needs to look at what other cities have done with their riverwalks and make ours just as good! But still, nice enough place to walk and fun during Waterfire.

Beautiful setting by the river. We relaxed and enjoyed this beautiful location with locals at a free Summer concert overlooking the river. Great way to spend an evening.

We happened upon this event some years ago in its nascent stage and it has grown to become such worthwhile destination for spring and holiday. It was charming to see gondola and wine with music and street performers. The visual is gorgeous. Fire emerging from the water like magic, lighting up the entire area with a beautiful seductive glow. I agree with a previous review regarding the unsafe traffic for pedestrians. If they are able to address that it would be perfect.

Of course you have to dress for the weather. And it's always better when there is no crowd. But it's a great place to view downtown, and if you don't examine the water too closely, it's very nice. Providence needs to take better care of it, but it's fine as is.

very relaxing, clean, and scenic place to go on a run or walk, either alone of with company. It leads you to the busy part of providence all the way to risd, and then closer to brown's campus. great place

I used to live a few blocks from here and would go to take my dog for a walk. When Water Fire is not going on it's calm, peaceful, and safe (not always 100% clean, but getting there). It's a real jewel in the city