Stroll down one of Rhode Island’s scenic streets and you will soon find yourself reminded of a bygone, colonial era. While the state is filled with cutting-edge universities, forward-thinking companies and even top-shelf restaurants, the region’s history is still evident with breathtaking mansions sitting on cliffs and a variety of beautifully restored historic hotels.
Rhode Island has a little more than 1 million residents statewide, most residing in Newport and Providence. Each city has its own special charm, Newport with its harbor and mansions and Providence with its institutions of higher learning and stellar meeting venues.
Regardless of its size, groups can find everything they are looking for in Rhode Island.
Newport
Surrounded by water on three sides, the city of Newport is incredibly picturesque. Upon arriving in town, make sure to head straight to the Newport Harbor, grab a cup of coffee and watch the sailboats float by—it is a recipe for immediate relaxation.
The city of a little more than 80,000 residents is steeped in colonial history, evident in its famous Gilded Age mansions, all surrounded by Versailles-esque manicured gardens and perched on ragged cliffs overlooking the water. In addition to its rich history, the community has long stood as a sailing port, even acting as host for the America’s Cup from 1930-1983
"We are a very famous port," says Tim Walsh, vice president of sales for the Newport & Bristol County CVB. "It has really made us an international city. A lot of foreigners come here for a true New England experience. On any given night, you can go into a restaurant and find yourself sitting next to someone from the U.K, South Africa or even Asia. It makes it a really exciting place to live."
Newport is divided into several neighborhoods. According to Walsh, Bannister’s Wharf is the unofficial downtown and is filled with clubs, shops and restaurants. Over on Lower Thames Street, the former industrial shipping hub has now been converted into eclectic galleries and inviting shops. Then there is Brick Market Place, which is a shopping mecca of more than four acres of boutiques.
Beyond its inviting neighborhoods, Newport’s culinary scene is "absolutely incredible," Walsh says. "We have every kind of cuisine you can imagine."
Groups can check out The Clarke Cooke House Restaurant. The spot highlights Newport’s maritime history with a giant mermaid statue, delights the palate with a variety of seafood favorites and offers four different locations for private parties.
Another meeting planner favorite, 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille, sits right on the water and offers several rooms for groups.
With its high-class atmosphere, Newport mainly attracts corporate groups of around 200 delegates, Walsh says.
"We are also seeing some military reunions and association meetings," he says. "I think it has a lot to do with our location. We are within an eight-hour drive to about 70 million people."
Newport is well stocked with meetings-friendly hotels, including the Hyatt Regency Newport, Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina, Newport Marriott and Hotel Viking, a stunning historic property with a renovation under way.
There are also plenty of team-building opportunities available in Newport.
"We can set up historic scavenger hunts, and groups can even hold a regatta on the harbor aboard one of our America’s Cup boats," Walsh says. "Groups also like to go to the International Tennis Hall of Fame and play croquet on the lawn. We can also set up lobster bakes, which are always a hit."
Planners looking for off-site event venues can check out Rosecliff Mansion and Glen Manor House in nearby Portsmouth.
About 14 miles north of Newport is the attractive town of Bristol, home to The Herreshoff Marine Museum & America’s Cup Hall of Fame, which is also open for private event rental. The 40-room Bristol Harbor Inn, located on the water at Thames Street Landing and featuring the atmospheric DeWolf Tavern, is a standout for meetings and events.
Providence
Providence isn’t your run-of-the-mill New England town. After all, it doesn’t even have a town square punctuated by a grand church.
"Instead of a town square, our historic downtown district is a grid of small streets, some paved, some cobblestone and some brick," says Neil Schriever, senior vice president of sales for the Providence Warwick CVB. "The town is really compact and meeting groups usually navigate between our three main neighborhoods."
The three neighborhoods, downtown, East Side and Federal Hill, all offer their own special flair.
In the city’s downtown core is the Rhode Island Convention Center and Dunkin’ Donuts Center, which is connected to the soon-to-be-renovated Westin Hotel and the new Providence Place Mall. Veterans Memorial Auditorium, complete with more than 1,900 seats and welcoming to groups, is also downtown, as are additional group-friendly hotels such as the Providence Marriott Downtown, Providence Biltmore (which dates to 1922), the recently revitalized Renaissance Providence and the Courtyard Providence Downtown.
In addition to traditional meeting spaces, groups can meet for dinner at restaurants such as Gracie’s, which has a wine cellar; and Local 121, one of Schriever’s favorites.
"They have a downstairs that looks like a speakeasy," he says. "They are also all about farm to table with their menu offerings."
Brown University is located in Providence’s East Side neighborhood, giving the area an eclectic, young and vibrant vibe.
To the west is Federal Hill, aka Little Italy. The neighborhood is filled with Italian restaurants, making it an attractive destination for dine-arounds, according to Schriever.
"There are a wealth of restaurants over there that have private dining and semiprivate dining," he says. "Many of them are chef owned and are perfect for small groups."
Why is Providence a great place for groups?
"You are always going to feel like a big fish in a small pond," Schriever says. "When you are here, the entire hospitality and restaurant community know. Providence is an incredibly friendly and welcoming city."
The city is popular with a wide variety of groups, according to Schriever.
"Association, SMERF and sports groups are our top three market segments," he says. "We also do really well with midsize scientific and medical meetings as well as meetings associated with higher learning."
About 12 miles south near TF Green International Airport is the city of Warwick, which offers a variety of meeting friendly venues. A few properties include the Sheraton Providence Airport Hotel, Radisson Hotel Providence Airport and Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick.
Katie Morell is a Chicago-based freelance writer and former Meetings Media editor.
