Weekend Getaway to Providence

Last weekend, Brian, Emily, and I went on a quick getaway to Providence, Rhode Island. It was so nice to get to spend time together exploring a new city.

We arrived Saturday afternoon for the matinee performance of Les Miserables at the Providence Performing Arts Center. Les Mis is Brian's favorite show, so I was very eager to see it for the first time. Emily knew most of the songs from the soundtrack and did a great job sitting through the show. The cast was amazing and I really enjoyed all of the music and the story.

For dinner that evening we went to Federal Hill, where Italian restaurants line Atwells Avenue. After circling the area a few times to find a parking spot, we decided to dine at Trattoria Roma. We chowed down on brick-oven pizza, meatballs, calamari, baked gnocchi, and veal. We were stuffed by the end of the meal, so we took our cannoli and fruit tart back to the hotel to eat later on.

Sunday morning began with several games of Candy Land. Emily somehow managed to legitimately win every game, while Brian ended up stuck somewhere near Gumdrop Pass or the Gingerbread Tree every time. He just couldn't win.

After our continental breakfast at the hotel, we drove to Roger Williams Park Zoo. I was pleasantly surprised at how quiet it was there for a weekend morning. We practically had the zoo to ourselves.

After seeing a few animals in the Fabric of Africa section, we walked over to the Elephant and Giraffe Pavilion to see the elephants get their weekly bath. It was amazing to watch the elephants follow voice commands and move their bodies so gracefully while getting brushed and cleaned. We also got an up close and personal look of the zoo's three giraffes, who were eating in the same building. 

We had quite a wild time at the zoo.

Brian and I really liked the anteater exhibit. I mean, how crazy do those anteaters look? We loved watching them stroll around and break up logs looking for lunch.

Emily has become quite the little photographer, and asked to take pictures with my camera several times while we were at the zoo. It was so cute to see her little hands try to hold the lens and snap pictures. She took the picture of us below; it is one of my favorite shots from the day!

After our trip to the zoo, we drove across the park to check out the carousel. As soon as we set foot in the carousel building, I felt like I had stepped back in time. Quarter candy machines lined the walls, fifties tunes played from an ancient stereo, and the smell of freshly popped popcorn filled the air. I loved it. We rode the carousel twice before heading back outside.

Roger Williams Park was the perfect place to spend our Sunday afternoon. It was absolutely beautiful, and I can't wait until our next visit there.

I really loved Providence, and already have a list of places I want to explore on my next visit there (Local 121 for dinner, the East Side for afternoon coffee and shopping, and Prospect Park for a view of the city). Looks like I will be planning another getaway come spring!