Written by John Morris, WheelChairTravel.org

“Beehive of Industry” to Creative Capital. New England’s third largest city.

Providence, Rhode Island was founded in 1636, making it one of the oldest cities in the United States. The early colony was founded by Roger Williams, who left the Massachusetts Bay Colony to found the First Baptist Church in America. The congregation remains today, in a house of worship constructed in 1776. The city of Providence is largely a service and industrial economy. Seven institutions of higher learning are located in the city, including the Ivy League Brown University. The city is largely accessible to the disabled and wheelchair users, making it an easy to visit city in New England.

Providence Airport Accessibility

I have used the T.F. Green Providence Airport (PVD) on numerous occasions, and found it to be easily (and fully) accessible to me, while traveling with my own power wheelchair. I have never had an issue with gate-checking my wheelchair on departure, or collecting it on arrival in a timely manner. The airport’s assistance staff are well trained and courteous. Accessible restrooms are available throughout the terminals. is fully accessible to the disabled and wheelchair users.

Transportation

Taxis can be ordered on demand from the airport, with typically short wait times, if any at all. Access to the MBTA Commuter Rail and the RIPTA city bus is available at the airport. The airport’s Commuter Rail train provides service to the downtown Providence Amtrak Station, which is directly across the street from the Rhode Island State House.

RIPTA city bus service is available to/from T.F. Green on route numbers 1, 8, 14 and 20.

For additional information on the accessibility of the PVD airport, visit pvdairport.com.

Should you require a wheelchair at the airport or any other type of assistance, contact your airline directly prior to travel.

Things to Do in Providence

The top attractions and sights in Providence, Rhode Island are largely wheelchair accessible. Take a stroll up to Federal Hill, tour the Brown University campus, visit WaterPlace Park, and see some of America’s oldest churches. Much of what the city has to offer is steeped in American history. It is particularly interesting to me, because I studied Rhode Island’s history quite extensively in college and later in grad school. I have reviewed many of the best things to do in Providence, and all of them are at least partially wheelchair accessible. Please share any experiences you have accessing these sights in the comments section at the bottom of this page.

Rhode Island State House

Rhode Island’s capitol building was constructed between 1895 and 1904. The State House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the center of Rhode Island government. The dome is among impressive architectural company with the fourth largest self supported marble dome, behind only St. Peter’s Basilica, the Minnesota State Capitol and the Taj Mahal. Tours of the State House are available every weekday except holidays at 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm and 2 pm. The 50-minute tour takes visitors to the Bell and State Rooms and into the Rotunda to admire the structure’s marble dome. Tours are fully wheelchair accessible.  Elevators are available on each floor. For more information on tours of the State House, visit sos.ri.gov.
 Nearest BUS:  Routes 56/57 at Smith St. & Francis St.
 1 block from MBTA Commuter Rail & Amtrak.

Federal Hill Neighborhood

Federal Hill is an area of Providence which began attracting residents in the early 1800s. It is situated on a hill or rise and is composed of the urban areas surrounding Atwells Avenue, Broadway, Cranston Street and Westminster Street. Early in its history, the Federal Hill neighborhood attracted a large number of Italian immigrants. As the 20th century approached, the Italian American community flourished alongside Irish immigrants. The community soon became the site of Providence’s own “Little Italy.” To this day, Federal Hill is filled with an excellent selection of Italian restaurants, bakeries and shops. The neighborhood has also attracted numerous bars and pubs. For more information or a list of restaurants and shops on the Hill, visit federalhillprov.com.
 Nearest BUS:  Route 92, multiple stops on Atwells Ave.

WaterPlace Park & WaterFire

WaterPlace Park is an urban park in downtown Providence located alongside the Woonasquatucket River. The park’s Riverwalk sits below street level and is a series of cobblestone walkways and bridges which cross the river. Due to the cobblestone paths, the riverfront is a bumpy ride for the wheelchair user, but it is not so bad to be inaccessible. To access the waterfront walkways, wheelchair accessible ramps are available from Exchange Terrace and Francis Street.

WaterPlace Park plays host to a series of WaterFire events each summer. Created as a one-time event in 1994, WaterFire has come to be a staple of the summertime in Providence. It is a public art installation, a performance and an urban festival. Designed as a ritualistic community celebration, WaterFire is full of symbolism of a community coming together for strength. On WaterFire evenings, 100 fires burn on braziers located on the river. The sights and aromas generated by these wood-burning fires is paired with music from around the world and the energy of crowds of up to 100,000. Bustling activity takes place around the WaterFire, as numerous restaurants and bar are within sight of the display. For more information on the events or to view a schedule, visit waterfire.org.
 Nearest BUS:  29 routes at Kennedy Center on Exchange Terrace

Roger Williams Park & Zoo

The Roger Williams Park was constructed in 1871 on land formerly owned by the founder of Rhode Island and the city of Providence, Roger Williams. Spanning 498 acres, it has been called one of America’s finest urban parks by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The park is immaculately landscaped and contains seven different lakes.  Also within the park are rose gardens, a children’s park and a zoo. The zoo, one of the first in America, keeps more than 100 species. Many of the resident animals are rare and exotic, including camels, elephants, giraffes, snow leopards, wildebeests and wolves. Admission to the zoo is $14.95 for adults and $12.95 for seniors age 62+. The park and zoo are almost entirely wheelchair accessible, with each having a small number of steep pathways which will be difficult for manual wheelchair users. ADA compliant restroom facilities are available in the park and zoo.  For more information on the zoo and its exhibits, visit rwpzoo.org.
 Nearest BUS:  Route 20 at Elmwood at Roger Williams Park

Brown University Campus

Brown University is a private university and member of the prestigious Ivy League, founded in 1764. The university’s main campus is located on College Hill, at the top of the extremely steep College Street. At the terminus of College Street, the Van Wickle Gates, installed in 1901, mark the entrance to the campus.

The campus has three large green spaces, around which the oldest and most photographed buildings are located. These are the Front Green, College Green and Ruth J. Simmons Quadrangle. For a map of the campus, along with detailed information on the accessibility of sidewalks and buildings, consult the campus accessibility map (PDF).
 Nearest BUS:  Routes 32/33/34/60 at S. Main St. & Power St.

The John Brown House Museum

The John Brown House, built in 1786, was the first mansion constructed in Providence. The house was built and owned by John Brown, a merchant, statesman and slave trader. The home was visited by George Washington in 1790, during his first term as President of the United States. The structure has been well preserved and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the John Brown House is a museum which is operated by the Rhode Island Historical Society. The museum sheds light on the social and cultural history of early America. The house and museum is wheelchair accessible on the ground floor, with barrier-free access made possible by a ramp in the courtyard. The first floor contains elaborate parlors, a dining room and other rooms purposed for hosting visitors and friends. An ADA compliant restroom is available onsite. For more information on the museum, visit rihs.org.
 Nearest BUS:  Routes 32/33/34/60 at S. Main St. & Power St.

Rhode Island School of Design Museum

The Rhode Island School of Design operates the premier art museum in Providence. Ranked as one of the world’s top art and design schools and regularly trading the title of best in America with Yale University, it is no surprise that its museum is among the best in the country. The museum was founded in 1877 and is curated by an extensive staff of university faculty, artists and critics. Exhibits on Asian art, textiles, Modern and Contemporary art, Ancient Greek and Roman art, European art and more are on display. The museum and all of its galleries are fully accessible to wheelchairs. ADA compliant restrooms are available on each level. Admission is $12.00 for adults and $10 for seniors ages 62+. For more information, visit risdmuseum.org.
 Nearest BUS:  Routes 51/52/72 at N. Main St. & Thomas St.

First Baptist Church in America

A religious exile from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Roger Williams founded the city of Providence, which soon became the colony of Rhode Island. From the city’s founding in 1636, Williams held worship services at his residence. In 1638, he converted the congregation to a Baptist church. The congregation’s first church building was constructed in 1700 and a second in 1736. Today, the congregation worships in its church constructed from 1774-1775.  The church building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also a National Historic Landmark. Tours of the church are available for the cost of $2.00. The Church sanctuary is accessible to wheelchair users, but there are only stairs leading up to the choir balcony. A wheelchair accessible entrance is located at the rear of the church. For more information, visit firstbaptistchurchinamerica.org.
 Nearest BUS:  Routes 51/52/72 at N. Main St. & Thomas St.

Wheelchair Accessible Hotels in Providence

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Due to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the vast majority of hotels in the United States are wheelchair accessible and have rooms with roll-in showers. For individuals requiring an accessible hotel room with roll-in shower, I recommend booking with a major hotel chain such as Hilton or Marriott for the best experience. A list of hotels in Providence with wheelchair accessible rooms and roll-in showers is provided below. It is not a definitive list of accessible hotels in the area and the hotels have not paid a fee to be listed here.

Hotel Name	Hotel Website	Nearest Bus Lines	Walking Distance
Courtyard by Marriott Providence Downtown	Click Here	21, 30, 50, 54, 55, 56, 57, 66	6 minutes
The Dean Hotel	Click Here	6, 17, 19, 20, 22, 27, 28, 31, 66, 92	5 minutes
Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Downtown	Click Here	6, 20, 22	4 minutes
Holiday Inn & Suites Providence Airport	Click Here	—	—
Omni Providence Hotel	Click Here	27, 28, 66, 92	5 minutes
Providence Biltmore by Hilton	Click Here	6, 17, 19, 20, 22, 27, 28, 31, 66, 92	6 minutes
Providence Marriott Dowtown	Click Here	50, 51, 52, 55, 72	5 minutes
Radisson Hotel Providence Airport	Click Here	1, 20	2 minutes
Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel	Click Here	50, 55, 56, 57	8 minutes
Sheraton Providence Airport Hotel	Click Here	1, 20	5 minutes

Please consider visiting my Book Travel page and book your hotel room through one of the affiliate links. Doing so will allow me to earn a small commission on your room reservation. These earnings fund the continued operation and expansion of this website.

Providence Public Transportation

The public transportation system in Providence is fully accessible to the disabled and wheelchair users.  The city is served exclusively by bus and wheelchair users can access all parts of the city.  Access to Boston’s MBTA Commuter Rail and Amtrak is also available.  Information, tips and guidelines for using the city transportation network if you have a mobility challenge can be found below.

City Bus

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, RIPTA, operates 63 city and local bus routes within and around the city of Providence.  Service times and schedules vary among routes.

All city buses are wheelchair accessible with lowered floors and wheelchair ramps or lifts.  Buses offer spaces for wheelchair securement with provided tie downs and straps.  Priority seating is available for the elderly and disabled.

Bus routes, numbers 1, 8, 14 and 20, offer service between T.F. Green Providence Airport (PVD) and downtown Providence.  Connections to other bus routes and the light rail can be made at multiple points within the city limits.

RIPTA fares are $2.00 per ride, with one transfer permitted for an additional $0.50.  For additional information on RIPTA’s routes, schedules and fares or to plan a trip, visit ripta.com.

MBTA Commuter Rail

Boston’s MBTA Commuter Rail includes a stop at the Providence, RI Station.  By using the Commuter Rail, travelers can access Boston’s Union Station as well as a number of towns between Providence and Boston.  All stations are accessible.  The maximum fare is $10.00, or $5.00 for those with a disability card or a noticeable disability (i.e.: wheelchair passengers).  Tickets for the MBTA can be purchased at the bakery inside Providence Station.  For information, routes, schedules and fares for the commuter rail system,CLICK HERE.

Amtrak

Amtrak rail service is available to/from Providence Station located downtown and directly across from the Rhode Island State House.  For routes, fares and tickets, visit www.amtrak.com.  Direct and connecting service is available between Providence and must of the East Coast.  A 15-percent discount is available to the disabled and users of wheelchairs and all Amtrak trains are wheelchair accessible.  For additional information on riding Amtrak in a wheelchair, consult our How To/FAQ section on train travel.

Due to the rapidly changing nature of accessibility of the world’s public transit systems, please use the comments section at the bottom of this page to share your experiences and any changes you may have noticed in Providence.

Wheelchair Taxis in Providence

Thirteen wheelchair accessible taxis serve Providence and the surrounding communities.  The accessible taxi vans have a lowered floor and are equipped for rear (lift gate) entry.  Accessible taxis have ramps, offer roll-in/out ability and are outfitted with wheelchair securement straps and tie-downs.  They are accessible to both manual and powered wheelchairs/scooters.  Wheelchair taxis can be ordered on demand, but wait times are extremely variable — from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on time of day.  Two cab companies with accessible taxis operate within the city of Providence:

Corporate Taxi
(401) 231-2228

Economy Cab
(401) 944-6700
www.economycabri.com

T.F. Green Providence Airport is located outside the city limits of Providence.  Due to licensing requirements, the Providence-based taxi companies listed above cannot pick up travelers at the airport.  For pick-ups AT the airport, there is one company with wheelchair accessible taxi cabs:

Airport Taxi
(401) 737-2868
www.airporttaxiri.com

Providence Sidewalk Accessibility

Sidewalks in Providence are “okay” and generally accessible to wheelchairs and pedestrians using walkers. In some areas of the city, sidewalks may be broken or cracked, but they generally remain passable. Curb cuts are available at nearly all intersections within the city limits.

Sidewalk accessibility in Providence has two pitfalls, neither of which can be corrected. The first is the city’s hilly landscape. Several hills within the city can make rolling difficult – such as alongside the State House and up to Federal Hill. Powered wheelchairs will handle the climb without a problem, but manual wheelchair users will probably require assistance. The accessible city bus allows wheelchair users and slow walkers the opportunity to bypass the hills — hop on a bus at the bottom of the hill and hop off once you have reached the summit.  The central downtown area is relatively flat.

Winter weather is also a factor the city has no control over. During winter snowstorms and in the days following such storms, streets in most New England cities are difficult to navigate in a wheelchair. This is true in Providence as well. The first priority for a city is always to clear streets. Sidewalks are secondary. While the city does not entirely abandon its responsibility to clear sidewalks, it is done slowly and should be assigned higher priority. Clearing snow from sidewalks is increasingly difficult during an ongoing winter weather event that is quite common in the Northeast. Wheelchair travelers may prefer to visit Providence in the summer or fall.

I have personally wheeled the city in my power wheelchair and found the situation to be manageable. I have visited Providence during each weather season, including several times in winter, and was still able to get around by using a combination of wheelchair rolling, city bus and taxi. Each difficulty reported here can be overcome, regardless of the season you choose to visit.

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