Brown University is located in the city of Providence, the capital of Rhode Island, at the head of the Narragansett Bay. An hour south of Boston and three hours northeast of New York City, Providence proper is home to roughly 175,000 people, and approximately 1 million live in the larger metropolitan area. Diverse and historic, bicycle-friendly, and easy to explore by foot or public transport, Providence is an active center of art, culture, culinary diversity, education, and politics.
Brown University campus overlooks downtown Providence and covers nearly 140 acres on College Hill. The campus is surrounded by dozens of historic homes and landmarks as well as an abundance of apartments and multi-bedroom houses that can be shared by students. Most Brown graduate students live off campus in the neighborhoods immediately surrounding the University.
Downtown Providence, with its popular mall, many restaurants, concert venues, train station, hotels, and scenic riverfront, is just a short walk from campus. Providence is nationally known for its varied and high-quality restaurants, particularly in the Federal Hill neighborhood, which is a quick trolley ride away (Brown ID holders ride free on RIPTA).
In addition to the Rhode Island School of Design Museum’s stunning collection, RISD student shows abound throughout the year. On summer WaterFire nights, you can find mimes, musicians, and artists crowding along the river while boats glide through the shadows to light dozens of bonfires on platforms spaced throughout the water.
Breathtaking spaces like the Athenaeum and the Fleet Library at the Rhode Island School of Design provide the perfect atmosphere for creative and academic work. AS220 offers classes in everything from ballet to screenprinting, and hosts arts events, shows, and festivals, while the Steel Yard teaches metalworking and ceramics. Musicians ranging from pop artists to indie groups play shows at The Strand, and the nationally renowned Trinity Repertory Company delivers dramatic productions of all kinds.
Providence also takes pride in its culinary scene. Students will find an abundance of affordable dining options, ranging from Korean and Thai to acclaimed restaurants in the Italian Federal Hill neighborhood and artisan donut shops that draw lines down the block. Dining in? Home chefs will find a abundance of fresh produce at the farmer's markets staged all over the city.
If kayaking along the Providence River and the panoramic bay views from India Point Park don’t satisfy your taste for nature, you’ll find beautiful mountain hikes and ocean scenery just a short drive or bus ride away from the city. The Ocean State may be the nation’s smallest, but it boasts 400 miles of coastline on the Atlantic, replete with seaside towns, harbors, and beaches. Visit the historic mansions lining Newport’s cliffs or venture inland to pick your own fruits and vegetables and on local farms.