How to Survive a Friend's Visit
It’s happened to all of us. One moment, you’re talking with your friend about how great it would be if they came to visit, and the next moment, they’re actually here. I’m sure this idea sounds great in theory, but suddenly, it’s that weekend you have to write three papers and they can’t stop texting you about how excited they are to go to a "Brown party." Little do they know, these parties don’t actually exist, and the reality is you’ve just been exaggerating your college experience to seem cooler to your high school friends. Your visiting friend will realize this soon enough. In the meantime, though, you’re going to have to plan some way to entertain them during their weekend at Brown. To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of fun activities to do in Providence! Considering this city is roughly equivalent to two New York City blocks*, I figured you might need all the help you can get.
- Wickenden Street
On this street, you can show your friends a very odd combination of shops you’ve probably never stepped into. If you’re feeling fancy, you can hit up my favorite brunch spot/ place to make my parents take me on Parent’s Weekend The Duck and Bunny. In case you needed any more reason to go there, the restaurant calls itself a “snuggery” which is kind of the cutest thing ever.
- Bird/Lime scooter around Providence.
No, the bikes are not an option here. For friends who don’t live in a place that is quintessentially college, there is a chance they’ve never seen these scooters before. You simply can’t miss this chance to explain that, yes, it is in fact a routine site to see students racing to the classes they’re late for on uncomfortably large electric scooters. This is what Providence is all about.3. RISD Second Life/ Saver’s/The Vault
Sometimes, a trip to a thrift store can be a great time to cheaply stock up on clothes for the changing seasons. It’s also just a great opportunity to discover objects weirder than what you could even imagine. For example, my friend once found a filled diary at RISD Second Life and spent a week immersing herself in the life of its writer. While this might not be the activity your friend imagined, it sure won’t be something they forget.
- Roger Williams Park Zoo
I’m going to be honest. I’ve never seen this zoo, but if you’re the type of person who can go to a zoo without getting that weird existential dread that comes from seeing wild animals in tiny enclosures, this activity could be for you.
- Providence Athenaeum
If you’re going to spend some of your friend’s visit studying, it should at least be in the prettiest study spot around campus.
- Roger Williams Botanical Center
This spot is the perfect place to sit for hours and catch your friend up on everything that’s really happened in college. It’s one of my favorite places in Providence and is definitely worth the trip off college hill.
- AS220
AS220 is a non-profit arts organization that hosts a wide variety of events essentially every day of the week. Check out their calendar here!
- Avon Cinema
Avon Cinema is objectively the most underrated place on Thayer Street. While they do wonderful partnerships with Brown clubs, they also have screenings every week of the movies that perfectly sit between the mainstream and the artistic. An extra bonus is that, if you’re lucky, you can sneak out once the trailers start and write that essay you were supposed to turn in the night before.9.WaterFire
Maybe Providence overemphasizes this one unique thing we have. However, that doesn’t mean WaterFire isn’t worth showing someone who has never seen it. If it's the right time of year, consider this the pre-pre-game to the rest of your Saturday night.
- RISD Museum
