Roger Williams National Memorial

There isn’t much to Roger Williams Memorial Park but it was enjoyable nonetheless. I had a few hours in Providence so I decided to walk around. It is near the Capitol building and very accessible to walk to. It literally is a park with plants and paths and there even is an old well that serviced the area when Providence was established. This park did not exist when Roger Williams was around, it was a recently created park dedicated to him, BUT it is located in the old Providence settlement area.
There is also a small visitor’s center that is worth checking out. There are displays to read regarding Providence, it’s establishment, religious freedom, and Roger Williams and why he is an important figure in Rhode Island history. There is also a 5 minute video about Roger Williams that you can watch though it doesn’t play nonstop throughout the day, just ask the ranger and they’ll play it for you.
The entire place takes about 30 minutes or less to go through. It’s an interesting stop if you like history but isn’t fancy or worth a long detour. But if in town, go check it out and you’ll learn how the city ofProvidence came to be.

Small downtown site, but has a nice small parking lot and grassy area for sitting, etc. NPS ranger was very nice and knowledgeable about the area, as well. Also have rest rooms inside and don’t forget to get your Passport stamped — they have two stamps! Hooray!

I only left off the last star because of some of the characters this park attracts. But then again, it is in the heart of Downtown Providence so… it’s to be expected. Plus, if you’ve ever been to KP, the characters in this park are not that bad.
Also, just recently discovered there’s an odd little store/​museum/​info desk (??) located at the end of the park. Here you can pick up touristy things like maps and guides and other things that indicate you’re a tourist and are ripe for larceny.
The park itself is peaceful and romantic, even though it’s surrounded by the constant hum of Providence. I’ve been here during the afternoons more than any other time and the shade and the calm, especially after a long, hard summer day is a welcome refresher. There’s ample space for a summer picnip or to just go run around with your kids and dogs. It’s right across from a few really good restaurants so it offers a nice opportunity for a romantic stroll after dinner.

The Roger Williams National Memorial is located in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. Here you can discover the story of Roger Williams, the founder of Providence and an early proponent of Freedom of Religion. The visitor center features an exhibit as well as a short film. The grounds of the National Memorial also includes a number of wayside exhibits.
The visitor center also provides information about nearby sites and attractions, and is a great place to begin your exploration of downtown Providence.
During the warmer months, many festivals and events bring crowds to this centrally located green space.

For a park in the heart of downtown, this place sure is picturesque. Plush green grass, free parking on the Canal St side, fabulous views of South Main Street and the city skyline. It’s well-​maintained and has a very old-​feeling quality to it, which I adore.
No, it isn’t huge, but there’s a wonderful grassy knoll/​hill-​ish thing that makes it feel much larger than it is. Plus, it’s within walking distance of several great restaurants, shops, galleries and the RISD Museum which make it great for a weekend chill out session. There’s even a little nook with tables and climbing roses that make it ideal for a picnic lunch or game of outdoor chess. Precious. Sure, there are the occasional bums and bongo-​playing hippies doing their thing, but the park is big enough to avert them, and they’re harmless anyway.
During the warmer months, food trucks have been known to park along the South Main side and vend their glorious morsels. The parking on this side is metered, but if you’re in and out quickly, you can get away without spending that precious parking quarter. Me? I like to take my food down into the grassy area (which is such nice, soft, full grass for a city park) and enjoy the fresh air whist I munch away.

The Memorial is open 7 days a week, and is not the smallest national park, it is not even in the top 10. It is open 7 days a week, it opens at 9am and closes at different times depending on the season. There is a lot of history here & the rangers will provide maps, directions & suggestions on where to go and what to do. It’s not Yellowstone but it’s not a dump either.

Nice little strip of land (emphasis on the little) to walk a dog because they provide Mutt Mitts in case you forgot yours at home. You can also catch up on a little history at the plaques around the paths and the added bonus is that Chez Pascal’s food truck parks here often.

The Roger Williams National Memorial Park is small, tiny even, but manages to pack in a lot of history and lovely green space in to a neat and pretty little package. It is a beautiful and peaceful place to spend an afternoon reading a book or a great spot to take a break from walking around the city. Very close to downtown, and the nearby shops and restaurants, it can be a fun and relaxing area to have a picnic with some delicious take-​out. There may not be too many of the activities that most would consider doing when going to a national park, but it is a great historical spot to stop and walk around when in the area. There is a visitor center where you can get information about the park and it’s history if you arrive on a day when it is open. So if size matters, this may not be the park for you, but all in all I think it is a great little green space.

Do not mistake this for Roger Williams Park (proper), this is the little landscaped strip between North Main and Canal Streets (near Olive’s and XO). Perfect for a post-​bar kiss goodnight, or a midday sandwich from Geoff’s.

The only National Park you can run across in less than 20 seconds.
(OK, if you run the LONG way it’s more like a minute.)
This lovely strip of nature’s majesty located in the heart of Providence boasts over 50,000 visitors a year. Granted, most of them are just crossing the street to get to Whole Foods or the mailbox, but still.
The park’s 4+ acres are lush with different trees, birds, rocks and many small bucktoothed furry animals.
Features
Waterfalls– No
Caves– No
Trees– Yes
Grass– Yes
Activities
Camping– No
Kayaking– No
Mtn. Climbing– No
Hiking– Yes (My favorite hikes are– «Right Up the Middle» and «Coupla Times Around»)
Fauna
Bears– No
Squirrels– Yes