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Best Places to See Fall Foliage in Providence

There’s something magical about fall in Providence. The leaves along Blackstone Boulevard start to turn brilliant shades of red and gold, Waterfire lights up the river a few more times before it shuts down for the winter, and the air gets cold and crisp. There’s no better time to wrap up in your coziest sweaters and go for a walk outdoors.  

Why a fall walk is good for you 

Going outside to see the beautiful fall foliage is more than just a treat for your eyes. It’s also a treat for your mental health. A study by Harvard T.H. School of Public Health found that a 20– minute nature break can lower cortisol, the hormone your body releases when you’re stressed.  

Time in nature has been linked to better sleep, lower blood pressure, and less anxiety. Pairing outdoor time with a walk helps turn your mental health boost into a physical boost as well.  

Best places in Providence for a walk 

Roger Williams Park. This 435 –acre park is the perfect place to admire fall colors. Walk past the ponds, the botanical garden, and the Japanese garden, or head to the Betsey Williams Cottage to see the park’s most famous tree, a huge American Sycamore dating back to 1860. 

Blackstone Boulevard. The boulevard is a 1.6– mile path on the East Side that is lined on both sides with mature trees. It is flat and easy, popular with walkers, runners, and bikers all year. In the fall, the tree canopy turns it into one long tunnel of autumn colors.  

The East Side. Start at Prospect Terrace, a small park on a hill in College Hill with a great view of the skyline. From there, wander past Brown University and RISD, then stop on Thayer Street or in Wayland Square. Go around 6 p.m. to catch amazing autumn sunsets. Just be sure to plan your way back home and bring a flashlight. 

Best routes for a scenic drive 

If you’re looking to get away from Providence for the day, these routes have plenty of beautiful trees to watch through your window. Make sure to stop by local towns or scenic viewpoints along the way. 

Blackstone River Valley. Follow Route 122 or 126 along the Blackstone River from Woonsocket to Cumberland. This old mill valley has riverside maples and history to match, including Slater Mill. There is a bike path alongside the river, too, if you would rather pedal than drive. 

Scituate Reservoir Loop. This drive circles the state’s largest reservoir on Route 14 and Route 12. The water reflects the color of the trees around it, and the backroads through Scituate stay quiet even during peak season. It’s a beautiful drive, and only about 20 minutes west of Providence.  

Fall foliage by public transit 

You do not need a car to see beautiful fall colors. The R and 1 bus line have stops at or near Roger Williams Park without having to change buses. Route 1 also runs along Hope Street and Thayer Street on the East Side, close to Blackstone Boulevard. If you want to see the Blackstone Valley, the R line and Route 78 both stop near Slater Mill in Pawtucket. A day pass costs $6 and covers unlimited rides statewide. 

Fall festivals coming up 

There are plenty of ways to get outside during Autumn. Roger Williams Park Zoo turns into the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular each October, with thousands of carved and lit pumpkins along the wooded paths after dark. This year’s theme, The Great Pun-Kin Trail, runs Oct. 1 through Nov. 1. 

On Federal Hill, the neighborhood’s Columbus Day Festival takes over Atwells Avenue Oct. 9 through 12, with food, music, and vendors lining the street. 

Fall in Providence moves fast. The trees that look perfect this weekend might be bare in two, and WaterFire’s last lighting of the year comes and goes before you know it. Grab a friend or two and get outside while the color lasts.