Providence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It is the most populous county in the state with an estimated population of 626,667 as of 2019. The county seat is Providence, which is also the state capital and largest city in Rhode Island. According to definitionexplorer.com, the county was established in 1703 as part of the colonial settlement of Providence Plantations and has been governed by a Board of County Commissioners since 1842.
Providence County is home to many historic sites including Roger Williams National Memorial, which commemorates the founder of Rhode Island, and Benefit Street, an 18th century street lined with Colonial-style homes and churches. Other notable attractions include WaterFire Providence, a series of bonfires lit along the riverfront; Brown University, one of the oldest universities in America; and Roger Williams Park Zoo, one of the nation’s oldest zoos.
The county has seen its fair share of famous residents over time including authors H.P Lovecraft and Edgar Allan Poe; actor/director John Krasinski; musician Billy Gilman; fashion designer Anna Sui; U.S Senator Jack Reed; U.S Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton; and former President Barack Obama who attended Brown University while living in Providence County during his college years from 1979 to 1981.
Providence County offers visitors plenty to see and do from outdoor activities like biking or kayaking on Narragansett Bay to cultural experiences like attending art galleries or live performances at The Vets theater or Trinity Repertory Company theater company. Whether you’re looking for relaxation or adventure this county has something for everyone making it an ideal destination for anyone looking to get away from it all.
Climate and weather in Providence County, Rhode Island
According to liuxers.com, Providence County, Rhode Island has a humid continental climate with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The average temperature in the summer ranges from 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 29 degrees Celsius). July is the warmest month of the year with an average high temperature of 85°F (29°C) and an average low of 67°F (19°C). Winters are cold with temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 to 2 degrees Celsius), and January is usually the coldest month with an average high temperature of 38°F (3°C) and an average low of 27°F (-3°C).
Rainfall in Providence County averages around 44 inches per year, with most precipitation occurring during the months of April through October. Snowfall averages around 40 inches per year, usually occurring between December and March. The county also experiences occasional thunderstorms during the summer months which can bring heavy rainfall and strong winds.
The county is subject to extreme weather events such as nor’easters, hurricanes, and blizzards. Nor’easters are winter storms that can bring coastal flooding, high winds, snowfall, and icy conditions. Hurricanes sometimes make landfall in Providence County bringing heavy rainfalls and strong winds that can cause extensive damage. Blizzards occur occasionally during winter bringing snowfall amounts over 6 inches as well as strong winds that can cause whiteout conditions.
Despite its changing weather patterns, Providence County offers visitors plenty of sunshine throughout the year making it a great destination for outdoor activities like biking or kayaking on Narragansett Bay or attending live performances at The Vets Theater or Trinity Repertory Company theater company. Whether you’re looking for relaxation or adventure this county has something for everyone making it an ideal destination for anyone looking to get away from it all.
Transportation in Providence County, Rhode Island
Providence County, Rhode Island has an extensive network of public transportation options that make getting around the county easy and convenient. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) provides bus service throughout the county, connecting major cities and towns including Providence, Pawtucket, Cranston, Warwick, East Providence and Newport. RIPTA also offers express bus service to Boston as well as a free shuttle service in downtown Providence.
The MBTA Commuter Rail system serves the Greater Providence area with stops in several communities including Pawtucket, Central Falls and Attleboro. Amtrak also offers rail service from Providence to Washington DC as well as other cities along the Northeast corridor.
Driving is an option for getting around the county as well; Interstate 95 runs through Providence County connecting it to other parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts while Route 10 provides access to nearby towns such as Woonsocket, Johnston and North Smithfield.
For those looking for a more leisurely way to get around the county there are several bike paths located throughout the area including a scenic trail along Narragansett Bay which connects several cities including Bristol and East Greenwich.
Providence County is also served by T.F Green Airport which offers domestic flights to many major US cities as well as international flights to Toronto, Canada and Bermuda. For those looking for more adventurous travel options ferries are available from Galilee Harbor in Narragansett Bay which offer regular trips to Martha’s Vineyard and Block Island off the coast of Rhode Island.
No matter how you choose to get around Providence County you’ll find plenty of ways to explore this beautiful region.
Cities and towns in Providence County, Rhode Island
Providence County, Rhode Island is home to a variety of cities and towns, each offering something unique to visitors and residents alike. See popular cities in Rhode Island. The capital city of Rhode Island is Providence, located in the northeast corner of the county. As the state’s largest city it offers a wealth of attractions including art galleries, museums, historic sites and more. Just south of Providence is Pawtucket which is known for its historic mills and factories as well as its vibrant arts community.
Cranston lies just west of Providence and is home to many parks, trails and recreational areas like Garden City Center and Chapel View Shopping Center. To the south lies Warwick which has a long history dating back to 1642 when it was first settled by English settlers. Today, it features several attractions such as Warwick Mall and Goddard State Park.
East Providence sits at the eastern edge of the county along Narragansett Bay; its waterfront area offers scenic views as well as a variety of recreational activities like fishing, sailing and kayaking. To the west lies Johnston which is known for its agricultural heritage with many farms still in operation today; Apple Hill Farm offers pick-your-own apples during certain times of year while Meadowbrook Farms provides visitors with fresh produce from their farm stand.
The town of North Smithfield lies at the northern edge of Providence County; it’s known for being one of the oldest towns in Rhode Island having been settled in 1666 by Roger Williams. Today, visitors can explore Slatersville Historic District which features several original homes from that time period or go golfing at nearby Valley Country Club.
Finally, there’s Newport which sits on Aquidneck Island at the southern tip of Rhode Island; this historic town features cobblestone streets lined with colonial-era buildings as well as several beaches perfect for swimming or sunbathing during warmer months. No matter what city or town you visit you’ll find plenty to do in Providence County.