A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Richmond vs. Providence for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Richmond or Providence?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Richmond and Providence can help you decide which place is right for you.

Richmond

Richmond is a friendly, historical, and growing city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Providence

Providence is a active, friendly, and fascinating city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Richmond and Providence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Richmond or Providence?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Richmond. Although Richmond and Providence are roughly the same size, Richmond has more sights and attractions for tourists. Richmond is very popular for its museums, while Providence attracts visitors for its food. Richmond is more touristy than Providence and is popular for its cultural and historical sights. It is also well known for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Providence is famous for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.

How is Richmond different from Providence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Providence and Richmond. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Richmond or Providence?

Richmond is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Richmond. The city has a long history which you can learn about at one of the many museums. There's the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and the Black History Museum. There are also landmarks and historical homes.

Providence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical museums around town as well as art museums, zoos, a planetarium and natural history museum, and even a children's museum.

Is the Food Better in Richmond or Providence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Providence is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Providence is an experience not to be missed. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Richmond. The food scene has been growing around town, and there are food halls and local restaurants that serve diverse and interesting dishes. You'll find Indian, Asian, and European restaurants in addition to local classics.

Is Richmond or Providence Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Richmond and Providence.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Richmond. You'll find diverse bars and clubs around town. Pubs are usually laid back with a relaxed atmosphere. You'll also find live music that includes bluegrass, country, and jazz.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Providence. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.

Is the Shopping Better in Richmond or Providence?

Both Richmond and Providence are nice shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Richmond to go shopping. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers around town, but there are also eclectic shopping streets and boutique outlets.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Providence. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.

Is Richmond or Providence Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Richmond or Providence.

Richmond is a family-friendly place to visit. The Children's Museum of Richmond offers hands-on exhibits that will keep young ones entertained. Another fun option is the Science Museum of Virginia. The city also has parks and outdoor places to explore as well as playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants.

Providence is a family-friendly city. There are opportunities for kids to interact with animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as plenty of places for kids to run around like Rocky Point Park or Goddard Memorial State Park. There's also the Providence Children's Museum, go carting, and entertainment centers.

Is Richmond or Providence Better for Couples?

Both Richmond and Providence are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Richmond is a good city for couples to visit. Kayaking or tubing on the James River is a great activity for couples. There are also museums and many restaurants that are perfect for a date night.

Providence is a nice destination for couples. You can see a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center or visit some of the city's historic buildings and museums. There are also parks and coastal walks as well as many great restaurants.

Is Richmond or Providence Better for Students?

Providence is notable for students. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Providence is very popular with students. There's a college town vibe to this small city because it's home to Brown University, which is a member of the Ivy League.

Plenty of students visit Richmond. There are a couple of colleges and universities in town such as Virginia Commonwealth University.

Is Richmond or Providence Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Providence is very good for its public transit. However, Richmond is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Providence has a few public transit options. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Richmond. There are buses around town, but the availability and reliability is limited.

Is Richmond or Providence a more walkable city?

Providence is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

Providence is a very walkable destination. It's a walkable city and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

Richmond is somewhat walkable. There are some walkable neighborhoods such as the Fan and Museum District, but most people prefer to get around by car.

For even more information, also check out Is Richmond Worth Visiting? and Is Providence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Providence or Richmond?

How long in Richmond or Providence?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Richmond and Providence. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Providence than in Richmond. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Richmond, and 2-3 days is enough time in Providence.

Families should spend more time in Providence than Richmond. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Providence, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Providence than Richmond. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Providence that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Providence than Richmond if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Providence.

One day in Richmond or Providence?

With museums and nightlife around the growing city of Richmond, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Richmond, one day is sufficent for most.

The city of Providence offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Richmond or Providence?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Richmond, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Providence is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Providence, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Richmond or Providence?

Richmond, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Providence is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Richmond or Providence?

Richmond is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Providence is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Richmond and Providence, we can see that Providence is more expensive. And not only is Richmond much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Richmond would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Richmond and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Providence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Providence than you might in Richmond.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Richmond Expensive? and Is Providence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Richmond or Providence?

Richmond has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Providence. When comparing the sizes of Richmond and Providence, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Richmond or Providence?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Richmond or Providence in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Richmond as well as Providence. Many visitors come to Richmond in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Providence for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Richmond is a little warmer than Providence in the summer. The daily temperature in Richmond averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Providence fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Providence. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Richmond this time of the year. In the summer, Richmond often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Providence. Richmond gets 305 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 293 hours of full sun.

Richmond receives a lot of rain in the summer. Richmond usually gets more rain in July than Providence. Richmond gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Richmond or Providence in the Autumn?

Both Providence and Richmond are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Richmond for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Providence because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Richmond is a little warmer than Providence. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Richmond in October average around 59°F (15°C), and Providence averages at about 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Providence. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Richmond. Richmond usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Providence during autumn. Richmond gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Richmond usually receives more rain than Providence. Richmond gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Richmond or Providence in the Winter?

Both Providence and Richmond during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Richmond because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Providence this time of year.

It's quite cold in Providence in the winter. The weather in Richmond can be very cold. In January, Richmond is generally much warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in Richmond average around 36°F (2°C), and Providence fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Richmond often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Providence. Richmond gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 170 hours of full sun.

Richmond usually gets less rain in January than Providence. Richmond gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Richmond or Providence in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Richmond and Providence.

Richmond is much warmer than Providence in the spring. The daily temperature in Richmond averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Providence fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Providence this time of the year. In Richmond, it's very sunny this time of the year. Richmond usually receives more sunshine than Providence during spring. Richmond gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Richmond usually receives less rain than Providence. Richmond gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Providence and Richmond