This Tour Of The PVD River Is One Part Time Machine And All Parts (Entirely!) Delightful
It’s Aboat Time
Yesterday we decided to spend the day in PVD, signing on for a midday 2pm cruise with the Providence River Boat Company. Now, I’ve been before, but the hubs had not and let me tell you he was so impressed with the experience. (My husband is not one to quickly and easily dole out the compliments, mind you.) Later, he kept saying how much he learned about Rhode Island history, too!
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Going With The Flow
Now, with Covid, you will need to be masked up for this fascinating hour on the water. You’ll also want to apply your favorite spf and maybe throw on a hat as well. (I did!) Our captain and guide, in addition to being knowledgeable about the Rhody past, was also kind enough to hand out some large umbrellas, for shade purposes since it was quite sunny, to each of the three parties — it was us and two other couples, one with a toddler — onboard yesterday. A gesture that we all appreciated wholeheartedly, I might add. (Just so we’re all on the same page, there is no overhang, so.)
Psst…Their classic daytime tour is byob which means that you may bring along one of your go-to summertime (adult) beverages if you’d like.
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Rhody Time Machine
So, yes, let’s circle back to the local history aspect again, shall we? Our captain and guide really knew his stuff and wowed with stories that I’m guessing most of us never learned about in school. I mean, I went to Providence public schools in the 1970’s and 80’s and don’t recall much of anything about the capital city or the state being part of the elementary or middle school curriculums back then.
Anywho, some of the topics he regaled us with stories about include (hold onto your hats) the following: the Governor Stephen Hopkins House and its relocation (when the Courthouse was being built), the Power Station (not to be confused with the band from the 1980’s that was fronted by the late Robert Palmer), Water Fire & the Providence River Relocation Project (which began in 1984) that made it possible, the big hurricanes of 1938 & 1954 and the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier of course, and the Gaspee Affair.
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Also, maybe because it was a lovely Sunday afternoon, but I have never seen so many kayaks in that water! (If you want to know more about renting a kayak and navigating the PVD River that way, check out my friend Christina’s post about her Providence Kayak afternoon HERE.)
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Another fine option? La Gondola Providence! (See photo below.) Not sure if they are still serenading their passangers with Italian opera songs (as we’ve all read, singing is problematic when it comes to Covid + Coronavirus), but it is yet another marvelous way to spend an hour on that water.
Pssst…We toured with them a few years ago and I definitely want to go back again this summer.
Photo Courtesy Of Me
If you’re interested in this one hour outing that’s sure to surprise and delight even the most persnickety in your Covid crew, you’ll want to go to ProvidenceRiverBoat.com for additional details including how-to’s for getting tix. They also have additional excursions in partnership with Providence Ghost Tours, the Providence Preservation Society and Gooseneck Vineyards.