Poughkeepsie to Providence train

Poughkeepsie is nicknamed the second capital of New York for a good reason – the bustling city has breathtaking views of the Hudson River and is a quick weekend destination for New Yorkers. Art buffs can visit the Barrett Art Center and Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, while history lovers will enjoy the National Register of Historic Places. Poughkeepsie is a true university town with campuses for the Culinary Institute of America, Vassar College, and Marist College. If music is your thing, you can check what's playing at the iconic Barvadon Opera House. The city is also an excellent place for picnics and outdoor activities, especially on the riverfront.

Poughkeepsie is known for its wide range of restaurants, ranging from farm-to-table establishments to breweries and brewpubs. The craft beer scene is upcoming, with beer gardens and pubs to check out. Nightlife keeps the fun going with comedy clubs, champagne bars, and lounges.

Poughkeepsie is easily accessible via Amtrak. The Amtrak Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf, Empire Service, and Ethan Allen Express stop in Poughkeepsie en route to New York City, Philadelphia, Rensselaer, Newark, and other cities. The central and busiest station is 41 Main St, and many other trains make stops in and around Poughkeepsie. Poughkeepsie is also accessible by Greyhound buses. Most visitors and locals use the Newburgh Airport, only about 15 miles away, for air travel.

Though some might say that it is overshadowed by nearby Boston, Providence is an interesting destination on its own. A quaint college town with a deep historical value, Providence allows fans of U.S. history to marvel at historic buildings such as the ones on Benefit Street, which boasts the highest concentration of Colonial houses. As you stroll around the streets of Providence at night, don’t forget to take a detour to WaterFire, a sculpture project that features bonfires along the rivers of Providence. Accompanying the bonfires are the sounds of ceremonial gongs and various music programs, which brighten up the night. For those seeking a unique cultural experience, the Federal Hill quarter sits among the most famous Little Italian neighborhoods, and it features some of the best Italian restaurants in town.

The staple dish of Providence is oysters, which are not difficult to find in the city. However, if you can endure a short drive, Matunuck Oyster Bar, an oyster restaurant located 40 miles south of South Kingstown, provides some of the freshest and most delicious oysters around. Some other notable establishments include Birch, Oberlin, and Tallulah’s Taqueria.

The Providence airport is located in nearby Warwick which is only a 6 miles’ drive from the city. The main bus hub for Providence is found at the Rhode Island Convention Center Parking Garage, where travelers could catch a bus from Greyhound or Peter Pan Bus Lines. The main Amtrak train station is located just a 10-minute walk across the Woonasquatucket River.