Providence to Middletown train

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.

Middletown is a very common place name in Pennsylvania, but the most significant is the borough of Middletown just south of Harrisburg. Though Middletown itself is pretty small, the Harrisburg International Airport is within Middletown and brings a good amount of traffic through the town. However, the area's charming activities and landscape merit a few days of slowing down and enjoying central Pennsylvania.

Families with young kids will love wandering through the enormous National Christmas Center, open during Christmas Season and for select weeks in July, filled with holiday displays, decor, and gifts. You can enter the spooky, spiky Indian Echo Caverns in nearby Derry Township to discover local natural history or enjoy nature's fresh air on the Swatara Creek Water Trail and the Jonathan Eshenour Memorial Trail.

Middletown is home to several brewing companies, distilleries, and brewpubs, including the famous Appalachian Brewing Company and Tattered Flag. In Downtown Middletown, you can shop at a handful of malls and enjoy entertainment at hotels, clubs, bars, and museums.

No intercity bus companies stop in Middletown, but Amtrak's Keystone Service provides train service to the station downtown. Catch the train west to Harrisburg or as far east as Philadelphia.