TRAVEL PLANNING TIPS AND IDEAS
for Richard Morris Hunt Prize 2024 Reunion
ARRIVING: If you are flying from elsewhere in the United States, consider coming into either T.F. Green Airport (PVD) or Logan (BOS). For most of you, flying into Boston probably makes more sense, but Rhode Island’s airport is easy to navigate, flights are often less expensive than into Boston, and there are trains, buses, car rental, or taxi/ride share options to get you to your destination. T.F. Green is about 15 minutes from downtown Providence by car (or train) and about an hour and a half drive (or train) from downtown Boston.
GETTING AROUND: Amtrak trains serve both Providence and Boston, and are on the Northeast Corridor line that connects cities between Washington, D.C. and Boston. The MBTA regional train network also connects Providence to Boston.
During the reunion, participants will be given public transit tickets in Boston to help you arrive at scheduled meeting points. Your train ticket to Providence and ferry to Newport will be covered. On Wednesday and part of Friday, a coach bus will transport us to some of the sites we are visiting. However, there will be a lot of walking during the week. Bring comfortable shoes! If you have trouble walking about a mile or more at a time, please let one of the organizers know.
DRESS AND WEATHER: It is fall in New England! Expect temperatures to range from the high 40s/low 50s overnight to the mid-60s during the day (9-18 degrees Celsius). Bring rain gear and layers, but of course, we're counting on some foliage and crisp sunny days. There will be a good amount of walking over the course of the week, but not more than a mile at a time.
Most occasions will be very informal, but there are a few visits for which one might want to dress up a little bit:
If you are staying at the Chilton Club in Boston, they do have a dress code. See their Guest Guidelines.
Monday: We will be touring H. H. Richardson’s Trinity Church in the morning, although the church will be closed to the public. The cocktail dinatoire at Ann Beha’s house will include an address by the French Consul General.
Thursday: Dinner is at a private club. Although the Providence Art Club does not have a dress code, professional attire is appropriate.
Friday: The ferry ride to Newport could be windy if you go up on the deck. Our farewell dinner is being hosted at a private estate, and professional attire is appropriate.
WATERFIRE: Providence’s signature urban event will be happening the weekend before the reunion on Saturday night, 5 October. The city’s riverfront comes alive with music, food, street performance, and, well, water and fire. Contact Jonathan if you have more questions or want to meet up! Here is a link to Waterfire’s website.
PROVIDENCE EN VOGUE: Vogue (link here) recently published a profile of Providence and some of its charms. It is focused on businesses, but gives a short cross-section of cultural, food, and shopping attractions in Rhode Island’s capital. Maybe we’ll visit a few of these places!