Walking up College Hill in Providence, R.I., sometimes feels like trekking up Mt. Washington. OK, that’s a stretch but the ultimate arriving point more than makes up for the moderately challenging walk up the hill. Better yet, drive your car up the hill and try to find a parking spot!

College Hill charms with restored 18th and 19th century architectural beauty virtually every step of the way. Georgian, Greek Revival, Victorian and Colonial architecture lend timeless elegance. Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design serve as the academic anchors to this fine neighborhood. Vibrant Thayer St. — looking more small town than urban — offers an outstanding commercial area with locally-owned shops, restaurants, cafes and the old-time Avon Cinema. Prospect Park, located at the top of College Hill, offers commanding views of the Providence skyline. The tree-lined side streets with all those big, historic homes might just comprise one of the nicest urban neighborhoods in all of New England.

Providence offers so many appealing attractions, infinitely more than what was here 35 years ago. If I had to choose one section, however, College Hill would be the first choice. The mix of stunning neighborhoods and homes, leafy academic streets with grand buildings and an almost quaint commercial zone tower above it all!

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