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Cranston is a city of about 82,000 people just south of Providence, one of the largest cities in Rhode Island. Set off from Providence as a separate town in 1754 and later a mill and farming community along the Pawtuxet and Pocasset rivers, it became a city in 1910 and today mixes historic villages, leafy residential neighborhoods and farmland in its western hills.
History is close at hand in Pawtuxet Village, a colonial-era port at the mouth of the Pawtuxet River that Cranston shares with Warwick, and at the Sprague Mansion, home of a family of mill owners and governors. The Joy Homestead preserves an 18th-century farmhouse, and Rhodes on the Pawtuxet is a classic riverside ballroom.
Edgewood's waterfront parks look out on Narragansett Bay, while Knightsville is a traditionally Italian-American neighborhood known for its church and festivals. Western Cranston keeps farms and orchards, and downtown Providence is only ten minutes away.
The home of the Sprague family, whose calico printing business made them one of the richest in New England and produced two Rhode Island governors. Run by the Cranston Historical Society, the mansion has period rooms, family portraits and exhibits on Cranston history. Open for tours on limited days, so check ahead.
A small gambrel-roofed farmhouse built around 1778 and preserved by the Cranston Historical Society as an example of rural colonial Rhode Island life. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Open for occasional events and tours; the exterior can be seen from the road at any time.
A grand riverside ballroom on the Pawtuxet River that has hosted dances and parties since the early 20th century, when couples arrived by canoe and trolley. Today it is a popular venue for weddings, galas and special events. Look for public dances or events, or admire it from the river walk.
A small waterfront park in the Edgewood neighborhood, with a lawn and benches looking over Narragansett Bay and a cove of moored boats. It is a peaceful spot for a sunset walk or birdwatching. Combine it with a stroll through Edgewood's historic streets and nearby Pawtuxet Village.
A residential neighborhood along Narragansett Bay that grew as a streetcar suburb in the late 1800s and early 1900s, with Queen Anne, Colonial Revival and bungalow homes on tree-lined streets. A pleasant area for a walk, with waterfront parks and the historic William H. Hall Free Library close by.
A traditionally Italian-American neighborhood centered on St. Mary's Church and its landmark meetinghouse, with bakeries, delis and family restaurants nearby. Summer feasts bring processions, food stands and music. Visit hungry and try local pizza strips, pastries and Italian specialties.
A handsome brick library building in Edgewood, now a branch of the Cranston Public Library, with traditional reading rooms and arched windows. It is a calm stop for a look inside and a browse. Opening hours vary through the week, so check the library website before visiting.
A large family farm in western Cranston with a busy farm stand selling sweet corn, tomatoes and other produce in summer. In autumn it adds hayrides, a corn maze and pumpkin picking that draw families from around the state. Weekends in October are the busiest, so go early.
An open-air shopping center, opened in the late 1940s and later updated, with national retailers, local shops and many restaurants around landscaped walkways. It is one of the main shopping destinations in the Providence area. Seasonal events and holiday decorations make it lively in December.
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Rhode Island, United States
Rhode Island, United States
Rhode Island, United States
Rhode Island, United States
Rhode Island, United States
Rhode Island, United States
Rhode Island, United States
Rhode Island, United States
Photo: UpstateNYer, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Eric Harrison, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Pi.1415926535, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Pi.1415926535, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Knightsville401, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Pi.1415926535, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Swampyank, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Swampyank, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
