This is only a small sampling of what is available in the neighborhood.

Providence has strong ties to the fantasy genre. One of Providence's notable citizens was H. P. Lovecraft, who deeply identified with Providence, declaring it the only "livable" city. Seeking to bring the wide-ranging scope of science fiction to the horror genre, Lovecraft was inspired by the Gothic-style College Hill atmosphere and the abundant colonial architecture. Providence was such an important city to Lovecraft that he chose "I Am Providence" as his epitaph.

Providence has many attractions for visitors to explore--museums, theaters, historic sites, colleges and universities, an award-winning zoo, and world-class dining.

Providence is a very walkable city. For more details you can contact the Providence-Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, One West Exchange St., Providence, RI 02903; 800-233-1636 or 401-751-1177, or browse http://www.providencecvb.com or http://www.ProvidenceRI.com/home.html.

For a few suggestions, we offer:

• Federal Hill: walk the streets H. P. Lovecraft wrote about. This is the Italian section of Providence, with many excellent restaurants.
• Brown University: has a notable collection of Poe papers.
• Waterplace Park and Riverwalk is a pleasant vista close to our facilities.
• Olneyville section of Providence: the costume jewelry capital of the U.S.
• Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, 224 Benefit St.; 401-454-6500; TuWFSa 10-5, Th N-8, Su 2-5.
• Johnson & Wales University Culinary Museum, 315 Harborside Blvd.; 401-598-2805. Culinary, travel, and hospitality artifacts of -3000 to +2000 (call for tour).
• Roger Williams Park & Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave.; 401-785-3510; M-F 9-5, SaSu 9-6.
• Local eateries, for example, Wes' Rib House (open to 4am SaSu), the Capitol Grille, and Union Station brewpub.

Rhode Island

Information is available from the Visitor Information Center, 23 America's Cup Ave., Newport RI 02840; 401-849-8048, fax 401-849-0291, and at http://www.riedc.com/mcds/Newport.html#points.

• Touro Synagogue [National Historic Site], 85 Touro St.; 401-847-4794; http://www.nps.gov/htdocs1/tosy/index.htm. The synagogue (at 72 Touro St.) is the oldest synagogue in the U.S.; Newport was the northernmost settlement of Sephardic Jews in pre-colonial America. Su 1-3 and M-F only at 2pm by appointment. Services: erev Shabbat 6pm; Shabbat 8:45am.
• Cliff Walk: a 3.5-mile walk with the surf on one side and Newport's mansions on the other. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Guided walking tours by appointment. Open year-round. Free. Parking on Narragansett Ave. off Bellevue Ave. or in the Easton's Beach (Newport Beach) parking lot. Cliff Walk Society, 401-849-7110.
• Mansions: many of the summer homes built by the elite of past generations are open to the public. The Preservation Society of Newport County, 424 Bellevue Ave.; 401-847-1000; http://www.newportmansions.org.
• Naval War College: The Museum is open to the public M-F 10-4; closed on holidays. Public access to the Museum is through Gate Number 1 of the Naval Education and Training Center. Facilities for the handicapped are available, as is a gift shop operated by the Naval War College Foundation. Information: Director, Naval War College Museum, Naval War College, 686 Cushing Rd., Newport, RI 02841; 401-841-4052/1317; http://www.nwc.navy.mil/museum/.

Little Compton, RI

• Sakonnet Vineyards, 162 West Main Rd., PO Box 572, Little Compton, RI 02837; 401-653-4356; http://www.sakonnetwine.com. Vineyard tours and tastings.

West Warwick and Cranston, RI

• many modern malls

Thereabouts

• Battleship Massachusetts (BB59), off I-195 (exit 5) in Battleship Cove, 508-678-1100; battleship@battleshipcove.com. 9am-5pm. Other ships there include Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (DD850), Lionfish (SS298), two PT boats (PT617 and PT796), and the Russian-built missile corvette Hiddensee (originally Rudolph Englehofer of the DDR's navy, it was renamed after reunification).
• The Marine Museum, 70 Water St. off I-195 (exit 5) in Battleship Cove; 508-674-3533. M-F 9-5, Sa N-5, Su N-4. Old Fall River Line, Aids to Navigation, RMS Titanic (pre-discovery exhibits).

Foxboro, MA

• Foxboro Stadium, current home of the Revolution (real football/soccer) and the Patriots (American football).

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