In its early years, Providence was a farm center. Through the great maritime epoch of the late 18th century and first half of the 19th century, clipper ships sailed from Providence to China and the West Indies. During the 19th century, the city became a great industrial center, which today still produces widely known Providence jewelry and silverware. Providence is also an important port of entry.

Providence's long history has created a blend of old and new: modern hotels and office buildings share the streets with historic houses. Benefit Street, overlooking Providence's modern financial district, has one of the largest concentrations of colonial houses in America. The city's location along the upper Narragansett Bay and numerous cultural opportunities each provide many varied attractions for the visitor. In addition, Providence is the southern point of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, a 250,000-acre region that extends to Worcester, Massachusetts.