United States

Providence & Newport, RI

The best places to run in Providence and Newport

The historic waterfront city of Providence is the capital of Rhode Island and the third largest city in New England. With its setting at the head of the Narragansett Bay, historic neighborhoods and parks, there are plenty of great options for running in Providence and Newport.

The signature run in Providence is the East Bay bike trail, which runs for 14 miles along the water to Bristol. For history and architecture, enjoy our route in the College Hill neighborhood. The Waterplace Park amphitheater and river-walks line the river’s banks through the downtown area. And we love the classically designed Roger Williams Park for a run any day.

We’ve also mapped out 30+ fabulous routes in Rhode Island’s prettiest coastal spots, including Newport, Narragansett, Westerly, Watch Hill, and Block Island — plus into neighboring coastal Connecticut.

More Rhode Island Coastal Routes

Location Author:
Mark Lowenstein

Editor's Picks

Some of our favorite runs in Providence & Newport, RI

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  • Weather & Climate
  • Where To Stay
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Providence is known for it’s warm summers, cold winters, and especially, it’s high humidity year-round. The intense humidity is influenced by the Atlantic ocean, which keeps Providence, and the rest of the state of Rhode Island, warmer than many inland locales in New England. July is typically the warmest month, while January is often the coldest.

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Providence has a compact downtown, with numerous places to stay. The Downtown Route, Blackstone Boulevard Park, College Hill, and the East Bay Bike Path, are all accessible from downtown hotels.

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Here is a guide to a few running stores in and around the Providence area. All stores are easily accessible on public transportation via bus, if you don’t have access to a car.

Rhode Runner Inc.   Group runs Tuesdays and Wednesday at 6:00PM. Also, Sundays at 8:00AM

Providence Running Company – Group runs Tuesdays at 6:00PM and Saturdays at 9:00AM. Discounts offered following the run for customers! PS. Thanks for all your help, Providence Running Company!

Rhode Runner Inc.

Rising Above Cancer 5k Run and Walk

Saturday July 30 8:00 – 11:00AM

Providence Running Company 

Yearly New Year’s Races

Yearly Halloween Races

Yearly “Turkey Trots” – Thanksgiving Day Races

Narragansett Bay Half Marathon and 5k

July

Beautiful Half/5k along Narragansett Bay in conjunction with E Providence Heritage Music Festival

5th Annual Steven K Latimer Memorial 5k – Families Against Violence Run/Walk

September

The SKL Memorial 5k run/walk raises funds for Children  who have lost a parent to violence

Providence Monster Dash 5k –

Octobe

Run through the RIPTA Bus Tunnel

START: 250 South Water Street Providence, RI 02903

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