From Wikitravel

Cranston [1] is the third largest city in Rhode Island by population with 79,269 residents as of the 2000 census. Cranston spans 28 square miles north of Warwick and south of Providence. The city was founded in 1910 and to date does not have a major urban area. Cranston offers suburban charm with lots of options for food and shopping.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By Car

Cranston is a short drive from any Rhode Island city or town. From the south, it is easiest to take I-95 N exit 11 (in Warwick, RI), to I-295 N exit 1, to RI-2 N into Cranston. From the north, it is easiest to take I-95 S exit 16, to RI-1 S (Elmwood Avenue/Post Road), into Cranston: RI-12 (Park Avenue) and RI-2 (Reservoir Avenue). For up to date traffic information, consult the RI Department of Transportation's Transportation Management Center Website [2].

[edit] By Plane

The closest airport to Cranston is T.F. Green International Airport (IATA: PVD, ICAO: KPVD), 200 Post Road; Wawick, RI 02886, +1 888 268-7222, [3], in Warwick, RI, less than 5 minutes away. T.F. Green serves the Rhode Island area and provides non-stop transportation from Toronto, the Azores (seasonal), and many major U.S. airports including Atlanta, Chicago, Tampa, and Las Vegas. See the complete list of cities with nonstop flights for more information [4]. Additional cities can be reached by connecting flights at many major airline hubs [5]. Upon arrival, renting a car or taking a bus is a convenient way to enter the city.

[edit] Get around

[edit] By Car

Destinations in Cranston are most easily accessible by car. Renting a car or bringing your own is advisable. Many locations of interest are situated close to each other and can be walking distance apart, but locations may be car-centrically designed or areas of high traffic volume.

[edit] By Bus

A one day bus pass can be purchased on board any RIPTA, +1 401 781-9400, [6], bus and may be used to travel to and around major Cranston streets. Unlike larger city routes, bus routes serving Cranston may not have many trips especially on weekends and nights. Bus Rates: One-Way: $1.50, Transfer: $0.10, One-Day Pass: $5.00.

Routes Serving Cranston:

• 22 Reservoir/Pontiac - Serving Reservoir Avenue, Garden City, and Park Avenue

[edit][add listing] See

Sprague Mansion, 1351 Cranston St., +1 401 944-9226, [7] This mansion was built in the late 18th century by the Spragues, a well to do Cranston family. The mansion received additions in 1864, and it has been kept intact ever since. There are tours through the mansion, and the suggested price for these tours is $3.00 for children and $10.00 for visitors 12 and up. The tours mainly focus on the history and architecture of the building. The mansion is also open to weddings, birthday parties, and other events. Of course, holding events at Sprague Mansion can be expensive, but the house is so beautiful that it’s worth spending the money. There are rumors that the mansion is haunted, but that is not widely believed. Sprague Mansion is definitely worth a visit for visitors and Rhode Island residents.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Mardi Gras Ball, Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, 60 Rhodes Pl., +1 401 783-3926, [8]. New England’s only authentic Louisiana Mardi Gras celebration. Costume-optional event featuring four Cajun and Zydeco bands, Cajun and Creole food, and non-stop dancing. Costume optional with prizes for best dressed.

• Mulligan's Island Golf & Entertainment, 1000 New London Avenue, +1 401 464-8855, [9], 8AM-8PM daily. Offers two 18-hole golf courses, one 9-hole golf course, a miniature golf course, a 10-station batting cage, and a 60-stall driving range. The Mulligan's Island Golf Academy offers instruction for individiuals and groups, and the KR Baseball Academy, which was started by former professional baseball player Ken Ryan, also provides both private and group instruction. Birthday parties for children, corporate events, and group functions can be booked in advance.

• Budlong Pool, 198 Aqueduct Road, +1 401 781-7477, June-August. Built in the 1950s, Budlong Pool is one of the largest outdoor swimming pools in the nation, at 85 feet wide and 260 feet long. Cranston residents can purchase a season, individual, senior, or day pass, but non-residents can only purchase a day pass. There are swimming lessons for children and Aquafit classes for adults. The pool is open every year from the last week of June until the third week of August.

• Cranston Country Club, 69 Burlingame Road, +1 401 826-1683, [10], Su-Sa. Driving range and 18-hole golf course are available for members and are also open to the public. Membership is expensive, but non-members can gain access to the golf course and driving range by paying a lower fee. Features a snack bar, lockers, showers, golf carts, and a practice green. Rates: $22-60 (for public golfing).

• Cranston Veteran's Memorial Ice Rink, 900 Phenix Avenue, +1 401 944-8690, [11], M: 10AM-noon, F: 10AM-noon, 8PM-10PM, Sa-Su: 1PM-3PM. This ice rink, with a capacity of 425 people, is open to the public four days a week. It features a snack bar and a pro shop called Bennett Sports, which sells hockey equipment. The CVMIR also hosts birthday parties and offers skating lessons to individuals ages 4 and up. Rates: $2-5 (for public skating).

[edit][add listing] Buy

Garden City Center, Route 2, +1 401 942-2800, [12] Garden City is a large open shopping area, sometimes described as a shopping village or an outdoor shopping mall. There are over seventy stores, ranging from large to small. However, all of the stores can be pricy. They are clustered in smaller groups resembling neighborhoods. Many of these neighborhoods open onto a white trellised walkway. This arrangement is not only good for shopping but also for strolling and window shopping. Of course, shoppers can either browse the stores while walking through the shopping center, or they can go straight to their favorite stores. There is plenty of parking throughout Garden City, so going straight to a favorite store is simple.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• 99 Restaurant and Pub, 1171 New London Ave., +1 401 463-9993, [13] This restaurant is a good place to eat if visitors like steak or other American food. As the name of the restaurant suggests, it is also a good place to buy alcoholic beverages. While this restaurant is a good place for adults to eat, it is not a good place to take children. The restaurant does have a children’s menu, but this menu is not as extensive as the adult menu. The restaurant also has plenty of parking. However, at peak dining hours, the wait for service can get long.

• Applebee’s, 3030 East Kansas Ave., +1 401 946-7585, This popular restaurant serves Italian food in a dimly lit but interestingly decorated setting. Usually, the wait for food is not long, and parties can be booked for large groups.

• Ben & Jerry’s, 50 Hillside Rd., +1 401 944-9995, [14] This ice cream shop serves good ice cream but in huge portions. There is seating inside and outside the restaurant. However, diners can choose not to sit down, and instead, they can walk around garden city center while enjoying their ice cream.

• Boston Market, 185 Sockanosset Cross Rd., +1 401 946-2449, [15] Boston Market serves mostly chicken, turkey, and meatloaf in various forms. Diners can order individual meals, family meals, sandwiches, salads, and dessert. This restaurant supposedly serves meals that are healthy for the diners, so if you are searching for a healthy restaurant, Boston Market is the best place to try.

• Café Luna, 22 Midway Rd., +1 401 944-1438, Café Luna is open from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Sunday, 8:30 a.m.- 7 p.m. on Monday, and 8:30 a.m.- 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. This restaurant provides a large selection from sandwiches, to chicken and vegetarian meals. They have self service and table service on specific days, and the restaurant is wheelchair accessible.

• Chelo’s, 1275 Reservoir Ave., +1 401 942-7666, [16] Chelo’s serves Italian and American food, and the restaurant also has some seafood dishes. The food here is either very good or very bad because it all depends on the customer’s preferences. If travelers want to be sure that they are going to enjoy their meal, Chelo’s is not the place to go. However, travelers willing to take a chance should try eating at Chelo’s. The wait for the food here is long, but there is plenty of parking, so at least, the car will be safe. Also, the restaurant has excellent wheelchair access.

• Del’s Lemonade, [17] Del’s Lemonade is a summertime treat in most of Rhode Island. These roadside lemonade stands serve frozen lemonade, and they also have a variety of other flavors to choose from, such as bluberry, cherry, watermelon, and peach mango. The flavors constantly change and are not consistent from stand to stand, but the classic flavor is always guaranteed at every stand. Del’s Lemonade is good on a hot day, and visitors coming through Cranston or Rhode Island, during the summer, should try some.

• Dunkin Donuts, [18] There are nine Dunkin Donuts in Cranston. One is located in Garden City Center, and the others are on various street corners. They serve coffee, donuts, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches.

• Friendly's, 1177 Reservoir Avenue, +1 401 943-6180, [19]. Although Friendly's is generally associated with ice cream, it is also a reasonably priced, family-friendly restaurant that serves sandwiches, breakfast foods, fish, and even steak. Of course, the biggest draw for children is still the ice cream, but there are plenty of meals on the menu that they will also enjoy. Children are even provided with crayons with which to color while they wait for their meals.

• King's Garden, 901 Rolfe St., +1 401 461-0646, M-Su 11AM-10PM, serves authentic Chinese food in an intimate setting. This restaurant is moderately priced and offers Dim Sum during select times of day. All meals are traditionally served with choice of tea and white rice is available for dinner upon request. Combination plates, daily specials, and seasonal specials are available. King's Garden also serves freshly baked specialty buns and pastries from the Chinese tradition on weekends. These inexpensive items can be purchased wrapped and to go from the display in the front for a snack, in bulk for parties, or side dishes for meals. Parking is located in the rear of the restaurant.

• Marchetti's Restaurant, 1463 Park Avenue, +1 401 943-7649, [20]. Tu-Thu 11AM-10PM, F 11AM-11PM, Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su Noon-10PM. This popular Italian restaurant offers large portions at reasonable prices. There are plenty of parking spaces, and the atmosphere is relaxed and casual. The restaurant is also family-friendly, with a children's menu that offers several basic meals that should appeal even to picky eaters. $4.95-$24.95.

• Mikes Meatball Inc., 1280 Cranston St., +1 401 944-4455, This small restaurant has very little parking; however, despite the parking problems, the food here is good, and for small groups, it is worth a visit. The restaurant serves mostly Italian food and American food that is usually geared more towards adults. However, the restaurant has character, and often attracts children because of the cartoon meatball man painted on the outside. So, parents should stay on alert for the cartoon, and if their children beg to eat there, they should satisfy them with a picture of the meatball man. Then, they should take them to a more child friendly restaurant; unless, they are sure that their children can handle adult food.

• Newport Creamery, 35 Sockanosset Cross Rd., +1 401 944-3397, Newport Creamery traditionally serves ice cream, but diners can also order French fries, chicken fingers, and other American foods. The restaurant has plenty of parking, and is conveniently located next to a Citizen’s Bank. This restaurant is an excellent place for families because the waiters provide crayons for children to draw with while they wait for their food. Finally, visitors should try an Awful Awful. These drinks are large shakes, supposedly named Awful Awful because they are awful big and awful good.

• Papa Razzi, 1 Paparazzi way, +1 401 942-2900, [21] This restaurant serves Italian Food and provides extensive outdoor seating. The food here is geared towards adults, and most children probably will not enjoy it. Adult diners can order from a wide range of wines and other alcoholic beverages.

• Spain Restaurant of Cranston, 1073 Reservoir Ave., +1 401 946-8686, [22] Spain Restaurant is one of the best in the city. It serves Spanish food, and the food here is usually excellent for those who like Spanish food. The service is also quick, and waiters are very attentive to their customers. The restaurant serves many alcoholic beverages and is geared more towards adults. Meals here can be expensive, but generally, meals are more in the medium price range. There is plenty of parking, but travelers should note that Spain does not accept reservations, and it is strictly a no smoking restaurant.

• Starbuck’s Coffee, 6 Midway Rd., +1 401 464-8235, [23]

• Twin Oaks, 100 Sabra St., +1 401 781-9693, This popular restaurant serves American and Italian food. The portions here are huge, and meals are expensive. Usually, the wait for service is very long, and although the restaurant serves good food, the wait can sometimes make the food less enjoyable. The parking here can also get very crowded. Overall, this restaurant is not good for families with young children, but groups of adults will most likely enjoy it.

• Uncle Tony's Pizza & Pasta, 1455 Oaklawn Avenue, +1 401 463-7785, [24]. This is a popular Italian restaurant that specializes in, as its name suggests, pizza and pasta. The atmosphere is casual and the menu is family-friendly, with meals that will appeal to both children and adults. There is plenty of seating inside, so the wait time is seldom very long. A distinctive feature of this restaurant is the miniature jukebox at every table, which allows diners to play songs for 25 cents each. These miniature jukeboxes are essentially remote controls that are connected to the large jukebox near the entrance of the restaurant.

• Wein-O-Rama, 1009 Oaklawn Ave., +1 401 943-4990, Wein-O-Rama is a small diner style restaurant that serves hot dogs, fries, and other American food. The food is usually good and child friendly, and it is made very quickly. Also, unlike most American restaurants, the portions here are not too big. There is parking for the restaurant, and usually it is never too busy.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Days Inn Cranston, 101 New London Avenue, +1 800-454-6835, [25], offers 65 rooms at around $91 per day. Situated across from Garden City Center, the Days Inn Cranston is a convenient place to stay with access to shopping and dining on main roads (Reservoir Avenue, Budlong Road, Park Avenue). Offers standard hotel accommodations and pets are allowed.

[edit] Get out

To leave Cranston, it is best to travel by car to another node of transportation (Bus, Air, or Train). Transportation by car in Cranston is very convenient and normally not inhibited by major traffic. Also, leaving by bus to a major bus hub such as Kennedy Plaza in downtown Providence is an option.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!