In town on business? Taking a vacation? Whatever your reason for visiting historic Providence, Rhode Island, the capitol and largest city in the state, you should find plenty to occupy your time. There are numerous places you can visit while waiting for the hockey tournament to start that appeal to a wide range of interests. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it does represent some of our favorite things to see in Providence. We recommend that you don't miss them.

Roger Williams Park

While Providence has over 1,200 acres of parkland, Roger Williams Park is definitely its showpiece. Named for the city's founder, it features over 400 landscaped acres that will make you forget the boring lecture you just heard on trading gold bullion bars. There are seven lakes within its borders, historic boat houses and band shells, the original family home and burial ground, a zoo, a botanical garden, and a planetarium. The national historic trust has named it one of the finest parks in the nation.

Nibbles Woodaway

Moving from the placid outdoors to the kitchy we turn our attention to Nibbles Woodaway, or the Big Blue Bug, a roadside attraction and mascot to the New England Pest Control company. Made of wire and fiberglass, this termite replica stands 9 feet tall and 58 feet long. So take a break from your sales tour selling lead products to area hospitals and get your picture taken with a huge blue termite.

Rhode Island State House

Located downtown, this neoclassical home of the Rhode Island government is on the national register of historic places and had the fourth largest unsupported dome in the world. The front facade makes for an excellent photo and tours of the building can be arranged as part of a corporate E gift or a personal vacation. Construction began in 1895 took nearly 10 years. Inside the rotunda you'll find historic relics of Providence's founding.

Rhode Island School of Design Museum

Though you may never have heard of the school it belongs to unless you're an art insider, this museum has the 20th largest art collection in the United States. Works represented in the collection include examples of workmanship from ancient times, like scrap gold rings belonging to Egyptian royalty as well as sculptures, paintings, clothing, and jewelry from Greece, Rome, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Featured local artists include Goddard and Townsend, John Noble Barlow, and Gilbert Stuart.