Simply buying a home in Providence, Rhode Island or finding a job in the city isn't enough to fill your life. You need a balance of work, home life, and play time to feel fulfilled. Some people like to fill their time with learning faux painting techniques at their neighborhood recreation center while others prefer to partake in sports or visit local attractions. While Rhode Island tends to disappear beneath larger New England neighbor Boston's prowess when it comes to cultural importance, the city of Providence has plenty to occupy the mind and body, if only you care to look for it.

Unbeknownst to large portions of the American population is the fact that Providence is one of the oldest cities in the country. It was one of the original thirteen colonies, established by pioneer Roger Williams as a haven of religious freedom. Thanks to the fact that the land for the city was bought rather than stolen and the fact that neither the Revolutionary nor Civil Wars brought much harm to the city, much of its history is still proudly on display. A walk through Providence's streets will reveal modern condominiums and car raffles alongside old churches and silverware factories established in the early 1800s.

Providence's unique Rhode Island culture makes it a great city to just hang out in. Sure there are the usual shopping malls where you can buy your iPhone leather cases and new outfits, but much more popular is the restaurant scene. There are more restaurants and coffee shops per capita in Providence than anywhere else in America. Stop by for a donut and a cuppa and listen to the patrons' non-rhotic accents. Afterward, why not take in a show at one of the many city theaters or peruse a local art display? There are always festivals on the go in Providence you can take in as well, and the city has one of the largest and most active gay communities in the northeast.

If your ambition is to wear the creme de la creme of Mon Cheri bridal dresses and take your wedding photos outdoors in front of the crisply colored New England fall leaves, Providence is full of parks that would make a stunning backdrop. There are over 1,200 acres of them, with the largest and most popular being Waterplace Park, Roger Williams Park, and Prospect Terrace Park. There you can take a scenic walk, jog the paths, take a bike ride, have a picnic, whatever strikes your fancy.

Sports are also a popular activity in city parks, but if you're not into playing them yourself you could take in a minor league or college game instead. Several of Providence's schools play at the NCAA Division I level. Pack your baby's nursery supply gear and come along. Before you know it, they'll be old enough to take skating lessons at Waterplace Park. There are plenty of other activities to do with the tykes when that happens, from visiting the zoo in Roger Williams Park to touring a Russian submarine at the waterfront.