Private Tour

Parasols and Pocket Watches: A History Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

1 hour 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Join us for this elegant stroll through time!

Allow our historically costumed, local guides to lead you down the most beautifully preserved street in all of Providence, RI- Benefit Street!

Guests will learn the history of some of Providence's most prominent residents and families, including the Dorr family, Roger Williams, and the Hoppin family. See architectural icons including the John Brown House, the First Baptist Church, the Fleur de Lys Building, and the original State House. Learn about the events that shaped our state and nation, including the suffrage movements (yes, there were two!) and the Civil War. This tour will leave you feeling more connected to the city's past and with a greater appreciation for Providence.

Benefit Street is a mostly flat street and is suitable for people of most levels of health and fitness.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Flat terrain, suitable for most levels of health.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

A Historically Costumed Guide

What To Expect

Benefit Street

We will stroll historic Benefit Street for the duration of the tour. Your guide will point out buildings of architectural, historical, and societal interest. The tour is outside and we will not enter any of the buildings. Your guide will point out any establishments that permit public entry and you are welcome to go back to see them more closely at your convenience.

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Parasols and Pocket Watches: A History Tour

Reviews

4.95

44 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Walking tour of Benefits steet
Fay M,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00
The tour took place at sunset, but it was not a ghost tour. Would have been better in the day time. Would have been easier to see the buildings we were looking at.
Providence’s History Comes Alive!
nikkifS5423TI,
Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We absolutely loved the Parasols and Pocket Watches history tour in Providence. Courtney was our guide, and she was fantastic — her love of history really shines through in every story she tells. You can tell she’s deeply passionate about the past and has spent so much time uncovering the small details that make Providence’s history come alive. She shared so many interesting facts, told us about the unique historical homes along Benefit Street, and connected everything in a way that made it easy to imagine what life here was like throughout the past several centuries. She even had an artifact collection that she shared along the way to give more meaning to the stories from the past. The tour was perfectly paced, informative without ever feeling dry, and full of charm. If you enjoy history or just want to experience Providence in a deeper, more meaningful way, I highly recommend this tour.
Lovely historical tour!
45rosew,
Sep 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Had a fantastic time learning about the history of Providence and seeing Benefit St. I would definitely take another one of these tours!
A Fun, Comprehensive, Amazing Tour!!
Ilanit A,
Sep 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My girlfriend and I booked a trip to Providence without knowing much about the city or its rich history. We booked a last-minute tour and were the only two guests with Courtney, our guide. She was delightful, kind, and so knowledgeable! Courtney's love for the area's history enriched our understanding and appreciation for Providence's unique past! We couldn't be happier with this experience, 10/10!
Benefit Street tour
melaniemT615YB,
Aug 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I enjoyed this tour. It takes you up and back Benefit Street. I enjoyed listening to the guide and learned a lot of fun facts about Rhode Island history.
A wonderful, informative tour!
courtneymK8388TS,
Aug 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This tour was wonderful and our guide was amazing! There was rain in the forecast and she brought umbrellas for everyone. She provided so much interesting information about Providence itself and many of the historical residents who resided there. She loved her topic, which helped everyone on the tour learn a lot and love Providence too! I would highly recommend this tour for everyone visiting Providence, RI.
Wonderful tour and way to learn about Providence!!
framgal,
Aug 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What a fantastic tour! We did this Parasols & Pocket Watches tour as a mother/daughter day activity. We learned so much about history right in our backyard that we hadn't been aware of. Courtney is an engaging tour guide who is full of stories. She certainly has a knack for making history come alive. Highly recommend this tour! We now plan to do some of the other tours offered by this company. We'll also bring guests to the area on this tour.
Awesome and informative walking tour
lynnemT8093OY,
Aug 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our tour guide, Courtney, is not only knowledgeable of local history, she’s also a gifted storyteller. She brought the history of Benefit Street to life, highlighting a number of noteworthy sites on the hour-long tour. My sister, Melissa, and I highly recommend this walking tour. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for hilly terrain.
A wonderful, informative, and fascinating tour!
Global219412,
Aug 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was a perfect summer morning strolling Benefit Street on the Parasols and Pocket Watches tour led by Courtney, owner of Providence Ghost Tours. If you didn't know, Courtney is a Providence legend! This new tour leaves the ghosts in their graves and focuses on the expansive history of Benefit Street. Courtney doesn't just recite some script and send you on your way—no, her passion for the history shines through her telling of the incredible stories that this historic street has to offer. I learned so much on this tour and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to have an enjoyable, informative, and fascinating experience on the East Side!
She had some interesting ...
Barbara G,
Aug 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00
She had some interesting info. I’m finding it’s hard to retain everything unless I right it down! I liked the narrator’s costume and although it was super hot she was a trooper!