The diner exhibit at Johnson & Wales University's culinary museum in Providence is a delight for cooks and pop culture buffs. RELATED LINKS Return to Providence City Guide

Anyone who loves to cook should spend some time at this unique attraction on the main campus of Johnson & Wales University, which has a well-regarded College of Culinary Arts. In addition to extensive collections of cookbooks, restaurant menus and historical documents related to food preparation, the Culinary Archives & Museum owns a fascinating collection of antique kitchen and dining utensils spanning thousands of years of culinary history.

The museum presents a mix of permanent and temporary exhibitions culled from the half a million documents and artifacts housed at the site, which is located a few miles south of downtown near the banks of the Providence River. One-hour guided tours are included with the price of admission. Tickets cost $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $3 for students and $2 for ages 5 to 18. The museum is closed Mondays, major holidays and some academic breaks, but otherwise is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays until 8:00 p.m.

Plan ahead and you might also try participating in one of the university's "Chef's Choice" hands-on cooking classes, which are offered evenings and weekends throughout the year. For schedules and registration information, visit www.jwu.edu/culinary/chefschoice.

Culinary Archives & Museum
Johnson & Wales University
315 Harborside Blvd.
Providence, R.I.
401-598-2805
www.culinary.org