Visitors look at a Buddha statue at the Rhode Island School of Design's Museum. RELATED LINKS Providence City Guide

By Diane Vadino

The Rhode Island School of Design offers one of the country's top design and art programs. Purchase alumni pieces at RISD works, the school store, to sample tomorrow's design sensations today. (For work by current students, contact the school for upcoming shows.)

The RISD Museum is small but exquisite, showcasing work from the museum's holdings. British watercolors are on display through May. The museum also hosts family workshops; a recent session on kabuki had participants crafting miniature cardboard theaters. After visiting the school, take a stroll around Benefit Street where the school is located. The street shows off a beguiling mix of Victorian and Colonial buildings.

RISD Museum
224 Benefit St.
Providence, RI 02903
www.risd.edu/museum.cfm