Rhode Island State House

The 1904 Rhode Island State House sits on a hill north of downtown, its white Georgia marble dome visible from much of the city. The building is open to the public on weekdays, and free guided tours explain the history of the state and the building's architecture. From the steps, there's a sweeping view south over the Providence skyline.

The surrounding grounds are pleasant in warm weather. The State House is only a few blocks from Providence Station, making it an easy first stop on a walking tour of downtown.

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The State House dome is one of the largest self-supporting marble domes in the world — modeled on St. Peter's in Rome. When it opened in 1904, the dome was surpassed in size only by those in Florence and St. Paul's in London. The original portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart hangs inside — the same image reproduced on the one-dollar bill.