Wickenden Area Merchants Association

Hello and welcome to the Wickenden Area Merchants Association (WAMA)

About

Wickenden Street in Providence, Rhode Island is a popular destination for families, students of the area's colleges and schools, locals and tourists alike. The street is surrounded by universities, including Brown University, RISD, and Johnson & Whales University, making for a vibrant, ever-changing community.

The Wickenden area has numerous independent shops, art galleries, salons, pubs and restaurants that are popular among local artists, professors, and students. Please refer to the Wickenden Area Walking Guide on the MAP page for the locations and descriptions of all the area’s businesses, and check the PLACES TO GO page for a list of all business with links to their individual websites.

Our mission at WAMA is to promote businesses in the Wickenden area and provide the local community with a pleasant and memorable experience while visiting our little slice of Providence.

Events

The Wickenden area is host to a few annual events, most notably the Makers and Merchants Sidewalk Sale which is held twice a year, once in spring and again in fall. Makers and Merchants has steadily grown each year and is now one of Providence’s most notable, family-friendly, pet-friendly, outdoor events. The sale includes local food and drink vendors, in addition to local artists and makers of all disciplines selling their products. Wickenden street is blocked off from car traffic between Traverse St. and Brook St., and the music, pets and friendly vibes encompass everything the Wickenden area, and it’s community, stand for. For more info on other happenings, please visit the EVENTS page and check in with the WAMA Instagram and WAMA Facebook page.

Parking

There are no parking meters on Wickenden Street and plenty of accessible side streets to park on during busy days.

Recreation

There is a pedestrian bridge at the corner of George M Cohan Blvd. and East St. that leads to India Point Park. The park is a wonderful place to walk along the water or lay out on the grass. There are many events held at India Point Park through the warm weather months of the year, The park includes Brown University’s Marston Boathouse, the Seastreak Ferry Terminal to Newport, and a soccer field.

Lodging

The Hilton Garden Inn hotel is located on India St. across from the park and is a great place to stay to enjoy Providence and the Wickenden area. There are more hotels located in Downtown Providence that are a short walk to Wickenden Street.