The best camping near Roger Williams National Memorial

In the heart of Providence, Rhode Island stands a memorial to individual freedom. One urban park shows that, against all odds, one man founded what would become a key state of the Union during the American Revolution. Welcome to the place where Roger Williams founded the city of Providence in 1636.

The park is more than just a memorial to Williams. The Antram-Gray House, built in 1730, serves as the visitor center. A real, working garden shows what it was like to harvest crops native to the area and the time period of the 17th century. A stone memorial and courtyard marks the spot where Williams found the spring of water that led to his founding of the city. It was named Providence because he felt divine influence led him to the spot.

The Williams memorial is so much more than just a 4.5-acre public park. It's a reminder that everyone can get along. Williams was lost and alone in the wilderness after being exiled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Fortunately, the Narragansett tribe befriended Williams and helped him to survive. All Williams wanted was a place to worship freely without any hindrance. It was this guiding principle that led to Rhode Island's founding in 1663. Religious freedom was also paramount with regards to drafting the U.S. Constitution in 1787.

There's plenty of history to see in downtown Providence, thanks to old buildings and monuments nearby. This park serves as a good starting point for your day-long adventure into one of the oldest cities in America. Summer and fall offer plenty to do in the city, whether you love outdoor festivals, concerts or cultural activities.