Top Places to Be in Providence During Netroots Nation 2012

Nearly three thousand progressive officials, bloggers, and activists are expected to flock to Providence this weekend for the Netroots Nation conference.

With an enormous selection of special events, after parties, and restaurants to choose from, the Mayor's staff has highlighted some of our favorites.

Here's a list of our picks for the best of the event lineup:

1. Block Party - On Friday night Mayor Angel Taveras and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse will team up to welcome attendees to Providence at Local 121, a farm-to-table restaurant. All attendees are welcome for a beer and wine open bar at one of Providence's most beloved restaurants. Local 121 is located at 121 Washington Street. The party goes from 7pm to 10pm on Friday night.
2. Service Project at Roger Williams Park - Get your hands dirty participating in a cleanup of Roger Williams Park and leave Providence more beautiful than when you found it. Representatives from top R.I. environmental agencies will be present to discuss their work in the state. Lunch will be provided. A chartered bus leaves from the Westin Hotel at 9am on Sunday and will return no later than 2:15pm.
3. Waterfire - Don't miss this uniquely Providence event. Traverse Waterplace Park on foot and enjoy a sampling of Providence's vendors or see the flames up close on an evening gondola ride. Fires will be lit at approximately 8:20pm on Saturday night. Eighty bonfires will continue until midnight.
4. Art Show - Contemplate political posters as an art form and messaging tool at the Art Exhibit and reception. The show features political posters in a variety of mediums created for causes ranging from the OCCUPY movement to pro-immigrant sentiments. You can find the Art Exhibit reception on Friday night from 6pm to 7:30pm in the Rotunda.
5. Laughing Liberally - Head to the Rotunda to catch the Laughing Liberally comedy show, featuring well-known political comics from Comedy Central, The Onion and the Laughing Liberally National Tour. The show runs from 9:15pm to 11pm on Thursday.

In between packed event schedules, we recommend checking out one of Providence's greatest resources - our incredible restaurants. Here's a smattering of the staff's favorite haunts:

1. The Hot Club - Check out this waterfront bar around 5pm to catch local politicos and staff enjoying after-work cocktails. 575 South Water Street
2. Viva Mexico - The perfect locale for a quick lunch. Straight from Juarez, great mole sauce! 129 Washington Street
3. Dinner on Federal Hill - A discussion of the Providence restaurant scene would be incomplete without some mention of Federal Hill, Providence's answer to Little Italy located on Atwells Avenue. Though you can't go wrong anywhere on the Hill, some staff favorites here include Siena and the Providence Oyster Bar.
4. AS220 - For a unique culinary experience in a hip art-friendly atmosphere, we recommend AS220. 115 Empire Street
5. Local 121 or Gracie's - Farm-to-table, farm-fresh food. Locally-sourced ingredients make these spots a must-try if you're only in town for the weekend.
6. Al Forno - Perhaps the most lauded grilled pizza in America. And the pizzas are just appetizers! 566 South Main Street
7. PVD food trucks galore - Gourmet food trucks are setting up shop in various locations across Providence and have become local favorites. To locate some of our favorites go to Poco Loco or Mama Kim's Korean BBQ.
8. And of course... HAVEN BROTHERS LATE NIGHT! Since Haven Brothers is one of the nation's oldest restaurants on wheels (founded in 1888!), it seems unfair to lump it in with the food trucks that have only recently taken to the streets of Providence. Parked nightly on the corner of Fulton and Dorrance Streets.
9. Flan y Ajo - A new Progressive spot. BYOB and settle on a barstool for some fresh Spanish fare. 224A Westminster Street
10. Hemenway's - Came to R.I. in search of fresh East Coast seafood? Look no further than Hemenway's. 121 South Main Street