2012 Travel, Lodging & Parking Information

Machine Quilters Exposition (MQX)
Rhode Island Convention Center
One Sabin Street
Providence, RI 02903   

NEW! Convention Travel Information - Each year the Providence Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) puts up a great travel site to answer all your questions regarding travel in and around Providence. Check back here for the MQX / CVB site.  In the meantime, click here to learn more about the wonderful city of Providence. 

Airport and Shuttle Information

TF Green is the airport in Providence.  For previous MQX attendees, it is similar in size and accessibility to the convention hotels as Manchester. 

The airport code is PVD.  The nearest airport to the hotels and convention center is TF Green Airport in Providence (approximately 7 miles).  The city-subsidized shuttle service is the least expensive ride to the hotels which, at this time, is $11 per person.   International students will probably have to fly into Boston's Logan International Airport or Hartford, Connecticut first for customs services and either fly onto Providence, rent a car or catch a bus to Providence.

T.F. Green Airport (PVD) - Located just 10 minutes from downtown Providence, Warwick's T.F. Green Airport (PVD) was named one of the top five airports in the US by Travel + Leisure magazine, and offers more than 150 flights to 21 destinations. Just off Exit 13 on Interstate Route 95, Green Airport is accessible to Boston, Cape Cod and Southeastern New England. 

Taxi Service - The distance from T.F. Green Airport to the downtown area is 9 miles and taxis will cost approximately $30.00 each way. 

Shuttle Service - *The airport shuttle is available 7 days a week from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm. The shuttle leaves the airport every hour on the hour. From the hotels they leave every hour on the ½ hour. After 7:00 pm reservations for the shuttle are required from the city only. The cost of the shuttle is $11.00 each way. For more info, call (401) 737-2868 or toll free 1-888-737-7006, or visit http://www.airporttaxiri.com/schedule/index.html.

Car Rental (All area codes are 401)

Alamo 739-0696
Avis 736-7500
Budget 739-8986
Dollar 739-8450
Enterprise 739-1005
Hertz 738-3550
National 732-0907
Payless 736-8503
Thrifty 739-8660

Train Service at T.F. Green - T.F. Green Airport is conveniently connected to the MBTA commuter trains through the InterLink train station. Travelers can access the InterLink directly from the airport terminal through the skywalk. To get to the skywalk, proceed down the elevators to the ground level and walk to the far front left of the terminal, past the Visitor Information table, and look for signs directing to the InterLink connector. Train fares and schedules can be found on the MBTA website at http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/?route=PROVSTOU.
COST: Regular fare $2.25, Senior/Disabled fare $1.10

Rhode Island Public Transit - http://ripta.com/
To and From T.G. Green Airport, Number 14 Bus: Monday - Friday, Via RT 95, (About 15 minutes)

Number 20 Bus: Seven days a week, Via Elmwood Ave (About 30 minutes)

*The Providence Airport Shuttle is located outside of baggage claim.  The shuttles are big, gray busses that are clearly labeled "Providence Airport Shuttle" on the sides. 

Shuttle Service Quotes from several OTHER shuttle services at TF Green Airport.

Train Service - More and more trains are being added to this area. Please refer to Amtrak schedules and more local MBTA schedules. Interlink Transport (also MBTA) is now up and running from the airport to the train station in downtown Providence. There is a few minutes walk from the train station to the Convention Center.

Restaurants are abundant so plan on trying out the multitude of cuisines available to you throughout the downtown area as well as Federal Hill...... and all within easy walking distance.

Attention travelers coming through Boston's Logan International Airport - Check out bus and train transport through New England Travel Planner as there are several options available. 

The four new hotel options are in the grid below. 

Please contact each hotel directly either by phone or through the following internet links:

We have visited each property and have made comments on what we observed.

Providence Biltmore -  401-421-0700 or Click here for the link to the MQX Room Block
A quick block and a half walk to the Convention Center, the Biltmore is quite comfortable and visually impressive. Designed by the same architect (Warren & Wetmore) that designed Grand Central Station in New York City, it really does have an old world elegance. All MQX guests receive a 20% discount at the onsight spa; "Spa at the Providence Biltmore." All the rooms have recently been refurbished. 

Self-Parking is (as of 1/10/11), $20/day (moving the vehicle will incur another $20 fee) to self-park at an adjacent parking garage that is not affiliated with The Biltmore.

Valet Parking is $26 at the same garage

There's a Starbucks in the lobby.... need we say more?

Courtyard by Marriott - 401-272-1191 or Click here for the link to the MQX Room Block
The Courtyard Marriott is a standard hotel that is a few hundred yards from the convention center. The vast lobby is great for get-togethers and they allow food to be brought in from the outside. Parking is $26 (valet only) but the convention center parking garage is available for $18 per 24 hour period. The mall and loads of restaurants are within a block.

Hotel Providence - 401-861-8000 - Click here for reservations
The Hotel Providence is the most elegant and the smallest property for MQX this year. There's a beautiful restaurant and bar and the rooms are spacious and stunning. There is FREE parking at this hotel.

Marriott Providence - 401-272-2400 or Click here for the link to the MQX Room Block
Although a bit further away from the convention center (5 blocks), the Marriot Providence is by far the most aggressively priced room block.  This recently refurbished property has lots of amenities, free parking and a shuttle that runs from 7:30 am through 10 pm. (Shuttle will run later for evening events).




















Contact the Rhode Island Convention & Visitor's Bureau for information on the city and things to do.

The New England Travel Planner is a great resource for travel to and throughout the New England Area.

MAP TO EVENT LOCATION

Parking - If there is a negative to being in a downtown location it is that parking is at a premium (premium price, that is).  However the Rhode Island Convention Center has a parking garage as does the Providence Place Mall (the mall parking garage is a bit more pricy) and the nearby hotels.  Be SURE to park in the convention center parking because the hotel parking is considerably more expensive. Event parking for the entire day is $10, 24 hour parking is $18.

Please give some thought to carpooling with friends as the parking cost is more than we'd like it to be.  We attempted to negotiate a parking fee discount but as a city-owned parking facility, it was not to be.  Therefore, please utilize the Convention Center parking garage whenever possible as it is less costly. 

Tall Vehicle Parking - For the day, there are two open air lots with a 5-10 minute walk to the convention center.  They are both priced similarly to the parking described above.

Dorrance Street - left side just past the Biltmore Hotel 

Weybosset Street - corner of Weybosset and Orange Streets 

Metered parking spots are available around the convention center on West Exchange and Washington Streets. An early arrival is highly recommended as these spots fill very quickly, especially during the work week. Weekends might be a bit easier. 

Boston is one hour north of Providence.

Boston Things To Do - a great site for things to do in historical Boston, Massachusetts.

Shopping - The Providence Place Mall is the last in-town mall built in the United States.  It is a five story structure with virtually any store you can think of as well as restaurants in the food court and an IMAX Theater.  The mall is connected by skywalk to the Westin and the Rhode Island Convention Center.