One of my suggestions is more travel-based: taking the bus from Providence to NYC can take a little longer than the bus company says...I've spent 2-3 hours just in the Bronx on both ends because the traffic is so bad. If you can swing paying $30 extra, I would suggest the regional train, or for a little more, you can take the Acela Express, which is about 2 hours from Providence to NYC. It will allow you to maximize your time in the city, at least in the early hours of the day. I speak from the experience of getting in the city hours later than I was supposed to 'cause Bonanza just took so long.
