If you’ve called Rhode Island home for a while, you’ve probably heard of the Garden City Center in Cranston. Now home to over 60 shops, services, and eateries, it’s known as Rhode Island’s top outdoor shopping spot. But this sleek, modern space actually has some pretty fascinating roots — in fact, long ago, it was a coal mining site.

Cranston’s Garden City Center attracts thousands of New Englanders every year.

Garden City Center / Facebook It’s located on Midway Road in Cranston, and it’s pretty tough to miss.

Whether you’re looking for a chain store, a small, privately owned shop or just a tasty meal, you’ll find it here.

Paul Scorpio / Google There are also some fantastic annual events here, like the Christmas Festival.

But long before the shopping center was even a dream, it was a coal mining site, which played a big role in Rhode Island’s local mining history.

Garden City Center / Facebook The area was, of course, eventually established as a residential neighborhood. And in 1958, when an Italian immigrant saw an opportunity to capitalize on the post-World War II housing boom, the plan for the shopping center was born.

This property is artfully designed, and it’s equally as fun to come here for a meal as it is to shop.

Garden City Center / Facebook And with places like clothing boutiques, jewelry stores, and high end kitchen appliances, you’ll certainly work up an appetite.

Legal Sea Foods is one of the top attractions, along with its Legal C Bar.

Garden City Center / Facebook Not only is it a great place to dine, but the onsite seafood market means you can take your feast to-go and cook it at home.

You can feast on over 40 varieties of fish and shellfish here throughout the year.

Garden City Center / Facebook Make sure to wash it all down with a creative concoction from the bar.

Built by an immigrant on the land once used for mining, the Garden City Center has quite a fascinating history.

Garden City Center / Facebook The fact that its close to the delightfully charming and historic Pawtuxet Village is an added bonus.

Have you been to Garden City lately?

Garden City Center / Facebook

It’s located on Midway Road in Cranston, and it’s pretty tough to miss.

Paul Scorpio / Google

There are also some fantastic annual events here, like the Christmas Festival.

The area was, of course, eventually established as a residential neighborhood. And in 1958, when an Italian immigrant saw an opportunity to capitalize on the post-World War II housing boom, the plan for the shopping center was born.

And with places like clothing boutiques, jewelry stores, and high end kitchen appliances, you’ll certainly work up an appetite.

Not only is it a great place to dine, but the onsite seafood market means you can take your feast to-go and cook it at home.

Make sure to wash it all down with a creative concoction from the bar.

The fact that its close to the delightfully charming and historic Pawtuxet Village is an added bonus.

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Address: 100 Midway Rd, Cranston, RI 02920, USA