Things To Do At Roger Williams Park in Rhode Island
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Roger Williams Park is one of the top attractions in Providence, Rhode Island, and for good reason. There’s something to do for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly outing, a place to enjoy nature, or a place to dive into history, this park has you covered.
Roger Williams Park Zoo
The zoo is what most people are familiar with in the park. The zoo is home to over 130 rare and interesting species from around the world. You’re sure to find your favorite animal during your visit.
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Like most zoos, it is extremely family-friendly with areas for children to play when they just need to get out some energy. There are also opportunities for children to get hands-on experience with animals at the zoo.
The zoo is pretty large, covering 40 acres. The path through the Zoo is just over one-mile long. You can definitely spend the day here, as there’s plenty to do. There are even places to grab food (although you can pack your own lunch and snacks as well).
The Trails At The Park
There are various trails to explore throughout the park (you can find maps of all of the trails on their website). There are trails for all skill levels, with some featuring paved trails and others that aren’t paved. Many of the trails are around the bodies of water in the park. The trails are well-marked with colored diamonds.
Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
This is a must-visit spot for anyone who loves plants. It’s New England’s largest indoor display garden, with over 23,000 square feet of indoor display gardens. In addition to the indoor displays, there are also outdoor gardens to explore. Admission is under $10 for adults and children ages 6-12 and there’s free admission for children under six.
Gardens At The Park
There are two gardens to visit in the park, the Japanese Garden and the Rose Garden. The Japanese Garden blooms in the spring. The Rose Garden starts to bloom in the summer, with roses lasting until the fall. Both gardens are beautiful spots to relax or take a stroll.
Swam Boats
The swan boats are a popular seasonal attraction located within the park. The normal season runs from early spring to mid-September. They also do illuminated swan boats nightly during the month of October, which is when the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular runs in the zoo.
Betsey Williams Cottage
This cottage was built in 1773 by the Williams family. It is the oldest structure in the park by almost 120 years. You can visit the inside of the house during free open houses.
I went inside the house during one of my spring visits. Inside, a docent told me and some other visitors about the history of the family and house’s significance to Roger Williams Park.
Museum of Natural History
I’ll be honest, I did not realize this was in the park until the docent at the Betsey Williams Cottage told me about it. Since I don’t remember having gone as a kid, I headed to check it out once I was done with my visit to the Betsey Williams Cottage.
General admission to the museum is only $2 per person, which honestly shocked me. Inside, there are a lot of fascinating exhibits. You can see which exhibits are currently on display on their website.
There’s also a planetarium show, which has a $5 admission fee, but that fee includes museum admission as well. The museum has the only public planetarium in the state of Rhode Island. I didn’t get a chance to do this during my visit, but I’d love to go back and do it in the future.
Carousel Village
This spot is open year-round. The main attraction is the carousel itself, which is indoors. There’s also an outdoor playground, which is where my cousins and I spent a lot of time at during our visits to Roger Williams Park when we were growing up.
April through September, there is a food truck festival weekly in the Carousel Village. It features great food and live entertainment, making it a great way to enjoy the park with your whole family.
