With all the great things to do in Rhode Island, sometimes it’s easy to forget our old favorites for family fun. Our very own Roger Williams Park Zoo is one of those gems that you should be coming back to again and again. There is so much wildlife to see it is almost impossible to get it all done in one day. This is one Wildlife Park that you need to bring your family to, or if it’s been a while, to check it out again! It’s one of the best day trips in RI you can take.

Roger Williams Park Zoo RI is a beloved 40-acre wild animal park in Providence. It's also one of the best places for family day trips in RI.
Joandaly Ramos/Google Reviews
Throughout the zoo, there are numerous exhibits that will take you through some of the major ecosystems, habitats, and animals of the world. From Africa to Asia, the Americas, and beyond, there are over 150 animal species that call this zoo home.
www.rwpzoo.org
Pictured here are gorgeous Cheetahs that are part of the "Fabric of Africa" exhibit.
You can see the elephants enjoying a bath in the waterhole and interacting with each other at the Ivory Ella Elephant Yard.
www.rwpzoo.org
Elephants are amazing creatures and my kids love watching them as much as I do!
Melissa Mahoney/OnlyInYourState
The "Fabric of Africa" exhibit is a way to go on safari right here in Rhode Island and see beautiful animals like this Masai giraffe.
www.rwpzoo.org
There are Plains Zebra here as well. Also native to Africa, each one's stripes is as unique as a human fingerprint.
Melissa Mahoney/OnlyInYourState
Find a variety of exotic birds such as this striking West African Crowned Crane.
www.rwpzoo.org
On "Marco Polo's Adventure Trek" kids can see the animals the explorer might have encountered on his journey.
www.rwpzoo.org

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This beautiful Red Panda can also be spotted on the Adventure Trek.
www.rwpzoo.org
If you're lucky, you may even spot the super secretive Snow Leopard.
www.rwpzoo.org
In the "North America" exhibit, you can observe the magnificent creatures that call our continent home, like this Red Wolf.
Roger Williams Park Zoo
A playful North American River Otter may come out to say hello.
Roger Williams Park Zoo
Did you know the Copperhead Snake's geographical region is the Florida Panhandle, north to Massachusetts, and west to Nebraska?? You can certainly learn a lot from the interpretive signs around the zoo while you're here.
Roger Williams Park Zoo
This adorable Gibbon will greet you at the "World of Adaptations" exhibit, where visitors learn what it really takes for animals to survive in the wild.
Roger Williams Park Zoo
You can even check out a Komodo Dragon without leaving the state! This is one of the animals I look forward to seeing the most whenever I visit. Absolutely fascinating!
Roger Williams Park Zoo
One of our favorite parts of the zoo is the Alex & Ani Farmyard where visitors can interact with a variety of barnyard animals including goats, sheep, and alpacas.
Melissa Mahoney/OnlyInYourState
(Picture here is my daughter getting ready to groom a goat in the farmyard. She had a blast and so will you!)

Take a look at this video by @newenglandescapades9157:

Roger Williams Park Zoo is open year-round though hours vary depending on the season. Active and retired military receive 50% off the ticket price, and you can become a member and visit the zoo for free all year. The first Saturday of the month is free to Providence residents with proof of residency as a “thank you” for their tax dollars which go to support the zoo.

When visiting the 40-acre zoo, make sure you have a comfortable pair of walking shoes on. Trust me, you’ll need them at this huge zoo!

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More to Explore

Best Day Trips In RI

Melissa M. | October 01, 2023

What are some of the best day trips in Rhode Island?

Some of the best day trips in Rhode Island include the following:

  • Sail away on the Block Island Ferry…to Block Island! (Sorry, not sorry, for getting that commercial jingle stuck in your head!)
  • Visit Newport to see the mansions, take a scenic drive, and dine on delicious seafood.
  • Explore downtown Providence and visit the RISD Museum.
  • Take a scenic bike ride along the East Bay Bike Path.
  • Head to East Greenwich to stroll around its downtown and then head to nearby Goddard State Park.

 

Check out these Rhode Island day trips.

What are some of the most family-friendly places in Rhode Island?

Among the most family-friendly places in Rhode Island are:

  • Wright’s Dairy Farm in North Smithfield. I’ve been coming here as a kid and now I bring my own kids here to see the cows, watch the cows being milked, and pick up some treats like radio bars, hermits, and coffee milk from the bakery.
  • Biomes Marine Biology Center in North Kingstown is somewhat small but there are so many wonderful interactive exhibits here. My nephews love this place!
  • Providence Children’s Museum is 100% geared towards kids. So take them here to burn off some energy.

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