Get the Most out of Your Day at Roger Williams Park Zoo

Roger Williams Park Zoo is a worthwhile day trip. There are lots of animals to see from the cute Moon Bear to giraffes and elephants. Don’t miss the natural play space where kiddos can really get their hands into some fun discoveries.

Roger Williams Park Zoo is part of the beautiful Roger Williams Park in Providence, RI. It is right off the highway and easy to zip right into the park without navigating the city streets too much. Outside of the Zoo, the park has a beautiful carousel, swan boats, playground and gardens.

reptile presentation at roger williams park zoo

The zoo is easy to navigate, with wide paths throughout that make it an easy walk with a regular stroller or jogging stroller. One important thing to note is that there seemed to be a fair number of things that are seasonal. The Mommy, UP! team visited in early May and there were concessions, stores and exhibits that were not yet open. Definitely check before you go if there is anything of particular importance to you!

Preview the layout of the zoo here.

Roger Williams Park Zoo – Hasbro’s Our Big Backyard

Water Garden wall in the Big Backyard

This is the perfect place to end your visit because if you start here, you may never leave! If you live close to Providence, it is worth a membership just to visit this area regularly!

The natural play area was very impressive and had endless things to discover. One of the main features was a small water feature river with toy boats, blocks and other things for interactive play. There is also the “Drip Drop Water Garden” with lots of fun things that can be turned on/off or made to flow different ways. Bring extra clothes so your kids can get all wet without a care in the world!

The treehouse at roger williams park zoo
inside treehouse at roger williams park zoo
view from the treehouse at roger williams park zoo

Further into the backyard is a giant treehouse, logs for climbing, a mud kitchen and a giant sandbox. The treehouse has lots of subtle interactive features for children to discover. Different things happen when each steering wheel is turned, there is a bee hive viewing door to open and close and other little secrets.

When you are ready to head home, there are some outdoor changing stalls in this space so you can easily change wet kids into dry kids before heading to the car. The building. “Our House” has bathrooms as well, which may tend to be less busy than the bathrooms found right at the Zoo entrance/exit.

Bring your own food

nourish401 menu at roger williams park zoo

In our planning, the Mommy, UP! crew had debated packing lunch and ultimately decided it was easier to just eat at the Zoo’s dining facilities. When we saw the menu at Nourish 401 on the far side of the park, we instantly regretted that decision. It was incredibly overpriced – 5 meals and a few waters were almost $80 – and the quality was junk. The chicken tenders were so dry and chewy they went uneaten. The kids menu PB&J was $10. Fuel is so important on big days like this, don’t repeat our mistake, get your lunch literally anywhere else!

The Animals

The zoo is laid out in a way that makes it easy to meander down the route and not worry about missing anything hidden around a corner or down an alternate path. There was always lots of room for viewing animal habitats and a good balance of shady spots to take a break. The Giraffe and Elephant Pavilion was a real treat, we learned about elephants from the zookeeper and got to see an elephant right up close!

roger williams park zoo
roger williams park zoo

Petting Zoo

Another fun stop is the Zoo’s petting zoo area, called the Farmyard. There are lots of cute goats to interact with and give some treats. There is also a donkey, alpacas, pigs and sheep in the farmyard.

Discover other zoos and aquariums all over New England here!

Any tips for visiting Roger Williams Park? Leave them in the comments below!

Find more adventures:

crystal lake playground in manchester

Crystal Lake Park

Crystal Lake Park’s playground is a beautiful spot to spend some time out in nature any time of year. Picnic and play with views of the beautiful pond.

Read More
andres

Andres Institute of Art

The Andres Institute of Art is a unique treasure hidden away on the side of an old ski slope. I told my crew, “We are climbing a mountain today!” and I stand by it.

Read More