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.
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.
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.
Elephants are amazing creatures and my kids love watching them as much as I do!
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.
There are Plains Zebra here as well. Also native to Africa, each one's stripes is as unique as a human fingerprint.
Find a variety of exotic birds such as this striking West African Crowned Crane.
On "Marco Polo's Adventure Trek" kids can see the animals the explorer might have encountered on his journey.
This beautiful Red Panda can also be spotted on the Adventure Trek.
If you're lucky, you may even spot the super secretive Snow Leopard.
In the "North America" exhibit, you can observe the magnificent creatures that call our continent home, like this Red Wolf.
A playful North American River Otter may come out to say hello.
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.
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.
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!
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.
(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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