Urban Family Escape

Plan a visit to Providence and its surrounding cities this summer for a fun family adventure. There is so much going on that your little ones (and tweens, teens, and grown-ups) will have a blast! And whether you choose to stay in Providence, or slightly north or south of the city, there are plenty of affordable and family-friendly hotels (with pools!) to choose from.

Roger Wiliams Park Zoo

HOTELS WITH POOLS

FUN STUFF TO DO IN PROVIDENCE

You can spend an entire day exploring Roger Williams Park and Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village. First, take in some of the beautiful, manicured grounds, ponds, gardens, and public art throughout the park. Within the park, you can visit the Museum of Natural History & Planetarium and the Botanical Center. There are walking paths and trails, bike paths, tennis courts, and Little Free Libraries. You can even take a boat ride!

Then make your way to the 6^th oldest zoo in the United States and enjoy the naturalistic surroundings spread over 40 acres that are home to more than 160 species of animals from all over the globe. Have a snack, feed some farmyard animals, visit the Faces of the Rainforest and check out the Soar and Explore area that offers both a zip ride and a train excursion. Roger Williams Park Zoo is American Humane Certified, home to many endangered species, and participates in conservation efforts aimed at the future survival of endangered species. A short distance from the zoo is the Carousel Village which features the fully accessible Hasbro Boundless Playground, carousel rides, Frenchy’s Café. Be also on the lookout for Food Truck events throughout the state.

While in the capital city, why not inspire the young ones with a tour of the local ivy league school, Brown University. Located on the historic east side of Providence, you can walk the grounds and then explore the historic College Hill/Benefit Street area.

FAMILY DINING IN PROVIDENCE

POINTS NORTH

Blackstone Valley is a short drive from Providence and worth a visit. Take the kids to R1 Indoor Karting for some high-speed fun. There’s an arcade there as well (and an axe bar for those 16 and up). Next up, head to CW Lanes & Games for bowling, movies, video games, and laser tag. If your family is into solving riddles, check out Lock& Clue Escape Rooms and try to solve the robbery at The Vault or see if you could be a top spy in Agent Z.E.N. Other themes suiting all ages are ready for you book.

For outdoor fun, pack a picnic and head to Lincoln Woods for walking and hiking trails, horseback riding, or kayaking. After a day in the sun, pack up the car and have a family movie night at Rustic Tri-View Drive-in, for an old-fashioned good time.

FAMILY DINING IN BLACKSTONE VALLEY

POINTS SOUTH

Play some mini-golf, pitch & put or take to the batting cages or driving range at Mulligan’s Island in Cranston. Then continue on to Goddard Park for a relaxing day in the great outdoors. You can play the nine-hole golf course, walk the trails, do some horseback riding, and walk the beach.