Providence/Warwick offers wonderful places to get out in nature settings

Dame Farm

29 Brown Avenue Johnston, RI Phone: 401-949-3516

This working farm was built in 1789, and now contains an exhibit of farm equipment from the 18th and 19th centuries. A marked hiking and nature trail can be found on the site.

Goddard Memorial State Park

345 Ives Road Warwick, RI 02818 Phone: 401-884-2010

This state park was acquired by the state and converted from a private estate in 1927. Visitors to the park will find a beach, horse and walking trails, forest areas, a nine-hole golf course, picnic and grilling areas, and a performing arts venue.

Museum of Natural History and Cormack Planetarium

Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Avenue Providence, RI 02907 Phone: 401-785-9457 ext. 221

Open: Museum open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Planetarium open school vacation weeks and Saturday-Sunday with shows at 2 p.m.

Rhode Island's only natural history museum and home to the state's only planetarium. The museum offers regular exhibits, events, and attractions. The Planetarium features a state-of-the-art Zeiss star projector and an enlarged domed ceiling on which the stars are projected. Cost: Museum admission is $2; planetarium admission is $3. Children under age 4 are not permitted into the planetarium.

Nicholas Farm Wildlife Management Area

Nicholas Road Coventry, RI Phone: 401-294-4662

This 1,429-acre natural preserve is the ideal location for hiking and fishing. The preserve offers ample opportunity to observe native animals and birds in their natural habitat.

Roger Williams Park Botanical Center..

1000 Elmwood Avenue Cranston, RI 02907 Phone: 401-785-9450

Roger Williams Park is a 430-acre Victorian park with a zoo, a museum of natural history and planetarium, a carousel, a casino, landscaped grounds, and historic buildings. Known as the jewel of Providence, the park attracts more than 3.5 million visitors per year. Among lavish trees, stunning rose gardens, rolling hills and emerald lakes, the Roger Williams Park Botanical Gardens is the first of its kind in Rhode Island and one of only a few in the region. The exquisitely designed gardens is a multi-level glass and steel conservatory, rising from a complex of visitor and education facilities. During a visit to the Botanical Center, visitors can relax by a waterfall, enjoy the wonderful fragrance of flowers from around the world, take a child on a scavenger hunt or bring a camera or sketch pad.
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Last ticket will be sold at 3:30 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $3; children age 6-12, $1. Group rates can be booked for 10 or more people with 10 days advance notice by calling 401-785-9450 ext. 263.

Roger Williams Park Zoo

1000 Elmwood Avenue Providence, RI 02907 Phone: 401-785-3510

From the arctic to our own backyard

Roger Williams Park Zoo is home to well over 100 species of rare and fascinating animals from around the world including elephants, giraffes, snow leopards, kangaroos, moon bears, gibbons and many others, all in naturalistic settings. The Zoo is open year ‘round, with special events scheduled throughout the year. Visit our link or call for more information.