Come to Rhode Island zoos & animal parks for a day of fun with the kids!

Here’s a wild idea: Spend your day at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, where visitors have been having fun, and learning about the natural world, for a century and a half. You really can see it all here, from elephants swimming in waterholes and giraffes snacking on treetops to bison grazing, moon bears climbing and toucans flying. Get involved in the milking process on a farm, book an animal encounter with a river otter or soar above the zoo on a zip ride. In Hasbro’s Our Big Backyard play area, kids can guide a boat down a waterfall, build a fort and see how telescopes work. There’s a carousel, a train, dining options from salads to pizza and gift shops galore.

Hold a sea star, pet a shark, marvel at jellies, and more at Save The Bay's Exploration Center and Aquarium in Newport, R.I. With dozens of exhibits featuring creatures collected from (and ultimately returned to) Narragansett Bay, this year-round center is always introducing new specimens—plus, their three touch tanks offer endless opportunities to come face-to-face with the wonders beneath the waves of local waters. Expert staff are always available to answer questions, engage visitors, and share fun facts about Rhode Island's unique marine habitats.
Boat tours depart from Newport, Westerly, and Providence RI.