Plan a Day of Family Fun in Greater Providence

Plus 12+ Places for Ice Cream in the City

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Are the warmer temps and longer days tempting you to grab the family and hit the town for a weekend of fun? From planetarium shows to museum-hopping and more, look no further than Greater Providence to provide all kinds of adventures. We’ve compiled 10 ideas – some new and others that might be new to you – sure to keep kids and their adults engaged and excited.

If we missed your favorite, let us know at Marketing@ProvidenceOnline.com.

 

Zip Through the Zoo

Sure the zoo is home to over 100 different animal species, but did you know that now you can see them all from great heights? The Soaring Eagle zipline is the perfect way to explore the zoo from a new vantage point – 115 feet above ground! The Explore and Soar attractions offer either a zipline experience or a train ride through the woodlands. This summer, Dinosaurs Among Us returns with nearly 60 life-size animatronic and interactive dinosaurs. Check out prehistoric-themed selfie stations, meet and greets with baby dinos, and hands-on fossil dig stations. A visit this spring will remind you why the Roger Williams Park Zoo is the granddaddy of family destinations in Providence. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, RWPZoo.org

 

Educational Art Making

Why book an international flight when you can explore the world at the RISD Museum? Their permanent collection includes artifacts from Ancient Rome, Greece, and Egypt; 18th and 19th century American galleries; and so much more. Special exhibits currently on display include Past Made Present: Dutch Shadows in the Black Atlantic, Art and Design from 1900 to Now, and Helina Metaferia: We’ve Been Here Before. Kids will especially enjoy the Saturday morning Family See & Sketch, held every other week, where families can decipher works of art using close examination, discussion, and draw time. Don’t miss the All-Ages Open Studio for hands-on art making which runs through May, and Sundays admission is free. 20 North Main Street, RISDMuseum.org

 

Archery Adventures

A new addition to the local entertainment scene is Archery Games PVD in Olneyville, an indoor fast-paced combination of dodgeball and archery designed to get you moving. The paintball-style game uses foam-tipped arrows, and participants are required to wear masks and arm guards for safety. They host team building events, bachelor or bachelorette parties, and birthday parties for kids ages 10 and up. Never arched before? No worries, each session includes a training period before players are allowed on the field. 40 Sonoma Court, ArcheryGamesPVD.com

 

Pinball in Pawtucket

Buzzers and bells abound at the Electromagnetic Pinball Museum, a fun alternative to the national chain-style amusement centers – and a great way to get everybody off their phones. The facility boasts dozens of vintage pinball machines, and you can play all day for a flat daily fee of $10. Even better, the museum takes an active role in the community running programs and events to educate the public about the science, history, art, and culture behind the game. The museum is also involved in Project Pinball, a program that places pinball machines in children’s hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses. 881 Main Street. Pawtucket, ElectromagneticPinballMuseum.com

 

Rink and Roll

The Providence Rink is popular year-round, with ice skating and bumper cars luring families during the winter months, but it’s not to be underestimated when the weather warms. This time of year, the rink comes to life with roller skating, roller hockey, movie nights, and more. Adult sports leagues begin this month, including volleyball, dodgeball, pickleball, and soccer, running Monday through Wednesday all season. Adults can sip craft beer, wine, or a cocktail at the Trinity Beer Garden, which offers popcorn and snacks for the kiddos. Keep an eye open for concert announcements and special events this summer. 2 Kennedy Plaza, TheProvidenceRink.com

 

The Great Escape

Learn why escape rooms are all the rage at The Great Escape Room, where teams must collab to get out of a complex series of challenges. Your group has 60 minutes to work through a part scavenger hunt, part puzzle-solving mission, crack the code, and flee the room. With a variety of rooms and themes like Poker Night at the President’s Bunker and Sherlock’s Study: What’s Up Watson, the Great Escape Room has stories to entice anyone. Pro-tip: plan an any-ages birthday party outing and see if your team has what it takes to win! 146 Westminster Street, TheGreatEscapeRoom.com

 

All About Play

The Providence Children’s Museum remains one of the top attractions for families in the Creative Capital with interactive exhibits that get the little ones up and moving around. Highlights include the Innovation Lab, Coming to Rhode Island, and Thinkspace, where young scholars experiment with puzzles and other tactile challenges. Be prepared to get a little wet splashing around in Water Ways, a popular investigation of fountains, vortexes, and all things H2O. The museum also hosts birthday parties and other special events throughout the year, and is open Wednesday-Sunday. 100 South Street, ProvidenceChildrensMuseum.org

 

Sail Away in the City

The Community Boating Center at India Point Park was established in 1994 as a non-profit, public-access program with the goal of making sailing and recreational boating programs affordable and accessible for all, a mission that continues to this day. With a fleet of over 60 boats, the center has youth and adult lessons, sponsors regattas, and incorporates STEM educational programs on the water. In addition to sailing, the center offers paddle boarding and kayak lessons and rentals. 109 India Street, CommunityBoating.com

 

Starry Eyed for the Natural World

Love planetariums? Roger Williams Park has one! More than just a world-class zoo, the expansive property is home to the Museum of Natural History, which includes daily star-studded shows at the state’s only planetarium. Established in 1896, it houses exhibits and educational programs designed to inspire visitors of all ages to enjoy the natural world. Popular exhibits include A Continuous Presence: Celebrating 20 Years on the ISS, and Seismic Shifts: Earth through Time. Don’t forget, the first Saturday of the month is free for Providence residents. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, ProvidenceRI.gov/Museum

 

Revolutionary Residence

John Adams once noted that the John Brown House was
“the most magnificent and elegant private mansion that I have ever seen on this continent.” Located on the East Side, the historic property immerses you in revolutionary era furniture, sculptures, artwork, silver, porcelain, textiles, and historic wall maps. You can also see Washington’s Chariot, a fully restored 18th-century carriage that First President George Washington once rode in. 52 Power Street, RIHS.org 

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