Roger Williams Park Zoo, "The Jewel of Providence," one of the oldest zoos in the country, is the lion's pride of the state. Ever since its opening in 1872, Rhode Island residents have sought its sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the city proper. By the mid 1960s, this cherished institution showed visible signs of neglect. In 1962, Sophie Danforth founded the Rhode Island Zoological Society whose purpose was to increase public awareness, support for the zoo, and to raise funds from the private sector. Since then, passage of a bill providing federal support to non-profit zoos has afforded Roger Williams Park Zoo a magnificent revival. During these challenging economic times, a general admission fee of $12 per adult and $6 for children ages 3-12 seems pretty reasonable when you consider the educational benefits of such an unsurpassed family trip replete with architectural marvels and diverse exhibits.
Things to Do
The Zoo: this segment of Roger Williams Park has received accolades from all over the country for its conservation and education efforts as well as for its entertainment value. Visitors to the zoo can expect to discover many unique animals of the world, all roaming through a natural setting. Exhibit areas are divided by geographical location with these designations: Africa, North America, Australasia, Madagascar, Marco Polo Trail, Tropical America. Since the zoo itself covers an expanse of 40 acres, the determined average length of stay is 3 hours. The path through the zoo is a little over one mile long. One can expect to encounter over over 950 animals and 160 different species including elephants, giraffe, moon bears, gibbons, bison, snow leopards, tree kangaroos, wallabies...
Carousel Village: The village highlight is a Victorian Carousel manufactured by the Chance Rides Company, Wichita Kansas in 1989. The detailed 50' diameter, 60 rider Carousel has fiberglass reproductions of museum quality antique designs of an old-fashioned carousel. Features include: a Dentzel design jumping rabbit and scenery panels, looff lion and sea dragons. Design influences by masters of carousel art such as Herschell, Spillman and Parker abound. Each of the 60 Carousel animals took over 100 hours to paint and detail. Other attractions in the Carousel Village are a bouncy tent, banana boat ride, and Hasbro Boundless Playground, café, and gift shop.
Boating: For $5 per person one can rent a paddle boat, kayak, canoe, or embark on a 30 minute narrated water tour of Roger Williams Park via Roosevelt Lake. The 21-foot launch boat located behind the Dalrymple Boathouse is powered by electricity, so there is virtually no noise or pollution.
Charles H. Smith Greenhouses: Besides offering a great variety of plants and flowers, park staff provides horticultural education to people of all ages and levels of interest-environmentally-minded, exotic plant enthusiasts, and gardeners.
Museum of Natural History and Planetarium: Rhode Island's only natural history museum and public planetarium, its numerous exhibits, events, and attractions have earned it a stellar reputation with awards to prove it. To cite a few: Nickelodeon's 2008 Parents' Pick Best Museum (kids & teens); Editor's Choice in the 2004 edition of Yankee Magazine Travel Guide to New England; The Planetariun received Editor's Choice in the Providence Phoenix Best of RI; Reader's Choice for "Best Underappreciated Museum." One of the planetarium's exhibits of celestial magnitude with plenty of hands-on activities is "Life of Stars: From Nebula to Supernova," scheduled through January 2011, tracks the evolution of stars from birth to their explosive end.
Park Grounds and Amenities: Casino ( used for hosting events, its brick exterior and verandas embellished with Ionic columns, semi-circular porticos and railings with turned balusters, exemplify the Colonial Revival architecture of the late nineteenth century). The Bandstand on Roosevelt Lake (supported by a dozen Corinthian columns, one "noted" flaw in this ornate wooden structure which looks like stone-its 30 foot diameter acoustical dome produces an echo). Temple to Music (built of Vermont maple, the temple serves as a gathering place for concerts and festivals).
A family trip to Roger Williams Park Zoo is an unsurpassed experience-- an excursion which can be repeated throughout the year due to upcoming events and new exhibits. "The Jewel of Providence" shines for residents as well as out-of-towners who seek sanctuary strolling along a vast acreage dotted with architectural marvels, museum and planetarium, greenhouse, and renowned zoo. Lace up your sneakers for an affordable trek that's educational and recreational.
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