Attraction of the Week: Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
I learned from my sister (a long time Massachusetts resident) years ago that the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence is considered to be the best zoo in the Greater Boston region. Even though Boston is the bigger city with the bigger amenities, Providence’s zoo gets most of the attention. After relocating to the metro, I feel that Providence is an overlooked small city. While it’s most well known for being home to Ivy League Brown University and the State Capitol building, there are a lot of great attractions to explore here that tourists don’t know about. Mike and I have spent many weekends enjoying the beautiful parks, great Italian restaurants, and historic sites.
Besides the zoo, there are plenty of historical attractions, beautiful parks, a number of theaters and museums, the state’s largest mall, and the historic Federal Hill neighborhood which is loaded with authentic Italian restaurants. This small city has most of the amenities you find in the big cities, minus the extreme congestion and traffic. The city is very compact and easy to get around. It has been nicknamed “the Creative Capital” due to its’ strong arts presence and ongoing cultural events. You can check out my weekend guide post for a full guide to activities.
A small, yet beautiful zoo
I’d considered the Roger Williams park zoo is a must-do if you are looking for a great family friendly activity. An afternoon strolling around this leafy park followed by lunch at a great local Italian in the Federal Hill neighborhood is the perfect summer or fall day out in this charming city.
This zoo was founded way back in 1872. This makes it one of the oldest zoos in the country (the 3rd in the nation to be exact). While the space is quite small at just 40 acres, the layout is attractive, plus there is plenty of shade. It’s also home to a diverse variety of animals despite the smallish size. The grounds are clean and maintained and the animals enjoy plenty of space and appear to be well taken care of. The zoo is easier to get to and offers a much nicer ambiance than the Franklin Park Zoo near Boston (which was a bit of a disappointment in my view).
Over 160 species call the zoo home including several endangered species like the Red Wolf and the Snow Leopard. There are also a number of interesting exhibits here including a beautiful quarter mile long Wetlands trail. Most notably, a new rainforest exhibit opened in 2018. The path around the zoo is just a mile long, so about 1-2 hours or so is the max time you need here to see and do everything. Of course, if you want to get in a bit more exercise you can circle around a few times.
Meet the animals!
One of the highlights here for me is the Red Panda exhibit. Not only are they adorable, but they are also endangered. According to the Smithsonian, their population has declined by 40% in the last 2 decades. They are legally protected in the following countries: India, Bhutan, China, Nepal and Myanmar
Enjoy a few more pics of the various inhabitants in action!
Summer is a perfect time to visit as the temps never really get too unbearably hot, plus there is plenty of shade due to the natural woodsy setting. I really like the leafy surroundings here – it’s a beautiful place to stroll.
Autumn leaf peeping
Fall is also a nice time to visit as the weather is milder/less humid. And of course, New England easily wins the award for best fall foliage. The colors are beautiful here just like everywhere else in the region. If you have the extra time, adjacent Roger Williams Park, a large 400+ acre park with lots of ponds and leafy trees, offers amazing leaf peeping opportunities this time of year. I really love all the bright orange and red foliage this time of year.
Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular: New England’s Top Halloween Event
The best time of all to visit is during the incredible Jack O’Lantern Spectacular. Each Halloween season, the zoo hosts one of the most festive pumpkin events you will find anywhere in the country. Over 5000 intricately carved pumpkins (in a changing theme each year) are on display via a special illuminated trail.
After regular admission ends, hundreds line up to see this enchanting display which frequently makes headlines as one of the country’ top Halloween events (I fully agree with this honor!). I have attended other jack o’lantern festivals, and none match the appeal of this fabulous event. I am a big Halloween event and I really loved this event (I’ve attended several times even once while living out of state!).
So many talented pumpkin carvers are involved in this event. The amount of work and detail put into each is truly astonishing. I highly recommend checking this event out if you are at all into art or Halloween: it’s fabulous festive fun for the whole family!
No matter when your visit falls, there is plenty to do and the views are gorgeous. I highly recommend adding a visit to your summer or fall bucket list. A stroll here, combined with a visit to the neighboring park, is such a lovely way to spend a day.
Additional Info
Location: 1000 Elmwood Ave
Admission: $25 adults, $19 (ages 2-12), $21 (seniors)
Pricing current as of 2025. Zoo hours vary based on season. Check the RWZ website for details
Dining options: One year round cafe, plus a seasonal burger and pizza slice shop. You can also bring your own food in. There are some beautiful picnic areas in the adjacent park. If you are looking to try a restaurant in the city, I recommend either Pizzico (amazing upscale Italian) or Andino’s (a wonderful old-fashioned Italian restaurant in Federal Hill).
Accessibility: Most of the one mile path is paved. Wheelchair rentals available. Manual wheelchairs can be brought on the train. Also, sensory bags and quiet zones are available for guests with autism. More info on the website.
