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