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    Roger Williams Park

    4.3 (76 reviews)

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    Andrea R.

    This is a park that is at the heart of my childhood. You can access the park from several different locations both in Providence and Cranston. There are so many activities to participate in, including the zoo, Japanese garden, or the carousel. I went for the Juneteenth festival at the Temple of Music. There are trees abundant and families could also enjoy the duck boats or the museum. I appreciate the upkeep through the years.

    Just hanging out, just like us
    Linda D.

    For a park that's close to the city, it has so many different spaces to wander through and a lot of lakes and water features. the Japanese gardens are beautiful. My husband and I enjoy going to the carousel and getting a dough boy. We had a lovely picnic overlooking one of the lakes. It can get very crowded especially around the carousel and food court but you can always search out a quiet space

    Stephanie T.

    Roger Williams Park Zoo is such a gem in Providence, Rhode Island. The zoo is designed for walking around and exploring zoo exhibits as well as locating animals and other zoo attractions. The zoo is home to over 100 rare and fascinating species from around the world. Daily Zoo Admission Prices is $21 for Adults, $15 for Children (2-12), and $17 for Seniors (62+). There is also an opportunity to have a membership to save with free admission for a full year, discounts on select events and programs, and reciprocal discounts to more than 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide. Roger Williams Park Zoo also has a promotion for residents of the City of Providence which I took advantage of on Saturday, July 6th. As a "thank you" to Providence residents whose tax money helps to support the Zoo, the first Saturday of every month is free to residents of the City of Providence (not East or North Providence). A valid ID and proof of residency must be shown at the ticket window, no need to reserve your tickets in advance. Acceptable forms of identification or residency include a driver's license, State issued ID, Providence Municipal IDs, lease agreement, utility bill, etc. It was a rainy Saturday morning but we arrived around 10am and there were already many cars in the parking lot. The parking lot does have ample spaces but you may have to circle around if it is crowded. The rain did not stop people from visiting the zoo. I went to the admission window and showed my driver's license and I went through for free. I started with the lower and upper Savanna to see the zebras, cheetahs, red river hogs, elephants, and Masai giraffes. Then, I proceeded to the other areas-Wild Woodlands, World of Adaptations, Faces of the Rainforest, Himalayan Trek, and the Farmyard. At the Farmyard, there were opportunities to buy food and feed the goats. Also at the connection corner, there was an opportunity to touch armadillos. At the Textron Elephant & Giraffe Pavilion, I saw the zookeepers taking care of the elephants. I even caught the Flights of Fantasy: An Interactive Bird Show presented by BankRI. The zookeeper talked about a few different bird species and showed us their flying capabilities. Shows are held daily now through September 2nd at 11am and 2pm. There were so many animals to see and the signs through the zoo are super helpful if you get lost or are looking for something in particular. Also, there are Roger Williams Park Zoo volunteers walking around to answer any questions you may have or to provide more information about the animals. I had a perfectly splendid time at Roger Williams Park Zoo. Roger Williams Park Zoo always has great events going on. For example, Food Truck Friday at Carousel Village every Friday from April 19th - September 27th, Dragons & Mythical Creatures, and the opportunity to have an up-close and personal interactions with some of the animals. I've been to Roger Williams Park Zoo for the Asian Lantern Spectacular in 2022 and for the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in 2023. The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is definitely a fun activity to do and see all the amazing carved jack-o-lanterns.

    That bushy area is a trail. You can see people at the end

    Local resident here. I walk this park all year round and I notice in the fall workers are busy blowing leaves mowing here and there, and picking up branches and debris. But in summer time it's total opposite. The land scape maintenance around trails and flats has been getting worser. They mainly cut grass around popular tourist area like Temple of music...etc. The rest is atrocious! I don't understand the concept of hiring more employees and doing less work. Only people that walk through the park and trails know, tourist driving in their vehicle would never tell the difference it's just a facade.

    Glenn G.

    Roger Williams Park turned out to be quite a bit larger than anticpated.  It's got lots of things to see and check-out, including lakes, ponds, monuments, and gardens - there's even an old building that at one time housed a casino. Friday nights in the summer time is a great time to visit.  At that time, you'll find the park replete with food trucks and the sounds of live music :-) Over and above the many other attractions, there's also a decently equipped playground, with enough stuff to keep a typical kid busy for at least 20 or 30 minutes.  There's also an old fashioned Carousel where kids can take a ride for just two dollars.  Overall this is a very nice park to visit - you won't be sorry if you take the time to stop by.

    Dennise K.

    How lucky we are to have such a treasure in Providence, especially this time of year. Plenty of walking trails and a path around the perimeter of the park. Wildlife ranges from water fowl to carp to heron to muskrats. Large lakes where you can canoe or fish....or ride a swan boat! A carousel and HUGE play area for the kiddos, too. There is a botanical center on the property that costs $5 or so for admission and a Japanese garden. I love a nice long walk during the fall season. Just gorgeous!!!

    Robert S.

    This park is the "Central Park of Providence". It has so much to offer and it's so big. We go frequently for walks or for events. We often see regulars on their daily jogs or runs along the nice sidewalks. The Roger Williams Park (RWP) was created in 1871 on land bequeathed to the City of Providence by Betsey Williams, the last descendent of Roger Williams to inherit his land. Today, the park's 435+ acres offer opportunities for all to play and learn, truly making it "The People's Park." The park is home to many attractions for locals and tourists, including: - The Carousel Village - The Botanical Garden - Museum of Natural History and Planetarium - The Zoo. The Rhode Island Foundation, a non profit organization in the state, began a renovation effort in the park in 2016 as a celebration of their centennial, beginning with the park's historic bandstand. The renovations expanded to other park buildings and entrances. A few years later, a dedicated bike and pedestrian lane was added to Frederick Green Memorial Boulevard as part of these renovations. Entrance into the park to just walk or to attend a festival is free. Parking is plentiful.

    Natural museum of history
    Chris L.

    What a great park, we bring our dog for a nice long walk So much too see , good playground for kids. There are beautiful gardens, especially the Japanese garden and many interesting buildings and memorials scattered around some ponds for great pictures. There are picnic areas and lots of families walking around

    Bridge to "Casino" event building
    Alan B.

    This is a beautiful park and quite expansive. According to their website, the park was created in 1871 after Betsey Williams bequeathed 102 acres of farmland and woodland to the city of Providence to be used for public purpose. A portion of the gift included land that was shared with her great, great, great grandfather, Rhode Island founder Roger Williams, by the Narragansett sachems Canonicus and Miantonomo. It was intended to serve as an escape for those working in highly industrialized Providence in the late nineteenth century. Twenty years after Betsey's bequest, the Park quadrupled in size and daily attendance had grown to 15,000 visitors. Today the park has more than 435 acres offering something for everyone including family picnics, community festivals, weddings and other events, running, fishing, kayaking, swan (pedal) boats, a museum and planetarium, a zoo, indoor carousel and more. Dogs are allowed on a leash. Each year over 1.5 million visitors enjoy the the "People's Park". For those not familiar with Roger Williams, he was quite the progressive. After finishing school in England, Roger Williams traveled to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. His "radical views" on religious freedom and pro Native American leanings earned him the wrath of church leaders - he was banished from the colony and fled to Narragansett Bay with his followers. He purchased land from the Narragansett Indians and established a new colony, which became a haven for Baptists, Quakers, Jews and other religious minorities. Williams's notion of religious freedom and the separation of church and state inspired the framers of the U.S. Bill of Rights. Roger Williams Park is about 5 miles from downtown Providence and well worth the 10 minute drive. With so much to do there, it's not surprising that it's a very popular spot. Note that it can get very busy during in warmer weather months.

    Christmas decorations
    Diane M.

    All the time I lived in California ( almost 20 years), I missed this park so much! The parks It is the one thing that truly says Rhode Island to me. It holds such fond memories for me, as I was growing up and once returning, spending time with my young daughter there. My mother worked the graveyard shift, at the state hospital. In the summer, she'd come in from work, pack up her cot, some sandwiches and koolaid and take all five of us kids out to the park to run wild and play. She'd sleep, while we'd play.( I was the nerdy child, who sat with my book, guarding her while she slept, while the others played.) Now I love walking in the park and discovering how much peace it brings me. I'm still in awe of its' magnificence. I wish people had more respect for this gorgeous gift and not litter so much. But I ordered a garbage picker upper stick and I'll do some cleaning next time I visit the park. I'll make it a habit.

    Zebras!
    Jennifer G.

    Even with limited services there was plenty to see. Lots of signage explaining where to go and what to see. Limited food options, but one of the best sriracha chicken sandwiches I have ever had. We were completely floored how good the food was. Rainforest was open, but no animal feeding or interaction areas. Plenty of animals outside though. Defintely worth a stop on your staycation.

    The park during the autumn season
    Tamra F.

    This is a nice park in the city. The park has a carousel, swan boats, playground, botanical garden, planetarium, museum, Japanese garden, zoo, tennis courts, and much more! It is a great place to have a picnic, ride a bike, fly a kite, take a hike, bring the kids, or do a photo shoot here. There are many spots in the park that provide beautiful backgrounds for photos like the bridges or the temple of music (made of pretty white marble). They've recently added speed bumps and bike lanes to the park to make it safer. I think it's a great park overall, but took off a star as it doesn't always attract the best people. Being right in the city, there can be some pretty obnoxious people at the park blaring their music or doing other annoying things. The good thing is - the park is big enough that if you do encounter this, you can just continue driving until you find your own nice spot to hang out at.

    Food Truck Friday!

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    Ask the Community - Roger Williams Park

    Review Highlights - Roger Williams Park

    They have a really cute Japanese garden that could use better up keep but is super cute with little bridges.

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    Blackstone Park Conservation District

    Blackstone Park Conservation District

    4.0(24 reviews)
    3.4 miWayland

    I have been walking this park for over 20 years and have watched it grow from a slightly sketchy…read morewild patch of woods to a well maintained beautiful place with easy to walking trails that make you feel you are far from the city (well a little far). The park is split by a road that goes between the River Road and Butler Ave (Irving Ave can get you there heading towards the river). It is set off and not easy to find if you don't know about it. One half has wide easy to walk on paths that loop and can give some sense of being bigger than it's foot print. The other half is more challenging due to it still wild nature, the trails are footpaths that can be difficult due to rocks slopes and leaf litter, but still a great easy way to get some steps in with a little added cardio. You have to cross Irving Ave to enter the other side. Speaking of Cardio, there are dirt and log "steps" that bring you down to the water. Dogs are welcome but should be on a leash this is NOT A DOG PARK. I say this because I have had unleashed dogs lunge for me only to be reprimanded by said dogs ignorant owner for complaining in the dog park, sheesh. Please go, bring you doggie poo bags in and bring them back out! The park usually has bags at the sign as you enter the trails.

    For a park that's in a major city like Providence, this park is super clean and well taken care of…read more It's a great park with nice wide paths and make you believe you are in the forest somewhere and not in a city. Not only do you get the quietness of a forest but also a great view of the Seekonk River. Very little road traffic , and if you like kayaking, there is a launching place into the river near here. There is also the start of the Blackstone walking path which is on Blackstone Blvd. All these places are dog friendly!

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    Blackstone Park Conservation District - Kayak launch

    Kayak launch

    Blackstone Park Conservation District
    Blackstone Park Conservation District

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    Roger Williams Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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