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Roger Williams Park Zoo

1000 Elmwood Avenue · Providence, RI

Why you should go…

One of the oldest zoos in the country, Roger Williams Park Zoo sits inside a Victorian-era park in Providence and is home to elephants, giraffes, and other animals across naturalistic habitats. The zoo anchors a larger park that also has a carousel and botanical gardens.

  • #zoo
  • #animals
  • #providence
  • #family
  • #rhode island

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Roger Williams Park Zoo, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum

    Under $25

    A Gilded Age mansion on Narragansett Bay surrounded by 33 acres of gardens and a century-old arboretum.

    12 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    History Buff

    New England Wireless & Steam Museum

    Under $25

    A volunteer-run museum of working steam engines and vintage radio equipment in four historic buildings.

    12 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Tours
    Iconic

    Newport Classic Cruises

    $50+

    Sail Newport Harbor aboard classic schooners and a vintage 1929 motor yacht.

    21 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Tours
    Date Night

    Gansett Cruises

    $25–$50

    Narrated harbor and sunset cruises out of Newport, Rhode Island.

    21 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Nature's Art Village

    Under $25

    A Connecticut family attraction pairing a life-size dinosaur sculpture park with a rock, mineral, and fossil shop.

    44 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Guilford Fairgrounds

    Under $25

    Home of the annual Guilford Fair, a Connecticut agricultural fair with livestock, exhibits, rides and food each September.

    74 mi awayMore like this