Providence has lots of big excitement in a small, easily manageable area - perfect for traveling with kids! Families visiting the capital city will find an endless array of activities to keep them on their toes and having a blast.

A popular retreat is the Fleet Skating Center in the heart of downtown Providence. Three times larger than New York's Rockefeller Center, the outdoor Skating Center offers ice skating in the cooler months and a skateboard park during warmer months. Skate rentals are available.

Providence Listings Attractions Banquet Halls and Caterers Bed and Breakfasts Boating and Sailing Brewpub Golf and Country Clubs Hotels and Motels Libraries Liquor Stores Media - Magazines and Journals Media - TV Museums and Collections Nature Newspapers Night Clubs Organizations Other Private Club Pubs and Taverns Radio/TV - Radio Radio/TV - TV Real Estate Restaurants Restaurants - Asian Restaurants - Diners Restaurants - Fine Dining Restaurants - Pizza Schools and Classes Shopping - Antique Stores Sports Venues and Supplies Theaters Tourism Boards

After a day of skating, families can venture just a block down the street and watch the pros at work - the Providence Civic Center is home to the Providence Bruins minor league ice hockey team, affiliated with the NHL Boston Bruins. If baseball's your game, the Pawtucket Red Sox, Boston's minor league affiliate, play just up the road at McCoy Stadium.

For an afternoon of excitement for younger children, the Providence Children's Museum is a hands-on place where kids and grown-ups play together, learning through exploration. It's perfect for kids aged 2-11. Daily activities as well as special exhibits are featured.

Then it's off to the zoo! Roger Williams Park Zoo, situated in a 430-acre Victorian Park, was named "One of the Top Ten Zoos in the Country" by Travel & Leisure Family Magazine. This award-winning zoo offers over 156 different species of animals and is open 364 days a year. Polar bears, elephants, and a giant sea lion are among the favorites at the zoo. And the parklands surrounding the zoo are great for a picnic, offering carousel rides, botanical gardens, and boat tours on the lake.

Got milk? Dairy World at Nature's Best Dairy does! See a milk processing plant in action, view an educational video, and experience a day in the life of a cow in a fun-filled hands-on animated 3D display. Nature's Best features New England's first and only dairy tour and visitor center.

The list of Providence attractions welcoming families goes on. Catch the world-renowned WaterFire installation between May and October, where nearly 100 bonfires are set to music along the downtown rivers! Hop on a riverboat for a tour, or sail on the Contintental Sloop Providence, a replica of a Revolutionary War ship. For cycling fun, the East Bay Bike Path provides fifteen gorgeous miles of nature riding on paved trails along the bay. Narrated city tours are available by foot through The RI Historical Society's Summerwalks, or on the Conway/Grayline Trolley or the amphibious Splash Duck Boat Tours.

A compact city, Providence is easy to navigate for families. Jump on the Providence Link - a system of climate-controlled, classic trolleys, for only $1.00 per person to see the entire city of Providence. Routes run North-South from the State House to the Jewelry District , or East-West from the historic and lively East Side to Federal Hill. The trolley makes frequent stops, allowing you to hop on and off wherever you see an attraction you'd like to visit.

Providence is easily accessible from T.F. Green Airport or Providence Station (Amtrak and commuter rail). Once in town, taxis are abundant, as are car rentals. Or do Providence on foot - most of the hotels and attractions in the city are within walking distance, great for families!

Upcoming Events

Roger Williams Park Zoo -- Every Day
Through Dec 23 (Closed Sat)
Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence
Details

Social Dance School
Through Oct 27 Mon Fri
Central Congregational Churgh, Providence
Details

Educational Fun for Kids
Through Jun 4 (Closed Mon)
Providence Children's Museum, Providence
Details

"""Paris By Night"""
Continuously Through Jun 1
Trinity Repertory Company, Providence
Details

Hopkins House is Open for tours
Continuously Through Oct 31
Governor Stephen Hopkins House, Providence
Details

High School Musical
TODAY!
The Columbus Theatre, Providence
Details

"""The Drowsy Chaperone"""
TODAY!
Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence
Details

Meet Our Moms Day
TODAY!
Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence
Details

David Copperfield: An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion
May 13 Only
Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence
Details

Butterfly Encounter Weekend
May 24 through May 25
Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence
Details

Go to the RI Roads Events Calendar

Readers Comments About This Page:

Be the first! Add Your Comment!