Roger Williams Park Zoo is the top family destination in Providence, with over 100 species across 40 acres and one of the oldest continuously operated zoos in the country, founded in 1872. The Providence Children's Museum near the Jewelry District offers hands-on exhibits for kids under 12. Roger Williams Park itself has paddle boats on the lake, the Botanical Center conservatory, a Japanese garden, and walking paths suitable for strollers. Providence Place Mall has the indoor entertainment and food court options for rainy days. For older kids, the RISD Museum runs family programming on select weekends, and WaterFire is an evening that holds attention across age ranges.
