Looking for places to go and things to do in Southern New England? Check out some of these:
Rhode Island
Providence Children’s Museum http://www.childrenmuseum.org/ $$ Check your Entertainment Book, chances are there is a coupon in there. Small parking area and it will get crowded, especially on vacation days. But you’ll be able to have fun for a few hours inside as well as outside. There is a great fenced in netted climbing area and sand play area as well.
Roger Williams and Zoo http://www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org/ $$-$$$ This park is large and spread out. You can go to the zoo which is currently being renovated, but still very enjoyable. The Carousel and adjacent inclusive playground are a blast. But over the summer, there are a LOT of school trips so keep your kids close.
BIOMES http://biomescenter.com/ $$ Located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, The Biomes Center provides people with a chance to touch and learn about a variety of New England aqua-life. They integrate multi sensory experiences with activities and exploration. Great for a mini trip or a field trip.
Rock Spot Climbing- Lincoln, RI
If you are feeling adventurous, try out rocking climbing. These guys are great at what they do. I have taken kids from Mudget's age (3) to my 60 year young friends. Check your Entertainment Book, because you may just have a coupon in there as well. www.Rockspotclimbing.com
Town Hall Lanes- Johnston, RI
This place has a wonderful family atmosphere for "little ball" or duck pin bowling experience. There is a small concession stand there too. You can sign up for specials and discounts! My kids love going, and so do I. http://www.townhalllanes.com/
United Skates of America- Rumford, RI
Skating, lazer tag, rock wall and more. Make sure to go to the website to download coupons!
Kidz Kastle- Warwick RI- A great place with free Wii Fi! Let your kids free play and get energy out doing bouncy houses, karaoke, basketball, imagine stations, and more... http://www.kidzkastleri.com/
Skating, lazer tag, rock wall and more. Make sure to go to the website to download coupons!
Kidz Kastle- Warwick RI- A great place with free Wii Fi! Let your kids free play and get energy out doing bouncy houses, karaoke, basketball, imagine stations, and more... http://www.kidzkastleri.com/
Cinema World- Lincoln RI -
They have a great Summer program called The Summer KidFest - free films, seven days a week, all summer long! Every day at 10am, Cinemaworld features a Family-Friendly G or PG rated film for your kids to enjoy, with new movies premiering on Fridays.
IMAX Providence Place Mall- Providence RI-
3D, full IMAX experience. You gotta try. But I STRONGLY urge you to bring some ear plugs if your kids are sensitive
The Rustic Drive In
Route 146
North Smithfield RI
$20 per car
Cumberland Monastery/Library- Cumberland, RI
This playground has a few inclusive items like a molded swing and a large "tire" swing to do some vestibular fun. Has a sand box too. Bathrooms are located inside the library.
Slater Park- Pawtucket RI
This park has an area for 2-5 as well as 5-12 including a rock wall and a net climbing structure. It is mostly enclosed with some shade. It also has a little concession stand if you forgot to bring snacks and bathrooms.
Hasbro Boundless Playground @ Roger Williams Park- Providence RI
This is an inclusive playground with handicap accessible exploration. It has one of my favorites, a rollerslide. It is right next to the Carousel.
ImPossible Dream Playground- Warwick RI
The imPOSSIBLE DREAM Playground, Rhode Island's first integrated playground, offers an environment that is play friendly for children of all physical abilities. Open April through October, 10:00 to 3:00 Wednesday through Saturday, it offers a clean, safe and happy playground for all children.
Deerfield Park- Smithfield RI
2 playgrounds, fields for playing, walking trails. Generally just a nice park, but crowded at times.
The Sarah Jane McCullough Handicap Play Area- Wakefield RI
I have not been here yet but it states they have a poured in place safety surfacing, play panels, overhead evens and ramps, as well as a sway fun glider and elevated sand table. Let me know how it is...
Rhode Island Audubon Society Sites, statewide
Various sites from Smithfield to Bristol to Block Island... get out your hiking boots and nature guides
Colt State Park- Bristol, RI
Beautiful, waterfront park with trails and grassy knolls. There are plenty of paths for biking, walking, running, kite flying, rock skipping, and even boating....
Colt State Park- Bristol, RI
Beautiful, waterfront park with trails and grassy knolls. There are plenty of paths for biking, walking, running, kite flying, rock skipping, and even boating....
Connecticut
Mystic Aquarium- http://www.mysticaquarium.org/ $-$$$$ depending on age. Mystic is a great aquarium, though very pricey. Check your local library for discounted ticket share. It has indoor and outdoor sites. They also had a ray petting tank which was very cool.
Dinosaur Place http://www.thedinosaurplace.com/ $$$ Coolest place ever to bring your paleontologist. Yes, it is a hike and pricey for an entire family, but you will spend all day here and your kids will request to go back. There is a trail around a pond where you look for life size dinosaurs, a large playground, and a splash pad included in the outdoor admission. There are things to do inside to, for additional fees like dino dig and gold panning. You can bring a lunch but there is a concession stand and there is a nice clean changing area with the splash pad. If you haven’t been, it is a must.
Dinosaur State Park Dinosaur State Park: A Walk Back in Time $-$$ Located in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, Dinosaur State Park has a combination of walking trails and a domed museum (the Arboretum). The museum was built on top of the 1966 discovery of over 200 dinosaur footprints during a construction dig.
Fort Hill Farms $-$$$$ This is a working farm with seasonal activities including a corn maze and homemade ice cream!
Buttonwoods Farms- $-$$$, Fresh Ice Cream, Corn Mazes, and Sunflowers for Wishes all located in Griswold, CT
Massachusetts
Ecotarium- http://www.ecotarium.org/ $-$$$ depending on age. The Ecotarium is a little scientist’s dream. Discovering through play indoors and outdoors. They have a great annual pass which is reciprocated at a lot of other sites. So consider it if you are going to be doing lots of trips. Ours has already paid for itself.
Boston Children's Museum www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/ $-$$$ depending on age. Yes, you have to drive to Boston and pay to park, or take the train but your kids will love you for it and probably fall asleep on the way home. There is a Panera Bread attached to the building but there is an area for you to eat your own as well, note the signs for Peanuts for you allergy sufferers. The lockers are a few quarters, but they get returned after you are done.
Boston Museum of Science - http://www.mos.org/ $$$-$$$$ This is a multi-level site with tons of exploring to do. They have lockers for storage, a small area for you eat your own as well as a small food court. Many attractions do cost extra so be prepared to stand your ground. Parking is hourly but it is adjacent to the museum.
Southwick’s Zoo http://www.southwickszoo.com/ $$$ Take your AAA card, you can get a discount. Bring quarters to feed the animals, walk through deer forest. There is a sky ride for an additional fee, but I have yet to go on it with my kids. And of course, there is a playground too. I will warn you that there are “carnival” like rides that you have to purchase tickets for at a ticket booth as well as elephant, pony and camel rides at extra cost.
Davis’ Farmland and Mega Maze https://www.davisfarmland.com/ $$$ Bring your AAA card for discount. And they always have great promos like Mother’s Day bring your mom in for free, Father’s Day for dad, and Grandparent’s, Armed Forces, etc. This is a large petting zoo basically with concessions available but a large area for you to bring your own. Bring plenty of quarters to feed the animals, many of which roam free on the grounds. Plus there is a great multi section play area. It is very windy so beware. And in the summer there is a splash pad. Geared mostly for under 10 years. The Maze on the other hand, is a corn maze that opens in the fall. Supercool for all ages.
Lego Land Discovery Center Boston https://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/boston/ $$$-$$$$
Located in Somerville, Massachusetts, this is the only area Lego Land Center in New England. Purchase tickets online for discounts and guaranteed entry, or you may not get in at all. goo.gl/UNXrIQ
Battleship Cove-http://www.battleshipcove.org $$-$$$ located off exit 5 from Route 195 in Fall River, Massachusetts is the largest naval ship museum. It offers a hands on and up close tour of 4 vessels: the USS Massachusetts, the submarine the Lionfish, the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., and the East German Hiddensee. But just FYI, many spots are not accessible for wheelchair or strollers. So if you have little ones, be prepared to hang onto them.
Breezy Acres- Douglas, MA. $$$$ Small, private kid friendly waterslide and swimming area .
Lego Land Discovery Center Boston https://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/boston/ $$$-$$$$
Located in Somerville, Massachusetts, this is the only area Lego Land Center in New England. Purchase tickets online for discounts and guaranteed entry, or you may not get in at all. goo.gl/UNXrIQ
Battleship Cove-http://www.battleshipcove.org $$-$$$ located off exit 5 from Route 195 in Fall River, Massachusetts is the largest naval ship museum. It offers a hands on and up close tour of 4 vessels: the USS Massachusetts, the submarine the Lionfish, the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., and the East German Hiddensee. But just FYI, many spots are not accessible for wheelchair or strollers. So if you have little ones, be prepared to hang onto them.
Breezy Acres- Douglas, MA. $$$$ Small, private kid friendly waterslide and swimming area .
Purgatory Chasm- Sutton, MA
This is a wonderful place for all ages. There is a small playground, a bathroom (always a plus), hiking trails, and for the older kids (I would say 4+ at least) hiking inside the rocks. Bring bug spray, epipens (if allergic to bees) and a lunch.
Wachusett Mountain http://www.wachusett.com/ Free Not just for skiing. Trying hiking your way to the top and enjoy the view, though you can also ride the lift there for an additional cost.
Pinz- Milford, MA
This is a great place for "big ball" bowling. Not only do they have a kid friendly restaurant adjacent to the facilty, they also have an arcade to kill time.
The Mendon Drive In
Family Friendly
Great snack bar
No credit cards accepted, but there is an ATM in the Snack Bar
| $20 per auto $30 for campers and 10 or 12 passenger vans |
World War I Memorial Park- North Attleboro MA
This place is cool. It has a large playground, a small "zoo", and a very long tube slide.
This place is cool. It has a large playground, a small "zoo", and a very long tube slide.
Capron Park Zoo- Attleboro MA
Yes, there is admission to the zoo, but it is cheap. But if you don't want to go into the zoo, the playground is just as fun and free.
Whaling City Ideas.... for in and around New Bedford, Mass
$0-5 per person
$$ 5-10
$$$ 10-20
$$$$20+
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Don't Forget About....
Burger King/McDonalds Play Places- All over, but here a few I have found
Burger King/McDonalds Play Places- All over, but here a few I have found
McDonalds- North Attleboro MA- clean and updated play place! One of my favorites.
Burger King- Johnston RI- It is more geared for 4 and up. Mudget has difficulty and often needs help manuvering through the obstacles
McDonalds- Putnam CT- clean, but parking lot is a pain to get out from
Burger King- Cranston RI- big, pretty clean. Down the street from Garden City for shopping incentive
Other websites to check out for more listings:
And if you come across any others, please feel free to share! I know we are always looking for things to do!
Want to go on a Penny Squisher Adventure! The best and cheapest souvenir that is really fun to collect! Here is a website that gives you locations of penny squishers all over the world...
