Roger Williams Park
Roger Williams Park is a recreation place of historic significance located in Providence. It was completed in 1872 and bears the name of Roger Williams, the founder of the Rhode Island state. The park offers a multitude of attractions and recreation activities for people of all ages. Read on to know how you can make yourself busy when visiting the park.
What to see
There are many things in the park that can please and entertain your eyes. You have the chance to experience 28 pieces of architecture dedicated to the history of Rhode Island, including a mighty statue of Roger Williams and an old casino that brings you back in the ambiance of the 19th century. You can also visit the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, providing exciting collections of natural exhibits including life-size animal models that help you get a better understanding of Rhode Island fauna and climate. The planetarium is the only of its kind in the entire state, providing shows to kids and adults on Sundays and Saturdays. 
While passing by the casino, don’t hesitate to take a look at the nearby Williams Family Cemetery, containing granite gravestones dedicated to the family members of the state founder. Another interesting attraction is the Mounted Command, a department of brave horses that can be seen grazing grass, running and playing in the vicinity of the Botanical Center. Aside from fauna members, you can take a look at the park’s flora that is pretty much a broad definition of Rhode Island’s flora with gardens of vegetation that typically grows on the fields of the state.
Don’t miss the chance to take a stroll on the pathways that run through the wondrous alleys of century-old trees, getting shelter from the sun’s anger in their mighty shadow. Moreover, you can throw a glance at the most exotic garden, the one dedicated to Japan, which contains flowers and trees that originate in the Land of the Rising Sun.
What to do
Roger Williams Park has lots of activities to offer to you. If you are a fan of active recreation, you can take an adventurous ride on off-road bike trails or pump tracks located in the Bike Park. A bit of jogging on the winding pathways will be great for restoring your energy and enjoying the landscaped beauty of the park. There is a softball field as well for those who prefer team games. A tennis court is available for leisurely exchanges of shots between friends and family members as well for those who want to take some tennis lessons.
You can also take a swan boat ride on the park’s waterways near the Carousel village and enjoy the scenic views while doing some pedaling for keeping your body in shape. Speaking of Carousel, it contains many exciting rides and entertainments that your children will love, so if you get your kids with you, rest assured they won’t get bored. In addition to the carousel come other recreation places for children, including playgrounds, a little library and the Zoo.
The Zoo is a special destination for park visitors. It delights you with a wide variety of wild creatures, as well as other entertainments. For example, you can’t miss the chance to attend an impressive night lantern show, featuring huge animal-shaped lanterns passing by you and making your heart skip a beat. Besides, you can venture out in wild connections where accompanied by a zookeeper, you get extremely close to the animals, taking care of, feeding and playing with them. You will be also able to get behind the scenes of the zoo, experiencing locations and aspects that other people can’t see. It is truly an unforgettable experience.
Is it worth visiting?
Roger Williams Park is definitely a place worth to be visited, as it is something more than a simple park with grass, trees and benches. It contains a collection of art and architectural pieces, a carousel village, a casino, a natural history museum, a zoo and many more attractions that will keep you interested throughout your entire visit. You can just watch the wonders of the park or engage in exciting recreation activities, like off-road biking, boating, playing tennis and softball. The infrastructure of the park satisfies all your recreation necessities.