Ahhhh, to be a kid again. One of the coolest things about being a parent is that you get to be just that.
Last week during my daughter’s school vacation we had a chance to make so many special memories. We took our kids to their first movie, my 5-year-old saw her first play (starring her cousin!), we had the chance to ride on a fire truck and learn how it works, plus, a day of Rhode Island fun with other local bloggers and their kids.
My daughter can’t stop talking about how much fun she had that day. We very rarely have the opportunity to do things just us girls, so adventures had on the Rhode Island Spring Break Tour certainly made an impression.
Our first stop of the day was at the Biomes Marine Biology Center in North Kingstown.
The @biomescenter has the largest collection of New England marine life in the world. Amazing. #RISpringBreak
— Courtney ⚓ (@CourtneyCal) April 22, 2016
The Biomes Center is the most hands-on aquarium in the region. They’ve been providing interactive marine biology programs for schools and families since 1989.
From native species, to tropical strays, all marine life at the Biomes Center were found by the staff right in our local waters.
My daughter really enjoyed the hands-on experience. She touched way more marine life than I did! Kids are always so brave. ? The puffer fish demonstration was cool, too!
In fact, demonstrations are held on Saturdays and Sundays during the school year and on RI Public School vacation days.
I can’t believe this was my first time visiting Biomes. It certainly won’t be my last!
The folks at the Biomes suggest planning at least 1½ hours to see all the exhibits. Biomes is open daily from noon-5, with the exception of major holidays.
On our way to @RWPZoo now to check out the Birds Down Under exhibit. Here's hoping I don't get pooped on! #RISpringBreak
— Courtney ⚓ (@CourtneyCal) April 22, 2016
After we finished with our tour of the Biomes Center, we got on our tour bus and headed to Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence.
While we are no strangers to the zoo, (their family memberships are pretty much the best deal around!) we were about to check out an immersive experience with birds that are native to Australia.
During the “Birds from Down Under” experience, we strolled among more than 500 birds including grass parakeets, cockatiels and various other parrot species.
We also had the opportunity to feed the birds and learn about conservation challenges they face in their natural habitats.
It was one of the coolest things I’ve done. I’ll admit, I was afraid I’d get pooped on, but fortunately, I made it out of there clean! ?
- “Birds from Down Under” is happening now – Labor Day (Sept. 5)
After the “Birds from Down Under” experience, we toured the zoo and enjoyed a Del’s Lemonade. It doesn’t get any more Rhode Island than that!
Did you know Roger Williams Park Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the country? It opened in 1870 and has more than 100 animals on exhibit.
After the zoo, most of the other local bloggers headed to a PawSox game for dinner and baseball, but my 5-year-old and I headed home. She was exhausted from all of the fun we had! And to be honest, so was I.
If you live in the Rhode Island area and are looking for some fun places to visit with your family, I highly recommend the Biomes Center and some of the seasonal offerings at Roger Williams Park Zoo. Both places are affordable and are great for families with kids of all ages.
How do you spend your school vacation weeks?
