OT: Providence, School Vac Week & the Zoo????

[SalandJeff]

Hi - We are thinking of going to the Providence Zoo next week during school vacation. Can anyone in the area tell me if their school vacation is 4/13 - 4/17? Also, any experience with going to the zoo the week of school vacation....will it be mobbed? It's either next week or a Saturday later this month. Maybe Saturdays are just as crowded? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[lindsmom]

Well, here in MA it's the following week so that helps; however I just looked at the zoo's website and they're having a "spring zoo camp" that week for ages 6 - 11. Sounds like fun, but also sounds like most of your state is off that week.

We've gone on Saturdays and it's not too bad.

 

[snubie]

Yes, next week (4/13-4/17) is school vacation week in Rhode Island. I wouldn't think the zoo will be too packed but I am sure it will be busier that week than the following week.
Roger Williams Park Zoo is fabulous, by the way.

 

[bamor]

HI there,
We have a family membership. In all honesty it is going to depend on the weather. Yes, it is school vacation week. The nicer the day, the bigger the crowd, so plan accordingly. Pack a picnic lunch, there is a lot of outdoor seating.
Have fun

 

[natnelliesmom]

It will be quite busy vacation week. But it's manageable if you get there when it opens, and leave by lunchtime. We do the zoo that way in the summer too- but spring vacation always seems particularly busy since everyone is ready to get outside.
If we get a rainy day- go that day! Just wear good rain gear and you'll have the place to yourself.
We actually live in the Mystic, CT area and have found these tips to be good for the Aquarium as well. We get in and enjoy the sites before everyone else gets there. My kids are usually done by noon anyway. We leave just when it starts to get crowded.
-Sarah

 

[dancin'girl]

School vacation week in RI will be from the 13 - 17th of April. It's the following week in MA. I would guess that the zoo will be busy both of those weeks. I have been in the summer on a weekend - very busy! Some of the exhibits were difficult to view. There weren't many workers around to help people stay in line, so there were unsupervised kids (even some adults!) cutting ahead of those that had been waiting. It was a little hairy in those situations. The zoo is pretty big, so you should be able to see all you want to see if you get there when it opens in the morning.

 

[3doodlebugsmom]

I agree with PP about getting there early. It won't be crowded at all. I think they give the elephants a bath around 10:30. That's interesting for the kids to see if they've never seen it. Also if you go when the weather's a little cooler, the animals are much more active.

They also have a planetarium with a little museum located in the park, but outside the zoo. You can do a scavenger hunt there where they give you a paper with things to find throughout the museum. Lsst time we were there, they had 3 different ones to do. My 10/11 year olds enjoyed that very much. It was 2.00 for the museum and 1.00 for the planetarium. It is a separate admission from the zoo. Have fun and pack snacks!

 

[SalandJeff]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I really would like to go this week, so it will either be Friday, or we would have to go on a Saturday in May. I am hoping the crowd size would be about the same and we don't regret it if we go Friday. We will try to get there early, but it is almost a 2 hour drive for us. So it probably will not be at opening, but we plan to spend most of the day.

 

[3boymthr]

Don't forget to check with your local library - many of them have a pass that's good for discount tickets to the zoo. Our has one that admits 4 people with co-pay of $5.00 per adult(13-61), $4.00 per Senior(62+) and $3.00 for children. Which is a significant savings ($7 off/adult ticket and half off/children's ticket).

 

[my2minnies]

I really think it depends on the weather. Two years ago it poured the entire April vacation, but on that Friday the weather was beautiful. We decided to head to the zoo along with a million other people. It was during the MA vacation week not during RI's vacation.

It was awful, but I really think it was because that Friday was the first day in a LONG time that it wasnt raining. We got there at opening, but stayed only about an hour and a half because it was horrible. On the way out I had to wait in line for 40 minutes to use the bathroom. We had a long way home and I had a few little ones with me. I dont think I have been back since and we went quite a bit before that.

So if you plan accordingly I think you could be fine.