Why settle for an ordinary day trip in New England when you can spend the day soaking in retro vibes and non-stop fun in Providence, RI?
This retro-inspired itinerary is bursting with fun, from vintage arcade games to a quirky themed restaurant and a park filled with surprises like a carousel, a zoo, dinosaur bones, greenhouse play spaces, and even swan boats.
By the end of the day, youโll be saying, โHow did we pack all that into one trip?!โ
Let’s explore a day of Fun Things to do in Providence RI, and turn an ordinary outing into an unforgettable family adventure!
Start Your Adventure at the Electromagnetic Pinball Museum
Teaching the kids โold-school gamingโ one flipper at a time.
Kick off your day at the Electromagnetic Pinball Museum and Restoration (say that ten times fast), a retro arcade wonderland technically just outside Providence in nearby Pawtucket.
I know, I knowโthis isnโt exactly downtown Providence, but itโs only a quick 10-minute drive to your next stop, so I promise itโll all work out!
This family-friendly gem is part time machine, part game haven, and 100% guaranteed to bring out everyoneโs inner pinball wizard.
Address: 881 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI, 02860
Website: Electromagnetic Pinball Museum and Restoration
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 11 am – 9 pm
What to Expect at the Electromagnetic Pinball Museum
Where art meets arcade vibesโthis mural is as colorful as the pinball machines inside!
Park in the side lot next to the buildingโyou canโt miss it, thanks to the vibrant mural that practically shouts, โFun happens here!โ
Once inside, get ready for a total score: just $10 per person gets you unlimited, all-you-can-play access with no ticking clock to rush the fun.
Step through the doors and let the glow of pinball machines guide you in. But donโt stop at the first rowโthis place is a labyrinth of gaming treasures just waiting to be discovered.
Two levels of gaming heaven for pinball lovers and curious families alike.
Racing Games and Retro Favorites: Head to the back, where racing simulators let up to four players duke it out for bragging rights, surrounded by vintage arcade classics.
Games are crammed into every corner, some in pristine shape, others looking like theyโve seen a few too many bonus roundsโbut hey, thatโs the charm.
More Fun Upstairs: Climb the stairs, and down the hall, you’ll find a retro playground of skee ball, air hockey, basketball hoops, and more glowing arcade treasures.
Thereโs even a map at the top to help you navigate the beautiful chaosโthough, letโs be honest, getting a little lost is half the fun.
Behind-the-Scenes Magic: This isnโt just an arcade; itโs a full-on pinball ER. Machines in every state of repair line the walls, from stripped-down skeletons to almost-ready beauties, lovingly brought back to life by the ownerโs wizard-like skills.ย
Board Game Hideaway: Need a break from the bleep-bloop frenzy? A tucked-away board game room has a big table and shelves packed with classics and quirky finds.
Why Families Love the Electromagnetic Pinball Museum
Flippers up! These machines are here to test your reflexes and patience.
- Unlimited gaming for just $10 per person? Talk about a jackpot!
- A mix of gamesโfrom vintage pinball to modern racing simulatorsโmeans thereโs something for every player
- The eclectic layout, with games tucked into every nook and cranny, makes exploring half the fun.
With its quirky charm, nostalgic vibes, and endless entertainment, the Electromagnetic Pinball Museum is the ultimate kickoff to your retro day in Providence.
If New England day trips are your jam, youโll love the EcoTarium in Worcester, MA.ย
This indoor-outdoor science museum and nature center is packed with hands-on exhibits, nature trails, and a mini train ride. Add it to your list for future day trips!
Ogieโs Trailer Park:
A Retro Dining Delight
Who needs curb appeal when youโve got this level of retro charm?
Next up is Ogieโs Trailer Park, a retro dining gem where comfort food meets quirky fun in the best way possible.
Just a quick 10-minute drive from the Electromagnetic Pinball Museum, Ogieโs keeps the retro energy flowing with its funky decor and drool-worthy menu.
Itโs the perfect pit stop to refuel before diving back into your day of adventure.
Address: 1155 Westminster St., Providence, RI 02860
Website: Ogie’s Trailer Park
Hours:ย
Monday – Thursday, 4 pm – 1 am
Friday, 3 pm – 2 am
Saturday, 12 pm – 2 am
Sunday, 12 pm – 1 am
What to Expect at Ogieโs Trailer Park
Like stepping into your cool grandmaโs houseโbut with better burgers.
Walk into Ogie’s, and youโre greeted by a scene as vibrant as it is vintage.
Ordering here isnโt just a transactionโitโs an experience. Step up to Granny Booโs Kitchen Window, place your order, and snag a license plate as your table marker. Yes, really.
While you wait, hit the bar for a drink and soak in the retro decorโitโs like stepping into the past, only with way better food.
Gorgeous day in Providence? Head out to the fenced-in patio, a backyard oasis straight out of the 1950s.
Retro camper facades line the fence, colorful metal tables and chairs set the vibe, and funky artwork and stickers add charm at every turn.
Whatโs on the Menu at Ogieโs Trailer Park
A little kitsch, a lot of yumโorder up at Granny Booโs!
This isnโt your typical menuโitโs comfort food with a quirky twist.
The Doritos-Crusted Chicken Sandwich? An absolute must. The Crispy Brussels Sprouts? Surprisingly addictive (yes, even for sprout skeptics).
And the Tater Tots? Theyโre not just a sideโtheyโre the main event, with toppings that take these humble spuds to legendary status.
For the kids, the menu delivers crowd-pleasing options like the Tots for Tots, keeping little appetites happy and tantrums at bay.
Why Families Love Ogieโs Trailer Park
Nothing says โretro hangoutโ like colorful chairs and vintage trailers.
- The quirky vibe at Ogie’s Trailer Park keeps everyone entertained, from the retro decor to the playful atmosphere.
- A fenced-in outdoor space makes it easy to enjoy a relaxed meal while kids explore nearby.
- Retro touches turn an ordinary meal into a fun-filled adventure.
Whether youโre stopping in for a quick bite or lingering to soak up the vibes, Ogieโs Trailer Park is a must-visit on your Providence day trip.
With bellies full and spirits lifted, itโs time to head to Roger Williams Park for fresh air and even more unforgettable family fun.
Explore the Magic of
Roger Williams Park
Proof that peaceful moments existโeven on a retro day trip..
Finish your day of fun things to do in Providence RI at Roger Williams Park, often called โThe Peopleโs Park.โ This 435-acre playground is packed with adventures for all ages.
This park is basically a choose-your-own-adventure bookโexcept with animals, carousels, dinosaur bones, rose mazes, and a pirate ship spread across 435 acres in downtown Providence.
Donโt be surprised by its sizeโeverything is farther apart than you might expect.
Parking is free, and helpful signs throughout the park make navigating a breeze.
Address: Pine Hill Avenue, Providence, RI, 02907 (Each main attraction at Roger Williams Park has its own parking lot, with signs throughout the park.)
Website: Roger Williams Park
Hours: Daily, 7 am – 9 pm (each attraction has its own hours)
Top Attractions at Roger Williams Park
Roger Williams Park Zoo
Making friends, one goat snack at a timeโbecause everyone loves a good grass-fed treat!
Lions and tigers andโฆ goats? Oh yes!
The Roger Williams Park Zoo is home to over 100 incredible speciesโenough to leave everyone oohing, aahing, and asking, โDid you see that?โ
One standout spot is the Alex and Ani Farmyard, where the friendliest goats, sheep, and other fluffy locals are always ready for some attention.
If thatโs not enough, you can monkey around at the Big Backyard play area or swing by the Faces of the Rainforest exhibit to marvel at sloths doing their signature slow-mo strut.
And hereโs the cherry on topโ visits in January and February come with half-price tickets, so you can save while the kids make memories.
Hours:
- Fall & Winter: Thursday to Monday, 10 am โ 4 pm
- Spring & Summer: Daily, 10 am โ 4 pm
Address: 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907
Admission: Adults $22, Children (2โ12) $16
Website: Roger Williams Park Zoo
Good to Know: Double and single stroller rentals are available, parking is blissfully free, and chasing goats is way easier in sneakers.
Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
A greenhouse full of plants, tiny chairs, and endless kid-approved cuteness.
Step into New Englandโs largest indoor glasshouse garden and let the vibrant greenery and colorful blooms work their magic.
The Botanical Center is a collection of four massive greenhouses that practically beg you to wander (or loungeโthereโs seating everywhere), itโs perfect for whatever vibe youโre bringing: snack time, storytime, laptop time, or just some much-needed me time.
For families, the childrenโs greenhouse is a home run. It is packed with a train set, dollhouse, sand table, books, and enough hands-on activities to keep little explorers busy while you soak in the calming water features.
And with tickets this cheap, your wallet will be smiling, too.
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am โ 4 pm
Address: 1 Floral Avenue, Providence, RI
Admission: Adults $5, Kids (6โ12) $2, Free for children under 6
Website: Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
Good to Know: Whether youโre chasing zen or chasing kids, the Botanical Center has you coveredโwith plenty of cozy spots to sit and relax, all surrounded by lush greenery.
Carousel Village
The perfect spot for vintage charm and a little merry-go-round magic.
The historic indoor carousel is the crown jewel of Carousel Village, spinning up classic fun for just $2 a rideโor go big with a $20 day pass for unlimited Carousel and Carousel Express Train Rides (seasonal, weather permitting) and full access to the (always-free) Hasbro Playground.
Outside the playground, vintage quarter rides add a retro touchโdonโt forget your stash of quarters (each ride takes two).
And when the crew needs a break, the snack bar and seasonal ice cream stand are ready to serve up treats thatโll keep everyone fueled for more fun.
Hours:
- February โ March: Saturday and Sunday, 12 โ 4 pm
- April โ June: Monday to Friday, 12 โ 6 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11 am โ 6 pm
- July โ Labor Day: Daily, 11 am โ 6 pm
- Post-Labor Day โ October 31: Daily, 12 โ 4 pm
- November โ December: Daily, 12 โ 4 pm
- January: Private Events Only
Admission: Carousel rides $2, Train rides $3, Unlimited day pass $20 per person
Website: Carousel Village
Good to Know: The train and ice cream stand are seasonal and may close for bad weather.
Between the rides, snacks, and Hasboro Playground, itโs where fun comes easy (and sitting down occasionally is a treat, too).
Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
Proof that even dinosaurs had a knack for dramatic entrances.
Dinosaurs, space, and everything in betweenโthis museum may be small, but itโs packed with fascinating finds.
Right in the main hall, a friendly T. rex head greets you (perfect for a quick photo op) before you dive into exhibits that range from creepy crawlies to towering polar bears.
Upstairs, youโll find the planetariumโdonโt miss the 2 pm show for a cosmic adventure.
And while youโre heading up, take a moment to admire the gorgeous historic staircase with its intricate metal detailingโitโs a showstopper in its own right.
Hours: Weekends only
Admission: $5 for a planetarium combo ticket, $2 for museum-only access
Website: Roger Williams Park Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
Good to Know: The ticket counter features a small gift shop kiosk for souvenirs and free scavenger hunts for adults that range from easy to challenging.ย
What Families Love about Roger Williams Park
Roger Williams Park is packed with activities that families love, from scenic adventures to inclusive playgrounds. Here are some of the top highlights:
Seasonal Boating Adventures: Swan boats, electric boats, kayaks, and even a pirate ship let you choose your water-bound adventure.
Endless Walking and Biking Paths: Stretch your legs or hop on a bike to explore the parkโs beautiful trails, with plenty of spots to stop and soak in the scenery.
Hasbro Boundlessโข Playground: Located near the Carousel Village Cafรฉ, this colorful, fully enclosed playground welcomes kids of all abilities.ย
Bear Playground: Built on the site of the parkโs historic bear enclosure, this shaded playground features a large bear sculpture for climbing, secret nooks for hiding, and slides for all-day play.
A Destination for All Ages: Beyond the playgrounds, Roger Williams Park offers a zoo, casino, and botanical center, making it a one-stop destination for family adventures.
Wrapping Up the Fun Things to Do in Providence RI
A day packed with retro games, whimsical dining, and outdoor adventuresโProvidence, RI, truly knows how to bring the fun.
From flipping pinball flippers to dining in a retro-inspired eatery or exploring a park filled with unique attractions, this city blends nostalgia and family-friendly charm in the best way possible.
Ready to plan your visit? Explore these Fun Things to Do in Providence RI, and prepare for a day full of laughter, exploration, and memories your family will cherish for years.
Happy travels!…
