While you might be heading to South County for a beach vacation, there are other activities you might want to check out, as well. Your kids will also have some different ideas of what makes a fun family vacation, and keeping them engaged throughout the week can help keep your holiday on track.
You don’t have to avoid the beach, but having a few other ideas in mind can help you plan. Here’s a look at five family-friends spots for a fun South County vacation.
1) Adventureland
Adventureland Family Fun Park is an amusement center in Narragansett with something for everyone. This part is well established in South County, having opened in 1985, but is continually evolving to keep up with the times.
Visiting the park lets you play mini golf, ride the bumper boats, race the go-karts, play bank-shot basketball, or check out the batting cages. You can also ride the carousel, play video games, or grab a snack at Burdick’s.
Your family will have a blast spending the entire day at Adventureland, giving your kids a break from the beach and you a chance to relax while they enjoy the attractions.
2) Yawgoo Ski Area and Water Park
The Yawgoo Ski Area and Water Park in Exeter is a little ways from the beaches of South County but is worth a visit if your kids are looking for a different way to enjoy the outdoors. The water park portion of this facility opens in early July and features water slides, a swimming pool, and a splash pool for small children, ensuring kids of all ages can participate.
There’s also a snack shack and a lounge area for the parents, so you can hang out and relax in the sun or shade while your children head down the slides.
Or, if you visit the area in the winter, you can do some skiing or tubing at this park, as well.
No matter the season, you can visit the Yawgoo Ski Area and Water Park and have the time of your life on your South County vacation.
3) Bayview Fun Park
The Bayview Fun Park enjoys an iconic location near Westerly’s Misquamicut State Beach and across the street from Atlantic Beach Park, making it a spot you won’t want to miss on your South County vacation. In fact, you’ll likely end up in this area at some point, no matter your reason for visiting Rhode Island, because it’s one of the state’s most popular oceanfront areas.
Once you reach the Bayview Fun Park, you’ll find go-karts, bumper boats, mini golf, batting cages, and bungee trampolines, giving your kids all the excitement they’ll need. You can also rent paddleboards and kayaks to take into Winnapaug Pond from this location or book an ocean fishing charter.
4) Rock Spot Climbing
You could encounter the odd rainy day on your South County vacation, leaving you looking for an indoor activity. Rock Spot is an indoor climbing gym in Peace Dale that lets you and your children try rock climbing in a safe and controlled environment, allowing you to try something different on your vacation.
Your first visit includes a free orientation, showing you how to use the gear and climb the facility’s walls. A day pass at Rock Spot costs $32 each, which includes your gear and orientation, making it well worth the investment. You can also buy a punch card if you think you’ll visit a few times over the course of your holiday.
5) Frosty Drew Observatory
The Frosty Drew Observatory in Charlestown’s Ninigret Park offers one of South County’s most unique experiences. Here, you can use the center’s high-powered telescopes to see the rings of Saturn, the Milky Way, and other wonders of the universe, and best of all, entry is by donation.
The observatory is open to the public every Friday year-round, and other events throughout the year give you more opportunities to visit. If your kids are interested in space, you’ll want to visit this world-class facility in Charlestown because you won’t find another spot like this in any other part of the country.
Enjoying South County as a Family
Planning a family vacation is always a challenge, as everyone will have different ideas for spending their time. Fortunately, South County has something for everyone, as these facilities offer a wide range of activities for the entire family.
Look at these family-friendly venues before you arrive to better plan your next vacation to South County, Rhode Island.