Taking a fall vacation in South County, Rhode Island, allows you to experience this beautiful part of the world in a totally different light. If you’ve visited the region in the summer, you know about its scenic beaches, serene kettle ponds, miles of hiking trails, and fantastic weather.
However, the fall provides a unique experience because it won’t be as crowded, and temperatures will be slightly cooler. You can still head to the beach or do some hiking, but looking for alternative activities is also advisable.
One spot you might want to check out is the Roger Williams Park Zoo in nearby Providence. This park is only a 40-minute drive from South Kingstown, making it an easily accessible location to spend a day, and it offers a full day of activity for the entire family.
Once there, you can wander for hours while looking at rare and domestic animals, grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants, or venture to the famous Carousel Village.
The zoo has plenty of special events in the fall, too, giving you plenty of reasons to stop by during your vacation. Here’s some information on the fall events at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in 2022.
Spooky Zoo
In late October, the Roger Williams Zoo has a special Spooky Zoo event for kids. The gist is that children can get dressed up in their Halloween costumes and trick-or-treat in a safe environment at the park.
Spooky Zoo takes place on October 22 and 29 from open to close, giving your kids more than enough time to collect some candy and see all the animals. As a bonus, Spooky Zoo is included in the price of admission, so you won’t have to pay anything extra to participate.
Food Truck Friday
On November 11, 2022, the zoo will host its Food Truck Friday celebration. This event is free when you purchase tickets to the park, although you’ll have to buy any food and drinks you wish to sample.
The event features multiple food trucks, live music, and access to all the animals, making it a great option if you want to spend a few hours outdoors or want to try something different for lunch.
Holiday Lights Spectacular
The headline event at the Roger Williams Park Zoo is the Holiday Lights Spectacular. During this family-friendly event, which runs from November 25 to January 1, you can witness more than 3.5 million LED lights that turn the zoo into a winter wonderland.
The displays depict numerous winter scenes like snowmen and reindeer and illuminate the entire 40-acre park. There will also be appearances by Santa Claus on select Thursday nights, and music, train rides, s’mores, hot chocolate, and adult beverages will be available.
Tickets are $12 for those 13 and up and $10 for kids between the ages of two and 12. Tickets must be pre-purchased online because you’ll reserve a spot during a specific time slot. You must arrive during that time slot, but you can stay as long as you wish.
If you only attend one event at the Roger Williams Zoo during your time in coastal Rhode Island, the Holiday Lights Spectacular should be your choice.
Experiencing South County in the Fall
Although South County, Rhode Island, is known as a summertime destination, there’s enough to do in the fall to keep you interested. The Roger Williams Park Zoo is just one option, as many high-end restaurants remain open in the fall, and there are plenty of plays, concerts, and Christmas events to attend, too.
You don’t have to avoid Rhode Island just because summer is over. In fact, visiting in the fall provides an entirely different experience that you might prefer after you give it a try.