beach close to Providence, with kids

We are visiting Providence in June with 3 boys under 10. What is the closest beach? Also, is there any other thing to do with kids in Providence, besides the zoo and the park?

Thank you!

beach close to Providence, with kids

Providence has a wonderful Children%26#39;s Museum (www.childrenmuseum.com)! My kids loved it.

There is a ferry service from Providence to Newport, which your kids may enjoy (both the ferry and Newport, I mean).

Not sure about the nearest beach - I would guess Oakland Beach or Goddard State Park, both in Warwick. www.visitrhodeisland.com is a great resource, including lists of beaches.

Hope that helps!

beach close to Providence, with kids

I would travel the 30 miles south of Providence to the beaches at Narragansett or Newport to experience a real beach. Goddard Park is ok, but it is just a small beach on an inlet and Oakland Beach is small and not recommended for swimming. Both Narragansett and Newport have great beaches.

My family likes to go to Horseneck Beach

www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/hbch.htm

It%26#39;s maybe a little far for you though.

We have several carousels if your boys like that sort of thing. There%26#39;s one in Roger Williams Park, one in Riverside in East Providence and one in Slater Park in Pawtucket all within easy distance from Providence.

You could also try Lincoln Woods Park, which has a lake beach.

http://www.riparks.com/lincoln.htm

I know some people don%26#39;t consider it a real beach if it%26#39;s fresh water :-) But this is a good ';easy'; beach for 3 small kids. You can easily picnic or take advantage of the snack bar.

Your sons may enjoy watching the surfers in Narragansett, too. When I was there with my sons about seven summers ago, we even spotted a dog on a surf board.

If you have a car, then get to the ocean beaches and forget about Goddard (sometimes closed due to pollution) and Lincoln Woods(fresh surburban lake) and even Horseneck (not RI). The kids beach for the state is and always will be Sand Hill Cove (now called Wheeler). Clean, with bathroom facilities and concession stands, ample parking, and a gradual incline with minimum wave action for young kids. Scoot a bit further down the beach and see the fishermen leave from Galilee and enjoy some clam cakes in town.

Lincoln Woods is closed quite often due to elevated bacteria levels as well. Horseneck is a great beach, but not for young kids. The waves and rip currents make it somewhat unsafe for the young ones (and the old ones too). The recommendation for Wheeler is right on. Great beach for families with young ones.