Last week, we were on our annual family vacation in Westerly, RI. And to say we had a bit of a mixed bag of weather would be a completely accurate statement. Luckily we had planned to visit two spots on our list for summer within a short drive of the beach.
One of the days early on in the week was hot and humid, so we planned to visit The Dinosaur Place in the morning to break up the day. This was our first time visiting the park after driving past it many times. We found it to keep both of our kids entertained and there was definitely a lot to explore.
We loved the Splash Pad, T-Rex Tower and all of the Dinosaurs we saw in the park. The splash pad was definitely the biggest draw since it was a hot day and we spent the most time there. The set-up is great for parents as tables, chairs, and umbrellas line the perimeter of the splash pad. You can easily watch your kids while sitting in the shade.
The major drawback on the day we went was the extreme heat, which made walking around a bit of a challenge. We’d love to go back on a less humid day to spend more time on the trails and in the caves. The other big thing to know is once you leave the park for the day, you’re not able to go back in. So for example, don’t forget anything in your car.
Tips:
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- Bring your stroller! We didn’t bring ours as my two year old insists on walking everywhere.
- Bring tons of snacks & even lunch! There are two different spots inside the park where you can get food.
- Don’t forget water shoes, natives, or some type of shoe that allows you to run through a splash pad. Shoes are required in the splash pad area.
Right before 4th of July, the weather turned rainy and cloudy. Whenever this happens and there’s break in the rain, we usually try to make our annual visit to the Aquarium. We were lucky enough to get complimentary late afternoon tickets a few days after Governor Lamont announced the Summer at the Museum program. Our visit this year ended up being completely FREE for our family of four.
We love the fact the Aquarium has indoor and outdoor sections which allow for plenty of things to do. Our favorites are the Beluga Whales and the Penguins.
Tips:
Bring a stroller! Mystic isn’t huge, but it’s nice to have for the indoor section or once your little one gets tired.
Consider going first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon. We feel like it’s a bit quieter during these times.
No visit to Mystic is complete for our family without a visit to Drawbridge Ice Cream. Mystic has some amazing restaurants and shops to stop by at after your visit to the Aquarium. The Dinosaur Park is also not far (maybe 15 minutes).
Remember to reserve your tickets in advance for both of these spots. Tickets & information for the Dinosaur Park HERE. Tickets and information for Mystic Aquarium HERE.