Since becoming members of the Roger Williams Zoo a few years ago, it’s been fun combining a trip to the zoo with a bite to eat or a visit to other area attractions. On our latest trip, it was monkeying around at the zoo in the morning followed by lunch at Uno Pizzeria and Eno’s Fine Wine, making for a spectacular afternoon in Providence, Rhode Island.
The Roger Williams Zoo is a perfect size for little legs. It’s large enough to make it a few-hour trip (especially if eating there) but not so big that a bad mood will set in. It’s located in Providence’s gem of a public park, Roger Williams Park. In addition to a recreational facility, the park also includes a botanical garden, carousel, swan boats, and much more.
The zoo holds special events all year long, including the excellent Jack o Lantern Spectacular where jack o lanterns of all shapes and sizes are on display throughout the zoo. Other events include the Asian Lantern Festival which is held this year in the spring through early summer.
Down at the Zoo
For my kids, the zoo starts off with a bang since the cheetah is Danny’s favorite. It’s the third animal enclosure from the entrance. Getting ready for the Lantern Festival, the lanterns are on display throughout the park, making it extra special even if visiting during the daytime.
Among the highlights at the Roger Williams Zoo are the elephants and the giraffes. Both of these are either inside or outside depending on the weather. During our latest trip, Kate, the matriarch of the elephants, was being fed and scrubbed indoors. It was cool to see this up close.
The barnyard attraction always draws a crowd although most animals here are quite commonplace. Kids can enter the barnyard which is a draw. Other areas include the rainforest, with monkeys and birds swooping overhead, and Marco Polo’s Adventure Trek. The moon bear, snow leopard, and red panda can all be found here.
Uno Pizzeria
The next stop in the afternoon in Providence was for lunch. Some readers may balk at the idea of visiting a chain for lunch after the zoo trip. We’ve enjoyed many different gastronomic options afterward including Ogie’s Trailer Park, the Pantry at Avenue N, and Long Live Beerworks. Deep dish pizza was what we were craving on this day, so off to Uno’s we went.
Uno’s popularity is seemingly on the decline since this once ubiquitous restaurant’s locations are few and far between (at least in southern New England). The last time I ate their deep-dish pizza was at the original location in Chicago. I cannot eat deep-dish pizza as much as thin-crust or bar pizza but once in a while it really hits the spot.
This branch of Uno’s is located inside the mega behemoth Providence Place Mall. Silly me thought that all malls were on their last legs. Not quite the case here as the crowd was shopping like it’s 1999. The interior has a cityfied feel to it but the pizza proved to be a winner with the whole crowd. Throw in a side salad and a Whaler’s APA, and this was a family-approved lunch choice.
ENO Fine Wines
A few months back after the trip to Ogie’s where I sat in the November sun sipping a Heady Topper, I scoured the websites of Providence liquor stores to find the liquid gold. ENO had it. Although they were not carrying it on this trip, this store is like a library for liquor. Its wine selection is vast and beer choices are well-curated from hard-to-find Belgian beers to domestic craft beer.
My afternoon in Providence was quite a success. Of course, the zoo is always a hit with my animal-loving kids but Uno Pizzeria was also given two thumbs up. And of course, a quick trip to ENO Fine Wines for a couple of craft four-packs made the trip all worthwhile for me.
