Need cheap, fun things to do in RI with teens on summer vacation? Here are our top picks.
It's summer in Rhode Island, which means the days are long and hot, and the kids – home for summer vacation – are bored.
This is an especially tricky situation with older kids, who aren't as easily amused as their younger siblings and who, honestly, would probably rather be at home on the couch.
Luckily, for such a small state, Rhode Island has no shortage of fun, engaging and – important – cheap things to do with teenagers this summer. Here are some of our favorites:
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Visit the trolls and tour The Fantastic Umbrella Factory in Charlestown
A trip to see the trolls at Ninigret Park in Charlestown makes for an affordable summertime adventure.
What to know: The creations of Danish recycle artist Thomas Dambo, Erik Rock and Greta Granite are painstakingly crafted tributes to the importance of conservation. The towering trolls are constructed with weathered wood, bamboo, quahog shells and other recycled materials.
Pro tip: After touring Ninigret Park, swing into The Fantastic Umbrella Factory, with its stunning gardens and collection of unique arts and crafts, plus so much more. There is even a bamboo grove to explore. If you’re still looking for more fun, stop in at East Matunuck State Beach for a swim. ($30 for a state beach pass.)
A trip to the Electromagnetic Pinball Museum and Restoration
Set in the Creative Commerce Center at 881 Main St. in Pawtucket, the unique Electromagnetic Pinball Museum and Restoration makes for a fun way to pass an afternoon or evening.
What to know: $10 per person will allow hours of playtime on vintage pinball games, Pac-Man, Galaga, Skee-Ball, air hockey, foosball and loads more games. A day pass is good for the day, meaning visitors can leave to grab a bite and return for more. The oldest pinball machine in the collection, dating to 1946, can be found on the second floor.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. It's closed on Mondays, except on holidays, when it's open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Pro tip: The Addams Family pinball game is a favorite, and don't play pinball like a seal by hitting the buttons at the same time.
Food Truck Fridays at Roger Williams Park
Stretching deep into September, Food Truck Fridays at Roger Williams Park in Providence are a fun way to wind down the week.
What to know: Dozens of food trucks meet each Friday from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Carousel Village to offer fare ranging from chocolate-covered strawberries to Portuguese specialties, clam cakes, New York System hotdogs, gourmet grilled cheeses, burgers and ice cream. Diners can enjoy their meals while listening to live music on the neighboring hillside, so bring chairs or a blanket.
Pro tip: Friskie Fries are a teen favorite.
Rhode Island School of Design Museum on a Sunday
Taking in the vast Rhode Island School of Design Museum collection is a great way to pass a Sunday. And admission that day is free.
What to know: The exhibits range from ancient Chinese sculpture to French Impressionist paintings and contemporary art in every medium. The museum provides visitors with a taste of fine art, design and decorative arts from across the globe. According to the museum, 1,733 of its pieces are now on display, including masterpieces by the likes of Renoir, Cezanne, Sargent, Picasso and many more. Unlike the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the RISD museum’s size allows visitors to see great works without becoming overwhelmed.
Admission is free on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m.
Pro tip: The costumes and textile collection are definitely worth seeing.
Hit the Farmers Market, Pawtuxet River Trail on a Saturday
Open from May through late October, the Pawtuxet River Farmers Market in Cranston is a fun way to start a Saturday.
What to know: In addition to delectable vegetables and fruits, people can pick up treats at the market from Beans & Buns bakery booth or some fresh nime chow from the neighboring Pak Express booth to snack on while walking the Pawtuxet River Trail. The well-cared-for path is a winding, wooded stroll that borders the Pawtuxet River and offers chances to spot an array of songbirds, herons, cormorants and other species along the way. The trailhead starts near Rhodes on the Pawtuxet.
Pro tip: The Pak Express and Beans & Buns booths are typically the second and third vendors, respectively, in line.
Spring Lake in Burrillville
Spring Lake in Burrillville makes for an affordable way to spend a summer day in a beautiful setting.
What to know: Located in the woods of Burrillville, the lake has a sandy beach with freshwater swimming and generous space to enjoy a glimpse of the wilderness. It also features a snack bar to grab lunch and what is said to be the oldest penny arcade in the country to take a break from the sun.
Spring Lake Is located at 50 Old Hillside Drive in Burrillville. Admission is $8 for nonresidents of Burrillville.
Pro tip: Bring pennies, dimes, nickels and quarters to play some vintage games.
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A trip to South Shore Beach in Little Compton
It's well worth braving the Washington Bridge traffic to take the trip to South Shore Beach and glimpse at Goosewing Beach Preserve, arguably one of Rhode Island's most beautiful spots.
What to know: The beach makes a great place to ride the waves, walk the beach’s length, and take in the sun while viewing the coastal pond habitat that serves as home to endangered piping plovers and state-threatened least terns. A concession stands offers hot dogs and ice cream to snack on. The beach is located at 140 South Shore Road in Little Compton. Beach passes per car are $20 on weekdays and $25 on weekends.
Pro tip: Be sure to hit Gray’s Ice Cream in Tiverton on the way home.
Hike Long Pond Woods Trail in Hopkinton
Long Pond Woods Trail provides an out-and-back hike over varied and lovely terrain.
What to know: The trail takes hikers through tunnel-like groves of mountain laurel and rhododendron, plus towering oaks and hemlocks and borders Long and Ell ponds. Scale an impressive rock outcropping for a spectacular view of Long Pond. Keep an eye out for wildlife that includes mink, otters and painted turtles, in addition to other species. The picturesque trail was featured in Wes Anderson’s film "Moonrise Kingdom."
The trail can be found at North Road in Hopkinton. Long Pond Woods Wildlife Refuge is owned by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island.
Pro tip: The hike is moderately challenging and requires some clambering over rocks, so bring a snack and water.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: The best cheap and fun things to do in Rhode Island with teens this summer