Family Fun in Southern RI and Beyond

Lake Compounce
Founded in 1846, Lake Compounce is North America’s oldest amusement park – and is worth the drive into Connecticut. The attraction offers two different theme parks: one with roller coasters, thrill rides, kid-friendly rides and live performances; and a water park offering a lazy river ride, water slides and even a pirate ship. 186 Enterprise Drive, Bristol, CT. 860-583-3300

Yawgoo Valley
Known to locals as a winter attraction that offers Rhode Island’s only skiing and the best snow-tubing around, Yawgoo Valley outdoor recreation facility has plenty to offer in the blissfully warmer months, also. Yawgoo’s water park offers pools and water slides – when the park opens for the season on June 16, it will do so boasting all new slides for this season – along with volleyball and horseshoes. 160 Yawgoo Valley Road, Exeter. 401-295-5366

Skydive Newport
If staying connected to the ground isn’t your idea of a proper summer adventure, head to Aquidneck Island to Skydive Newport, located at the Newport Airport (which is actually in Middletown). Offering tandem skydives with experienced instructors, this is the only way to jump out of a plane in Rhode Island and live to tell the tale. 211 Airport Access Road, Middletown. 401-845-0393

Adventureland
Adventureland, a family fun complex in Narragansett, is the kind of place where any kid can have a good time. A carousel, batting cages, mini-golf, an arcade, bumper boats and go-karts will have them playing to their hearts’ content. When it’s time for a break, cool off with Burdick’s Ice Cream. 112 Point Judith Road, Narragansett. 401-789-0030

Water Wizz
When you need a break from the beach, head to Westerly’s Water Wizz. Six water slides offer varying degrees of thrill, from the giant waterslides to the little dipper. Misquamicut Beach, Westerly. 401-322-0520

Extreme Complex
Fight it out – in a fun way. Wakefield’s Extreme Complex offers airsoft and paintball rentals, and a giant field to use them on. 1425 Kingstown Road, Wakefield. 401-789-1987

Bird’s Eye View Helicopters
Take in the sights of Rhode Island from above – way, way above. Bird’s Eye View Helicopters offers sunset tours, lighthouse tours, tours that give you a new perspective on the Newport Mansions and more. 211 Airport Access Road, Middletown. 401-843-8687