GRANDPARENTS
GROWING HOBBIES
Green Animals Topiary Gardens 380 Cory’s Lane, Portsmouth
SWING, BATTER, BATTER
McCoy Stadium 1 Columbus Avenue, Pawtucket
The gardens have deep historic roots, having first been purchased in 1872 by Thomas E. Brayton, then the treasurer of the Union Cotton Manufacturing Company. Today, the beauty of the space continues to resonate. There are more than 80 topiaries, many landscaped into shapes your grandkids will love, like animals, birds and geometric shapes. If you’re a gardener, a trip to the Topiary Gardens could be a nice introduction for the next generation of green thumbs. Take a Saturday trip to the gardens in Newport and then dedicate Sunday to helping your little ones creating a little garden of their own.
For a heck of a lot cheaper than a trip to see the Red Sox, you and the whole family can catch a Pawtucket Red Sox game at McCoy. General admission is only $8, or $5 for kids and seniors. Even if you splurge and get a round of hot dogs, you won’t break the bank. And the baseball is good. The PawSox won the International League championship last year and there is always a chance you’ll see a future star on his way up the ladder. ACT LIKE A KID
UNDER THE SEA
Adventureland
Save the Bay Exploration Center & Aquarium
112 Point Judith Road, Narragansett
175 Memorial Boulevard, Newport Mystic Aquarium isn’t too far, but if your grandkids aren’t up for a daylong excursion, the Save the Bay center in Newport will do the trick. Home to more than 50 species of marine animals from Narragansett Bay and 14 different exhibits surrounding the habitats of those creatures; there is plenty to keep you busy. It isn’t too expensive, either, which is good news in case you want to grab lunch in Newport, too. Admission is $6 for all ages, or free for Save the Bay members. Check the organization’s website at savebay.org, as well, because they often have activities or clean-ups that could make for a nice family day.
The beaches are plentiful in South County, and with only parking fees and a few snacks to pay for, an inexpensive option for summer fun. If by some miracle your grandchildren aren’t tuckered out after a full day in the sun and waves, though, and by some greater miracle you’re still standing, Adventureland is the cherry on top of a summer sundae. You can enjoy mini golf, bumper boats, go karts, basketball, batting cages, video games and a carousel all in one spot, with prices ranging depending on how many activities you want to try. And who knows, you might just get a second wind and teach those grandkids a lesson on the putting green. HIT THE DUSTY TRAIL
Sunset Stables
1 Twin River Road, Lincoln
HISTORY LESSON
Casey Farm 2325 Boston Neck Road., Saunderstown An original 18th century homestead, Casey Farms is a trip back in time for your family. The farm is open for tours all month on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. One room in the farmhouse is dedicated to the portraiture of the Casey family, and that room is featured on the tour. Most important to the kids, there are farm animals on the tour, too. If you stop by on a Saturday, you get the added bonus of the Coastal Growers Market, which runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Check out locally grown produce, purchase fresh flowers and teach your grandchildren the importance of buying local. Best of all, The Coffee Guy’s cold brew is unbeatable and you should have enough time to indulge while the kids listen to live music from local performers.
August 2013
Depending on how fit you are, this may or may not be an activity you can participate in, but either way, introducing your grandchild to horseback riding could spark a lifelong passion. Sunset Stables offers horseback riding through Lincoln Woods seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If your grandkids are newcomers, consider investing in a lesson. If you can ride along, make it a seasonal experience, and come back to Lincoln Woods in the foliage, in the snow and when spring is just starting to bloom. COOL GRANDPARENT
Ty Law’s Launch Trampoline Park 105 Pace Boulevard, Warwick
Warning: This is not for the faint of heart. This 18,000-square-foot facility is more than half trampoline. All jumpers must sign a waiver, and this activity is not for everyone. If your grandkids are a little bit older, though, they can jump around for hours, play a game of dodge ball or launch into a form pit. Launch is open 12 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 12 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 12 to 7 p.m. on Sundays. One hour of jumping is $14, with each additional hour at $10. Launch offers birthday party packages, too, if it’s that time of year for the grandkids. The bottom line is that if you take the family here, chances are you’re going to be the “cool” grandparent for at least a few days.
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