Summertime and the living’s easy…leisurely, relaxing, dare I say, routine? The kids have been out of school for about a month now and the big summer holiday is behind us. (Unless you’re a native Rhody and get a bonus holiday next month.) Summer’s laid-back pace has likely given way to that phrase that most parents dread, “I’m bored!” (For the record, my parents never dreaded that phrase because it was the sound of their offspring volunteering to clean out the garage, sweep out the basement or weed the garden.) Maybe it’s the grown-ups in the house, weary from keeping up the small talk at yet another cook-out, getting antsy and needing some adventure.  

No need to fret, I’ve got the day trip for you! It will wow your co-workers at the watercooler, transform you into the cool parents on the block and make your kids eager to go back to school just to tell all their friends (j/k they’ll post it on Instagram.) Have you heard about Brownstone Exploration & Discovery Park in nearby Portland, Connecticut? Most Rhode Islanders can get there in about 90 minutes.

I have enjoyed this park and all it has to offer for a few years now with my kids, with my kids and their friends and also with my own friends. Once a quarry, it is now a water park that boasts wake boarding, kayaking, paddle-boarding, scuba-diving, zip-lining and cliff-jumping. There is an assortment of inflatable structures to climb up, balance on, bounce upon, you can even get launched from one! Whatever degree of thrill-seeking you crave, there is something to please you.  

Do you like to zipline? Have you been meaning to give ziplining a try? Eleven ziplines are available. Up for a challenge? Climb a rock wall or cargo net to a zipline. Want an adrenaline rush? There is a drop zipline, a high cliff jump (18 and over only, please) and a lower cliff jump for youngsters. There is even a kiddie beach suitable for toddlers with smaller inflatables. Did I mention the water slide or the rope swing or the tug of war set-up? Or, you can just chill in the water for a while if you want (everyone gets a life jacket.)  

The park is very family-friendly and the vibe encouraging and supportive. I’ve struck up great convos in line. People will even cheer you on when you jump off the cliff! Yes, you can pack a lunch, no glass or alcohol, please, or there is a snack bar with burgers and brick oven pizza, if you prefer. Parking is free, gazebos are rentable, here is everything else you need to know to plan a trip. Oh, and lockers are available because for once this summer your kids will put their phones down…until it is time to leave and they want to send pix to their friends. 

About The Author

Christina is a life-long Rhode Islander who has been dedicated to mission-driven human services work. A mother of two, she recycles, composts, and runs her household with solar energy. An animal lover and a world traveler, this bon vivant has jumped out of a plane, bungee jumped (twice!), run over the Newport Bridge, swum across Narragansett Bay, and penguin plunged.