Finding things to do in Cranston

Shopping & Things To Do

The main shopping attraction in Cranston is Garden City Center and Chapel View where you can find everything from apparel to upscale groceries to top-notch restaurants all in one place! Cranston is also home to many small business shopping districts, such as Rolfe Square and Pawtuxet Village.

Take a quick trip over to the city line to Warwick to visit the Rhode Island Mall or Warwick Mall.

Recreation & Activities

Like to get out on-the-town? Take a long stroll down the Washington Secondary Bike Path (the longest in the state at 19 miles) or explore the museums in Roger Williams Park Zoo. Cranston also has community attractions like Confreda Greenhouses and Farms, where you can visit the local farmer’s market. Or bring the family to Mulligan’s Island for mini golf, driving ranges, batting cages and more!

Roger Williams Park & Zoo

435 acres of public access land offering a variety of recreational and educational activities for visitors. You have more than five miles of walking paths throughout the wooded grounds, each wrapping around the three ponds inside the park. The park includes public gardens, tennis courts, ball fields, playgrounds, public art installations. Inside you’ll find the Museum of Natural History, the Botanical Center, the Temple to Music, and the Casino.

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Washington Secondary Bike Path

Also called the “Trestle Trail”, Washington Secondary Bike Path is a 19-mile path extending from Cranston to the edges of Coventry and Connecticut. It’s picturesque, easily accessed at multiple points, and provides residents a great way for casual exercise throughout the year.

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Mulligan’s Island

A very popular sports & recreation spot for locals. The facility is tropical themed and offers fun activities like mini golf, batting cages, pitch & putt, volleyball, and driving ranges. Your kids can join the golf academy or summer camps as well, where they can get professional instruction.

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Confreda Greenhouses & Farm

Great place to visit for fresh produce, meat, and prepared gourmet foods. Confreda is especially known for its seasonal sweet corn and homemade pies. You can buy different plants, soil, and compost here as well. It’s a family-owned farm and business and the people here are always friendly!

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Meshanticut Lake

A small, 12-acre lake within Meshanticut State Park. It’s a pleasant little lake and a good place to take children for a short paddle on very protected and easy waters. There is a public boat launch for hand-carried boats, canoes, and kayaks. Or you can take a leisurely stroll around their three-quarter-mile shaded walking path.

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Budlong Pool & Recreation Facility

A seasonal in-ground public pool with lifeguards on-duty. It’s a very popular spot for kids, always kept clean, and affordable for Cranston residents ($3.00 for a day pass). The pool is enormous and accommodates hundreds of people during the busy season, and there are basketball courts and ball fields for public use.

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Transportation & Getting Around

It’s very easy to navigate in and around Cranston. Two major highways run through the center of Cranston (I-95 & I-295) which lead into Providence or the northern suburbs of the city. Most areas of Cranston are within a 10 – 15 minute drive to T.F. Green Airport. Travelling through the center of Cranston, you have Route 2 and Route 5 — both of which are lined with shopping, restaurants, and recreation spots. Both streets lead into Lower South Providence and connect to I-95 and I-295 via the Route 37 connector.

Cranston is unique because it has all three types of housing situations — urban, suburban, and rural. Transportation methods vary depending on what neighborhood you live in. For instance, Western Cranston — which is everything west of I-295 and Route 37 — is more rural than the rest of the city. Route 51 and Route 12 are the main roads connecting this portion of the city to Scituate and West Warwick. RIPTA bus access is limited here compared to areas closer to Garden City or Pawtuxet Village. And it’s a little more “out of the way” if you’re riding a bike or walking.