Audubon Society of Rhode Island Nature Center Thanksgiving Harvest Bird Walk

About this adventure

The Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol invites families on Thanksgiving Saturday for an engaging Harvest Bird Walk and wildlife sanctuary exploration. Set on 28 serene acres of coastal meadow, woodland, and freshwater wetlands leading to Narragansett Bay, the center features a quarter-mile elevated wooden boardwalk that extends all the way to the shoreline. Guided by expert Audubon naturalists, children and parents use loaner binoculars to spot wintering songbirds, red-tailed hawks, black-capped chickadees, and coastal ducks. Inside the warm discovery center, kids can touch tide pool creatures in the marine touch tank, visit with rescued non-releasable owls, and explore hands-on interactive nature exhibits explaining animal adaptation and winter survival in New England. Family Experience & Accessibility: • Stroller Accessibility: Elevated boardwalk and indoor nature center are 100% ADA-accessible with wide, level planking perfect for all strollers. • Nursing & Rest Spots: Indoor climate-controlled restrooms with changing tables, comfy nature library couches for nursing, and observation deck benches. • Age Suitability: Excellent for ages 2 to 12 and their families; naturalist guides provide child-friendly bird spotting prompts and trivia. • Sensory Tips: Quiet woodland boardwalk with gentle bird calls; indoor aquarium touch tank provides gentle, cool tactile exploration.