Dragons, Mermaids and More Mythical Creatures to Descend Upon the Zoo this Spring

Courtesy of Roger Williams Park Zoo

From slaying dragons to swimming with mermaids, we’ve all wondered what coming face-to-face with a mythical creature would be like. Well, now’s your chance to make that dream a reality.  Starting April 7 and running through August 11, Roger Williams Park Zoo will be home to sixty life-size dragons and other magical marvels — think: the Loch Ness Monster, griffins, unicorns and more — that “exist somewhere between science and imagination.” The animatronic creatures will welcome visitors into an immersive mythical journey throughout the grounds with their realistic movements and roars — and even some fiery breath.

All magic aside, this interactive visit is also a great way to explore global legends that span centuries. Many of the creatures depicted throughout the interactive exhibit serve as shared yes distinct symbols for many different cultures. For instance, Western myths often depict dragons as fire-breathing beasts of destruction while Chinese legends saw them as majestic symbols of fortune and harmony. Mermaids, meanwhile, have permeated many coastal communities’ lore from Ireland to the Karoo desert in South Africa. And then there’s the Kraken: the Scandinavian-generated monster that has been said to be the source behind many a shipwreck in seafaring tales told all over the world.

The zoo will also a few special events in conjunction with the exhibit. To see the dragons at dusk, grab the fam and head on over between 5 and 9 p.m. on the evenings of June 8 or August 10. You also can take advantage of the Dragon Sensory mornings on April 28, May 19, June 16 and July 7. Designed for those with autism spectrum and disorders and sensory processing differences, the trail will be open to these populations and their families one hour before the zoo’s regular hours start.

So, are you ready to spark your imagination and step into a world where myths and legends collide? The Dragons & Mythical Creatures exhibit will require additional tickets in addition to your regular zoo admission. Add on experience pricing is $9 for those two and older or $7 for RWPZ members and can be purchased in advance  here. For more information, please visit rwpzoo.org/dragons.