Friend of mine and myself are taking his 7 year old niece to the Roger Williams Zoo on Sat morning and then to the Pawtucker Red Sox game on Sat night (6pm start, would like to be at the park by 4). There will be some extra time to kill b/w the zoo and the game (presumably 2-3 hours). Is there a beach / lighthouse close to Providence? Or something else on the water. If we have more time, we are going to go to Beavertail State Park but given the limited time, that may not fit in too well. Newport is probably too fa

If it was just the 2 of us, we would go into Providence for lunch but we are trying to find something outside to do. This is still a possibility. Any recommendations for a burger / cheap drinks type of restaurant. Would Trinity Brewhouse be ok with a kid?

Any ideas? the Natural History Museum is on our list but would rather be outside.

The incomplete sentence was supposed to read that Newport is probably too far, barring a real quick zoo trip.

Have you been to Slater Mills in Pawtucket? I haven't been but keep meaning to go. I think it should be fun and interesting for both adults and children. http://www.slatermill.org/museum/

Geoff's Sandwiches on Benefit Street in downtown Providence does good deli-style sandwiches and won't break the bank. Antonio's Pizza is on Thayer Street right in a strip of cheap eateries near Brown University and offers up a wide range of slices -- they're also a good cheap lunch option.

I agree that both Newport and Jamestown would be too far. You grab some sandwiches and have a picnic at Colt State Park in Bristol. It is a very pretty waterfront park, about a half-hour southeast of Providence.
www.riparks.com/colt.htm

Thanks for the recommendations so far. Any recommendations towards Colt State Park to grab a few sandwiches to bring there besides Subway, etc? Even a clam shack???

That should have read "You could grab some sandwiches..."

Off the top of my head, Blount Crab Shack in Warren and Ricotti's Sandwiches in Bristol. Hopefully someone with more recent experience will chime in, since it has been years since I've been to either place.

Also, a kite to fly in the park might be fun.

Quito's is in Bristol, in a waterfront area/small park a little south of Colt state park
http://www.quahog.org/cuisine/index.php?id=137

If you are in Bristol with a child, check out the new Gray's Ice Cream store there. Looks like they opened recently, the original store is in Tiverton. Really good ice cream

http://www.graysicecream.com/bristol.htm