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City in Massachusetts
Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger), Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
In the SouthCoast region of Massachusetts, where the Taunton River empties into Mount Hope Bay, stands Fall River- the "Spindle City". Not to be overshadowed by nearby Boston and Providence, Fall River offers visitors unique attractions that are absent from its two larger neighbors. Fall River is famous for Battleship Cove, the largest museum of its kind in the world; a rich Portuguese-American culture, featuring authentic food; and the accused axe murderess Lizzie Borden.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Battleship Cove lays claim to the largest collection of preserved U.S. Navy ships in the world, from World War II to the present, which are open as historic monuments. The most famous of these boats is the USS Massachusetts ("Big Mamie"), which is said to have fired the first and last shells of WWII. Other ships include the Destroyer USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., Submarine USS Lionfish, and PT Boats 617 and 796. Visitors are welcome to board the vessels and tour their outside areas and interiors. Visitors can arrange to spend a night aboard the ships for additional charge. Ticket includes two days of access, and admission to the nearby Maritime Museum.
This small interactive museum offers children a number of exhibits to explore. Exhibits include the Lego Room and the World of Water, and there are various events that change on a regular basis.
Set in an 1800s Highlands mansion, the Historical Society offers guided museum tours that glimpse into the lives of New England's 19th century elite. Rotating exhibits display an extensive collection of Fall River heirlooms, including Lizzie Borden artifacts. The Victorian Christmas tour (Nov - Dec) is perhaps their most spectacular offering, with every room in the house decorated in a different traditional holiday style. A Christmas shop and a Victorian High Tea room are open year-round.
In 1892, Lizzie Borden was accused of killing her father and stepmother in this house. Though she was acquitted of all charges, the axe murder mystery continues to intrigue 130 years later. You can view the scene of the crime and explore the house, or spend the night and enjoy breakfast where it happened.
formerly Marine Museum at Fall River
Nautical museum whose collections include extensive ephemera of the Fall River Line's luxurious steamboats, called "floating palaces" by the aristocrats and presidents who stayed aboard them in the late 1800s. The museum also showcases one of the largest RMS Titanic exhibitions in the world, featuring a 28 ft model of the ill-fated vessel that was used in the Oscar-winning film Titanic. (No, not that Oscar-winning film Titanic- the 1953 version!).
Owned and managed by Massachusetts' Trustees of Reservations, this secluded forest is located entirely in Fall River city limits. A varied landscape featuring conifer forests, mossy rock walls, and freshwater swamps is contained within a compact wooded area. As of January 2021, some paths, including the Cedar Swamp trail, are closed for repair.
Freetown State Forest
This state forest is one of Massachusetts' largest outside of the Berkshires. With land split between Fall River, Freetown, and Lakeville, the forest features over 25 mi of trails for hikers, equestrians, and dirt bikers, as well as an uninhabited Wampanoag reservation. Notable goings-on in the forest over the years have included satanic cult murders in the 1980s, escaped emus, and the collapse of its most prominent feature, Profile Rock.
Two bodies of water, separated by a small channel (The Narrows) make up this freshwater body. The North Watuppa Pond is the second largest natural body of water in Massachusetts; the South Watuppa Pond is #3. The North Watuppa is Fall River's primary drinking water reservoir, and as such cannot be used for fishing, swimming, or boating; all three of these activities are allowed in the South Watuppa. Trails exist around both ponds, including a bike path on the South Watuppa.
This patriotic waterfront park houses a copy of Washington DC's Iwo Jima Memorial. In 2021, an 80% scale replica of DC's Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall will open- the only one of its kind in the world.
Fall River Heritage State Park hugs the Taunton River which provides a wonderful and relaxing views. This 8.5-acre park overlooks Battleship Cove, which houses the World War II battleship, USS Massachusetts. Heritage State Park also has a boardwalk that runs the length of the park, benches for lounging, trees, an antique carousel, sailing opportunities, tennis courts, historical statues, and a huge open area perfect for the recreational activity of your choice. This park is a great family spot for picnics, relaxing, or even just going for a leisurely walk.
in size, this park was designed by master landscaper Frederick Law Olmstead, who designed New York's Central Park and Boston's Emerald Necklace. Known as "South Park" prior to 1963. Macabre history buffs will be interested in the case of Sarah Maria Cornell, whose death at the park in 1832, and the acquittal of a Methodist minister for her murder, led to outrage and scandal across New England.
Really? Why visit a cemetery? Well, Oak Grove is the largest public urban greenspace in Fall River. It is the final resting place of Lizzie Borden and her family (just follow the painted arrows from the main entrance on Prospect Street). Its obelisks and monuments are some of the city's finest architecture. It is well-manicured and filled with tortuous paths, designed in the style of Cambridge's famous Mount Auburn. And, it is a surprisingly great place to go for a walk.
A physical representation of Fall River's connection to Portugal, this is a scale replica of the Portas da Cidade (Gates of the City) in Ponta Delgada, the capital of São Miguel and the largest city in the Azores. The monument was built to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the relationship between Fall River and Ponta Delgada as sister cities. Portuguese President Aníbal Cavaco Silva and the mayor of Ponta Delgada have visited the site.
Often called "the biggest Azorean feast in the world," it draws busloads of Portuguese from all over the country and Canada.
Ice rink where you can play and spectate ice hockey (youth and adult leagues). Public skating hours every afternoon and on Friday evenings (suspended due to COVID-19 as of January 2021).
This center on the top floor of one of Fall River's iconic mill buildings plays host to live music, art galleries, and other social gatherings. Attendees are welcome to bring their own food, drink, and alcohol to events.
Owned by Little Theatre of Fall River.
BCC
Featuring a huge selection of fresh Portuguese pastries in a large, laid-back cafe, Barcelos is a fantastic one-stop bakery frequented by locals and visitors alike. If you want to avoid peak hours, don't go on Sunday mornings- the post-church crowd routinely pushes the line out the door.
Leddy's offers baked goods in a family-oriented atmosphere. Menu items include homemade donuts, cakes, lemon squares, and cream puffs, among other pastries. Try the items from the refrigerated case to the left of the cash register — those items are made with fresh, local cream and are especially delicious.
Selling from a small deli counter, this bakery is best known for its exceptional sweet bread. You won't find every pastry on your Portuguese baked goods wish list here, but if it's amazing sweet bread you're after, Lou's is well worth the detour.
Perhaps the city's best non-Portuguese bakery, this charming cafe in the Highlands serves an array of homemade cookies, muffins, and cakes.
Al Mac's is an historic stainless steel diner. A local icon since 1953, Al Mac's features a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu, each featuring homemade items. Owing to its well-preserved ambiance, Al Mac's has drawn in notable figures including Deval Patrick and Ted Kennedy on their campaign trails. Al Mac's hosts classic-car nights.
Fresh bagels made every morning, with varieties like asiago, egg, and chocolate chip. Pair them with house-made cream cheese spreads, including chive and lox.
Fall River's premier coffee shop. Pink Bean offers espresso, pour over, and cold brew coffee drinks alongside breakfast and lunch fare. In a city with sixteen Dunkin Donuts franchises, Pink Bean's coffee-focused philosophy is a breath of fresh air.
Spot to try the chow mein sandwich- locally-made chow mein noodles in brown gravy between two hamburger buns. The "sandwich," if you can call it that (the bottom bun is soaked in sauce and excess chow mein pours onto the plate), is quintessentially Fall River; mere miles outside of the city, no one has heard of it, but if you've lived here, you've eaten one.
Nick's Hot Dogs offers affordable hot dogs ($1-2), French fries ($3-4), and stuffed quahogs ($3). Known for its Coney Island wieners, Nick's has been a staple in Fall River since 1920. It features a family-friendly atmosphere and original seats.
This authentic Polish restaurant has been featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and specializes in pierogis- boiled dumplings stuffed with potato filling, sauerkraut, ground meat, cheese, or fruit. Patti's serves traditional pierogis ($1.35 each) alongside new creations, such as one filled with buffalo chicken mac and cheese ($1.85 each).
The most beloved of Fall River's Lebanese bakeries, this small family-owned shop offers delicious triangular Lebanese pies (sfeehas), serving traditional meat and spinach pies alongside chourico-filled ones. $1.35 each, or $9 for a dozen.
Features an extensive menu of authentic Portuguese dishes and greets its customers with a friendly atmosphere. Expect rather large portions for a relatively low cost. The sangria comes recommended, and is priced attractively at $6 a pitcher.
The Clipper offers authentic and delicious Portuguese cuisine; one of the best in the city.
The menu at O'Gil Restaurant and Lounge is heavily inspired by Portuguese cuisine, including pork and littlenecks and chouriço sandwiches. The restaurant also includes a full service cocktail lounge which offers a relaxed atmosphere. Try the fava beans and Shrimp or Chicken Mozambique (a spicy lemon-garlic sauce).
Local favorite for fine, authentic Portuguese food. Steak and seafood ($20-30) are served in ample portions alongside Portuguese wines.
Tex-Mex fare is served with homemade tortilla chips. Per its namesake, the cantina offers dozens of tequila options spanning a wide range of quality and price.
Essential spot for house-made chouriço, a Portuguese pork sausage made with fat, spices, and beef casing. Chouriço, and its near-identical cousin linguiça, are as essential in Fall River as chicken or beef. Michael's offers both in a variety of forms, including links, pre-ground with peppers, and grill-ready patties.
This huge Portuguese market features an entire refrigerated room of bacalhau (salted cod) alongside wine, charcuterie, and authentic Azorean crafts.
Local brewery serving exceptional hazy IPAs in a spacious warehouse taproom. Recommendations: Suppah New England DIPA, Orbuculum series (rotating), International IPA series (Ibex using Slovenian hops, Koala using Australian hops, etc.)
Nanobrewery offering carefully-crafted ales from a multitude of styles, in a warm space featuring a cobblestone outdoor patio. Recommendations: Anawan Street APA, Maplecroft Maple Porter, Troy German Pilsner (flagship).
Old-school bar serving over 60 whisk(e)ys, numerous canned craft beers (IPAs, stouts, and sours), and cocktails alongside wings, Reubens, and burgers.
This one-of-a-kind tiki bar floats in the Taunton River for 6 months out of the year. Boaters can dock and get cocktails brought to their vessel, while landlubbers enjoy the rooftop bar. Live music every night. Their sister restaurant, The Tipsy Toboggan, is open year-round.
Newly-renovated and opened in early 2021, it is the only hotel in Fall River city limits. 81 rooms featuring new furnishings, carpeting, bedding, and linens.
Not content with simply visiting the scene of this historic axe murder? Sleep and eat breakfast in the house where it happened. Bedroom options include Lizzie's room and the space where Abby Borden was killed.
This charming apartment is set inside of a vintage pharmacy, with nostalgic décor celebrating its history. Guests have lauded the cleanliness, personal touches, and free breakfast items stocked in the fridge.
Burlington anchors this complex, with other retailers including GameStop, Rainbow, and Savers.
formerly New Harbour Mall
This open-air mall opened in 2017 with a movie theater and a supermarket (Market Basket). Retailers include Old Navy, T.J. Maxx, and Ulta Beauty. Dining options include 110 Grill, Five Guys, Chick-Fil-A and Fall River's only Starbucks.
World-class manufacturer of jackets and suits for motorcyclists and motorsport athletes. Vanson also sells goods for fashion-conscious consumers, including collaborations with Supreme and replicas of the jacket they designed for X-Men's Wolverine. This factory showroom, visited by enthusiasts from all over the globe, is located in the same building where Vanson cuts and sews its products.
By car
Most visitors arrive by car, due to Fall River's relative lack of intercity public transportation.
By bus
By train
By bus
The Southeastern Regional Transportation Authority (SRTA) offers 14 bus routes within the city. All routes start at the Louis D. Pettine Transportation Center (118 4th St). Visiting from Boston?
By taxi
Uber operates in Fall River. Other rideshare services (including Lyft) do not as of Jan 2021.
By foot
Fall River is a city built on hills, with some streets exceeding a 20% elevation grade. As a result, getting around solely by foot can be a challenge.
By bicycle
Bicycles in Fall River are typically used for recreation, not transportation. Traffic bike lanes do exist, but are sparse and rarely used.
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Providence/Warwick · International · PVD
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