Fall River
Fall River is a city in Massachusetts on the south seacoast, along the eastern shore of Mount Hope Bay at the mouth of the Taunton River.
Understand
Fall River was the largest cotton textile manufacturing area in the late 1800s (aka Spindle City). Many of the old brick buildings now lie vacant, have been renovated into stores such as the Burlington Coat Factory, and others on Quequechan Street, while others have burned (one in 1983 or the Kerr Mill fire in 1986) as well as been torn down. In and about the areas around these mills the streets, once cobblestone, have been paved however near the center of the city (end of Plymouth Ave) you may catch a glimpse of the past after a bad winter when the pavement is broken up. In fact that area was paved over (including the trolley tracks in the 1990s). Fall River is also the home of the historical Lizzie Borden trial, and the hometown of famous chef, Emeril Lagasse.
Fall River has the highest percentage (over 40%) of Portuguese of any city in the country; most are of Azorean descent.
New England climates are typically unpredictable and can range from bitter cold to very hot. Winters can be freezing and can feature varying levels of snowfall. Summer weather can be humid and hot, especially in the city. The most temperate times of the year are late spring and late summer/early fall.
Get in
- Logan International Airport (BOS IATA) in Boston and T.F. Green Airport in Warwick (Rhode Island) are the airports serving the area.
- Interstate 195 runs east-west through Fall River between Providence, Rhode Island and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. State Route 24 runs north toward Boston, Massachusetts and south toward Newport, Rhode Island.
Get around
The city of Fall River is most easily traversed by car. Fall River does offer transportation via bus, provided by the Southeastern Regional Transportation Authority (SRTA). There are also a few taxi companies that service residents and visitors of the city, including Town Taxi and Yellow Cab of Fall River.
See
- 1 Battleship Cove, 5 Water St, ☏ +1 508 678-1100. museum closes at 4:30PM. 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 attraction out of these boats is the USS Massachusetts, which is said to have fired the first and last shells of World War 2. 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 are invited to spend the night aboard a ship for $55-60. $10-16.50 for tours.
- 2 Fall River Heritage State Park, Davol St., ☏ +1 508 675-5759. 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.
- 3 Marine Museum at Fall River, 70 Water St, ☏ +1 508 674-3533. The Marine Museum at Fall River is a historical nautical museum. The museum displays memorabilia, a number of artifacts, ship models, and exhibits. The museum is home to one of the largest Titanic exhibitions in the world, and features a 28 ft (8.5 m) model of the RMS Titanic that was used in the 1953 film Titanic.
- 4 The Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast/Museum, 230 Second St, ☏ +1 508 675-7333. In 1892, Lizzie Borden was accused of killing her father and stepmother in this house. Though she was acquitted of charges, that historical story remains a mystery to us. You can view the scene of the crime and explore the house, and you can also spend the night and enjoy breakfast where it happened.
Do
- The Great Feast of the Holy Ghost of New England. Mid-August. Often called "the biggest Azorean feast in the world," it draws busloads of Portuguese from all over the country and Canada.
- The Children's Museum of Greater Fall River, 441 North Main St, ☏ +1 508 672-0033. 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. Entry is $8 per person, and children under one are free.
- 1 Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan Street #1, ☏ +1 508 324-1926. 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.
- Fall River PAL, 31 Franklin St. This building hosts hardcore, punk and metal shows. Bands from local status to signed touring bands have come through. The stage room is very large with plenty of room to stand, dance, or whatever you came to do. Bands that have played here include Recon, And All Was Silent, and Years Spent Cold. There is a small concessions stand that has hot dogs, chips, water, and sodas. The stage is fairly large and could fit a five-piece band comfortably.
Learn
Bristol Community College is a two-year community college with a wide array of degree options, ranging from certificates, to associate degrees. BCC offers transfer options to four-year colleges, and competitive two-year programs in Nursing and Dental Hygiene.
Buy
- Burlington Coat Factory, 181 Mariano Bishop Blvd, ☏ +1 508 675-0829. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-7PM.
Eat
Fall River has an extremely wide variety of dining options, and is especially known for its delicious Portuguese-style restaurants.
- Nick's Hot Dogs, 534 South Main St, ☏ +1 508 677-3890. Nick's Hot Dogs offers affordable hot dogs, French fries, and stuffed quahogs. Nick's is best known for its Coney Island wieners and has been a staple in Fall River since 1920. It has a family-friendly atmosphere and the original seats.
- Caravela Family Restaurant, 635 South Main St, ☏ +1 508 235-1030. It has 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.
- Patty's Pierogis, 1019 South Main St, ☏ +1 508 679-4001. This local, authentic Polish restaurant has been featured on Guy Fieri's Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dive's. Patty's is best known for its pierogis, which are boiled dumplings traditionally stuffed with potato filling, sauerkraut, ground meat, cheese, or fruit.
- Al Mac's Diner, 135 President Ave, ☏ +1 508 567-5727. Al Mac's is a historic diner-restaurant that features a stainless steel design. Notable figures who have dined at the diner include Deval Patrick and Ted Kennedy. Al Mac's features a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu, each featuring a homemade items. Al Mac's hosts classic-car nights.
- Marcucci's Bakery and Grinder, 1076 Bedford St, ☏ +1 508 678-5426. Marcucci's menu features a number of sandwiches and pizzas at affordable prices.
- Leddy's Bakery and Coffee Shop, 1481 South Main St, ☏ +1 508 672-0832. A Portuguese-style bakery, Leddy's offers baked goods in a family-oriented atmosphere. Menu items include homemade doughnuts, cakes, lemon squares, and cream puffs, among other pastries. Try the items from the refridgerated case to the left of the cash register — those items are made with fresh, local cream and are especially delicious.
- O'Gil Restaurant and Lounge, 915 County St, ☏ +1 508 673-7250. The menu at O'Gil Restaurant and Lounge is heavily inspired by Portuguese cuisine, including pork and littlenecks and chourico 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)
- T.A. Restaurant, 408 South Main St, ☏ +1 508 673-5890.
- The Clipper, 459 S Main St. The Clipper offers authentic and delicious Portuguese cuisine; one of the best in the city.
Drink
- St. James Irish Pub, 91 Purchase St.
Sleep
- Holiday Inn Express, 360 Airport Rd, ☏ +1 508-672-0011. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Offers 81 rooms featuring new furnishings, carpeting, bedding and linens.
- Lizzie Borden B&B, 230 Second St, ☏ +1 508 675-7333.
Stay safe
Crime is a concern in Fall River. Fall River ranks as one of the most dangerous cities in Massachusetts. Visitors should avoid areas around Slade St. and Pleasant St. in particular. It is not recommended to visit parks at night due to a high probability of victimization.
Go next
- Newport, Rhode Island- One of the top tourist destinations in Rhode Island, Newport is a half-hour drive from Fall River. Newport is home to the historical Newport Mansions, a handful of museums, and a number of public beaches. In the summer, Newport hosts the Newport Jazz Festival, Tall Ships, and International Oktoberfest, among other events.
- Boston, Massachusetts- To the north of Fall River is Boston, New England's largest city and home to museums, historical sites, sports teams, and live performances. Visitors can enjoy the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a shopping trip to Newbury Street (renowned as "the Rodeo Drive of the East"), and famous restaurants like Eagle's Deli.
| Routes through Fall River |
| Providence ← Somerset ← | W  E |
→ Westport → New Bedford |
| Boston ← Freetown ← | N  S |
→ Tiverton → Portsmouth |
| Providence ← Somerset ← | W  E |
→ Westport → New Bedford |
| END ← | N  S |
→ Tiverton → Little Compton |
| Boston ← Somerset ← | N  S |
→ Tiverton → Newport |