Whether you find yourself in New England in the hot summer months, or following the hoards of leaf peepers, Fall River Massachusetts has something for all seasons! And it’s an easy day trip destination from Providence, Boston or the Cape.
This seaside city is located on the Southcoast of Massachusetts, just east of the Rhode Island border. As a coastal New England destination, Fall River has alot of nautical and European history. It’s actually home to the largest population of Portuguese decendants outside of Portugal. This becomes evident when you begin searching for restaurants, bakeries and markets in the area. The “gates” pictured above symbolize the friendship between the sister cities of Fall River, Massachusetts and Ponta Delgada, Portugal.
The city was a booming center for the textile industry in the late 1800s to early 1900s. As a result, you’ll notice there are many old mills around the city. many of which have been re-purposed as commercial and residential spaces.
Start the Day Off Right
The first stop I recommend making is at Mission Cold Brew Co. This small cafe does cold brew right! Their comprehensive menu includes coffee, latte, tea, matcha, chocolate and ground spice options. And as a snack, you can grab one of their DELICIOUS fresh made waffles. Take it to go or have a quick sit to plan out the rest of your day.
Mission Cold Brew contributes 10% of their sales to help humanitarian causes, including fighting human trafficking. Their coffee is also available on tap at various other locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Visit their website for more details.
Take in A Little Bit of Nature
A stones throw from the highway, on the east side of the city is the Quequeschan Trail. This 1.5 mile path was completed in 2017 and lies along the Quequechan River which makes for a very scenic stroll. The trail was developed along an old train line (they’ve left part of the track as a memorial). It is a combination of paved trail and wooden bridges as it weaves along the water. The plants along the trail are comprised mainly of regionally important, Carolinian Forest species which attract plenty of north eastern creatures as well. The path is a combination of paved trail and wooden bridges that weave along the water.
To access the trail, you can park at Tower Mill and walk down. When you return to your car, be sure to pop into the mill to take a peek at the crazy confectionary collection inside the “Candy & Nut Center“. This little shop offers up candies from all around the world. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll be hard pressed to walk out empty handed.
Savour Some Local Flavours
As previously mentioned, there’s a major Portuguese influence on the local flavours of Fall River Massachusetts. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other cultures to explore. One of the notable restaurants you’ll want to consider for lunch is ‘Patti’s Pierogies‘. This Polish American Restaurant serves up a wide variety of pierogie options (both savoury AND sweet), and was once featured on Guy Fier’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”. I feel pretty confident saying that no matter what you settle on here, you won’t be disappointed.
There are also a couple breweries in town, if you’re looking for a beverage break from exploring. The two breweries are less than a mile apart, so trying them both is more than possible. Of course, you’ll want to do so responsibly 😉
If you end up at Canned Heat, be sure to take a walk down to the river’s edge where you can get a really great view of Braga Bridge, as well as Borden Flats Light. And if you’re here at the right time of year, why not stop by the Tipsy Seagull Dockside Tiki Bar for a snack.
Set Foot Aboard Steel Giants
One of the main scenic features of the Fall River landscape is the Braga Bridge (pictured next to the ship). You’ll cross this big blue bridge if traveling west of the city (or entering from the west). This bridge will take you across the Tauton River, home to the largest collection of World War II navy ships. Hence, it is appropirately named “Battleship Cove”. There is a museum directly asssociated with the ships, where you can learn about their histories and tour the ships. If you’d rather keep your feet on dry land, you can get some really great views from Fall River Heritage State Park.
If you’re planning to check out the museum and walk on the ships, be sure to check their wesbite for hours of operation so you can plan accordingly.
Indulge in a History Making Dish
If you’re still on the look out for food after all the exploring you’ve done, you’ll want to try out a local favourite. Meet the “Chow Mein Sandwich”. And it’s exactly what it sounds like! A pile of chow mein, in brown sauce, on a bun! This local classic was the result of Fall River restaurants trying to cater to all the mill workers that were seeking out filling meals on a budget during the industrial revolution here. There’s even a catchy little ditty about it by Alika & The Happy Samoans. Mee Sum Restaurant Cocktail & Lounge is the spot to pick one up. They were actually featured on NPR in 2019 for their version of the classic sandwich. And it comes in at less thank $5!
I ordered my Chow Mein Sandwish ‘to go’, as I visited during the pandemic. I spoke with the owner while I was checking out and she said she highly recommends enjoying it fresh from the kitchen in their dinning room. Be sure to keep this in mind if you decide to visit.
Dabble in Dark Tourism
There are few stories associated with Fall River Massachusetts more famous than that of Ms. Lizzie Borden. For those of you who are less familiar, her story inspired this chilling children’s nursery rhyme:
“Lizzie Borden took an axe,
And gave her mother forty whacks;
When she saw what she had done,
She gave her father forty-one…”
On the morning of August 4th 1892, Lizzie Borden reported to the Borden Family maid that she had found her father and step-mother axed to death in separate locations of the house. Unlike the nursery rhyme claims, it was actually her step-mother, and the police only reported 18 “whacks”, her father had taken 11. There are many stories surrounding the case, in addition to several suspects. Lizzie went to trial and was ultimately acquited of the murders a year later.
It’s a curious story to read up on if unsolved mysteries are your thing. And if you’re into dark tourism, you can book a room (or the whole house!) and spend the night at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast. They also host tours during the day if you’re interested in seeing the house, but not resting your head for a night.
And If You’re Looking for More…
Dighton Rock is located a 15-20 minute drive north of the city, at Dighton Rock State Park. Dighton Rock is a 40-ton bolder that was placed in it’s current location by the retreating glaciers of the last ice age melt. The curious part about the rock is the inscriptions that to this day have not been deciphered. There are several theories as to the cultures that may have carved the symbols into the rock that sits in an eclosed building today. The park is also a beautiful location for a picnic if you’re planning to visit.
Intersted in visiting another little historic New England town? Be sure to check out the Whaling City of New Bedford, one of my personal favourites.
