Fall River (Massachusetts)

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 about 20 yrs ago). Fall River is also the home of the historical Lizzie Borden trial, as well as 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.

• Logan International Airport (BOS) 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. Construction on highways leading to and from Fall River, beginning in 2013 and projected to end in 2016, has caused slight traffic issues, but aims to modernize the roadways.

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.

• Battleship Cove

  phone: +1 508 678-1100
  address: 5 Water St
  Battleship Cove lays claim to the largest collection of preserved U.S. Navy ships in the world, from World War 2 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 both their outside areas and internals. Visitors are invited to spend the night aboard a ship for $55-$60.

• Fall River Heritage State Park

  phone: +1 508 675-5759
  address: Davol St.
  Fall River Heritage State Park is perfectly located, hugging 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, U.S.S. 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.

• Marine Museum at Fall River

  phone: +1 508 674-3533
  address: 70 Water St
  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 twenty eight-foot model of the RMS Titanic that was used in the 1953 film Titanic.

• The Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast/Museum

  phone: +1 508 675-7333
  address: 230 Second St
  In 1892, Lizzie Borden was accused of killing her father and stepmother in this very home. Though she was acquitted of charges, that historical story remains a mystery to us to this day. You can not only view the scene of the crime and explore the house, but you can also spend the night and enjoy breakfast where it all happened. If you've ever heard of Lizzie Borden and her historical trial, you simply cannot miss this experience.

• The Great Feast of the Holy Ghost of New EnglandOften called "the biggest Azorean feast in the world," draws busloads of Portuguese from all over the country and Canada.

• The Children's Museum of Greater Fall River

  phone: +1 508 672-0033
  address: 441 North Main St
  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.

• Narrows Center for the Arts

  phone: +1 508 324-1926
  address: 16 Anawan Street #1
  Situated on the top floor of one of Fall River's iconic mill buildings, the Narrows Center for the Arts 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

  address: 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, but are not limited to, 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.

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, as well as competitive two year programs in Nursing and Dental Hygiene.

• Burlington Coat Factory

  phone: +1 508 675-0829
  address: 181 Mariano Bishop Blvd

Fall River has an extremely wide variety of dining options, and is especially known for their delicious Portuguese-style restaurants.

• Nick's Hot Dogs

  phone: +1 508 677-3890
  address: 534 South Main St
  Nick's Hot Dogs offers affordable hot dogs, french-fries, and stuffed quahogs. Nick's is best known for their Coney Island wieners and has been a staple in Fall River since 1920. The restaurant has undergone a style renovation in past years, but maintains its family friendly atmosphere and the original seats.

• Caravela Family Restaurant

  phone: +1 508 235-1030
  address: 635 South Main St
  Caravela Family Restaurant is home to 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

  phone: +1 508 679-4001
  address: 1019 South Main St
  Featured on Guy Fieri's Food Network Show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dive's, Patty's Pierogis is a local, authentic Polish restaurant. 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

  phone: +1 508 567-5727
  address: 135 President Ave
  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

  phone: +1 508 678-5426
  address: 1076 Bedford St
  Marcucci's menu features a number of sandwiches and pizzas at affordable prices.

• Leddy's Bakery and Coffee Shop

  phone: +1 508 672-0832
  address: 1481 South Main St
  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

  phone: +1 508 673-7250
  address: 915 County St
  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

  phone: +1 508 673-5890
  address: 408 South Main St

• Ninety Nine Restaurant

  phone: +1 508 673-8999
  address: 404 Pleasant St, Building #7

• The Clipper

  address: 459 S Main St
  The Clipper offers authentic and delicious Portuguese cuisine; one of the best in the city.

• St. James Irish Pub

  address: 91 Purchase St

• Battleship Brewhouse

  phone: +1 508 675-4899
  address: 101 President Ave
  The Battleship Brewhouse is a small pub that offers a rotation of forty draft beers, eighty bottled beers, and a variety of bar food. Live music is featured every Friday and Saturday night.

• Jerry Remy's Sports Bar and Grill

  phone: +1 774 365-6905
  address: 1082 Davol St
  Named after the Red Sox player turned broadcaster, Jerry Remy's blends a bar and restaurant into an atmosphere that is well suited for watching sports. Remy's is notable for its the large and numerous TV screens, known as the "screen monsters," which feature sports and news programming.

• Waterstreet Cafe

  phone: +1 508 672-8748
  address: 36 Water St
  Waterstreet Cafe serves lunch for visitors of Battleship Cove, but also serves the nightlife in the city. The Cafe offers a full bar, live music, and dance floor for visitors.

• 1873 House Bed and Breakfast

  phone: +1 508 679-8990
  address: 621 Second St

• Comfort Inn and Suites

  phone: +1 508-672-0011
  address: 360 Airport Rd
  Offers 81 rooms featuring new furnishings, carpeting, bedding and linens.

• Lizzie Borden B&B

  phone: +1 508 675-7333
  address: 230 Second St

• Randall Durfee Guest House

  phone: +1 508 679-0579
  address: 19 Highland Av

Crime has become a concern in recent years in Fall River. While all cities have their share of crime, 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.

• 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.