Culture, food, festivals, small business America at its best. Fall River's rich history and culture makes for a great stop on a tour of Southeastern Massachusetts. Original home to the Pokanoket Wampanoagtribe, then later settled by members of the Plymouth Colony Fall River was settled in one of the states most breath taking area's. Cradled by two bodies of water, the Mount Hope Bay and the Taunton River, Fall River was destined for great things.
The use of water to fuel machines in the early 19th century and the high demand of products for the budding region, put Fall River on the map as the “Textile Manufacturing center of the United States” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_River,_MA). With a quickly growing economy, Fall River's bustling downtown area was the place to be and still is today. In the 2000 census, Fall River had 91,938 residents. With both residents and tourists, Fall River's attractions and events keep the economy alive and well.
One of the main draws for tourists to Fall River is the Battleship Cove. Home to wartime crew of the World War II battleship and the USS Massachusetts, the Cove attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Cove houses the historic carousel from the once popular tourist spot Lincoln Park. Updated and maintained in its original look, the Lincoln Park Carousel adds to the rich experience of history and fun at this popular tourist spot. With the expansive Taunton River on one side and the popular Fall River Heritage State Park on the other, the Cove's visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the historic museum and park area's, while feeding the ducks and enjoying the cool breezes that welcome the visitors to this family oriented vacation spot.
During the month of August, every year Fall River holds the Fall River Celebrates America festival. Complete with local bands on one stage and mainstream acts on another, this event draws thousands of locals and tourists to the area. Utilizing the Cove and Heritage Park, this celebration gathers local food, carnival favorites, amusement rides and carnival games for good, family fun. This festival is just one of many that Fall River puts on all year long. For every Portuguese holiday and Catholic saint there is a festival to match. Fall River's heavily Catholic population holds festivals to honor its saints and holidays, complete with parades, food, fun, traditional song and dance. Streets are blocked off to allow parade precessions and floats to commemorate the event. There are so many festivals, that Fall River could be nicknamed the celebration city.
Part of everyday life in Fall River are the family owned business's that keep this town's commerce going strong. On a visit to Fall River, its a must to stop by all the Portuguese bakeries when they first open, before the sun gets out of bed. The smell of warm bread, chourico rolls and delicious pastries tantalize the senses. Baked fresh everyday and sold out by noon, the ethnic baked good in Fall River are its signature calling card. Come lunch time, stop by one of the family eateries in Fall River. Whether you enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers at JJ's Hot Dogs (567 S Main St Fall River, MA 02721) or surf n' turf style food at George's Root Beer Family Restaurant ( 2389 S Main St Fall River, MA 0272) your bound to leave happy and full. Low prices, good family food, regular customers and the adoption of local cuisine is what keeps these places on the top of any list of places to eat in Fall River.
If a more formal (casual dress) dining experience is what your looking for, then head to the Regatta (392 Davol St Fall River, MA 02720). This spot has steak, seafood, drinks with little umbrella's and a gorgeous waterfront view. After dark this spot turns over into a nightclub. Dinner, drinks and dancing to cap off your tour of “The Scholarship City,” as its known, what more could you ask for?
No tourist spot is complete without its scandalous history. Home to the historic Lizzie Borden murder trial, which is still unsolved, Lizzie is famous for allegedly murdering her parents. She was accused of taking an ax and giving her step mother forty whack's and when she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty one. This line is used as a childhood jump roping song. Despite her being acquitted of all charges, Lizzie's possible guilt draws many to stay a night or two in the supposedly haunted INN. The once residence to Lizzie, turned Bed and Breakfast gives tours and lets people rent a room in the hopes of seeing the ghost of the Borden family. The Fall River Historical Society also gives Lizzie Tours. For a donation to the historical preservation society, an expert on Lizzie will give you a tour complete with pictures of the murder scene and personal diary writings of not only Lizzie, but her sister Emma.
Southeastern Massachusetts has many cities and town that are just waiting to be explored. Whether your taking a tour to see the changing of the leaves or your going to the Cape for shopping and to rent a beach house for the summer, make sure you take a minute to stop by Fall River to enjoy all that it has to offer. Sometimes overlooked and unknown, Fall River is a hidden jewel. Once you visit, you, like so many other one time visitors, will become a life long frequenter. Go for the history, go for the food, go for the fun, but most of all just go.
