Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Fall River, MA

Where the Taunton River joins Mount Hope Bay, Fall River stands out as a historical maritime city, notable for its textile industry, busy port, and rich Portuguese heritage.

Approximately a third of the city’s population is of Portuguese descent, mainly from the Azorean island of São Miguel, who immigrated during the early 20th century.

Among Fall River’s most notorious figures is Lizzie Borden (1860-1927), who was tried and acquitted for the gruesome axe murders of her father and stepmother in 1892.

The site of the crime now operates as a museum and bed-and-breakfast, with several locations significant to the Borden case available for exploration, including her inheritance property and her final resting place in the distinguished Borden family plot at Oak Grove Cemetery.

The Fall River Historical Society houses the most extensive collection of Lizzie Borden artifacts, located within an impressive French Second Empire mansion.

1. Battleship Cove

Fall River’s primary attraction is an outdoor museum located on the Taunton River, featuring the world’s largest collection of U.S. Navy vessels from World War II.

Five of these vessels are designated as National Historic Landmarks, with the USS Massachusetts (BB-59) serving as the highlight.

This South Dakota-class fast battleship was launched in 1941 from Quincy’s Fore River Shipyard and spent a significant portion of the war in the Pacific theater.

Visitors can explore both above and below deck of the USS Massachusetts, as well as the Gearing-class destroyer USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (1945), the Balao-class submarine USS Lionfish (1943), and the heavy cruiser USS Fall River (1944).

An additional exhibit includes the German corvette Hiddensee, which was constructed for the East German Navy in the mid-1980s. At 680 feet, the USS Massachusetts merits hours of investigation, and a stop for lunch in the ship’s wardroom is available.

2. Lizzie Borden House

For those intrigued by the macabre, the site of this unsolved double murder is of significant interest. The Lizzie Borden House (230 2nd St) has operated as a museum and bed-and-breakfast since 1996, with ownership changing in 2021.

Guided house tours last ninety minutes, operating daily from 10 am to 4 pm, with nightly ghost tours and hunts available for those fascinated by reports of paranormal activity.

The most requested room for overnight stays is the bedroom where Abby Borden, Lizzie’s stepmother, was tragically murdered.

The sitting room where Andrew Borden was found retains much of its 1892 appearance, including a settee resembling the one he was resting on when murdered.

Throughout the house are subtle yet eerie reminders of the events that transpired, including replicas of the victims’ skulls, photographs of the crime scenes and the murder weapon, as well as an autopsy table in the dining room where Abby Borden’s autopsy took place.

3. Maritime Museum at Battleship Cove

Enhancing the fleet moored nearby, this museum delves deeply into Fall River’s maritime history.

The permanent exhibit, Sails, Paddles & Screws, commences with the Age of Exploration and explores whaling, ocean liners, warships, and the narrative of United Fruit, which evolved from the Boston Fruit Company and utilized Fall River’s port.

An intriguing aspect is the Fall River Line (1847-1937), a steamship and railroad connection between Boston and New York, with the maritime leg commencing and concluding at Fall River’s harbor.

Reconstructed rooms, scale models, uniforms, and other memorabilia provide insight into the experience of making this journey approximately 150 years ago.

The museum also boasts extensive collections from RMS Titanic, including a 28-foot scale model built for the 1953 film, alongside artifacts retrieved from the wreck.

4. Fall River Historical Society

Founded over a century ago, the Fall River Historical Society boasts numerous rich collections, encompassing decorative arts, costumes, textiles, paintings, maritime memorabilia, manuscripts, and ephemera, to provide a well-rounded depiction of life in the city.

Noteworthy is Lizzie Borden’s prominent presence, as the museum situated in this granite French Second Empire mansion offers a comprehensive account of her life and trial.

The society hosts a vibrant social calendar, featuring an annual Holiday Open House and operates a shop offering an array of unique items.

5. Fall River Heritage State Park

Situated beneath the Charles M. Braga Jr. Memorial Bridge, Fall River Heritage State Park spans 14 acres of waterfront adjacent to Battleship Cove.

The park features a mile-long accessible boardwalk, providing stunning views along the Taunton River, particularly during sunset.

A visitor center presents historical exhibits about Fall River, emphasizing the textile industry.

Along the boardwalk stands a historic carousel built in 1920, along with a three-acre grass area catering to a variety of outdoor events during summer, ranging from outdoor films to cultural festivals.

6. Portuguese Cuisine

With a considerable portion of the population possessing Azorean ancestry, Fall River’s culinary scene prominently features this heritage.

Notably, some of the finest Portuguese bakeries in the United States are located here. Barcelos Bakery and Cafe (695-699 Bedford St) is revered for its pastéis de nata (custard tarts), massa (sweet bread), papo secos (traditional rolls), and malasadas (fried dough).

A plethora of dining establishments offers a diverse culinary experience, with standout options including Caravela (637 S Main St), Sagres (177 Columbia St), and Caldeiras (990 Pleasant St). Classic dishes to consider include grilled chicken, pork steak sandwich (bifana), caldeirada (fish stew), grilled octopus, and salted codfish.

7. Quequechan River Rail Trail

A previously hidden aspect of Fall River has become accessible to the public along an abandoned railroad corridor.

Connecting two neighborhoods, the Quequechan River Rail Trail was completed in 2017 and follows the river for approximately 1.7 miles.

The trail incorporates a blend of rehabilitated railroad architecture and new structures, featuring seven boardwalks.

Directional signs and informative boards detailing the area’s history and local wildlife—such as waterfowl and turtles—are also installed along the trail.

8. Kennedy Park

Developed in the late 1860s as a green space to buffer against the encroaching textile mills, Kennedy Park (formerly South Park) is situated on a long plot sloping steeply toward the bay.

The park was originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux and was updated by the Olmsted Brothers at the turn of the 20th century.

The park’s upper section, located to the east, features most of the recreational facilities, including baseball fields.

The middle portion, boasting magnificent views, descends toward the bay and is a favored spot for sledding during winter, while the lower area near Bay St is dotted with tall hardwood trees.

9. Freetown-Fall River State Forest

In the northern part of Fall River lies over 5,000 acres of public forest, primarily designated for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, dirt biking, and cross-country skiing in winter.

The Freetown-Fall River State Forest constitutes the largest segment of the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve, encompassing 13,600 acres.

Within the forest is a 227-acre (92 ha) Wampanoag reservation, notable for its rich Native American heritage, with Profile Rock—a 50-foot granite formation believed to represent the image of Chief Massasoit (1580-1661).

The area features 25 miles of trails for exploration, and in summer, families flock to the forest’s headquarters, equipped with picnic tables, pavilions, and a large splash pad.

10. Oak Grove Cemetery

Established in 1859, Oak Grove Cemetery spans 120 hilly acres and features a flowing design inspired by the renowned rural garden style of Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

This cemetery is the final resting place of many of Fall River’s prominent figures, including key merchants, mill owners, inventors, athletes, and politicians.

The Borden family plot, which includes Lizzie Borden’s grave (labeled “Lizbeth”), is situated on the west side, just past the Gothic Revival entrance.

Given the Borden family’s influence over economic and civic life in 19th-century Fall River, their monuments are particularly grand, including the column for industrialist Richard Borden (1795-1874) and the memorial for Lizzie’s father, Andrew Borden.

11. Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River

Situated in the former Bristol County Superior Court building (1889), the Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River offers a hands-on educational experience for young visitors.

The museum focuses on themes of community, family, and creativity, promoting open-ended and experiential learning through various exhibits.

Some of the many engaging spaces include the Doctor’s Office, Outer Space indoor playground, Color Room, Dinosaurs Room, Water Room, LEGO Room, Violet Music Room, Train Room, and Grocery Area.

Children up to around the age of nine will find ample opportunities for exploration, alongside a designated area for birthday celebrations.

12. Maplecroft

After her trial, Lizzie Borden resided in Fall River with her sister Emma, though the pair faced ostracism from local society.

They subsequently moved into an ornate Queen Anne-style residence in the affluent area known as The Hill.

Constructed around 1887, the house named “Maplecroft” located at 306 French Street features seven bedrooms and remained Borden’s residence until her death from pneumonia in 1927.

At the time of our writing, Maplecroft had been sold to an artist and professor who relocated with her family from New Bedford, intending to restore the house to a single-family residence.

13. Copicut Woods

Nature enthusiasts need not venture beyond Fall River’s city boundaries to find a serene escape, with over 500 acres of woodland located conveniently to the east.

Copicut Woods features towering ancient trees across a landscape interspersed with streams and vernal pools. The area also includes a stretch of freshwater swamp inhabited by Atlantic cedars, accessible via raised walkways.

Approximately 5.5 miles of trails weave through the woods, and near the parking area on Yellow Hill Road, the remnants of the former Isaac Miller Homestead can be observed, gradually being reclaimed by nature.

14. Lafayette-Durfee House

The only colonial house in Fall River available to the public is believed to have been constructed before 1750.

The Lafayette-Durfee House, once located on the Bristol County Superior Court grounds, was relocated a few blocks to its current position on Cherry Street in 1872. This residence is recognized for its connections to the American Revolutionary War.

The original property extended from the Taunton River in the west to North Watuppa Pond in the east.

This property served as collateral to finance the revolution for owner Judge Thomas Durfee, whose son Joseph became a colonel serving alongside Marquis de Lafayette at the Battle of White Plains (1776).

Lafayette is known to have visited this house on multiple occasions. At the time of our writing, visitors could tour on Sunday afternoons to admire period furnishings, medical artifacts, weaponry, and replicas of mid-18th century clothing.

15. Great Feast of the Holy Ghost of New England

One of the most celebrated annual festivals in southern New England occurs at Kennedy Park towards the end of August.

Rooted in Azorean traditions, the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost is a vibrant cultural event that merges religious ceremonies at the picturesque St. Anne’s Church with traditional Portuguese dancing, live music, and delicious cuisine.

The festivities commence with the recitation of the rosary at Kennedy Park, followed by the serving of Holy Ghost soup, an Azorean delicacy.

The parade along Main Street to the park, where sweet bread and milk are distributed in honor of the Holy Spirit, is a signature highlight. A popular festival treat is malasadas, and there is a line of vendors preparing this fried delicacy right before your eyes.