Community
Here are 20 reasons to love the City of Fall River
You hear some complaints about living in Fall River, but what is often forgotten is all that our city has to offer. There are several reasons to love the Scholarship City and why it is a place that we call home.
Here is our list of reasons to love Fall River and let us know what your reasons are!
The Waterfront
Photo courtesy of Erik Pancyck of Marksman Digital Photography
We all know about our beautiful waterfront. A rebuilt boardwalk lets you take a relaxing stroll along the water. You can visit the ships and in the warmer weather take a ride on the old Lincoln Park carousel. In recent years, updates and upgrades have coincided with more restaurant and housing options.
Beautiful Churches
Photo courtesy of Mike Dooley
Saint Anne’s, Saint Mary’s, Saint Michael’s and Santo Christo to name a few. There are many places of worship to choose from and many parishioners are partial to the church they attend. In many cases, for good reason.
Portuguese Bakeries
Photo courtesy of Barcelos Bakery
The bread, the malassadas, and the pastries. What’s not to like? Not only are the food selections endless, but so are the locations. From Leddy’s to Duke’s to Barcelos to Sam’s to Tony’s.
Lizzie Borden
We realize a murder trial isn’t the best way to get national recognition, but there is no denying that the circumstances around Lizzie Borden and the death of her parents have captivated many in the city and around the country. So why not embrace it?
Ethnic Food
Photo courtesy of Sam’s Bakery
How many places in the country can you go down the street to get a Syrian meat pie, chourico and chips, a pierogi, a French pie, and some nyom? Fall River is known for its cuisine, and it won’t disappoint.
The Hills
They may not be much fun to drive on if they are filled with ice and snow, but have anyone from the Midwest come to visit Fall River and watch their eyes light up with a drive down Weetamoe Street. Many parts of the country have no idea what it is like to have hills such as ours, or the views that come along with them.
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Holy Ghost Feast
The parade, the food, the reverence, and the entertainment. You can’t go wrong. You can celebrate the Holy Ghost while satisfying your appetite with great Portuguese food and catch a performance by the likes of the Portuguese Kids.
Quequechan Rail Trail
A beautiful scenic walk, run, or ride in the heart of the city. A peaceful and quiet spot that helps you forget about the hustle and bustle that a city can bring.
Narrows Center
How can you beat driving 15 minutes to see artists like Richard Marx, John Waite, and Peter Wolf in an intimate setting? Expanded seating has brought more legendary acts Fall River’s way. Not to mention Narrows features artwork of student, local, national, and international artists.
Freetown/Fall River State Forest
Photo courtesy of Eric Wilbur
It has a reputation for being a scary and haunted place, but it’s scenery and peacefulness is just as well known. Just ask anyone who has been to “The Ledge.”
Fall River native celebrities
Chris Herren: former NBA player and current speaker, advocate
Yorgan DeCastro: MMA fighter
George Stephanopoulos: Senior Advisor to President Clinton, current anchor
Ernest Moniz: former Secretary of Energy
Jerry Remy: former Boston Red Sox infielder and announcer
Emeril Lagasse: chef, tv personality
Mitch Raposo: MMA fighter
Morton Dean: former tv newscaster, anchor
Kurt Long: actor with many tv credits
Jason Roy: reality tv star
Mindy Robinson: actress with many credits, model, and reality tv star
Spike Feresten: former show host, Screenwriter (Simpsons/SNL/Seinfeld)
Chris Santos: chef, judge on the Food Network reality series Chopped.
Tecia (Torres) Pennington: Top UFC fighter
Abby Parece: model
E.J. Dionne: columnist for The Washington Post
Joe Raposo: song writer for Sesame Street and Three’s Company
Russ Gibson: catcher for the Boston Red Sox
Greg Gagne: former MLB baseball player
Johnny Diesel: musician
Courtney Silva Rezendes: chef, Food Network
Brandon Gomes: former MLB pitcher, Executive Vice President and General Manager with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Nancy Sorel: Award winning actress
Ethan Banville: Creator, producer, writer
Henry Nasiff (aka Hank the Angry Drunken Dwarf: Howard Stern, movies, won “People” magazine poll for most beautiful person
Thomas J. Hudner: War hero, played in new movie Devotion
Fall River History
The men and women slaving away in the mills, the rich history of Durfee Basketball, and the textile plants that produced finished goods for people all over the world are some examples of Fall River’s hard working and celebrated past. The city’s history is rich and much of it was built on the backs of it’s hard-working residents. We are also known for the famous and successful Fall River Marksmen soccer team of the 1920’s and early 1930’s.
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Fall River Country Club
Photo courtesy of Erik Pancyck of Marksman Digital Photography
One of the most unique golf courses in the area with its hills and gullies and to top it off it overlooks the Taunton River. It also has a clubhouse that’s a great venue to hold weddings and special events. It’s a private golf club, but if you get the chance, don’t pass up the opportunity to play 18.
Giving Spirit
Photo courtesy of Laura Joshua Eaton
Many Fall River residents weren’t exactly born with a silver spoon in their mouth. That doesn’t stop most Fall Riverites from giving you their time or their last dime if they know you truly need it. We have volunteer organizations like Gates of Hope and Angels Anonymous who help out the less fortunate. Make sure you are legitimate though as they can sniff out a fake from a mile away.
Our tribute to Veterans
Photo courtesy of Frank C. Grace of Trig Photography
Many well-deserved monuments are scattered throughout the city to honor past veterans who fought for our country. None have a more spectacular backdrop then the monuments for Iwo Jima and Gold Star Families at Bicentennial Park with the new Vietnam Memorial Wall nearby.
Many city parks
Photo by Brian Pearson
From Kennedy to North to Father Travassos to Griffin to Lafayette. Not only are there many parks in the city to enjoy, but the recent and future additions of splash pads and playgrounds have added even more fun for Fall River residents.
SouthCoast Marketplace
Many of us have fond memories of the Harbour Mall, but it is easy to notice that the plaza that replaced it is a major upgrade that brings in customers from out of town. Shopping, market, movies, and dining all in one place.
Places For Kids
We have the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, Art Association, Young Marines, Children’s Museum, Greater Fall River Re-Creation, CYO, Libraries, Fall River Falcons, Driscoll Skating Rink, baseball and basketball leagues to name a few.
Our Favorite Watering Hole
Photo by Jim Brodeur
Fall River may not be full of flashy dance clubs, but it is full of small intimate places where you can get a drink, play some games, and hang out with your friends. Italian Progressive Club, Brayton Ave Café, St. James, The Belmont, Liberal Club, Quequechan Club are a few that come to mind. In some cases, it is more like a family than a bar or club.
Christmas!
Be it the Festival of Trees, the Fall River Historical Society display, the many decorated homes, the new Winter Wonderland Festival or the famous parade, Christmas in Fall River is the place to be. Just don’t mind the cold and snow. But hey it is Christmas after all!
Eric
February 20, 2023 at 4:57 pm
Okay I grew up in Fall River and it’s as bad as it’s ever been crime wise. DO NOT MOVE HERE. Unless the idea of rampant drug use, serious crime, and poverty interest you id skip it on the list of options.
Steven K
February 20, 2023 at 5:26 pm
High Property Taxes, High Water, Sewer and Stormwater fees are driving the senior population out of their homes. Development by the city & Water Department with disregard on the Environmental Impact it has on the property owners and residents here. The assessors are over inflating the property values driving people out of the city and Massachusetts.
Widebody
February 20, 2023 at 8:52 pm
I’ve got many fond memories of FR, it’s where I grew up and spent many adult years; however, outside of family, friends, beaches and the diverse regional food there’s not much to miss. I’ll take my nice weather year round and friendly community atmosphere here in Texas, where the law still rules the land and is respected.
Tim Lowney
February 21, 2023 at 7:48 am
It’s nice to see some great points here, but you forgot a great place to see here in Fall River that has been instrumental in making Fall River a go to tourist destination and turned our waterfront into a waterfront attraction. Battleship Cove and the Marine Museum. Without these we would still be a forgotten Mill City. These ships are a grand part of our heritage and history continuing to bring world wide tourism to our doorstep . These museums teach our people history and science as well as paying honors to those who served and paid the price for our freedom and continue to serve our country.
Ken Paiva
February 21, 2023 at 9:27 am
“You can visit the ships”
Lone Star Willie
February 22, 2023 at 5:21 pm
And eat a Chourico & chips
Rob
June 20, 2023 at 7:57 am
I grew up in F R and yes, it‘s going through tough times , but there is sovmuch potential, and can one day overcome it‘s troubled condition. There are signs of hope and potential for a new period of greatness as it has had many years ago.
Sam‘s Bakery. Waterfront. The narrows. Beautiful nature and beaches so close by.
Louise
June 20, 2023 at 3:09 pm
I didn’t live in Fall River but I loved crossing the Braga every day for eight years on my way to work ( in spite of traffic or construction) . In my time in FR I worked with wonderful children and adults who were hard working, dedicated to their families, faith filled and faithful to their Portuguese heritage. I have many fond memories of my time there.