101 Things to Do Blackstone Bucket List

1. Take a keepsake photo with the bronze statue of Hachiko (1 Depot St., Woonsocket, RI), the hero of a true Japanese story and star of the 2009 film with Richard Gere filmed here.
2. Hike the towpath along the Blackstone Canal at River Bend Farm Visitor Center, Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park, 287 Oak St., Uxbridge, MA.
3. Ride the 1895 Looff Carousel for 25 cents at Slater Memorial Park, Route 1A, Pawtucket, RI.
4. Watch the cows being milked daily from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. at the fifth-generation, family-owned Wright’s Dairy Farm, 200 Woonsocket Hill Rd., North Smithfield, RI.
5. Dare to drive down Tower Hill Road in Cumberland, RI, at night….the legends say it is haunted!
6. Paint watercolors of our water features at any of the picturesque views, vistas, and watersheds that abound in the Valley. Watch for one of our Plein Air Painting events and paint with others!
7. Find a farm-fresh snack at the Daniels Farmstead Farmers Market (Sundays, July to October), 286 Mendon Street, Blackstone, MA.
8. Take to the Blackstone River Bikeway and walk, bike or stroll along the 11-mile off-road path along the river from Valley Falls to Woonsocket, RI. Along the way, visit the Lonsdale Marsh (Front St., Cumberland, RI) to view wildlife, especially a large variety of our feathered friends.
9. Indulge in rich coffee milk at Cooper’s Dairy, 515 Henshaw St., Leicester, MA.
10. Enjoy the magic of WaterFire in Providence, RI, and treat yourself to a night on the town.
11. Revel in the springtime ritual as salamanders and wood frogs proliferate in the vernal pools of Cormier Woods, 217 Chapin St., Uxbridge, MA.
12. Shop at the Brown & Hopkins Store, 1179 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI – one of the oldest, continually-operating country stores in the U.S. Watch for weekly candlelight shopping in the village in December!
13. Hike the Old Purgatory Trail and visit Fat Man’s Misery and the Devil’s Corn Crib at Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, 198 Purgatory Road, Sutton, MA.
14. Drive on the picturesque and historic Great Road, an original colonial highway in Lincoln, RI.
15. Spend a festive Independence Day at the Ancients & Horribles Parade in Chepachet, RI, which has made its way along Main Street in the late afternoon since 1926, spoofing local and national politics.
16. Give your horse some fresh air with a ride along the Southern New England Trunkline Trail. Need a horse? Try Sunset Stables for horseback riding in Lincoln Woods State Park, Lincoln, RI.
17. Take in a feature film at the old, authentic Elm Draught House Cinema (35 Elm St.) in Millbury, MA, where for less than $10, you get a ticket, snacks, and seating interspersed with tables.
18. Take a tour of Vaillancourt Folk Art where you can watch painters creating Christmas treasures, then visit the museum and shop (9 Main S., Sutton, MA).
19. Visit the Rhode Island State House in Providence, RI, for a free one-hour tour of the impressive architecture.
20. Follow a National Park Service Ranger on a weekly Thursday evening Walkabout (June through August) and learn about the history, sites, and folklore of the Blackstone Valley. Locations and topics vary weekly.
21. Tag a fresh and fragrant tree for your holiday celebration at the Sleighbell Christmas Tree Farm and Gift Barn in Sutton, MA. Check our interactive map for ten other Christmas Tree farms in the Valley!
22. Climb Cogswell Tower atop Dexter’s Ledge in Jenks Park (Broad St., Central Falls, RI), the location of a lookout during King Philip’s War in the 17^th century and venue for a spectacular view of the Valley.
23. Take part in Autumfest on Columbus Day Weekend, in Woonsocket, RI, with its lengthy parade (Monday) and terrific stage entertainment.
24. Challenge yourself to a day of disc golf at Maple Hill Disc Golf Course, 132 Marshall St., Leicester, MA, a championship-caliber facility for serious athletes. You can also find disc golf at Newton Hill Park in Worcester and Slater Memorial Park in Pawtucket, RI.
25. “Take me out to the ball game” for a great family experience at the Worcester Red Sox, Triple A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, playing at Polar Park in Worcester, MA.
26. Bring your camera to capture the amazing views from Waters Farm, founded in 1757 and still working in Sutton, MA, at 53 Waters Road, Sutton, MA.
27. Enjoy jogging, hiking, picnicking, or climbing to the summit of the former Blackstone Valley ski park where trails still remain along with incredible views – all at Diamond Hill Park, Diamond Hill Rd., Cumberland, RI.
28. Visit the Captain Wilbur Kelly House (1075 Lower River Rd., Lincoln, RI) in the Blackstone River State Park and on the banks of the Blackstone Canal to hear the story of transportation and see how canals worked. (Open April to October). Ask about the Junior Ranger activity book!
29. Spend a rainy day inside the 18,000-square-foot Bernat Antiques, a multi-dealer enterprise showcasing antiques, upcycled, and recycled goods at 89 Elmdale St., in Uxbridge, MA.
30. Put yourself in a time-out and explore more than 70 time pieces in the historic house and gallery of the Willard House and Clock Museum, 11 Willard St., North Grafton, MA.
31. Hear the romantic story behind the building of the early 19^th-century Federal-style Hearthside House, 677 Great Rd., Lincoln, RI. Follow the gorgeous butterflies, picnic, or fly a kite at the historic Chase Farm, once a busy far and now preserved open space at 669 Great Rd.
32. Swim in the cool, refreshing waters of Wallum Lake, part of the 907-acre Douglas State Forest, 107 Wallum Lake Rd., Douglas, MA.
33. Put your canoe in the water and paddle the beautiful Blackstone River from Cold Spring Park launch on Harris Ave. and Katherine Rd., Woonsocket, RI. Need a boat? Rent kayaks in Central Falls at Blackstone River Expeditions at Central Falls Landing and paddle into the Valley Falls marsh.
34. Pay respects to the Nine Men’s Misery at the Cumberland Library (1464 Diamond Hill Rd., Cumberland, RI), a monument erected in 1676 in a quiet, wooded area to commemorate nine men tortured and killed in King Philip’s War. It is believed to be the oldest veterans’ memorial in the country.
35. Meander along the mile-long cobblestoned Benefit Street on the east side of Providence, RI, amid the highest concentrations of colonial buildings in the country. Take a guided tour with the Rhode Island Historical Society.
36. Go ice fishing above the Blackstone Gorge at the end of County Street in Blackstone, MA.
37. Indulge your nostalgia and grab breakfast at the Miss Worcester Diner at 300 Southbridge St. in Worcester, where the first diner manufacturer opened in 1887.
38. Photograph an urban waterfall in Whitinsville, MA (50 Douglas Rd.) created by the drop of the Mumford River between the Northbridge Town Hall and the Whitin Mill.
39. Visit the Roger Williams National Memorial, ask a National Park Ranger about the founding father of the State of Rhode Island and the Providence Plantations, and relax in the grove. 282 North Main Street, Providence, RI.
40. Enjoy the sunset from Look Out Rock, the highest point in the Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park, Uxbridge, MA.
41. Look for the Purple Peacock at Southwick’s Zoo (2 Southwick St., Mendon, MA) and shop for gifts from around the world.
42. Spend a day traveling along a 15,000-year-old glacial trench now filled with water (the Blackstone River) from Worcester, MA, to Pawtucket, RI.
43. Cross-country ski at Upton State Forest, a 2,660-acre facility where the Civilian Conservation Corps did extensive work during the Great Depression. (205 Westboro Rd., Upton, MA).
44. Put a blanket in the car, your kids in their pajamas, and take everyone to the Mendon Twin Drive-In (35 Milford St., Mendon, MA), built in 1953 and still offering family fun today! In Rhode Island, try the Rustic Tri-View Drive-In on Route 146 in North Smithfield.
45. Treat yourself to a performance at the historic Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester, MA.
46. Pick perfect peaches at Steere Orchard, 150 Austin Ave., Greenville, RI. Use our interactive map to find other farms in the Valley.
47. Explore the mill village of Harrisville with its several interpretive panels, canoe launch, and historical cemeteries. Watch for special events with the Burrillville Historical & Preservation Society.
48. Bowl a few strings at the colorful Walnut Hill Bowl, 1666 Diamond Hill Rd., Woonsocket, RI.
49. Find a great pumpkin amid 10 varieties of winter squash at the Farmer’s Daughter (153 Millbury St., Auburn, MA). Use our interactive map to find more farms!
50. Follow the large footsteps of Betty the Learned Elephant by walking over the Chepachet River Bridge, Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI.
51. Get a “Wustah” t-shirt at the Worcester Historical Museum at 30 Elm St., Worcester, MA.
52. Learn about firefighting and see an operational 1940 Seagrave pumper at the Uxbridge Antique Fire Museum, 18 Depot St., Uxbridge, MA.
53. Go back in time at the Smith-Appleby House (220 Stillwater Rd., Smithfield, RI) built by John Smith c. 1696, a miller who was a member of Roger Williams’ original party of six who founded the Providence Plantations.
54. Take in a planetarium show at the EcoTarium, 222 Harrington Way, Worcester, MA.
55. Be amazed at the creativity on display at Rhody Craft, 769 Hope St., Providence, RI. While you’re there, visit other great shops along Hope Street.
56. Unwind for a weekend in a rustic cabin at Wallis Cove Cabins, 67 Island Rd., Douglas, MA.
57. Discover your roots with help from the American-French Genealogical Society, 78 Earle St., Woonsocket, RI. They have research from more than 130 countries.
58. Hang up your “gone fishin’” sign and go fishing at Quinsigamond State Park, 100 North Lake Ave., Worcester, MA.
59. Come face to face with a white tiger at Southwick’s Zoo, 2 Southwick St., Mendon, MA.
60. Find your inner child while sliding down three 300-foot waterslides and swimming in the beautiful Whitin Reservoir at Breezy Picnic Grounds and Waterslides, 520 NW Main St., Douglas, MA.
61. Hike through the renewing green of Pulaski State Park, 151 Pulaski Rd., Chepachet, RI. Enjoy swimming in the summer and cross-country skiing on groomed trails in the winter!
62. Do the Straw Bale Climb and enjoy the Giant Checkboard at Stowe Farm, 15 Stowe Rd., Millbury, MA.
63. Return to a majestic c. 1926 vaudeville-era theatre and enjoy a performance at the historic Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Center, 8 Monument Sq., Woonsocket, RI.
64. Find that antique you’ve been looking for at the Village Barn Country Store and Antiques, 953 Victory Highway, Mapleville, RI.
65. Get lost in a corn maze at West End Creamery, 481 Purgatory Road, Whitinsville, MA. Find more in our farm directory in our interactive map.
66. Walk through the Rumford Chemical Works and Mill House District, followed by noshing on delectable treats at the Seven Stars Bakery (20 Newman Ave., Rumford, RI). Baking powder was invented at the Rumford Chemical Works!
67. Get dirty on your mountain bike on the trails at Durfee Hill Management Area, Durfee Rd., Glocester, RI.
68. Spend a quiet afternoon with your camera at Black Hut Management Area and you may see deer, rabbits, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, grouse, pheasants, and waterfowl. Black Hut Rd., Burrillville, RI.
69. Search for William Blackstone’s memorial, commemorating the first permanent English settler in the Blackstone River Valley, at Broad and Blackstone Sts., Cumberland, RI.
70. Start your morning with a 2-mile hike through a pine forest and open fields, past a pond and brook, to see the wildlife living at Rhode Island Audubon Society’s Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd., Smithfield, RI.
71. Enjoy the annual Nipmuc Nation Powwow, where dancing, drumming, native storytelling, and vendors create a unique experience.
72. Find everything you didn’t know you needed at the Grafton Flea Market, 296 Upton St., Route 140, Grafton-Upton town line in MA.
73. Visit the Valley Café (98A Church St., Whitinsville, MA) for scrumptious strawberry crepes or hearty mancakes.
74. Turn your head into a work of art at Michaelangelo’s Barbershop, 138 Green St., Worcester, MA.
75. Plan your next knitting project with coned yarn for hand or machine knitting from Peter Patchis Yarn, 174 Cross St., Central Falls, RI.
76. Go fly a kite on the beach at West Hill Dam, 518 E. Hartford Ave., Uxbridge, MA.
77. Go for breakfast at the historic Modern Diner, 364 East Ave., Pawtucket, RI, one of the only two known surviving Sterling Streamliners still in operation.
78. Go on a self-guided tour of a new-to-you community in the Blackstone Heritage Corridor using our walking tour brochures.
79. Book a farm getaway at Grace Note Farm, a bed and breakfast where the kids will fall in love with Eeyore the Donkey and Misty the Pony (969 Jackson Schoolhouse Rd., Pascoag, RI).
80. Create a new holiday tradition and book your passage on the Polar Express, departing from the Woonsocket Depot between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
81. Lose yourself in public art in the city of Providence using the Avenue Concept’s self-guided walking tour.
82. Celebrate summer at the Blackstone River Theatre’s Summer Solstice Festival.
83. Visit one of the many breweries, wineries, and distilleries in the Blackstone Valley using our interactive map.
84. Spend an afternoon playing pinball and arcade games at the Electromagnetic Pinball Museum (881 Main St., Pawtucket, RI).
85. Visit Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark and take a tour with a National Park Service ranger to learn about Blackstone Valley’s nationally significant story. (67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI).
86. Go watch the Chinese Dragon Boat Races on the first Saturday in September at Festival Pier in Pawtucket, RI.
87. Get your picture taken in a famous Norman Rockwell setting at the Massachusetts State Police Museum & Learning Center at 1 Memorial Square in Whitinsville, MA.
88. Check out the new interactive Blackstone River exhibit at the Museum of Work & Culture (42 S. Main Street, Woonsocket, RI). While you’re there, use the new self-guided audio tours available in English, Spanish, and French!
89. Immerse yourself in creativity at the annual stART on the Street Art, Music & Performance Festival held on the third Sunday in September on Park Avenue in Worcester, MA.
90. Enjoy free outdoor summer concerts along the Mumford River presented by ValleyCAST at Alternatives’ Whitin Mill (60 Douglas Road, Whitinsville).
91. Explore the life of the Fastest Man in the World at the Major Taylor Museum (2 Main St., Worcester, MA).
92. Enjoy a "dynamite" sandwich at New York Lunch in Woonsocket.
93. Get your picture taken in front of a castle at Bancroft Tower in Worcester (Bancroft Tower Road).
94. Take the family apple picking at one of the many orchards in the Valley. Use our interactive map!
95. Try the ice bumper cars at the Providence Rink where you can also rent ice skates. (Kennedy Plaza, Providence, RI).
96. Hop aboard the Blackstone Valley Explorer 40-passenger boat for a 50-minute guided river tour. (Central Falls Landing, Central Falls, RI).
97. Meet the llamas, sheep, goats, and more at Green Hill Park Farm in Worcester (Green Hill Parkway).
98. Immerse yourself in military history at the Veterans Memorial Museum (78 Earle St., Woonsocket, RI).
99. Lace up your shoes and head out on a self-guided Blackstone Canal District tour in Worcester, MA.
100. Count the fish at the fish ladder at Hunt’s Mills (65 Hunt’s Mills Road, E. Providence, RI).
101. Discover public art in the City of Worcester, from Art in the Park to fun selfie-centric sculptures along Main Street and the annual POW! WOW! Worcester Mural festival, you’ll find lots of fun photo opportunities!

Be sure to check our events calendar for even more ideas!