The beauty of nature is always calming, especially when you can enjoy the tranquil sights and sounds of a waterfall. But driving a long-distance or taking a lengthy hike to reach them isn't always realistic. Luckily, a few of Rhode Island's waterfalls are a lot more easily accessible than that, especially Pawtucket Falls. You can practically enjoy an up-close-and-personal look at this waterfall without getting out of your car.
Pawtucket Falls is located on the Blackstone River in Pawtucket, about half a mile upstream of where the Pawtuxet River meets the Seekonk River.
The short walk to the waterfall takes you through two small city parks and a historic site.
This is an iconic landmark for Pawtucket, a charming mid-sized city in Providence County that borders Massachusetts.
Its history can be recorded as far back as the 1700s.
The name Pawtucket comes from the Algonquian word for "river fall." It was named by the Narragansett people.
The water flows directly below the main bridge in town, meaning you can get nice and close.
The best views of the falls are either from the bridge above or from the riverbanks below.
While the waterfall isn't the tallest in stature or the largest, it's still a pretty pleasant sight to see in the river.
Here's an interesting fact: Pawtucket Falls once provided power for Samuel Slater’s cotton spinning mill, which was built back in 1793.
The mill is said to have been partially responsible for starting the Industrial Revolution in America.
The Ocean State may not be known for its waterfalls, but there are plenty of these hidden gems in our state parks, woods, and rivers.
And this one happens to be easy to reach, for which we are thankful.
we could all use a little peace and tranquility in our lives right now. When you're able to do so, check out our Rhode Island waterfalls road trip.
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