Don’t let gray skies dampen your spirits! Fall River has a number of indoor attractions that are perfect for exploring during a drizzle. In this blog, we’ll break down a number of rainy day activities, including free options, that are perfect for all interests and family sizes. From indulging in comforting cuisine to delving into the city’s rich history, we’ll show you how to turn a rainy or snowy day into an unforgettable adventure.
Grab your umbrella and let’s dive into the best rainy day activities this charming city has to offer.
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
The Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River (441 N Main St)– https://cmgfr.org/
Price: $10 per person; $3 per person after 3pm weekdays; $5 per person the first Friday of every month
Fun for the whole family! The Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River is a rainy day staple for Fall River families. Explore the many exhibitions, including a lego room, a water room and an outer-space themed indoor playground. For an added bonus, the Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum (https://www.facebook.com/OldColonyandFallRiverRailroadMuseum) operates in the same building. Check their Facebook page for their days and hours of operations, and check out their impressive model train collection!
Fall River Public Library (104 N Main St) – https://www.fallriverlibrary.org/
Price: FREE
Few buildings are as perfect for escaping the elements as the Fall River Public Library. One of Fall River’s most beloved community resources, the Library is worth a visit if only for the beautiful, historic building it inhabits. Built in 1899, the Library puts on several free events monthly for a wide variety of audiences. Check their regular schedule of book clubs, children’s events and craft nights, or simply get lost in the sprawling stacks.
FALL RIVER HISTORY
Take a tour at the Lizzie Borden House (157 Third St) – https://lizzie-borden.com/
Price: $30-$40 per person
If you love Victorian history or true crime documentaries, there is no better activity than a trip to Fall River’s Lizzie Borden House– the site of one of America’s most notorious unsolved murders. From 10am to 4pm, visitors can embark on a 90 minute house tour that explores the mystery, as well as the history. Looking for an extra thrill? At night, the house hosts 2-hour indoor excursions called “Lizzie’s Ghost Hunt”, where you can use ghost hunting equipment throughout the house. Turn a gloomy day into a real scream!
Lafayette Durfee House (94 Cherry St) – http://www.lafayettedurfeehouse.org/
Price: FREE (Suggested donation of $3 per person)
The Lafayette Durfee House is a living time capsule, nestled in a residential neighborhood not far from Fall River’s downtown. Named after the infamous Revolutionary war figure, General Marquis de Lafayette, who frequently visited the Fall River home of fellow namesake, Judge Thomas Durfee, the house has been dutifully preserved to showcase life in colonial New England. The house isn’t open for regular events, but opens for a number of exciting and unconventional events that are perfect for rainy or snowy days. Events range from educational talks, to living history walkthroughs, to experiential workshops that teach you how to churn butter, make candles or weave fabric like they did in the 1700s. Check their website and Facebook page to see if there’s an event happening!
ON THE WATERFRONT
Stumpy’s Ax Throwing (75 Ferry St)- https://www.stumpyshh.com/fallriverma/
Price: $28.50 per person for 1 hour, $43.50 for 2 hours, $16 for any “non-throwers”
Featuring an iconic mural of Miss Lizzie Borden herself, Stumpy’s is a favorite year-round recreational spot for residents and visitors who frequent Fall River’s nearby breweries and marina. Get out any frustrations about the dreary weather with a fun and casual game of ax throwing in Stumpy’s state-of-the-art facility. Their BYOB policy means you can save money on snacks, and maybe make a pitstop at one of the nearby breweries on your way in!
Fall River Breweries- Troy City Brewing & Canned Heat Brewery https://www.troycitybeer.com/ & https://www.cannedheatcraftbeer.com
Price: Varies
The laid-back, cozy ambience at Troy City and Canned Heat make them perfect options to get out of the house when the weather is less than ideal. Nestled in two formerly industrial buildings, Troy City Brewing and Canned Heat Brewery allow you to experience Fall River’s historic charm in a whole new way. They both offer board games and cards to pass the time, and frequently have live music that will bring a little brightness to stormy afternoons and evenings. Try a flight or visit both breweries to compare (they’re only a five minute drive apart), you may just find your new favorite brew.
The Museums At Battleship Cove (5 Water St)- https://www.battleshipcove.org/
Price: $25 per adult/$15 per child 4-12, Military & Senior discounts available; $10 per adult/$8 per child for Maritime Museum admission only
If you’re willing to brave a little bit of weather on the deck of the mighty ships at Battleship Cove, you can make a day out of exploring the area. Battleship Cove is a non-profit war memorial and historic military museum with an emphasis on naval heritage and a dedication to honoring the veterans who served in defense of our country. Board the epic USS Massachusetts, view the nearby exhibits and cross the road to the Maritime Museum. Nearby, you’ll find Heritage State Park’s visitor center, which offers exhibits and short film screenings exploring Fall River’s history. From spring til mid-fall, the historic Fall River carousel is open to the public, with a homemade ice cream shop offering sweets on the first floor.
ART MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
Fall River is home to an abundance of art institutions, many of which open their doors for free. Consider making a self-guided tour through the city to check out them all.
Fall River Museum of Contemporary Art (44 Troy Street) – https://www.frmoca.org/
Price: FREE
Open Friday through Sunday from 12 to 5pm, FR MoCA displays world class contemporary art, right in downtown Fall River! Founded by two internationally recognized artists with Fall River ties, the Fall River Museum of Contemporary Art is a first of its kind institution. Since opening in 2021, they have organized multiple exhibitions, the latest of which inaugurated their new permanent location on Troy Street in downtown Fall River. Admission to the museum is always free, and you won’t regret popping into this local artistic hub.
Grimshaw-Gudewicz Art Gallery at Bristol Community College (777 Elsbree Street) – https://bristolcc.edu/gallery/ 
Price: FREE
The Grimshaw Gudewicz Art Gallery is a gallery space affiliated with Bristol Community College. The Gallery puts on multiple exhibits each year, all free and open to the public. Bristol Community College as a whole is a tremendous resource for those looking for events, either in the arts or education, with the College putting on events such as student showcases and public speaker series with academic experts. Stop by during their normal hours Monday–Thursday: 10 am–4 pm and Friday: 10 am–1 pm for a peek at their latest show!
The Narrows Center for the Arts Galleries (16 Anawan St) – https://www.narrowscenter.org/
Price: FREE
The Narrows Center for the Arts is a world-class performing arts space that has gained a beloved reputation by some of the country’s top touring artists. However, for those looking for a free daytime activity, The Narrows also contains two art galleries which are open to the public during their box office hours, noon to 5pm on Thursday through Sunday. Pop in to view this magnificent hub for the arts inside one of Fall River’s iconic mills.
FOOD & DRINK
We don’t need to tell you, but rainy days and snacking go hand in hand. Here at Viva Fall River, we have an entire page dedicated to Fall River’s amazing culinary scene. Bring yourself on a self-guided food tour based on your favorite foods– we’ve designed a Fall River meat pie tour and an ice cream tour, depending on your mood. Explore our culinary page here: https://www.vivafallriver.com/eat-drink/.