The historic Blackstone River falls that powered Samuel Slater's 1793 mill, viewed today from downtown Pawtucket's Main Street Bridge.
Pawtucket Falls on the Blackstone River is where Samuel Slater built his first successful cotton-spinning mill in 1793, a milestone often cited as the start of the American Industrial Revolution. The falls and the historic 1858 Main Street Bridge sit at the heart of Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, whose story begins at nearby Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark with exhibits and an introductory film.
Today a dam sits over the falls, and several agencies are working on a fish-passage project intended to let migratory herring and shad bypass the Main Street and Slater Mill dams for the first time in generations. This is an urban, street-level sight rather than a hike: view the falls from the Main Street Bridge or the riverside grounds near Old Slater Mill, 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket.
Know before you go
Downtown Pawtucket, RI; view from the Main Street Bridge or Old Slater Mill, 67 Roosevelt Avenue.
Viewable year-round; flow varies with river conditions.
No hiking trail; this is an urban, street-level view.
Free to view; Old Slater Mill may charge for guided tours.
Street-level downtown viewing; sidewalks and the bridge are accessible.
2026-10-11. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
- NPS — Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park ↗
- Blackstone River Council — Fish Passage Projects ↗
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ↗
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.