The Slater Mill Historic Site on Roosevelt Avenue in Pawtucket is where the Industrial Revolution was born in America. In the Slater Mill, visitors are surrounded by vintage textile machinery. With commentary from costumed interpreters, visitors can imagine the lives of the people – many of them children – who made the early mills come alive. In the nearby Wilkinson Mill they can feel the throb of the great 16,000-pound mill wheel, a replica of the original wheel that harnessed the power of the Blackstone River. Phone: 401-725-8638

The River Where American Industry Began

See Map

Stop by the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center on Main Street in Pawtucket to get your bearings as you explore this region, where the mightly Blackstone River combined with the ingenuity of Samuel Slater brought about the birth of the the American Industrial Revolution (learn all about it at Slater Mill in Pawtucket). The Blackstone River Valley is rich in culture, history, ethnic dining, and recreational activities. The Visitor Center, at 175 Main Street, is the place to start your exploration. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.Phone: 800-454-2882

Thrill of the Hunt

See Map

Sportsmen and hunters, you should know about Addieville East Farm at 200 Pheasant Drive in Mapleville. Addieville East Farm encompasses over 900 acres of ideal upland bird habitat. The farm is managed to provide the challenger of a natural hunt for fast-flying birds, sporting clays for shooters from novice to expert, and areas for fly fishing and dog training. The property has 20 fields studded with patches of corn and surrounded by brush thickets; a 15-stand sporting clays course; fly fishing; two trout ponds, a native trout stream and a bass lake; instruction in fly fishing and shot gunning, and a dog training and breeding facility. Instruction programs for novices. Phone: 401-568-3185.

Tour the Blackstone Valley, Bite By Bite

The Blackstone Valley of Rhode Island is wealthy with the food cultures of the French-Canadian, Irish, Portuguese, Cape Verdean, and Asian people who have lived and worked there. Now, the Blackstone tourism people have organized a Secret Ingredient Food and Beverage Tour to allow foodies to get inside those cuisines. Cuisines from Colombian to Cape Verdean to Chinese are featured on the tour each Wednesday from September 1 to October 13, 2010. Each dining event includes a cooking demonstration and a meal or tasting, depending on the venue. See schedule and more details at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center website or call 401-724-2200.

Village Smithy on the Job

See Map

With historic houses, farms and mills, the Great Road Historic District in Lincoln (Route 123) retains much of the Blackstone River Valley's 19th-century rural character. Memorable places to see life of 150 years ago include Hearthside, a 19th-century mansion and the Hannaway Blacksmith Shop. At the blacksmith’s shop, visitors can experience the ring of the anvil and the odor of coal and hot steel as blacksmiths forge pieces of the metal into hinges, nails, and other household items. Open to the public for classes and demonstrations year-round, Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon. Phone: 401-724-1522.