Blackstone

Blackstone is a town in Massachusetts. The region was first inhabited by the Nipmuc Amerindian people, and was settled by European immigrants in 1662. The town was incorporated in 1845. It is located on the southern border of Central Massachusetts in the heart of New England. Much of Blackstone remains undeveloped and it is known as a quiet and rustic town. Its population of less than 10,000 gives off the small-town feel, while residents embrace the town's only stop light as its claim to modern civilization.

Get in

By car

Blackstone is accessible from most of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. From the North, take 1-93 S and I-95 S. From the South, take I-295 N or I-95 N and RI-146 N. From the west, take I-84 E.

By plane

T.F. Green Airport in Warwick (Rhode Island) and Logan International Airport in Boston (Massachusetts).

Get around

The most common way of transportation in Blackstone is by car or taxi. Biking and walking are reasonable alternatives. There are no car rental services in town, however nearby cities and towns have many of the major rental corporations.

By taxi

• Bob's Transportation Services, Bellingham, +1 508 883-8333
• Hopkinton Taxi, Milford, +1 508 478-6008

See

Rolling Dam on the Blackstone River

• Blackstone Gorge (parking lot on your left off of County Street). The Blackstone River, which runs through most of Massachusetts and some of Rhode Island, makes its way through the town of Blackstone. The River was previously used as a means of transporting raw materials and manufactured goods between emerging industrial centers. The Blackstone Gorge is a deep ravine that has a steep waterfall. This historic site attracts families and couples who sit at the picnic tables for lunch and watch the river pass. 
• Foliage. Blackstone is a town that thrives in the fall season with the many apple orchards and farms. The changing of the leaves in the autumn weather is a special site. 

Do

Blackstone attracts tourists from across the Blackstone Valley and various New England states and is known for its historical landmarks.

• Blackstone Historical Museum, 23 Main St, ☏ +1 508-876-9159. Features mostly artifacts from the towns in the Blackstone Valley, most exclusively Blackstone and Millville, of historical industry and mill life, the canal, railroad, schools, and farm life. 
• Cormier Woods, 217 Chapin St. Uxbridge, ☏ +1 781 784-0567. Explore a more than 300-year-old farmstead in the Blackstone Valley using the three mile trail network. (updated Feb 2015)

Although Blackstone is too rural to host an entertainment industry, the surrounding towns, like Milford provide plenty of fun activities.

• 1 Southwick's Wild Animal Farm (Seasonal), 2 Southwick St, Mendon, ☏ +1 508 883-9182. A surprising number of animals for a fair price. "Skyfari" provides a unique zoo experience as it takes you on a ski-life style ride over all of the animal exhibits. A 300-acre, privately owned and operated zoological park. It was opened in 1963, and remains family operated to date  
• Mendon Drive-In (Seasonal), 35 Milford St, Mendon, ☏ +1 508 473-1092. Great selection of movies. Pay by the car. 

Buy

Novelty

Blackstone features many privately owned and unique shopping options.

• The Tole Booth, 129 Main St, ☏ +1 508-876-8900. This shop is known for its county-style items and gifts. Much of the products are hand-made and custom-made. Many products represent the old-American style aspects of early Blackstone settlers. 
• White and White, 19 Saint Paul St, ☏ +1 508 883-8670. Unique store that specializes in the creation of authentic Native American Indian clothing. 
• Flamingo Flowers, 63 Main St, ☏ +1 508 876-5599. This shop is the only full-service florist in town. Also creates gift baskets, holiday specialty items, candles, baloons, and other various items. 

Plazas

Blackstone is too small to host a retail shopping plaza. The Lincoln Mall in Lincoln, Rhode Island, is 6.6 mi (10.6 km) SE of Blackstone, and the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets in Wrentham is 9.8 mi (15.8 km) E of Blackstone.

Eat

Chain restaurants including Subway and Dunkin' Donuts are available in addition to some local options.

• Roast House Restaurant & Pub, 3 Farm St, ☏ +1 508-883-7700. Su-Th 11:30AM–10:30AM, F Sa 11:30AM–11:30PM. Good hometown/Applebee's style food. Fair portions and reasonable prices. Burgers $7.50-11.50; steaks $16-26; mains $11-17; early bird special Su-Th 3-6PM $10. (updated May 2017)
• Hunan Place, 3 Main St # C, ☏ +1 508-883-8822. Blackstone's only source of Chinese/Japanese cuisine. In-restaurant dining or take-out available. 

Drink

• Holbrooks Pub & Grub, 200 Main St, ☏ +1 508-876-2680. Popular with the locals. Large assortment of beer and wine with draft specials on the weekends with live music and DJs occasionally on Friday nights. 

Sleep

There are no hotels in town, although the nearby towns of Woonsocket and Franklin have hotels available.

• Morin's Victorian Hideaway Bed and Breakfast, 48 Mendon Street, Mendon (1.8 mi (2.9 km) S of Blackstone), ☏ +1 508 883-7045. (updated May 2017)

Go next

Visit Providence, Boston, Newport, or Worcester.

Routes through Blackstone

Worcester ← Northbridge ←

N  S

→ becomes → Woonsocket → Pawtucket