With this, a plethora of flavors arrived making Central Falls a mecca for foodies. The city has dozens of authentic restaurants for you to choose from, including La paisa (Colombian), beirão (Portuguese), El paso (mexican), and goodfellas Tavern (Caribbean) only to name just a few. There are also many bakeries that line the main passages of dexter Street and Broad Street across this pedestrian- friendly city. At one end of Broad Street is Central Falls Landing - a destination situated along the Blackstone River that’s full of activity and al fresco dining. The landing, as it’s referred to, boasts shark’s peruvian Cuisine and royal Fried Chicken; as well as Explorer river Tours, overnight stays on the samuel slater canal boat, and kayak and canoe rentals to get out and explore this intriguing heritage river. In the late 1700s the town was interestingly enough known El Paso Restaurant as “Chocolateville” because the smell of roasting cacao beans from the William Wheat Chocolate mill spread throughout the area. This mill was one of America’s earliest water-powered chocolate manufacturing facilities, and it used the “middle” dam in the area for power, hence the renaming to Central Falls in the 1820s. On the site of the mill today, you can visit the Chocolate Mill Overlook park to enjoy the flow of the mighty Blackstone River and the natural surroundings that include cherry trees, RI’s largest cottonwood tree, steps to the water’s edge to view the beautiful historic stone bridge, Blackstone River kayak & Canoe Expeditions and interpretive panels that tell the story of early-American chocolate. The centerpiece of Central Falls is Cogswell Tower in jenks Chocolate mill Overlook Park Park. The 70-foot tower and observation deck provide a breathtaking 360-degree overlook of the region. Right next door to the park is Viola davis Way named in honor of the city’s most famous native resident who recently achieved an EgOT (Emmy, grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winner), making her only the 18th person to reach this esteemed status. Samuel Slater Canal Boat TOuRBlACkSTONE.COm 47