OSM Visits: Woonsocket

From a local: Gabriel Valadares, Master Control/Camera Operator

Woonsocket is a city whose name and reputation precede it, but where I call home. Lush foliage meeting post-industrial mills gives certain areas a solarpunk aesthetic that is unlike anywhere else. Where you’ll find the famous Thunder Mist Falls lacing the view of Glenmark Mills. Downtown is a hub of arts and culture, where the historic Stadium Theatre hosts lovely matinees to this day. Even Hollywood took notice of us, with Woonsocket as the backdrop of productions such as the family picture "Hachi: A Dog’s Tale." This is honored by the famous statue of Hachiko in front of the Train Depot. Finally, make sure to visit this fall when Autumnfest hits Social Park, and don’t hold back in stuffing your face with delicious fried Oreos and doughboys.

Your go-to activity in town: Walking on the Woonsocket and Pascoag Railroad and getting a view of the city. The tracks have stayed mostly inactive and it was the preferred shortcut to get home after school as a kid.


A place you’d send someone visiting for the first time: Cold Spring Park is perfect for any occasion. It has such a lush hill, perfect for either a picnic date during the spring or sledding down during the winter. With a walking path that leads all the way to our cousin Blackstone — connected to us by a footbridge. The park also contains the playground I grew up going to and holds so many precious memories.


A hyper-specific local detail or favorite thing: Locals pronounced the name as a ONE-socket with a short “oo” sound (ex. book). Only outsiders pronounce it as WOON-socket with a long “oo” sound (ex. moon).