Nature and culture are why people fall in love with Valley Falls
Set along the marsh-hugged Black Stone River, roughly 8 miles north of the capital city of Providence, Valley Falls is known for its natural beauty. “There are so many parks and outdoor spaces with lovely views and foliage, perfect for photoshoots,” says Lisa LaMontagne-Beausoleil, a lifetime local of the Lincoln area and Realtor at LaMontagne Real Estate. This Cumberland community was developed around its namesake textile mill in the early 1800s. Today, Valley Falls remains the town’s bustling downtown, home to a diverse population that enjoys access to nature, supporting small businesses and connectivity to neighboring cities.
Enjoying the natural beauty of Valley Falls is found while reading by the Blackstone River.
A mixture of homes sizes and styles abound in Valley Falls.
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A variety of New England home styles and prices
Single-family homes in Valley Falls line wide, gridded streets, some with narrow sidewalks. Short driveways and retaining walls frame small front yards landscaped with flower beds and shade trees. Lots are typically around a third acre. With homes built between the mid-1800s and today, the neighborhood features a range of architectural styles: Victorians, Colonial Revivals and Cape Cods sit next to ranch-style homes and split-levels. Like many New England communities, shingle siding is common. Most homes cost between $350,000 and $650,000, but homes with more than a half-acre of land, especially in Valley Falls’ northern end, start around $700,000 and can reach nearly $1 million. Some homes have been converted into townhouses and condos. However, these properties don’t go on the market often.
Some homes in Valley Falls at the higher end of the price range are modern residences with plenty of room.
The more affordable homes in Valley Falls include traditional mid-century styles like this split-level house with a wonderful view.
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Cumberland’s parks, trails and monastery offer places to connect with nature
Outdoor recreation in Valley Falls often involves the Blackstone River. Visitors at Valley Falls Heritage Park, home to the ruins of the community’s original mill, and the nearby River Island Park enjoy scenic water views. “The Blackstone River Greenway has a bike path along the river, as well as athletic fields and picnic areas. It’s a great place for picnics,” LaMontagne-Beausoleil says. “And at Lincoln Woods State Park, wooded biking and walking trails circle Olney Pond, where people also kayak and fish." The historical Cumberland Monastery, formerly known as Monastery of Our Lady of the Valley when it was occupied by monks in 1900 until a fire destroyed its livability in 1950, is just north of the neighborhood. “Now there’s a library inside, and a huge playground and lots of different walking paths cover the outdoor grounds,” LaMontagne-Beausoleil says.
At Valley Falls' largest park, The Monastery has family-friendly picnic areas.
With a pleasant juxtaposition between natural and man-made, Valley Falls offers parks like the Valley Falls Heritage Park along the Blackstone River.
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Diverse retail and restaurant options in Cumberland
Broad Street serves as Valley Falls’ diverse commercial corridor, where Portuguese restaurants sit near a Columbian bakery and butcher shop. Bandidos Mexican Restaurant serves traditional dishes in its warm dining space with eclectic décor. Meanwhile, the menu at La Familia, a relaxed yet upscale Italian restaurant, features Italian classics like fettuccini Bolognese and eggplant parmesan, as well as burgers and nachos. “A lot of people go to the Lincoln Shopping Center off Front Street, where there’s a post office, coffee shops, restaurants and convenience stores,” LaMontagne-Beausoleil says. Dave’s Fresh Marketplace is a locally-owned grocery option, while Stop & Shop is a chain grocer in the neighborhood.
Bandidos Mexican Restaurant has Mexican cuisine thats worth waiting for when in Valley Falls.
Shopping along Broad Street in Valley Falls is always pleasant when you find gorgeous plants at the Roger's Ace Hardware.
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The Blackstone River Theatre hosts concerts, classes and events
Valley Falls is home to Blackstone River Theatre, which celebrates and showcases traditional and folk art through weekly concerts, an in-house art gallery and community programming, from dance classes to instrument workshops. The small 165-seat theater prides itself on its cozy space that gets audiences up close and personal with performers. BRT also serves as a rentable event space.
The Blackstone River Theatre brings the finest of musical performances, events and theater to Valley Falls.
With a diverse lineup of classes, concerts, events, and performances, the Blackstone River Theatre has brought cultural excellence to Valley Falls for the past 12 years.
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Multiple public school options in Valley Falls
Students across Rhode Island can apply to any public school in the state. Admission is based on space availability. The Cumberland School Department serves Valley Falls and earns a B-plus overall rating from Niche. Bernard F. Norton Elementary receives a B-plus, while Joseph L. McCourt Middle gets a B. The B-plus-rated Cumberland High offers six career and technical education pathways, including biomedical science and digital communication & marketing. The Blackstone Valley Prep, a tuition-free public charter network with several schools in Valley Falls, is a popular alternative, according to LaMontagne-Beausoleil. It earns a B overall rating.
Cumberland High School receives a rating of B+ from niche.
Joseph L. Mccourt Middle School enrolls over 400 students every year near Lincoln, RI.
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Getting around Cumberland by car, bus, bike and train
Pawtucket and Providence, about 3 and 8 miles south, respectively, and Boston, about 45 miles northeast, are common destinations for commuters in Valley Falls. There are multiple ways to get to these cities. Interstates 295 and 95 are nearby, and Rhode Island Public Transit Authority bus stops line Broad Street. Commuter trains, operated by Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, are available at Pawtucket/Central Falls Transit Center. Bikeable streets like High Street and Broad Street connect to the Blackstone River Multi-Use Trail, a portion of which runs for 11 miles along the riverbank from Cumberland to Woonsocket.
Town of Cumberland addressing flood risk
As a community surrounded by water, Valley Falls has a history of flooding. FEMA flood maps indicate some properties along the Blackstone River and the neighborhood’s various creeks face a flood risk. In March 2025, the town of Cumberland announced a new project to address the impacts of climate change. One goal is to make the community more flood-resilient through development regulations and stormwater improvements, among other things.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
