# Cumberland (Rhode Island)

Cumberland is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island. It includes the villages of Cumberland Hill and Valley Falls.

## Get in

Located off Interstate 295, exits 10 and 11, Cumberland is in the northeast corner of the state. There are bus routes running from Providence, but Cumberland is best accessed by car.

## See

* Blackstone River Bikeway. The Blackstone River Bikeway stretches from Worcester, MA into Rhode Island and the southern end will eventually link to the popular East Bay Bike Path, making a continuous 31.9-mile (51.3-km) route for alternative transportation. In Rhode Island, you can embark at the River's Edge Recreation Complex in Woonsocket and head south through the towns of Cumberland and Lincoln, terminating just north of Valley Falls Heritage Park. A marked on-street route leads from the main path to a short segment in the Valley Falls park. Several other parking areas exist along the bikeway. In the village of Ashton, the Bikeway follows the route of the Blackstone Canal for 3 miles, mostly on top of the historic towpath. While at Ashton, visit the Captain Wilbur Kelly House Museum, a newly opened museum and visitor center adjacent to the Bikeway that offers free tours. While in Pawtucket visit the Slater Mill, the Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution and the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center. From here, one can follow city streets into Providence to make a connection with the popular East Bay Bikepath that travels 14.5 miles along Narragansett Bay to the historic waterfront community of Bristol.
* Cumberland Public Library & Monastery, 1464 Diamond Hill Road, ☏ +1 401 333-2552. M-Th 9AM-8PM, F-Sa 9AM-5PM after Labor Day-June, Sa 9AM-1PM July & August, closed Sundays. The Cumberland Public Library was built in 1900 for a congregation of monks. A fire destroyed the buildings in 1950 and it was rebuilt. The monastery that surrounds the library provides long walking paths for exercising or taking strolls with your pets. There is also a large playground located on the right-hand side once you enter the grounds that is perfect for children. The librarians are very helpful and the building is designed conveniently for anyone looking for a movie or book. This sight is extremely popular for people of all ages and is a great place for relaxation.
** In addition to a sight of relaxation during the day, the night holds fast to a site called Nine Men's Misery. On March 26, 1776, ten colonists were confronted by the Narragansett Indian Tribe where nine men were captured during the King Philip's War. These nine men were brutally tortured, skinned, and left to rot on each of their own respected wood polls. The surviving colonist returned to his folk, and informed them what had happened. Promptly the men were buried, but many say that their spirits still haunt the site where they were tortured. On occasion, to this day, skinned squirrels and other small animals can be found at this site; a work that is done in the dead of night by the cults, ritualist, and people of the like.
* Diamond Hill State Park, Diamond Hill Road. Known as Rhode Island’s 2nd tallest hill and an abandoned ski resort, Diamond Hill still has tons to offer to visitors. Diamond Hill State Park contains a ton of hiking trails, lots of open space, a stage, and an old ski lodge, which can be rented out for basic functions. Also, every August the park hosts CumberlandFest- which is Cumberland’s annual Summer Carnival. The park also includes several athletic fields, and its old ski slopes are great for sledding come winter time.
* Franklin Farm, Abbott Run Valley Rd.. Franklin Farm is a town-owned farm in the historic Arnold Mills section of town. It has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The farm takes up over 65 acres of land and contains some early 19th century farm buildings. Although the buildings are in the process of being renovated, Franklin Farm still has lots to offer with its community garden. In the community garden, volunteers grow and harvest a plethora of fruits and vegetables, which they sell at the farm stand on the property.

## Do

* Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad Street, ☏ +1 401 725-9272, fax: +1 401 725-9278. The A cultural arts center where the music, dance and folk arts traditions of the Blackstone River Valley come to life. BRT presents weekly acoustic-based music concerts with an emphasis on the ethnic groups that settled in the Blackstone River Valley, monthly folk dances and children's events, as well as special events on a year-round basis.
* Blackstone Valley Polar Express, ☏ +1 401 724-2200. Ann and Hope Way. A live story presentation of “The Polar Express,” based on the children’s book by noted Rhode Island author Chris van Allsburg. This family fun train trip aboard the Providence and Worcester railroad includes costumed characters, songs, entertainment, a souvenir mug, hot chocolate, cookies and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
* Phantom Farms, 2920 Diamond Hill Road, ☏ +1 401 333-2240. M-F 6:30AM-6PM, Sa Su 7AM-6PM. Phantom Farms is a picturesque apple orchard and farm stand with a warm, country style vibe bursting from every direction. Inside the farm stand one can buy a plethora of various home grown fruits and vegetables (apples, strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers, and giant pumpkins) and fresh baked pastries. But the real fun comes from the outside- apple picking, pumpkin picking, and even easter egg hunts. When apples and pumpkins are ready to be picked, Phantom Farms invites all to come out and pick your very own fruits. Similarly, right around easter, Phantom Farms hosts a giant easter egg hunt for all kids under the age of 13. Don't forget to get a honey stick before you leave!

## Buy

* With Heart & Soul, 3751 Mendon Rd., ☏ +1 401 658-3470. F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-8PM, Su noon-4PM. With Heart & Soul is a local specialty shop filled with all of your favorite brands. Vera Bradley products, as well as Pandora bracelets and charms can all be found here at a reasonable price. Also, the very polite and always smiling staff makes the shopping experience even more enjoyable.
* Diamond Hill Vineyards, 3145 Diamond Hill Rd., ☏ +1 401 333-2751. Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM. Diamond Hill Vineyards is a vineyard that sells locally made wine and other goods. The vineyards are placed on a serene patch of secluded land and include many beautifully manicured gardens on the property.

## Eat

* Davenport's, 1070 Mendon Road, ☏ +1 401 334-1017. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11:30PM. Davenport's restaurant is well-known in Cumberland for its fabulous meals! From fish and chips to bacon cheeseburgers, Davenport's menu offers something for everyone. They provide friendly and quick service to customers and you are able to make reservations. By clicking on the link, you can view their great menu. All in all, Davenport's is highly recommended by many of Cumberland's residents!
* Cumberland House of Pizza, 2360 Mendon Road, ☏ +1 401 658-2626. Closed Monday. Cumberland House of Pizza a.k.a "CHOP's" is probably one of the most popular places to go for Cumberland residents. It is a family-owned business and they never fail to keep their customers coming back for more pizza and fish and chips.
* Sakis Pizzeria & Grill, 2275 Diamond Hill Road, ☏ +1 401 334-4137. Sakis also has excellent pizza as well as many other choices such as salads and subs. They always have great service and everyone working there is extremely friendly! It is a definitely a place to go for awesome pizza and subs.
* Supreme Pizza, 3450 Mendon Road, ☏ +1 401 658-0032. Great pizza, great service- who could ask for more? Check this place out, the menu offers several options and you can have it delivered or pick it up.
* Andrew's Bistro, 3755 Mendon Rd, ☏ +1 401 658-1515. A sophisticated restaurant with a very nice staff of workers. The owner is very friendly and waiters provide excellent service to their customers. They have a variety of meals to choose from on their menu and they are available to take reservations and bookings for private parties.
* Coffee Connection, 2364 Mendon Rd, ☏ +1 401 658-2400. Provides probably the best coffee in Cumberland. With flavors like chocolate covered strawberry and French kiss, they melt the sugar first, making it even more delicious coffee. Additionally, they have mixed drinks that combine your favorite flavors together for a frothy treat as well as sandwiches that make for a great lunch meal.
* Ice Cream Machine, 4288 Diamond Hill Rd., ☏ +1 401 333-5053. Ice Cream Machine offers great homemade ice cream in almost any flavor you can imagine. Located right across the street from Diamond Hill State Park, Ice Cream Machine is a great place to satisfy your Ice Cream craving. Famous ice cream entrepreneurs Ben and Jerry visited Ice Cream Machine before they began their own business, to see how real homemade ice cream was made.
* Poppy's, 3344 Mendon Road, ☏ +1 401 658-2700. M-W 6AM-2PM, Th F 6AM-7PM, Sa 6AM-2PM, Su 7AM-1PM. A great, homey restaurant for breakfast and lunch, or dinner on Thursdays and Fridays. Looks like a diner on the outside, but is like a mother’s kitchen on the inside. Good restaurant for kids, there are games and books at each table. Although mostly known for its breakfasts, Poppy’s also serves lunch every day and dinner on Thursdays and Fridays. Serves Pepsi products.
* Angelo’s Pizza, 133 Mendon Road, ☏ +1 401 728-3340. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11PM-midnght, Su noon-10PM. Not just a great place for pizza, has other Italian foods, even full meals! Angelo’s Pizza also has outdoor tables for eating in nice weather. Has a detailed website that shows its menu, and also offers catering. While it has these restaurant attributes one can still order pizza, on the phone or online.
* Fortune House, 1800 Mendon Road, ☏ +1 401 333-9976. A Chinese restaurant that does not use MSG. Praised for its fast service and cheap takeout, perhaps the best source of Chinese cuisine in Cumberland! Fortune house has moderate prices but great food, and delivery.
* Eggs-Up Family Restaurant, 2378 Mendon Road, ☏ +1 401 658-2424. A very popular breakfast and brunch restaurant very close to the suburbs. Usually attracts a large crowd due to its great food! Unfortunately, they only serve breakfast and close early, but still a favorite of Cumberlandites.
* Josie's Ice Cream, 797 High St, ☏ +1 401 727-0087. An ice cream store attached to its neighboring flower shop, Josie's offers an excellent place to get your ice cream and sundaes. There is no inside sitting area, but rather a large deck with chairs, tables, and umbrellas. In addition to this, there is an alternate sitting area in the back under a large tent. Great location- down the street from both the High St baseball field and Garvin Elementary School.