COVID-safe ways to get out of the house, or not, around Greater Fall River

Ashley Schuler, The Herald News
·8 min read

Another pandemic winter is upon us.

Cold season is fully underway, and with fewer hours of sunshine to brighten our day, it can be easy to get stuck in a funk.

Add to that the current surge in COVID cases locally and across the country, and the uncertainties of the omicron variant, which has made many folks uneasy heading to crowded places.

But there are plenty of options to get out of the house in ways that are mostly safe, or be sociable from the comfort of your home, and avoid pandemic burnout.

Whether you're looking for an adventure, a way to stay connected with family and friends, or a new hobby, here are some things you can do to have some fun while steering clear of crowds:

The Appalachian Mountain Club Southeastern Massachusetts chapter recently led hikers on a trip through the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve.
The Appalachian Mountain Club Southeastern Massachusetts chapter recently led hikers on a trip through the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve.

Get outside

One great way to shake those winter blues and the feeling of being cooped up indoors is to get outside and breathe in that fresh air.

If you're feeling adventurous, there are plenty of Greater Fall River hiking spots you can head to solo or with friends or family that allow for some socially distanced fun.

Winter hiking: Here's how to start and where to go at Fall River's Bioreserve

This winter, the Trustees of Reservations will be leading various guided hikes at Fall River's Copicut Woods, located within the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve. Encounter a "who's who" of nocturnal creatures on Feb. 5 at their Owl Prowl, where hikers will explore moonlit paths, woodlands and an abandoned homestead as they learn the natural history of owls and how to identify them.

Looking for some stress relief? Enjoy the healing benefits of being out in nature at a Therapeutic Wellness Walk planned at Copicut on March 13, during which a licensed clinical therapist will lead hikers through self-reflective and meditative exercises. Framed by woodlands, vernal pools, and the scenic Miller Path, this walk offers an ideal space to recharge and connect, according to their website.

Sign up for the Owl Prowl at https://thetrustees.org/event/70800/ or the Wellness Walk at https://thetrustees.org/event/70806.

In addition to the Trustees, other organizations host free group walks through the Bioreserve, which encompasses Freetown-Fall River State Forest, Watuppa Reservation and Copicut Woods. Check out Green Futures, at greenfutures.org, or Appalachian Mountain Club, at amcsem.org to learn about upcoming events.

Fall River Bioreserve: 5 easy places to start exploring, and how to get guided tours

Greater Fall River has a number of serene spots where you can walk, hike or bike, or go wildlife watching while avoiding the crowds and soaking in the natural beauty in our own backyards. In fact, why not make a challenge of it? See how many new places you can check off your list this winter. Here are a few to start:

Quequechan River Rail Trail, 472 Quequechan St, Fall River; parking is available at Britland Park off Wordell St., Fall River, and behind UMass CIE, 151 Martine St., Fall River

Freetown-Fall River State Forest, 110 Slab Bridge Road, Assonet

Bicentennial Trail and Boardwalk in Fall River; start at Veterans Memorial Bicentennial Park on President Avenue or Heritage State Park on Davol Street

Fort Barton and Ft. Barton Woods, 360 Highland Road, Tiverton

Weetemoo Woods in Tiverton, entrances and parking at East Road, Lake Road, Lafayette Road and Pardon Gray Preserve on Main Road

Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, 116 Seapowet Ave., Tiverton

Pocasset Ridge Conservation Area, 2910 Main Road, Tiverton

Noquochoke Conservation Area, 18 Pine Hill Road, Westport

Westport Woods Conservation Park, 573 Adamsville Road, Westport

Westport Town Farm, 830 Drift Road, Westport

Old Harbor Wildlife Refuge, 386 Old Harbor Road, Westport

Forge Pond Conservation Area, 214 Forge Road, Westport

Herb Hadfield Conservation Area, 255 Cornell Road or 364 Adamsville Road, Westport

Mill Pond Conservation Area, 62 Reed Road, Westport

Dundery Brook Trail, 29 Meetinghouse Lane, Little Compton

Simmons Mill Management Area, 212 Coldbrook Road, Little Compton

Walking RI: Unspoiled splendor, sweeping vistas at Tiverton's Pocasset Ridge

The Swansea Public Library.
The Swansea Public Library.

Online events and clubs

When the pandemic started, it seemed like everything was canceled, so people got creative. So many of the things we used to do in person we can do online now.

If you want to get out but not necessarily go out, virtual events are a great way to socialize.

Back for its second year, the Somerset Lions Club's four-week virtual Trivia League tournament is currently underway. Events like these, which have become popular at many organizations and businesses, are a creative way to still "get together" from the comfort of your own home.

Participants create teams and play with friends and family over Zoom in a test of general knowledge trivia ranging from history to movies and more. They're all vying for the first place prize of $100, but mostly bragging rights.

You can also host your own trivia night with friends over video, with a number of apps and websites offering online games that are fun to play like JackBox and Houseparty.

Your local libraries are also a great place to turn for COVID-conscious fun.

The Swansea Public Library, among others, has expanded its programming to include various online activities and classes for kids and adults, from virtual book clubs and cookbook chats to Pokemon Bingo played over Zoom.

Or take advantage of the Fall River Public Library's streaming service, Kanopy, offers access to free movies each month, plus unlimited children’s programs and Great Courses video classes. Check it out at https://fallriverlibrary.kanopy.com/

Help solve the grisly Borden double-murder case by downloading the app-based Lizzie Borden Mystery Game, now offered at Fall River's Lizzie Borden House.
Help solve the grisly Borden double-murder case by downloading the app-based Lizzie Borden Mystery Game, now offered at Fall River's Lizzie Borden House.

Visit the museum, virtually

When you can't visit your local art gallery or museum in person while social distancing, your favorite museums can come to you.

Take a tour of online exhibits and collections at the Greater Fall River Art Association or Fall River Historical Society.

Fall River art scene: Critic recalls his top 12 art exhibits for 2021

You can also take a stab at the fun virtual options offered at Fall River's Lizzie Borden House for fans of true crime or local history.

In addition to its in-person house tours and ghost hunts, visitors can embark on a virtual tour of the famous Second Street home where the murders of Andrew and his wife Abby Borden took place in 1892.

You can even put on your detective cap, step back in time and help solve the grisly double-murder case once and for all by downloading the Lizzie Borden Mystery Game.

Lizzie Borden House: Murder anniversary plans shift to virtual-only tour, re-enactments

In this interactive, whodunit app-based game, participants analyze clues, view evidence, interrogate witnesses and suspects and make their way through the Borden property in their quest to uncover the killer — or killers. Compete with friends or work together to crack the 130-year-old case.

Also, take a walk through a historic city cemetery and visit the burial places of the Borden family and other notable figures from Fall River’s history with their Oak Grove Cemetery app tour. Learn more at https://lizzie-borden.com/

At the grave of Lizzie Borden in Oak Grove Cemetery, people routinely leave coins, stones, and other trinkets in her memory. Someone has left a business card advertising tours for the curious who have visited her grave.
At the grave of Lizzie Borden in Oak Grove Cemetery, people routinely leave coins, stones, and other trinkets in her memory. Someone has left a business card advertising tours for the curious who have visited her grave.

Looking to get outside Greater Fall River? Experience the best museums around the world from your couch.

Many famous museums have their collections online and host virtual tours, including places like the Guggenheim Museum and the National Gallery of Art. Also, check out Google Arts & Culture for virtual walk-throughs of exhibits and collections from thousands of institutes across the globe.

Mendon Twin Drive-In extended its season into January this year much to the delight of patrons.
Mendon Twin Drive-In extended its season into January this year much to the delight of patrons.

A night at the movies

Not quite comfortable rolling the dice on catching a big-screen movie at a crowded indoor theater? Places like the Mendon Twin Drive-in offer a neat alternative. (Not quite in our backyard, but it's all about the experience, right?)

While generally a warm weather outing — enjoying a movie under the stars with the top down or sprawled in the back of your SUV or pickup — Mendon extended its season into the winter this year much to the delight of patrons who caught flicks such as the latest "Spider-Man: No Way Home" with hot cocoa in hand.

Jan. 1 was the last day of the season at Mendon, with viewers packing the drive-in like a July night. But the lots won't stay empty long. They are expected to be up and running again March 4 for a showing of "The Batman," according to their Facebook page. So mark your calendars.

Todd Salpietro, owner of TJ's Music, is seen here in the basement area of his Fall River store where students take private music lessons in practice rooms.
Todd Salpietro, owner of TJ's Music, is seen here in the basement area of his Fall River store where students take private music lessons in practice rooms.

Learn a new skill

With this winter shaping up to be a time many people will be spending mostly at home, now the perfect time to learn new skills, brush up on old ones, or get a hobby started.

Mastering a killer drum solo still on your bucket list? Why not finally cross it off?

The Fall River Arts Academy located at TJ's Music offers both in-person and online music lessons for all ages and skill levels at its South Main Street store.

For the love of music: Fall River Arts Academy raising money to help kids in need pay for lessons

Whatever instrument you wish to play, odds are they teach it — from piano to guitar, drums, ukulele, violin, woodwinds, voice lessons and more — all under one roof. See if its a good fit for you at https://www.fallriverartsacademy.com/

Have you been putting off learning Spanish or finally taking that cooking class?

There are plenty of inexpensive or free classes online you can try — ranging from languages to art to photography to yoga and exercise, and anything else you can think of.

The internet is full of how-to videos and tutorials, but you can also sign up for classes and events through craft stores like Michaels or Joann Fabrics. Free apps like Duolingo are great for language learning.

Many colleges also offer the occasional free lecture, if there’s a topic you’re interested in. Bristol Community College, Bridgewater State University and UMass Dartmouth are all good places to start looking.

Digital Producer Kristina Fontes contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: COVID safe activities in Fall River, Swansea, Somerset, Westport, Tiverton