The Blackstone River powered this historic mill city of 75,000 during New England's industrial heyday, though manufacturing's decline left economic challenges. Rhode Island's smallest state creates tight urban density, with Pawtucket blending seamlessly into neighboring Providence. New England weather brings humid summers in the mid-80s and snowy winters averaging 35 inches annually. The city's older neighborhoods feature triple-decker homes and mill buildings converted to apartments. Pawtucket's working-class character reflects waves of immigration, from Irish and French-Canadian to more recent Hispanic arrivals. Spring brings late-arriving warmth, while fall foliage peaks in mid-October.
