Lowell (Massachusetts)

By plane

The nearest airports are Boston's Logan Airport and Manchester Airport in New Hampshire, each about 40 minutes away.

By train

The Lowell line of the MBTA Commuter Rail has a terminus in Lowell. This train station is about a 15 minute walk from downtown, or there is a shuttle that runs between the train station and downtown.

By car

Take U.S. Route 3 or Interstate 495 to the Lowell Connector, a 2.5 mile highway that ends near downtown Lowell. Be careful; the Lowell Connector is one of the most dangerous highways in the state. Exit 31 on Route 3 and exits 37 and 38 on I-495 will also take you to Lowell.

The Lowell Regional Transit Authority has regular shuttles going around Lowell and several neighboring towns.

• American Textile History Museum

  phone: +1 978 441-0400
  address: 491 Dutton St
  Due to financial constraints, the museum of American Textile History closed in 2016.

• National Trolley Museum

  phone: +1 978-458-5835
  address: 25 Shattuck St
  This is a satellite of the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine and shows the history of transit in Lowell in the context of American transit history.

• New England Quilt Museum

  phone: +1 978 452-4207
  address: 18 Shattuck St

• Whistler House Museum of Art

  address: 243 Worthen St
• Merrimack River Bridges. Lowell is home to several impressive bridges, two of which cross the Merrimack River. The Aiken Street Bridge is a lenticular through truss bridge, one of the rarest bridge types. The Central Bridge is a cantilevered through truss bridge. Both spans offer pedestrian access and are highly impressive.
• Lowell Industrial Canals. There are four narrow and unnavigable canals running through downtown Lowell. These canals were used as a hydropower source when the mills and factories were still in use. Despite their size, the canals are home to some beautiful restored historic footbridges. Also, several sets of locks along the canals are still in use for flood control. The four canals, together with the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, form part of downtown Lowell as an island.

• Pawtucket Falls and DamPawtucket Falls and Dam is a large man-made waterfall and hydroelectric dam located directly underneath the University Avenue Bridge. It is one of three large hydroelectric dams along the Merrimack. While the only immediate access through the Dam is by boat, viewing the dam and its associated man-made islands from above is still an impressive sight.

• Lowell National Historical Park

  phone: +1 978 970-5000
  address: 67 Kirk Street
  Open year round. 9AM-5PM (Summer to 5:30PM). Commemorates the history of the American Industrial Revolution in Lowell. Includes the Boott Cotton Mills Museum, textile mills, canals, worker houses, and 19th-century commercial buildings.

• Edward A. LeLacheur Park

  address: 450 Aiken St
  5000-person stadium that hosts home games of the Lowell Spinners, a class A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and the UMass Lowell River Hawks.

• Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell

  phone: +1 978-934-5760
  address: 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
  Hosts concerts and home games of the UMass-Lowell River Hawks (an NCAA Division I hockey team).

• Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State ForestLocated in the western edge of the city. This is a 1140-acre forest that has 180 acres of ponds, swamps, and wetlands.

• Cawley Stadium, off of Route 38 near Tewksbury. Hosts various sports events.

• Lowell Memorial Auditorium

  address: 50 East Merrimack Street

• Lowell Folk FestivalOne of the largest free folk festivals in the United States, end of July. Performers throughout city, international food court.

• Lowell Quilt FestivalAnnual celebration of quilts throughout city, with quilting classes, exhibitions, and demonstrations.

• Lowell WinterfestAnnual family-friendly celebration of the wonders of winter, including the National Human Dogsled Championships.

• UMass Lowell Bellgarde Boathouse

  address: 500 Pawtucket BLVD
  Home to UMass Lowell's rowing program.

• University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University Av., Phone: +1 978-934-4000.
• Middlesex Community College, (Lowell Campus) 33 Kearney Square.

• Blaine Beauty School

  address: 231 Central St

• Haus

  address: 17 Shattuck Street

• Brew'd Awakening Coffeehaus

  phone: +1 978 454-2739
  address: 61 Market Street

• Athenian Corner

  phone: +1 978 458-7052
  address: 207 Market Street

• Viet-Thai Restaurant

  phone: +1 978 446-0977
  address: 368 Merrimack St

• Eggroll Cafe

  phone: +1 978 970-3411
  address: 110 University Ave
  Great bento boxes, delicious bubble teas, and a plethora of eggrolls. If you are look for some traditional treats, or perhaps something a new give them a try. The selection of egg rolls varies from the usual spring rolls to westernized rolls, like cheeseburger or buffalo chicken; there is a great variety to try here!

Bars

• Blue Shamrock

  phone: +1 978-458-1288
  address: 105 Market St

• The Old Court Irish Pub And Restaurant

  phone: +1 978-452-0100
  address: 29-31 Central St

• Cappy's Copper Kettle

  phone: +1 978-735-4866
  address: 245 Central St

Cafes

• Brew'd Awakening Coffeehaus

  phone: +1 978-454-2739
  address: 61 Market St

• Courtyard Boston Lowell/Chelmsford

  phone: +1 978 458-7575
  address: 30 Industrial Avenue

• The Stonehedge Hotel & Spa

  phone: +1 978-649-4400
  address: 160 Pawtucket Blvd, Tyngsboro

• UMass Lowell Inn and Conference Center

  phone: +1 978 934-6918
  address: 50 Warren Street

Boston, the North Shore or the White Mountains are all good next stops.