Location: Lowell
Top Things to do in Lowell
Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Lowell, Massachusetts (MA)
Lowell is a city in the U.S. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Located in Middlesex County, Lowell (along with Cambridge) was a county seat until Massachusetts disbanded county government in 1999. With an estimated population of 109,945 in 2014, it is the fourth-largest city in Massachusetts, and the second-largest in the Boston metropolitan statistical area. The city is also part of a smaller Massachusetts statistical area called Greater Lowell, as well as New England's Merrimack Valley region.
Restaurants in Lowell
1. Lowell Cemetery
2. Western Avenue Studios
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 46 reviews
Western Avenue | Studios & Lofts is the creative home to over 300 artists who work in all disciplines. You will find fine artists, photographers, ceramic artists, fiber artists, wood workers, jewelers, sculptors, glass artists, painters, mixed media artists. You'll find print makers, book binders, letter press and paper artists, a glass blower and clothing designers. You'll find many starting out in their artistic careers, and others with gallery representation. Over two dozen artists teach classes in their chosen medium. Western Avenue hosts Open Studios the first Saturday of each month and additional holiday open studio dates. The coop gallery, The Loading Dock Gallery, is open Wednesday thru Sunday. Navigation Brewing is on site and is open Thursday through Sunday. Western Avenue - welcome to a world of art.
Reviewed By J1187UScraigh
"First Saturdays" are when WAS really shines. The Loading Dock Gallery is worth a shop any day of the week, but when you add five floors across each of three major art studio wings, and hundreds of artists of every medium imaginable, you can spend hours here and never get to it all. Fabric arts. Photography. Painting. Sculpture. Metalwork. Jewelers. A craft brewery in the basement. Food trucks outside. Artists who will talk to you for as long as you want about what they do. Ceramics. Glass. Stuff you can't even describe. It's all here. I've commissioned one-of-a-kind heirloom Chistmas presents for family three years running, and I feel like I have barely scratched the surface. Can't say enough good things. Get there!!!
3. Lowell National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 304 reviews
This park commemorates Lowell's integral part in America's Industrial Revolution.
Reviewed By karenp2017
We enjoyed every minute of the day we spent in Lowell and at the National Historical Park. After parking in the lot (free) behind the visitor center, we watched a good introductory video and then met our group for 11AM canal tour. (I had called ahead to reserve places for two tours – recommended, since space is limited, especially on the boats.) Our ranger told us interesting details about how the canals were made and how water powered the mills as we motored along the Pawtucket Canal, through the lock at the Francis Gate, and into the Merrimack River to see the Pawtucket Falls. We had enough time before our afternoon tour to have a good Greek lunch at the Athenian Corner Restaurant across from the Visitor Center, and a walk to the Boott Cotton Mill. The weaving floor here is filled with working looms, and we had a fascinating talk with a volunteer, a former mill worker, who was operating several of the machines, making dishcloths that you can buy at the museum store. Next was the 2:30 Mill and Trolley Tour where a restored, historic trolley took us to the Wannalancit Mill for more information on the machinery and the Industrial Revolution. Every ranger we met was knowledgeable, helpful, and enthusiastic, and the Park Service did a great job of interpreting what makes Lowell so historically important. We finished our day with dinner at good Columbian restaurant called Panela (7 Hanover St.) a few blocks from the Visitor Center.
4. Boarding House Park
5. Boott Cotton Mills Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
This former textile mill is a reminder of the changes the Industrial Revolution brought to Lowell, and to America.
Reviewed By jerseyjazz - New Jersey, United States
Definitely worth a stop. The mill story is well preserved and well presented. Be sure to see the short films, which add a lot of context.
6. Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center
7. New England Quilt Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
The New England Quilt Museum is a showplace for antique and contemporary quilts. Four to five exhibitions a year, classes, family activities, and historical lectures let you learn about this distinctive American art form. Located in the heart of downtown Lowell's historic district, it's within walking distance of numerous other attractions, including the American Textile History Museum and the Boott Cotton Mills, as well as restaurants and the theater.
8. Whistler House Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
9. LeLacheur Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By janinef589
This is a great place to take the kids to see a game! Boston is so unaffordable these days for families and this park is a great alternative. Leave extra time for traffic and parking on game nights. They usually have lots of promos and giveaways.
10. Mill No. 5
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Built in 1873, Mill No. 5 is an indoor streetscape of salvaged historic buildings. The mill features a movie theater, yoga studio, cafe, grocery, soda fountain, and several independent shops. The Luna Theater is open nightly showing the best in first-run independent film, throwbacks, and classics. The cafe, Coffee and Cotton, is open daily and features direct trade coffee, locally sourced farm-to-table cuisine, live music, wine, and a selection of local beers. At Dows Soda Fountain, you can order handcrafted sodas, thick milkshakes, ice cream, sundaes, and our version of the original Moxie soda. The Farm Market is every Sunday featuring local farms and live music. Periodically, A Little Bazaar Market features the best in art and craft. The independent shops include Red Antler Apothecary, Vinyl Destination, Mill City Cheese Mongers, and many more. Shop hours vary, but all shops are open Thursday & Friday from 5-8, Sat 12-8, and Sun 11-6.
Reviewed By travelinbluesgal - Cambridge, United States
A wonderful find in Lowell. On the 4th floor you will find a variety of eclectic little shops by local, small business owners. I stopped in to Vinyl Destination and bought two records and went to Coffee & Cotton (see my review for them). On Sundays, they have live music on the 4th floor that they pipe through the entire building. I love that they support local musicians and have different ones each week! On the 5th floor they have a farmers' market on Sundays. There's plenty of parking around and on Sundays parking is free. If you want to support small businesses in Lowell and have a fantastic shopping and hanging out experience, come to Mill No. 5. I saw there is also the Luna Movie Theater here. Will have to go there sometime.
