Overview
Lowell is a city in Massachusetts about 40 minutes northwest of Boston. With over 115,000 residents (2020), it's the fifth largest city in Massachusetts, and has an important historical background. It was the first planned industrial city in the United States.
4 sights · 9 things to do · 4 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Lowell
New England Quilt Museum
Whistler House Museum of Art
Pawtucket Falls and Dam
Pawtucket 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 immedi…
Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell
Hosts concerts and home games of the UMass-Lowell River Hawks (an NCAA Division I hockey team) and Boston Fleet (Professional Women's Hockey League).
Cawley Memorial Stadium
Off of Route 38 near Tewksbury. Hosts various sports events.
Lowell Memorial Auditorium
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Dec.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BED Laurence G Hanscom Field, Bedford — 12 mi away. Directions
- MHT Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, Manchester — 21 mi away. Directions
- BOS Boston Logan International Airport, Boston — 25 mi away (major hub). Directions
The nearest airports are Boston's Logan Airport (BOS) and Manchester Airport (MHT) in New Hampshire, each about 40 minutes away.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning National Trolley Museum, New England Quilt Museum, Lowell National Historical Park
- Lunch Viet-Thai Restaurant
- Afternoon Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell, Edward A. LeLacheur Park
- Dinner Athenian Corner
- Evening Blue Shamrock
Day 2
- Morning Pawtucket Falls and Dam, UMass Lowell Bellgarde Boathouse
- Lunch Eggroll Cafe
- Afternoon Lowell Quilt Festival
- Dinner Simply Khmer
- Evening Brew'd Awakening Coffeehaus
Day 3
- Morning Cawley Memorial Stadium
- Afternoon Lowell Winterfest
- Evening The Old Court Irish Pub And Restaurant
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
The nearest airports are Boston's Logan Airport (BOS) and Manchester Airport (MHT) 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.
Get around
The Lowell Regional Transit Authority has regular shuttles going around Lowell and several neighboring towns.
See
See National Trolley Museum
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.
- 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 and the longest of its kind. 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 canals running through downtown Lowell, which are still navigable in some sections. 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, turn part of downtown Lowell into an island.
See Pawtucket Falls and Dam
Pawtucket 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.
Do
Parks
Events
Learn
- University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University Av., Phone: +1 978-934-4000.
- Middlesex Community College, (Lowell Campus) 33 Kearney Square.
Eat
- Tremonte Pizza 44 Palmer St, +1 978-453-1110 Excellent brick oven pizza, cocktails, and appetizers
Eat Eggroll Cafe
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!
Drink
Bars
Drink The Old Court Irish Pub And Restaurant
Cafes
Drink Brew'd Awakening Coffeehaus
Sleep
Go next
Boston, the North Shore or the White Mountains are all good next stops.
Nearby
Billerica
City / town · 15 listings · 6 mi away
Westford
City / town · 19 listings · 8 mi away
Tyngsborough
City / town · 2 listings · 8 mi away
Lawrence
City / town · 11 listings · 9 mi away
Andover
City / town · 45 listings · 9 mi away
Wilmington
City / town · 16 listings · 10 mi away
Bedford
City / town · 9 listings · 10 mi away
Hudson
City / town · 8 listings · 11 mi away
My experience
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