Lowell National Historical Park
Designation: National Historical Park
Location: Massachusetts
📘 Park Overview
Lowell’s water-powered textile mills catapulted the nation – including immigrant families and early female factory workers – into an uncertain new industrial era. Nearly 200 years later, the changes that began here still reverberate in our shifting global economy. Explore Lowell, a living testament to the dynamic human story of the industrial revolution.
🌤 Weather Information
Summer: Throughout the summer, temperatures range from the mid 60s to mid 90s during the day, with rain and thunderstorms more common in the months of July and August. Boats and trolleys operate rain or shine and are only cancelled in cases of extreme weather or the presence of thunder and lightning. Winter: Winters are typically cold with temperatures in the mid 30s and 40s (with occasional single digit temperatures) and snow storms with a few inches accumulation occur frequently throughout the season.
🚗 Directions
Paid parking is across the street from the Museum in the Downes Parking Garage (75 John St) From Interstate Route 495 take Exit 89C on to the Lowell Connector From Route 3 take Exit 80A if traveling southbound, Exit 80B if traveling northbound. Take the Lowell Connector to Exit 5B Thorndike St Continue right on to Thorndike Street, which becomes Dutton St Take a turn right at the corner of Dutton and Merrimack St Take the 2nd left onto John St. Parking at the Downes Garage on right. Museum is 1 block down
Images
The Boott Cotton Mills is one of the best, most-intact complexes of cotton mills from Lowell's heyday in the 19th century.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Tsongas Industrial History Center, a partnership of Lowell National Historical Park and UMass Lowell's Graduate School of Education, offers hands-on interactive education workshops for more than 50,000 students each year.
Credit: NPS Photo/David Byers
Lowell National Historical Park operates reproduction vintage streetcars throughout the park and downtown Lowell. Climb onboard for a ride or a ranger-guided tour.
Credit: NPS Photo/James Higgins
The working weave room at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum surrounds you with the sights and sounds of a turn-of-the-century working cotton textile factory.
Credit: NPS Photo/Andy Pearson
The Lowell Folk Festival, Lowell's signature annual event, brings traditional folk performers to 5 stages throughout the city and a huge variety of traditional ethnic foods from all around the world.
Credit: NPS Photo/ Andy Pearson
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Saturday, Nov 8
Patchy rain nearby
High: 61.5°F | Low: 42.9°F
Humidity: 71%
Wind: 13.2 mph
Rain Chance: 89%
UV Index: 0.3
Sunrise: 06:28 AM
Sunset: 04:29 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (91%)
Visibility: 4 mi
Dew Point: 47.8°F
Cloud Cover: 89%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, Nov 9
Moderate rain
High: 48.6°F | Low: 41.2°F
Humidity: 81%
Wind: 9.4 mph
Rain Chance: 88%
UV Index: 0.3
Sunrise: 06:29 AM
Sunset: 04:28 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (83%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 42.6°F
Cloud Cover: 88%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Monday, Nov 10
Patchy rain nearby
High: 53.1°F | Low: 36.3°F
Humidity: 91%
Wind: 11 mph
Rain Chance: 74%
UV Index: 0.1
Sunrise: 06:31 AM
Sunset: 04:27 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (73%)
Visibility: 4 mi
Dew Point: 46.3°F
Cloud Cover: 74%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (1)
Coastal Flood Statement issued November 8 at 12:15PM EST until November 8 at 2:00PM EST by NWS Gray ME
Effective: Nov 8, 2025 12:15pm
Expires: Nov 8, 2025 2:00pm
* WHAT...High astronomical tides and a small storm surge will
bring water levels to just below flood stage from Casco Bay
south. Especially vulnerable low lying locations may see minor
inundation.
* WHERE...In Maine, Coastal York and Coastal Cumberland
Counties. In New Hampshire, Coastal Rockingham County.
* WHEN...Until 2 PM EST this afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Some water on low lying roads and property.
Park Alerts
Park Events
Pawtucket Canal Tour
Join a Park Ranger for a guided tour of the Pawtucket Canal – the oldest canal in Lowell's historic 5.6-mile canal system. Discover the stories of the workers who built and operated Lowell's remarkable waterpower system while riding along the historic Pawtucket Canal. Disembark at the historic Francis Gate and explore how mill owners and engineers harnessed the water and powered an industrial city.
Tour may include up to 0.75 miles of walking. Boats are not covered, so please keep weather conditions in mind when planning your visit.
*Water Levels Permitting - Visitors may have the option to climb a short but steep historic granite staircase and explore the site of Francis Gate on foot.
Tours begin at the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street.
Location: Tours begin at the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street.
Date: Jun 15, 2025 12:00am to Jul 20, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Suffolk Mill Tour
Explore how numerous factors have shaped both the city’s past and its present. This tour combines a short trip through the historic city accompanied by a park ranger with a guided visit into the River Transformed Exhibit at the Suffolk Mill.
Visitors should plan for a 75-minute tour, much of which will be spent on your feet. Visitors can expect to walk as much as 1.5-miles on paved paths and are encouraged to bring water. This tour meets and ends at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum (115 John St.)
This tour is free. To reserve your spot, call (978) 970-5000 or check in at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum front desk.
Location: This tour meets and ends at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum (115 John St.). Paid parking is available in the Joseph Downes city parking garage, located at 75 John Street, one block from the Boott Cotton Mills Museum.
Date: Jun 15, 2025 12:00am to Aug 31, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
A River Transformed Walking Tour
Discover how the power of the Merrimack River was harnessed into textile production in the 19th century. This tour combines a walk along the riverwalk accompanied by a park ranger with a guided visit to the River Transformed Exhibit at the Suffolk Mill.
Visitors should plan for a 75-minute tour, all of which will be spent on your feet. Visitors can expect to walk as much as 1.5-miles on paved paths and are encouraged to bring water. This tour meets and ends at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum (115 John St.)
This tour is free. To reserve your spot, call (978) 970-5000 or check in at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum front desk.
Location: This tour meets and ends at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum (115 John St.). Paid parking is available in the Joseph Downes city parking garage, located at 75 John Street, one block from the Boott Cotton Mills Museum.
Date: Jun 15, 2025 12:00am to Aug 31, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Pawtucket Canal Tour
Join a Park Ranger for a guided tour of the Pawtucket Canal – the oldest canal in Lowell's historic 5.6-mile canal system. Discover the stories of the workers who built and operated Lowell's remarkable waterpower system while riding along the historic Pawtucket Canal. Disembark at the historic Francis Gate and explore how mill owners and engineers harnessed the water and powered an industrial city.
Tour may include up to 0.75 miles of walking. Boats are not covered, so please keep weather conditions in mind when planning your visit.
*Water Levels Permitting - Visitors may have the option to climb a short but steep historic granite staircase and explore the site of Francis Gate on foot.
Tours begin at the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street.
Location: Tours begin at the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street.
Date: Jun 19, 2025 12:00am to Aug 28, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Pawtucket Canal Tour
Join a Park Ranger for a guided tour of the Pawtucket Canal – the oldest canal in Lowell's historic 5.6-mile canal system. Discover the stories of the workers who built and operated Lowell's remarkable waterpower system while riding along the historic Pawtucket Canal. Disembark at the historic Francis Gate and explore how mill owners and engineers harnessed the water and powered an industrial city.
Tour may include up to 0.75 miles of walking. Boats are not covered, so please keep weather conditions in mind when planning your visit.
*Water Levels Permitting - Visitors may have the option to climb a short but steep historic granite staircase and explore the site of Francis Gate on foot.
Tours begin at the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street.
Location: Tours begin at the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street.
Date: Jun 20, 2025 12:00am to Aug 29, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Pawtucket Canal Tour
Join a Park Ranger for a guided tour of the Pawtucket Canal – the oldest canal in Lowell's historic 5.6-mile canal system. Discover the stories of the workers who built and operated Lowell's remarkable waterpower system while riding along the historic Pawtucket Canal. Disembark at the historic Francis Gate and explore how mill owners and engineers harnessed the water and powered an industrial city.
Tour may include up to 0.75 miles of walking. Boats are not covered, so please keep weather conditions in mind when planning your visit.
*Water Levels Permitting - Visitors may have the option to climb a short but steep historic granite staircase and explore the site of Francis Gate on foot.
Tours begin at the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street.
Location: Tours begin at the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street.
Date: Jun 21, 2025 12:00am to Jul 19, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Riverboat Tour
Join a ranger for a 60-minute guided tour along the Merrimack River on the Francis Cabot Lowell Riverboat. Experience Lowell from a different perspective and discover the stories of the people who made the river their home throughout the centuries. Take in the view at the Pawtucket Falls Dam and learn about how Lowell's landscape changed and developed around it.
Location: Tours will begin at the UMass Lowell Bellegarde Boathouse located at 500 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell, MA 01854. Free parking is available in the adjacent parking area for the Vandenberg Esplanade and along the shoulder of Pawtucket Boulevard.
Date: Jun 21, 2025 12:00am to Jun 21, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Riverboat Tour
Join a ranger for a 60-minute guided tour along the Merrimack River on the Francis Cabot Lowell Riverboat. Experience Lowell from a different perspective and discover the stories of the people who made the river their home throughout the centuries. Take in the view at the Pawtucket Falls Dam and learn about how Lowell's landscape changed and developed around it.
Location: Tours will begin at the UMass Lowell Bellegarde Boathouse located at 500 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell, MA 01854. Free parking is available in the adjacent parking area for the Vandenberg Esplanade and along the shoulder of Pawtucket Boulevard.
Date: Jun 22, 2025 12:00am to Jun 22, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Art with the Bookmobile
Location: 1 River Place, Lowell, MA 01852
Date: Jul 7, 2025 12:00am to Jul 7, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Lowell Summer Music Series Free Fun for Kids: Dino-Man
Learn more about the free concerts for kids on the Lowell Summer Music Series website: lowellsummermusic.org/pages/kids
Location: Boarding House Park, 40 French Street, Lowell MA 01852
Date: Jul 9, 2025 12:00am to Jul 9, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
115 John Street
Lowell, MA 01852
🏤 Mailing Address:
67 Kirk Street
Lowell, MA 01852
📞 Voice Phone: 9789705000
📞 TTY Phone: 9789705002
✉️ Email: LOWE_Public_Information@nps.gov