lowell national historical park visitors center

This is a good starting point to plan your visit to the other historic sites in Lowell. The Ranger on the front desk was very friendly and provided an informative and interesting overview and suggested the key places to visit. We were there on a Tuesday in December and so the tram and canal boat were not running and a number of the smaller sites were closed. We travelled there by train from Boston and then took the Downtown Shuttle from the station to right outside ($1 - every 15 mins). Very easy.

While the Visitor's Center does not have extensive exhibits it does have an excellent 20 minute film which provides a great overview of Lowell's history. You can also grab some walking tour maps and other info from the Park Rangers which will greatly assist you with your visit.

I've gone on the boat tour of Lowell's canals each of the last 4 years as someone I know says, "I've never done it, will you do it again?" They always come away loving it and while I keep being afraid it will get stale, I still enjoy it. A park ranger takes you on a short trolley ride to the locks where the boat ride starts and explains a bit of Lowell's history, then you go through the Pawtucket Canal and depending on which tour it is (there are 2-3 different versions) and water conditions, they take you out to the Merrimack River. Going through the locks at the Francis Gate is interesting as they raise/lower the water level while you are in the boat. They have you get out at one of the gate houses to see how they work. Even if you aren't that interested in history, it is nice to get out on the water and enjoy a boat ride for just $8.00. If you go on a summer weekday, make sure to wave to the kids playing behind the Boys & Girls Club.

The Lowell National Historical Park Visitors Center is certainly not a destination in itself but it gives you a good introduction to walk this rare National Park in a city is about. It has an imformative film and interactive displays. Lots of toys and displays to keep children occupied with.

Great exhibits and events. Very nice rangers who are pleased to help. A most unique gift shop with a variety of Lowell showcased such as in their linen towels from the mills.

Stop by the visitor center to start your visit on the right foot. There's a very well made 20-minute video presentation and park rangers provide maps and information to make the most of your visit to Lowell.

The visitor center is a good place to get started when exploring the Lowell National Historic Park. You can get your bearings and view an introductory film here at this center. Rangers are on hand to advise you on your journey and exhibits in the center bring to life the work of producing cotton cloth over the years.

Lowell has a lot to offer and the Nat'l Park Service does a lot to help locals/visitors understand it's PAST and see Lowell in the PRESENT DAY scene. In the colder weather things SLOW down but when the warmer weather is around there is plenty to do......trolley/boat rides......folkfest end of July....concerts at Boarding House Park etc.

Make sure you watch movie and chat with rangers. nice place to wander make sure you do the ranger tour. short walk to trolly stop

Stopping by the visitors center and watching the video and talking briefly to the rangers always helps us to plan our visit. The video is very well done as are the displays.

The Park and Visitors Center are both well done. The staff are all really enthusiastic and helpful. They are great with kids, and adults too! The space is small but it is a great place to spend a half hour before you head out to the other sites or on a tour.

The rangers here were very helpful. This is also the place to reserve your boat ride to tour the canals and locks of Lowell. The center has a display of Jack Kerouac's Lowell as well and gives good background on the author's life there. There is also a theater that runs a presentation on the half hour. This is the gateway to the rest of the NHP. Not sure why it has a separate review, but to see my full experience at NHP, check out my review there.

If you are near Lowell, MA, you should for sure go to the Visitor Center. When you park, bring your pass inside and they will validate it. Lowell was the beginning and center of our country's industrial revolution and it revolves around textiles. The Center has good displays and a movie that explains it all. From there you can walk easily to a number of sites that relate to this from a working textile mill, to a quilt museum, see the canals, ride the trolley or go to the Natioinal Textile Museum. This may not sound interesting, but it is. It is very informative as you consider that most of our textiles are now down overseas.

The Lowell National Pak can be a little confusing to navigate. A stop at the Visitors Center should come before navigating te Park. Information there can make one' visit more orderly, interesting and informative and it is a stop that is highly recommended.

We really enjoyed our visit here. The museum is very interesting and the canal boat ride was fantastic! The guides of course were so informative. I've never had a bad National Park Guide. They really know their material. I highly recommend a visit.