"The Mill City" Top 5 Page for this destination Lowell by emilienoelle

Lowell Travel Guide: 60 reviews and 89 photos

Background

Home to Jack Kerouac, Ed McMahon, Bette Davis, artist James Whistler, and the late senator Paul Tsongas, Lowell, MA is a charming, old mill city 30 miles northwest of Boston. The city has gone through many changes in its past. Following a period of bad luck in the 80's and 90's, Lowell is now in the midst of a revival featuring a rapidly growing art community, fine resturants, shops, and museums.

Community

Fort Hill Park, Lowell

The population of Lowell is rich and diverse culturally. The city has a large French Canadian population, decendants of the people who migrated here to work in the textile mills in the 19th cen. Lowell also has a large Cambodian population, reportedly the second largest in the US, and fast-growing Brazilian and Hispanic populations. A large Greek community also calls the city home.

Architecture

Massachusetts Mills Apartments

The cityscape is beautiful with its myriad smokestacks lining the Merrimack river. The downtown features cobblestone streets and the canals bisecting the city once powered the mills. Many of these buildings are now upscale condominiums, shops, or museums. An old fashioned street car offers tours of the downtown in the summer months.

Pros and Cons

Pros:A well kept secret, much less crowded than Boston and offering many of the same things.
Cons:The reputation for crime the city earned in the 80's and 90's still persists, though it is unfounded.

Intro Updated Jul 19, 2004
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Reviews (36)

Jack Kerouac's House Things to Do (10)

The house where Jack Kerouac was born and grew up is located on Lupine Road in Lowell's Centralville neighborhood, on... more travel advice

Jack Kerouac's Grave Things to Do (10)

Although Kerouac died while living in St. Petersburg, Florida he was buried in Lowell, MA, where he was born and grew... more travel advice

The Paul E. Tsongas Arena Favorites (1)

Lowell's arena is named after late Massachusetts senator Paul Tsongas, a Lowell native. The Arena is the home of the... more travel advice

Cambodian New Year Local Customs (1)

About 25% of Lowell's population is Southeast Asian, mainly Cambodians who came to the city as refugees from the Khmer... more travel advice

Hotels (2)
See All The City's Only Real Hotel
Restaurants (10)
See All A Vegan's Paradise
Off The Beaten Path (5)
See All Christmastime in Lowell
Shopping (1)
Fair Trade: Music, Art, and Media

Nightlife (4)
See All Old Worthen House Tavern
Warnings and Dangers (1)
Avoid Being a Crime Victim
Transportation (1)
Train service from Boston
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Travelogues (2)

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Comments (62)

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Kaspian Mar 9, 2011 at 9:20 AM

I'd still really like to see Lowell someday.
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alza Sep 15, 2010 at 1:16 PM

I'm sooo glad to comment about Kerouac on your homepage town! Your article is excellent, truly well written! Maybe written before Viking's 2007 word for word publication of the Scroll?
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fabrice Feb 27, 2010 at 3:07 AM

many interesting tips about Lowell
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Nemorino Nov 14, 2009 at 6:34 AM

Interesting tips about your home town. Amazing that there is even a Jack Kerouac park. I saw the original painting of Whistler's Mother in Paris last year. Thanks for including the tip on the Cambodian New Year.
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donpaul77 Apr 30, 2009 at 6:42 AM

Great Lowell pages! I worked in Lowell for six years and visited many of the great restaurants there. It's become a bit of a hidden gem in Massachusetts.
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Jefie Oct 8, 2008 at 8:03 AM

I finally got my own copy of "On the Road" this weekend, great tips about Jack Kerouac!
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jelw Jun 17, 2008 at 8:56 PM

A bit more luv and appreciation for your bucket.
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Tom_In_Madison Apr 14, 2008 at 10:58 AM

Tomorrow, I'll bring my camera and make a tip! Thanks for Gabe Kapler too. :) Not for Gagne though.
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kymbanm Mar 26, 2008 at 1:49 PM

We're looking at a haunted hotel about 2h from home ... for halloween :)
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travelfrosch Feb 8, 2008 at 5:26 PM

I heard about that, but I think it's fine as long as he's ready to go for the playoffs. For most (including Sara), the Sox are enough... but I was the odd duck who rooted for the Pats even when they were 2-14. Gut-check time for Brady & Co next year...