Visiting Lowell
Incorporated in 1826, Lowell, MA, is the fifth largest (populated) city in the state. It sits about 25 miles northwest of Boston and 10 miles from the New Hampshire border. Lowell is known for its central role in the Industrial Revolution, and the old cotton mills today serve as housing and commercial properties. Lowell is also home to a National Historical Park, where visitors can see how cotton was made, ride on historic trolleys, and take a boat ride through the lock from the canal to the Merrimack River.
Lowell is easily accessible from major highways.
About Lowell Makes
Lowell Makes is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, shared community workshop and laboratory. We are an organized group of local artists, engineers, makers, and thinkers who work together to provide tools and learning resources to the public. We use these resources to collaborate on individual and community projects in order to promote science, technology and art; while working and experimenting on innovative ideas to encourage learning within our community.
If you have the chance to take a tour of Lowell Makes, you’ll be able to see our various shops, including metal, wood, cosplay, ceramics, lasers, UV printing, caffeine, media studio, brew, 3D printing, bike, rapid prototyping, and fiber and mixed media.
We share our parking lot with Western Ave Studios, a complex that houses more than 400 artists in studios and work/live lofts.
Hotels
Lowell doesn’t have much lodging within the city limits. These are the most convenient hotels to Lowell Makes. Most of them are in commercial/industrial areas, but if you’re looking for something that feels a bit more remote, the Chateau is in a more rural-feeling area.
- Sonesta Select Boston/Lowell/Chelmsford
- Holiday Inn Express Chelmsford
- Element Chelmsford
- Chateau Merrimack Resort and Spa
- Hilton Garden Inn Tewksbury/Andover
- Extended Stay America Boston-Tewksbury
Food
While at Lowell Makes, you can grab a coffee and light snacks at Nibbāna Cafe, housed just inside the main entrance to Western Ave Studios. Lowell Makes also has a small assortment of snacks, drinks, and quick meal items for sale in their lounge.
Navigation Brewery, housed in the Western Ave Studios complex, opens at 4pm on Friday for those who like craft beer. There is typically at least one food truck on site in the late afternoon/evening. They usually announce the schedule at the beginning of each week on their Facebook page.
Lowell is an extremely diverse community. You can find all kinds of food, including Portuguese, Irish, Greek, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Colombian, Mexican, Chinese, Egyptian, Italian, Korean, Afro-Carribean, Indian, Japanese, Thai, Lebanese, and, of course, American. There’s everything from BBQ to seafood to Halal to vegetarian and vegan options. You can get boba tea, mochi donuts, and bahn mi.
There’s a great Reddit thread that talks about favorite Lowell restaurants. If you’re looking for dinner options, you can park downtown (near Merrimack Street/Market Street) and walk to a dozen places.
My current favorite restaurants include Sizzling Kitchen (Vietnamese/Korean/Italian/Thai), Food Shines (Indian/Nepalese), and Blue Taleh (Thai), but there are so many amazing options.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are available in the Western Ave Studios building and in Lowell Makes.
Tips for Your Visit
- Please remember that Lowell is a city. While it’s definitely tourist-friendly, guests should use normal precautions, like locking doors and being aware of their surroundings.
- Be considerate when parking/moving around the lot. There are artists who live in the complex, as well as those trying to get to/from their studios. Parking is also available along Western Ave.
- Lowell Makes is entirely volunteer-run. We will likely have volunteers on hand to help with tours and to provide access to the bathroom/snacks, but they may not be available all day. Western Ave is also open to the public on Fridays.
Other things to do/see while in town:
- Lowell National Historic Park – As mentioned above, you can view exhibits on the Industrial Revolution, take walking tours, or even go on a boat tour on the canal/river.
- New England Quilt Museum
- Western Avenue Studios – WAS shares a parking lot with Lowell Makes, so you’ll already be on site if you want to visit. Some artists may be in their studios. But if you’re around on June 8, it’s First Saturday at the Studios and artists will be making/selling all sorts of art, from stained glass and pottery to handmade bags and sculptures made from found objects. You can visit their studios, ask questions, and get in some shopping.
- African Festival (6/8)
- Celebration of Military Service 5K and Festival (6/8)
- Arts League of Lowell Gallery – They’re open daily, but also have an exhibit reception on June 8
- The Brush Art Gallery
- Kayaking/Canoeing on the Merrimack River – This area is also a great place to go to walk along the river. There’s an ice cream stand nearby.
- Indoor Football with the Mass Pirates (6/8)
And of course, Boston is not far away. You can take the train from Lowell if you don’t want to drive into Boston. Likewise, if you’re coming from Boston, you can take the train to Lowell. Lowell Makes is technically walking distance, if you like to walk, but a cab/Uber/Lyft isn’t too pricey, either.