Lowell National Historical Park

Lowell National Historical Park is a national historical park run by the National Park Service in Massachusetts.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Explore the Boott Cotton Mills Museum (30 to 120 Minutes): The Boott Cotton Mills Museum at Lowell National Historical Park is the best place to learn about Lowell’s industrial past. Explore the stories of the workers, engineers, inventors, and investors who made Lowell the first successful planned industrial city in the United States. Learn more about the city’s role as a cut
• Become a Lowell Junior Ranger (30 to 180 Minutes): Participating in the Junior Ranger Program is a fun way for young visitors to get the most out of their visit to Lowell National Historical Park. Free activity books can be picked up at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum (115 John Street). Participants can earn a badge and a certificate after completing a few simple, fun ac
• Earn an Acre Community Ranger Badge (30 to 120 Minutes): Learn their stories, become a Community Ranger! Community Rangers are neighborhood storytellers and caretakers. Using the free Community Ranger activity book, you can explore the historic Acre neighborhood. Along the way, you'll be introduced to the rich diversity and history of the places, people, and buildings that g
• Visit the Park Store at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum: Looking for a guide to the park's history and culture? Searching for an educational souvenir of your visit to Lowell? Start your search at the Park Store. America's National Parks, the park's cooperating association, operates on the first floor of the Boott Cotton Mills Museum. A portion of America's National Parks' pr

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee. Parking: Visitors with vehicles no larger than 6'8" in height may park at the Hamilton Canal Innovation District parking garage at 350 Dutton St., Lowell. You can park in this garage at no cost if you obtain a valid parking voucher at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum at 115 John Street during operational hours. If you park in other City of Lowell garages or if you do not show a voucher when you exit that gara

Hours: Daily, 9:00AM - 4:00PM. Current Hours The Visitor Center (246 Market St.) is open: Daily: 9:00 am- 4:00 pm The Boott Cotton Mills Museum (115 John Street) is open: Daily: 9:00 am- 4:00 pm The Mogan Cultural Center (40 French Street) is open: Daily: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm; 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Getting there

The Boott Cotton Mills Museum is located at 115 John Street. Paid parking is available across the street from the museum in the Joseph Downes Garage located at 75 John Street. Click the link below for more detailed directions.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center: Daily, 9:00AM - 4:00PM. May 3, to October 17, 2026, the Visitor Center (246 Market St.) is open: Daily: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
• Boott Cotton Mills Museum: Daily, 9:00AM - 4:00PM. May 3, to November 28, 2026, the Boott Cotton Mills Museum (115 John Street) is open: Daily: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Weather

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Acadia, about 195 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Lowell National Historical Park (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.