The fourth largest city in Massachusetts, Lowell grew from the labor of American workers during the Industrial Age. Today the city offers a variety of attractions that celebrate that extraordinary time in our history. Lowell is also home to world-class restaurants and the vibrant arts and culture scene that you’d expect in a charming New England town. Discover a new haunt or reconnect with an old favorite when you check out our list of four things to do on a day off in Lowell.
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Learn about America’s Industrious Past
Transcend time at the Lowell National Historic Park. Established in 1978, it’s part of our National Park Service. This notable site offers guests a variety of attractions that take visitors back to the uncertain industrial age when workers led our nation into the modern era of textiles.
Discover Lowell’s waterways as part of the park’s Wellness on the Walkways series or climb aboard an open-topped boat for a tour of the canals. Head over on your next day off to learn about the locks and gates, and then stop at the Boott Cotton Mill for a free hands-on history workshop.
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Discover the Industrial Way of Weaving
Next time your boss lets you head out early, take the opportunity to learn something new. Lowell’s distinctive water-powered textile mills catapulted the nation into the industrial revolution.
This mill is on the grounds of Lowell’s National Historic Park and was operational for more than 120 years. Built alongside a power canal system, this vital part of Lowell’s legacy closed in 1955.
Today the museum has been fully restored and offers visitors a glimpse of Lowell’s milling tradition. Get an insider’s trolley tour and explore two centuries of innovative engineering.
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Catch a Show
Not feeling up to the office today? Why not catch a show at the Merrimack Repertory Theatre? This non-profit playhouse presents seven live performances at the historic Liberty Hall from September through May.
Co-founded in 1979, this 279-seat theater has produced over 200 shows, including sixteen world premieres. Known for its contemporary and classic performances, the theater also offers educational programs for budding actors of all ages. Drop in on your next day off and watch the students perform a matinee.
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Grab a Bite to Eat
No day off is complete without treating yourself to a delicious meal. Tempt your taste buds at The Old Court Irish Pub and Restaurant on Central Street. A favorite neighborhood haunt, sample all your typical American grub with some traditional Irish dishes thrown in.
Start your culinary indulgence with a basket of parmesan-herb shoestring fries, and then move on to the main course of bangers and mash. Stick around for live entertainment or play trivia every Tuesday night. Come as you are to this Irish Pub, open Monday through Saturday.
Next time you get a break from the cubicle, explore everything Lowell, Massachusetts, has to offer. From museums and parks to a live performance and a great meal, there’s something for everyone playing hooky in Lowell.
Image via ampersandyslexia | Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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