Lowell Travel Guide

 
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Explore Lowell

Things to Do  

American Quilt lovers....take notice

American Quilt lovers....take notice, Lowell

 Pawtuxet Says:  The New England Quilt Museum is made to order for those who study, collect, or otherwise admire the American quilts. There are exhibitions scheduled for the Red & Whites.... Free Motion Masterpieces...Man Made, and Quilted Cuisine. There is a quilt design for everyone. You... 

Visit Jack Kerouac Memorial

Visit Jack Kerouac Memorial, Lowell

 Pawtuxet Says:  Jack Kerouac was a writer born in Lowell, Mass. You can GOOGLE his name and learn much about his books and his life. There are video clips available where he discusses his work.In Lowell, there is a monument to him and you can find his books in the museum stores. Kerouac... 

Jack Kerouac's Grave

Jack Kerouac's Grave, Lowell

 emilienoelle Says:  Although Kerouac died while living in St. Petersburg, Florida he was buried in Lowell, MA, where he was born and grew up. His grave is located in Edson Cemetery on Gorham Street, about two miles outside of the main part of the city. The grounds keepers will provide visitors... 

Jack Kerouac's House

Jack Kerouac's House, Lowell

 emilienoelle Says:  The house where Jack Kerouac was born and grew up is located on Lupine Road in Lowell's Centralville neighborhood, on the north bank of the Merrimack River. Kerouac lived in the house until he left the city to attend Columbia University, after his graduation from Lowell High... 

Lowell Devils Minor League Hockey

Lowell Devils Minor League Hockey, Lowell

 emilienoelle Says:  An affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, Lowell's minor league hockey team, the Lowell Devils, play at the Paul Tsongas Arena from October through March. The games are very inexpensive and family friendly. The Arena has its own parking garage; parking is also available in... 

Hotels  

Courtyard by Marriott Boston Lowell

 1 Review and 42 Opinions  With the recent purchase of the Lowell DoubleTree by the University of Massachusetts, the Courtyard... 

UMass Lowell Inn and Conference Center

 2 Reviews and 33 Opinions  Formerly the Double Tree, the hotel was purchased by the University of Massachusetts in 2009 and is... 

Restaurants  

IHOP TEWKSBURY: NOT JUST FOR BREAKFAST

IHOP TEWKSBURY: NOT JUST FOR BREAKFAST, Lowell

 LoriPori Says:  Located right next to our Motel 6, was an IHOP. For those not familiar with this American icon, it's the International House of Pancakes.They had a terrific senior's menu. Hans and I both picked the Sernior's Pot Roast, which is a smaller version of tender pot roast topped... 

Fortunato's: No scene, bad food, weak wine list

Fortunato's: No scene, bad food, weak wine list, Lowell

 GinaTM Says:  There's a reason the locals call this pit "Un-Fortunato's" -- ambiance, food quality, and service all suffer in this "italian" restaurant in Downtown Lowell. The menu selections are totally uninspired and includes a plethora of items we've all seen for about ten years... 

Nightlife  

Downstairs Cafe: Diverse and Fun Crowd

Downstairs Cafe: Diverse and Fun Crowd, Lowell

 andyho Says:  The Downstairs Cafe is a casual, laid-back (but sometimes wild) lesbian and gay bar in downtown Lowell that attracts customers both gay and straight, young and older, and from many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. It's a "Cheers" for the postmodern era. There is a... 

The Athenian Corner: Belly Dancing

The Athenian Corner: Belly Dancing, Lowell

 emilienoelle Says:  See live belly dancers and listen to live Greek, Arabic, and Armenian music every Thurs, Fri, and Sat night while enjoying authentic Greek cuisine. Also, if you send me $5 US I'll show you a video of me belly dancing at my friend's birthday party here! Ha! Sorry, just... 

Transportation  

Boston - Lowell Train
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Galahad 387 reviews
Boston to Lowell train interior 31.5.05
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In January 1842 Charles Dickens came to Boston and in the last few days, in February, before he moved on to Pennsyvania, he was invited by Lowell to visit Lowell's cotton mills. In Chapter 4 of his book "American Notes", which he published later that year, he described the rail journey from Boston to Lowell. The orginal line to Lowell was built by the Boston and Lowell Railroad on granite blocks - it shook the engines and carriages so much and was such an uncomfortable ride that shortly before Dickens arrived the track had been relaid on wooden sleepers. When I made the trip to Lowell I felt I was reliving an 1842 journey.

Written Jan 7, 2006

Related to:
 Trains

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Shopping  

Second World: Fair Trade: Music, Art, and Media
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emilienoelle 538 reviews

Second World is a small shop in downtown Lowell, so small in fact that you might miss it as you pass by. But in spite of its small size, Second World does a large job. They specialize in the sale of artwork and handcrafted items created by the indigenous people of underdeveloped nations. The profits earned by the sale of these items goes back into the economies of the people who created them, helping to sustain their families, communities, and ways of life.

What to buy: Among the items for sale at Second World are paintings from Brazil, quilts from Peru, handcrafted jewelry from India, and many Native American and Guatemalan craft items. Second World also sponsors cultural events in the city featuring musicans from around the globe, foreign films, folk dancers from Ireland and Africa among other far flung locations, and urban Amercian rap and perfomance artists. They have a performance space below their store. Some of the events are held outdoors as well.

Written Aug 28, 2004

Address: 172 Middle St., Unit 107, Lowell, MA 01852

Phone: 978-996-5689

Website: www.second-world.com

Related to:
 Theater Travel
 Arts and Culture
 Music

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Local Customs  

Cambodian New Year
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emilienoelle 538 reviews
Happy New Year!

About 25% of Lowell's population is Southeast Asian, mainly Cambodians who came to the city as refugees from the Khmer Rouge as well as their children and grandchildren. Most of them emigrated here in the 70's and 80's as part of a massive rescue effort by local non-profit organizations, but today many people still come to Lowell from several countries in Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand) who are attracted by Lowell's well-established Southeast Asian community or who have relatives here.

The Cambodian New Year, which is observed in mid-April every year, has become a city-wide celebration. There are dances, parades, and festivals open to the public as well as many, many private parties and events. Cambodian people will often set out altars at the New Year in honor of thier ancestors. These usually contain things that that ancestors like to eat and drink as well as candles and other small items. The altar pictured here is one that my neighbors put out every year. They were nice enough to allow me to photograph it.

Written Apr 15, 2005

Website: www.cambodianamerican.net

Related to:
 Family Travel
 Festivals
 Arts and Culture

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Warnings and Dangers  

Avoid Being a Crime Victim
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emilienoelle 538 reviews

Though Lowell has come a long way since the early 90's when drugs, gang violence, and prositution were common, it is a city and like in all cites occasional crimes take place. It is best not to carry large amounts of cash and to remember to always lock your car, even if you will only be gone for a minute. Walking to and from downtown parking garages late at night is best done in pairs. Police patrols are frequent in all parts of the city, especially on weekends.

Written Apr 1, 2004

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Off The Beaten Path  

Christmastime in Lowell

Christmastime in Lowell, Lowell

 emilienoelle Says:  Like many cities in America, Lowell goes all out decorating for the December holidays, including a big Holiday Parade every year on Thanksgiving weekend. But perhaps my favorite, and the most unique of all of our December decorations, is the Smokestack Christmas Tree. The... 

Jack Kerouac Park

Jack Kerouac Park, Lowell

 emilienoelle Says:  Jack Kerouac Park is located on Bridge St. just off of the main part of the downtown. It is a small park consisting of enormous chunks of polished granite which have been engraved with excepts of Kerouac's writing. There are benches to sit and relax on and the Eastern Canal... 

Favorites  

LADD WHITNEY MEMORIAL

LADD WHITNEY MEMORIAL, Lowell

 LoriPori Says:  Luther Ladd was a 19-year old private in the 6th Massachusetts Voluntary Infantry at the start of the Civil War. As the regiment passed through Baltimore en route to Washington on April 19, 1861, a riot broke out, shots were fired and Ladd and three other soldiers were... 

MERRIMACK CANAL

MERRIMACK CANAL, Lowell

 LoriPori Says:  The Merrimack Canal is a canal that runs through Lowell. The canal which was dug in the 1820's, begins at the Pawtucket Canal just above Swamp Locks and empties into the Merrimack River. The MERRIMACK CANAL was the first major canal to be dug at Lowell exclusively for power... 

SAINT ANNE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

SAINT ANNE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Lowell

 LoriPori Says:  Located at 8 Kirk Street, at the corner of Kirk and Merrimack Street is the Gothic Revival SAINT ANNE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH built in 1825.It's such a beautiful church with its wonderful stained glass windows, some of which are Tiffany. 

The Paul E. Tsongas Arena

The Paul E. Tsongas Arena, Lowell

 emilienoelle Says:  Lowell's arena is named after late Massachusetts senator Paul Tsongas, a Lowell native. The Arena is the home of the Lowell Devils minor league hockey team, an affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, as well as to the UMass Lowell Riverhawks hockey team. The Arena sponsors many... 

Enhance visit

Enhance visit, Lowell

 50sguy Says:  If you are coming to Lowell for its Mill History, I suggest reading Call the Darkness Light by Nancy Zaroulis...a novel of a teen as a Mill Girl in the early 1800s. With Zaroulis' attention to detail, I found my self easily transported to walking the neighborhoods I knew... 

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Map of Lowell