Guided Tours

Guided tours are offered seasonally at Lowell National Historical Park. Go to our operating hours and season page to learn more about visiting the park.

Outdoor tours may be canceled due to unsafe weather conditions, including high heat or rainstorms. If you are unsure about a reserved tour, please call us at 978-970-5000.

 

Inside the Suffolk Mill, learn about how Lowell's mills were powered by turbines!

Suffolk Mill Tour

Discover the diversity and variety of Lowell's stories. Explore how numerous factors have shaped both the city’s past and its present. Tour combines a short trip through the historic city accompanied by a park ranger and a guided visit to the River Transformed Exhibit at the Suffolk Mill. Visitors should plan for a 75-minute tour, much of which will be spent on your feet. Depending on transportation options, visitors can expect to walk as much as 1.5-miles on paved paths and are encouraged to bring water.

April 30th through June 15th, this tour is offered at 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. This tour will leave from the Boott Cotton Mills Museum (115 John Street).

Beginning June 16th through September 2nd, this tour is offered at 1 p.m. Thursday-Monday. This tour will leave from the Boott Cotton Mills Museum (115 John Street).

 

Pawtucket Canal Boat Tour

Who dug the canals? Who laid the stone walls? Who operated the locks and gates? Discover the human stories of the workers who built and operated Lowell's remarkable waterpower system while riding along the historic Pawtucket Canal. Disembark at the historic Francis Gate and explore how mill owners and engineers harnessed and directed water through the city. Find out who is still "working the water" today.

Canal tours include a short walk from the park Visitor Center at 246 Market Street to the boat landing at Swamp Locks. The walkway follows a gentle, paved slope. Please wear comfortable shoes. Francis Gate access is dependent on water levels and may not always be available.

Tour involves at maximum 0.75 miles of walking. To enter the Francis Gate visitors must disembark from the boat and climb a steep set of stone stairs. Visitors are welcome to remain in the boat if they do not feel comfortable climbing to the historic gatehouse with the ranger. Please use the restroom beforehand as there are none accessible on the tour. Bring water and sun protection as the boat is not covered.

Boat tour registration available at recreation.gov. Tours run from Memorial Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day.

 

Downtown Walking Tour

Join a Park Ranger for a special 45 minute downtown walking tour. Learn about the people that have shaped Lowell over the past 200 years while you explore historic downtown sites.

Beginning June 15th through September 2nd, this tour is offered at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This tour will leave from the Visitor Center (246 Market Street) and end at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum (115 John Street).