Trolley System

Visitors board one of Lowell National Historical Park's trolleys

NPS Photo

There are many ways to get around in Lowell. Some people move by foot, on a bicycle, or in a vehicle. One way to really stay on track during your time in Lowell is to ride in a historic trolley car.

Schedules are posted daily at the trolley stops, Boott Cotton Mill Museum, and Visitor Center. Depending on the time of year, the trolley schedule can vary. To find out if the shuttle will be running during your visit, call ahead at 978-970-5000. When operating, the trolley is FREE to ride.

There are many opportunities to enjoy a free trolley ride as part of your Lowell visit. To find out more about some of these options, check out our Guided Tours page!

 

September 20 - October 17, 2026

The Trolley will run Wednesday through Sunday. Schedules and routes differ depending on day of week and time of day.

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Mornings:

Wednesday through Sunday

Morning public runs between the Boott Cotton Mills Museum and Mack Plaza trolley stop (next to the Lowell NHP Visitor Center) are available Wednesday through Sunday.

Please note that the trolley will not offer public runs on select weekday mornings. Check back here or at posted trolley stops for an updated list of dates.

Wednesday - Sunday Morning Schedule

Boott Cotton Mills Museum to Visitor Center	Visitor Center to Boott Cotton Mills Museum
9:30 am	9:45 am
10:00 am	10:15 am
10:45 am	11:00 am
11:10 am	11:20 am

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Afternoons:

Wednesday through Friday
A 2:00 pm Suffolk Mill Tour will be offered, including a trolley ride between the Boott Cotton Mills Museum and Suffolk Mill Tubine Exhibit. To learn more about this and other tours, visit our Guided Tours page.

Additionally, afternoon public runs between the Boott Cotton Mills Museum and Mack Plaza trolley stop (next to the Lowell NHP Visitor Center) are available Wednesday through Friday.

Wednesday - Friday Afternoon Schedule

Boott Cotton Mills Museum to Visitor Center	Visitor Center to Boott Cotton Mills Museum
1:00 pm	1:10 pm
1:30 pm	1:40 pm
3:10 pm	3:20 pm

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Afternoons:

Saturday and Sundays
On weekend afternoons, hop on the trolley for a ride to visit the Suffolk Mill Turbine Exhibit! Trolley will run Saturday and Sunday from the Boott Cotton Mills Museum to the Suffolk Mill with return trips.

Saturday & Sunday Afternoon Schedule

Boott Cotton Mills Museum to Suffolk Mill	Suffolk Mill to Boott Cotton Mills Museum
1:00 pm	1:30 pm
1:40 pm	2:10 pm
2:20 pm	2:45 pm
2:55 pm	3:30 pm

 

Electric streetcars began operating in Lowell in 1889. These popular modes of (relatively) speedy transport enabled commuters to live outside Lowell and work in the city. However, trolley companies were unable to compete with other modes of transportation. As a result, electric trolleys went out of service in Lowell in 1935. They returned in 1984 as part of Lowell National Historical Park's transportation system.

Learn more about the history of the trolleys in Lowell here: The Trolleys (U.S. National Park Service)