South Lowell - Lowell, MA

Lowell was founded in the 1820s as a planned manufacturing center for textiles. These textile mills were among the largest in the country. In the 1920s, most of the mills closed. Part of the mill along the river was restored and became the Lowell National Historic Park. Take a unique boat tour along the hidden canals in an open-topped boat, or opt for the walking or trolley tours. In the summer months (and flow rates permitting), the historic Northern Canal (built in 1847) is open for walkers. The wall, which features amazing views of the Merrimack River, is 36 feet high and was nicknamed the "Great River Wall."

The list of festivals in Lowell is long and impressive. The Lowell Folk Festival draws 250,000 people every year in July with 3 days of traditional music, ethnic food, art, craft demonstrations and kids activities. Watch the boat races in the Southeast Asian Water Festival or savor African food at the African Festival. The Boarding House Park also hosts summer concerts. The Banjo and Fiddle Contest, which has occurred annually for more than 35 years, is held at the Lowell National Historic Park in September. Visitors are invited to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the competition.

At the National Street Car Museum, you'll see the New Orleans street car that once rolled through the French Quarter and inspired Tennessee Williams to write his Pulitzer-prize-winning play, "A Streetcar Named Desire." The street car was built in 1924 and was in operation until 1964. It traveled down Bourbon Street to Desire Street and was named Desire. Williams wrote his classic play in 1947.

American Textile History Museum features tools and textiles throughout history. The museum contains permanent collections as well as traveling exhibits. There's also a gift shop as well as special lectures, workshops, and programs.

Seafood, comfort food, Latin American fare, diners, and eateries make South Lowell a melting pot for exotic tastes and flavors. Nothing captures the flavors of New England better than a big steaming bowl of clam chowder. Head to the Chowder Factory on Phoenix Avenue and dig into creamy soup loaded with clams and potatoes. Stay for some salmon burgers topped with spinach and feta cheese, and pick up a pot pie or frozen pasta for dinner. With some vegetarian options and great soups such as lobster bisque and fish chowder, you'll want to come back to the Chowder Factory for more.

A nice place for breakfast lovers, Fitzy's, dishes up banana nut pancakes, omelets, and good coffee. Try the Boot Mill sandwich with shaved steak, peppers, mushrooms, and onions.

For comfort food and desserts made from scratch try Good Thymes Family Restaurant. Must-have menu options include onion rings, steak-tips done to perfection, and juicy pork chops. The pies come in yummy flavors such as coconut cream and carrot cake.

South Lowell offers some interesting bars and clubs. Head to Back Page Jazz and Comedy Club for live music and stand-up shows. Sip on a fancy Godiva martini or birthday cake martini and listen to local bands.

Most people drive their own vehicles to work in South Lowell, and some carpool with neighbors or co-workers. With six parking garages in Lowell, all owned by the city, and over 7,000 on-street and off-street parking spaces, you can find a place to park easily.

Interstate 495 runs through Lowell and connects to Interstate 95 that runs through most of the states in the East Coast, providing residents with access to all of New England and parts south.

The Lowell Regional Transit Authority makes getting around Lowell and neighboring towns a breeze. The buses connect Lowell to Dracut, Tynsgboro, Chelmsford, Billerica, and Tewksbury. Seasonal routes include the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua during the holiday season. Residents can also utilize the free streetcar shuttle operated by the Lowell National Historic Park to travel to various sites in the city center. The MBTA Commuter Rail System also connects Lowell and Boston; the ride takes about 50 minutes. If you prefer cabs, try taxi services like Town Taxi, Lowell Cab, and Uber.

Dotted with parks bordering the Merrimack River, fields, and forests, South Lowell has many outdoor places to choose from. The Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro Park spans 1,140 acres, with six miles of trails for horseback riding, hiking, biking, skiing, and snowmobiling. It draws birdwatchers, nature lovers, and hunters during hunting season.

Twenty-three acres of woods, 11 acres of grass, and gardens with Japanese and sugar maples make up the Roger Fort Hill Park. Fountains and paths make a walk in this park delightful and invigorating.

The Vandenberg Esplanade attracts kids, bikers, skaters, and walkers. With a paved footpath by the river and ice cream shops across the street, this place gets crowded in the summer. Located on Pawtucket Boulevard, enjoy events like free music concerts in this park.

The cost of living in Lowell is lower than the cost of living in Massachusetts and higher than the national average, but still cheaper than living in Boston. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Lowell is $1,075. A cold glass of beer costs $2, and a trip to Boston via Commuter Rail costs $6.75. Gas prices run about the same as the national average.

Speciality stores, art galleries, boutiques, and gift shops outnumber the big-name department stores in South Lowell. Look and feel fabulous with clothes and accessories from Humanity boutique located on Merrimack Street. Unique creations at affordable prices makes this place a local favorite. Head to Markus & Leslie Boutique and Interiors in Chelmsford,for one-of-a-kind artsy pieces.

Looking for something for the kids that you can't find in a regular department store? Stop by Haus on Market street for reasonably-priced books, toys, and clothing.

Market Basket and Hannaford Supermarkets serve South Lowell. Ethnic and Asian food markets include Bangkok Market, Cultures United, and 888 Asian Grocery. V-Mart International Market offers fresh seafood, produce, and a variety of spices and noodles. The Lowell Farmer's Market runs from July to October at the city hall plaza.