Category: Local Massachusetts

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Parks to Visit Near Lowell, MA, and Portsmouth, NH, This Spring

As winter loosens its icy grip, all thoughts turn to the great outdoors. You’re in luck if you’re moving to the Lowell, Massachusetts, or Portsmouth, New Hampshire, area in the spring. This New England region has parks that make it easy to get outside. Here are a few favorite parks where you can return to nature this spring.

Jack Kerouac Park

Jack Kerouac Park honors the homegrown poet who hails from Lowell, MA. It’s also the perfect place to spend a sunny spring afternoon.

In this acre of green space along the Merrimack River, you can stroll along peaceful paths and admire the spring flowers in bloom. Read the commemorative plaques emblazoned with Kerouac’s words along the trail.

Stop for a game of table tennis, chess, or checkers, or bring a picnic lunch and relax on the grass. Starting in late spring, the Kerouac Park Concert Series brings live music and food trucks to the park on select weekends.

Strawberry Banke Museum

History comes to life at the Strawberry Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH. With more than 40 historic houses and buildings dating back to the 17th century, it’s an excellent place for an educational stroll.

In spring, the museum’s Heirloom Gardens burst back into life. Explore more than 10 acres of thoughtfully maintained landscapes, including a formal Victorian garden, a colonial kitchen garden, an herb garden, and three apple orchards. Don’t miss the Abenaki Heritage Teaching Garden, which highlights crops that were—and remain—important to indigenous peoples of the region.

Lowell National Historical Park

There’s always something going on at Lowell National Historical Park, no matter the time of year. But spring is a charming time to visit, thanks to budding greenery and freshly blooming flowers along the canal walkways.

It’s also a perfect setting to explore the region’s rich past. The park has historic buildings, exhibits, and interactive displays, from the Boott Cotton Mills Museum to an 1840s Boarding House.

Start your day at the Visitor Center, where you can learn about the local industries that shaped the region’s past and present. Keep your camera ready for glimpses of local wildlife, from great blue herons and double-crested cormorants to muskrats and squirrels.

Pierce Island

On a sunny spring day, head to Pierce Island. This Portsmouth, NH, park encompasses 27 acres in the Piscataqua River and offers unbeatable water and city views.

Bike or walk through the winding trail network that crisscrosses the island. Bring lunch and stop for a picnic at one of the park’s many picnic areas. Starting in April, the public boat launch makes going on an angling adventure easy. After Memorial Day, the public pool opens for the season.

Walk or bike across the Pierce Island Causeway to Four Tree Island for even more fun. This green space offers picnic tables, grills, and scenic water views.

If you’re planning a move in the area, you’ll love the beautiful parks and open spaces that blend history and nature. And when it’s time to make your move, McLaughlin Transportation Systems is here to do the heavy lifting. Contact us for a free quote.

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Unique and Lively Performance Venues in Lowell, MA

Are you relocating to Lowell, MA? Whether you want to listen to your favorite band, laugh at a comedy show, take in a play, or watch the big game, you will indeed find it in Lowell, MA. This Massachusetts city is packed with unique live performance venues, from small to large.

Lowell Memorial Auditorium

Lowell Memorial Auditorium has kept the citizens of Lowell well-entertained since it was constructed in 1922. This historic venue is located in the heart of downtown and boasts a 3,000-seat capacity.

When it first opened, the venue hosted a weekly Bingo game that filled all the seats, resulting in an article in a 1940 issue of Life magazine. Today, Lowell Memorial Auditorium offers a full schedule of plays, musical acts, spoken word performances, dance shows, and more.

Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell

If you love sports, head to the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. Set on campus, this arena has almost 9,000 seats and hosts various events throughout the year.

Among the most popular are sporting events. The Center is home to UMass Lowell men’s and women’s basketball, UMass men’s hockey, and the Professional Women’s Hockey League Boston franchise. The stadium also hosts the Massachusetts Pirates, part of the Indoor Football League.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre

For almost 50 years, the Merrimack Repertory Theatre has brought live stage performances to Lowell. The Theatre produces seven shows annually, all held in the Nancy L. Donahue Theatre at Liberty Hall.

The venue has 279 seats, creating an intimate experience for the audience. Productions focus on new and contemporary plays. Many have won awards and acclaim, such as The Lion and The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley.

Olympia’s Zorba Music Hall

For a magical combination of good food, live music, and energetic dancing, head to Olympia’s Zorba Music Hall. Since 1952, this venue has brought Greek cuisine and entertainment to the Lowell region.

Olympia’s Zorba Music Hall can accommodate up to 300 guests and hosts various events. Comedy shows, live music, dancing, DJs, and more are all on the calendar. Check the schedule for a complete list of regional and worldwide performers.

Boarding House Park

During the warmer months, the open-air stage at Boarding House Park in Lowell comes to life. Set in historic and scenic Lowell National Historical Park, this venue offers ticketed and free events through the summer.

The largest event is the Lowell Summer Music Series, which brings nationally known recording artists to the stage. For some events, a limited number of seats are available. For most events, seating is on the grass, so bring your lawn chairs and blankets to secure your spot.

Lowell, MA—A Place to Feel at Home

With all these venues, it’s easy to find entertainment in Lowell, MA. Lowell’s many performance venues are sure to keep you busy year-round, from a DJ’d dance party to live musical performances and sporting events to theater productions.

If you’re planning a move, there’s no need to do the heavy lifting yourself. The team of professional movers at McLaughlin has your back. Contact McLaughlin Transportation Systems today and let us help with your move.

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5 Must-See Historical Sites in Lowell, MA

Are you considering a trip or possible relocation to Lowell, Massachusetts? Great choice; this scenic New England town has much to offer visitors and residents alike.

But Lowell, MA, is an exceptional destination for anyone interested in history. The past comes to life here through the town’s many fascinating museums. So whether planning a vacation to Lowell or considering moving, here are a few favorite historical sites.

1. Lowell National Historical Park, 246 Market Street, Lowell, MA

As a textile manufacturing center, the Lowell area was instrumental in New England’s industrialization. Learn about this pivotal era at the Lowell National Historical Park. Stroll through the once-bustling textile mills, float down the canals, or take a guided tour of Lowell’s historical sites.

2. National Streetcar Museum at Lowell, 25 Shattuck Street, Lowell, MA

If you love trains, public transportation, railroads, or all of the above, stop by the National Streetcar Museum at Lowell. Here you’ll find interactive activities and exhibits for all ages, with plenty of hands-on experiences for the younger set.

In 1864, the first trolley ran from the city center to more distant Lowell neighborhoods; horses pulled this early streetcar. Time your visit between May and October, and you can even take a free ride on the downtown Lowell streetcar — it’s named “Desire,” of course!

3. Boott Cotton Mills, 115 John Street, Lowell, MA

Travel back to Lowell’s industrial past at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum. For 120 years, the site was a center for textile production in the region. Today, the museum memorializes the engineers and workers who transformed the region’s economy in the 19th century.

Exhibits include the weave room, which still produces cotton cloth, and photos, videos, and interactive exhibits that bring the industrial revolution to life. Stop by the Boott Theater to watch a movie about this era of rapid change, and take advantage of the gift store on the way out for a selection of educational souvenirs and books.

4. New England Quilt Museum, 18 Shattuck St, Lowell, MA 

There’s nothing quite as cozy as snuggling up in a hand-sewn quilt. Explore the art of this homespun craft at the New England Quilt Museum. You can see stunning examples of quilting across the generations, including antique pieces. If you have quilting questions, the on-site library may have the answers.

5. Patrick J. Mogan Cultural Center, 40 French Street, Lowell, MA

At the Patrick J. Mogan Cultural Center, you’ll get an up-close look at the everyday life of people who lived and worked in Lowell during the industrial revolution. Take advantage of the Mill Girls and Immigrants Exhibit to learn about the workers who ran Lowell’s mills. The Center also hosts a series of performances, such as the Angkor Dance Troupe.

There’s so much for history buffs to see, do and learn in Lowell.

Are you moving to the Lowell, MA, area soon? Contact us today to learn how we can help make your move smooth and stress-free.