Now that the first snow of the season has fallen and the city is covered in a blanket of white, there’s a few ways that you can make the most of the change in weather and enjoy fun times ahead. From taking walks to sledding, there’s plenty to do in the city after the snow falls.
The city’s waterways can be a great place to enjoy a walk in the snow. The Lowell National Historical Park’s Waterways give you four distinct trails. Start with the Heritage Hike and explore the history and culture of the city’s storied “Acre” neighborhood. Then, walk the Redevelopment Rove where historic mill complexes and canalside spaces are now vibrant neighborhoods. Next, there’s the Waterpower Walk along which lock chambers, gatehouses, turbine pits and dams celebrate the innovations that changed modern industry. The longest trail, the Riverwalk Ramble, allows you to take a stroll along the Merrimack River and see the views from the Boott Cotton Mills to LeLacheur Park. Look at the park’s trail map for more information.
With over 1,000 acres to explore, the Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest is a splendid location to take a hike or do more outdoor recreational activities in the snow. Through 6 miles of trails, you can enjoy hiking as well as other activities such as trail running, snowmobiling, skiing and more. There’s plenty of sightseeing to do as well, with views of ponds and wetlands providing a scenic panorama of the regional woodland. Forest animals from beavers to deer can also make an appearance so the trail is also great for nature photography and can serve as inspiration for artists as well. To see the full possibilities, the trail map offers more information.
New snow brings fun activities that the whole family can enjoy and neighborhood parks are the perfect places for recreation. If you’re a fan of sledding or snow tubing, Shedd Park on Rogers Street and the Christian Hill Reservoir are locations to enjoy this fun activity with friends and family. With over 50 acres, Shedd Park offers plenty of space for such activities and can also serve as a source for other recreational fun such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
So, these pastimes can present new traditions to enjoy winter weather and help you discover other recreational opportunities in your local neighborhood parks.
Live performances are an entertaining way to enjoy the snow for those looking for other forms of recreation. Plus, the city’s social scene calls for a night filled with laughter, joy and company. So if you’re looking for humor, Mondo Monday returns to The Luna Theater on December 18th and The Hearing Room introduces their first ever Amateur Comedy Night on Friday, December 29th. For more entertainment, there’s also the Acoustic Bluegrass Jam this Friday, December 15th and the Great American Songbook on Sunday, December 17th at The Hearing Room where acoustic instruments and traditional jazz are featured.
Looking for the perfect way to celebrate the end of a long week? Well, we have just the event that will get you outdoors and keep you entertained for hours! Friday Nights is returning to The Mill Yard with delicious food, beautiful art, music and a beer garden for all to enjoy.
While Friday Nights, sponsored by Made in Lowell, has been an ongoing event, this week’s festivity is going to be something you will not want to miss! With food trucks, local vendors and live entertainment, it’s the perfect setting for family and friends to enjoy this social event at a beautiful venue surrounded by mills and canal ways. Friday Nights begins at 5 pm, with the grand opening of The Mill Yard starting at 6.
In addition to Made in Lowell’s monthly Friday Nights celebrations The Mill Yard venue will serve as a prime outdoor location aimed at enhancing community engagement, offer space for entertainment, showcase local musicians and expand the city’s collaboration with food trucks.
The Mill Yard will provide the perfect setting for families, friends and foot-truck aficionados and will be available to host a variety of artisan markets and private functions. Come celebrate Lowell’s first ever community food truck park at the grand opening event tonight at 6 pm!
If you want a break from all the excitement at The Mill Yard, there is a lot to do in the surrounding area that will keep you entertained. The Mill Yard’s location is within sight of some cool public art. “Veils of Color,” created by artist Barbara Poole, fills the windows of a former mill wall with brightly dyed panels of fabric representing the dyes that used to be dumped in the canal when the Appleton Mills Dye House was operating. Nearby a pop up art park has been created from concrete blocks and jersey barriers, part of the City’s effort’s to creatively transform construction and security materials. When not being used for Folk Festival and other street closing security, they will be on display in the park, located across the Lower Pawtucket Canal in the Hamilton Canal District.
The fantastic thing about The Mill Yard is its centrally located right across the street from Lowell’s vibrant Mill No. 5. The quaint shops and weekly farm market in this renovated mill building are open all week long. Mill No. 5’s Luna Theater is always showcasing films and shows, with an upcoming comedy movie Band Aid this Friday night starting at 7:35pm. By expanding the use of The Mill Yard and making it an urban oasis for current and future district residents and businesses, local shops will be busier than ever!
If you’re an art lover looking for something to do after grabbing a bite at Lowell’s new food truck park at The Mill Yard, the Western Avenue Studios located just around the corner is where art comes alive. The space has over 300 artists and 250 studio spaces for local artists and provides exquisite art for the public to see. The Western Avenue Studio is home to the largest artist’s community on the eastern seaboard of the U.S. The studio has art classes and art exhibits year round. The current Gallery show is The Cultural Artbeat which runs through July 30th.