National Streetcar Museum at Lowell
25 Shattuck Street
Lowell MA 01852
978-458-5835
Date/time visited: Saturday, March 29th at 12:30pm
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: Yes, a free parking lot is located across the street, and there is also metered on-street parking (which is free on Sundays). There are also nearby parking garages.
Cost: $3 for adults, $2 for children and seniors, ages 3 and under are free. They only accept cash and check, or you can purchase tickets ahead of time online but there is a fee.
Hours: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday only
Handicap accessible: Yes
The National Streetcar Museum in Lowell is a two-story museum filled with educational displays and exhibits on the history of trolleys as well a play space and fun interactive hands-on activities for kids. There is so much to do and learn here, and it’s both interesting and entertaining for all ages.
The first floor is dedicated to the history of the streetcars of Lowell and there is so much to learn, read, and see. This area is geared more towards older kids and adults, as there are a lot of displays to read. Also on display are real outfits worn by the streetcar conductors, plus model trains and trolleys. It’s really cool to see how local transportation came to fruition and how much things have progressed since. This museum is well made, well kept, and so educational! The staff was informative and helpful as well. My family and I walked away with a whole lot more knowledge than we did walking in.
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In the early 19th century, Lowell was considered a “walking city,” but progression in transportation became necessary as many families branched towards the outskirts of the city center and a little farther away from the hustle and bustle. That’s where trolleys came into play, linking the city center to the growing neighborhoods and allowing an easier way for people to get around. Eventually, trolleys even transported people from Lowell to Canobie Lake in New Hampshire, which was a popular destination that brought in a lot of profit.
Lowell’s first electric streetcar began operation in 1889, and expanded over the next decade. The trolleys shared the streets with horses, wagons, and pedestrians. Trolleys were the main method of transportation in Lowell up until the 1930’s when cars and buses became a more convenient option. However, during certain times of the year, you can still enjoy a trolley ride in Lowell!
The second floor, a play space, is so much fun for little ones. My four year old son could’ve stayed here for hours. There are a lot of hands-on activities, such as designing your own trolley token, building with blocks, playing with trains on tracks, playing a trolley game on a computer, and other pretend play activities.
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A trip to the museum is worth it for the play space alone. It’s especially great on rainy days like the day we went, and you really can’t beat the price, even if just to enjoy the play space. You can even have birthday parties here. Another aspect to enjoy, when the weather permits, is a small playground area outside of the museum.
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My kids and I really loved visiting The National Streetcar Museum and plan to visit again. For the price plus the education and fun, it’s definitely worth it!
Holly O'Blenis is a mom of three who loves finding new, exciting things to do to create a fun, happy childhood for them! She is an avid reader and crafter who loves the outdoors.
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