At its Industrial Era prime, Lowell was a manufacturing powerhouse that employed more than 10,000 workers and used innovative technology to mass-produce cotton cloth. By the 1970s, it was just another failing mill town, an economically depressed community synonymous with drugs and crime. Today, Lowell is vibrant again. By embracing historic preservation, nurturing the arts, and aggressively promoting tourism, the city has revitalized itself. It offers riverboat canal cruises, gives walking tours of its Cambodian neighborhoods, and has converted former mill buildings into offices and condos. The legendary Boott Cotton Mills, for example, now houses lofts with striking views of the Merrimack River. And Lowell isn't only for history buffs. It's rich in arts and culture, with more than a half-dozen museums, several performance centers, and a repertory theater. Jocks are welcome, too; Lowell also sports the Devils (an American Hockey League franchise formerly called the Lock Monsters) and the Spinners (a minor-league affiliate of the Red Sox) . Classy restaurants, funky cafes, and art galleries round out the city's profile.
Vital signs
This once-industrial city now has a hipper, younger feel
Spend
Parents intent on spoiling their brood should visit Haus (17 Shattuck St., 978-458-4287, hauskids.com), which sells European toys and stylish children's clothing, and runs "kindermusik" classes for infants and toddlers.Lush Beads (120 Merrimack St., 978-459-7240, lushbeads.com) stocks voluminous beading supplies, does custom jewelry design, and offers craft clinics. Resembling an upscale antiques store, Welles Emporium Ltd. (175 Merrimack St., 978-454-4401, wellesemporium.com), sells distinctive gifts, clothing, and jewelry.
And how can you not want to spend your money at an art supplies store with a name as witty as Van Gogh's Gear (200 Middle St. 978-970-2100)? But I prefer to relinquish my dough at the Brush Art Gallery and Studios (256 Market St., 978-459-7819, thebrush.org), a nonprofit that provides workspace to about 15 resident artists whose handiworks are available for sale.
Another good reason to open your wallet is to buy a ticket for the Merrimack Repertory Theatre (50 East Merrimack St., 978-454-3926, merrimackrep.org), whose season runs from September through May, or for the Angkor Dance Troup (978-275-1823, angkordance.org), a traditional Cambodian performance group.
