Lowell · Middlesex County, MA

Road trips from Lowell

Scout analyzed 50 Lowell places and surfaced the ones that actually fit road trips.

Places analyzed

Matches

Typical spend

$30

Typical visit

1.5 hr

Scout-verified spots

South Lowell

Good Thymes Family Restaurant

This is a casual family restaurant good for a relaxed meal, offering American comfort food, pasta, and desserts. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and $15-$35 per person for a main course and drinks.

FoodRelaxedSocial

$15–$35 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Downtown

Life Alive Organic Cafe Lowell

This cafe is a good stop for a healthy meal or snack, perfect for a relaxed solo visit or casual lunch. Expect to spend 45 minutes and around $15-30 per person.

FoodWellnessRelaxed

$15–$30 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Food & Drink

Frobie's Cafe

Frobie's Cafe is suitable for a casual breakfast or lunch, expecting to spend $10-$25 per person. A visit typically lasts under an hour and can be a good quick stop during daily errands.

FoodRelaxedQuiet

$10–$25 typical45 min visiteasy parking

Downtown

Warp and Weft

Warp and Weft is good for a casual evening out, offering pub food, drinks, and often live music. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and between $25-50 per person.

FoodCocktailsLive music

$25–$50 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Downtown

Brew'd Awakening Coffeehaus

Brew'd Awakening is a solid spot for a casual coffee break, light meal, or to enjoy some local art and occasional live music. Expect to spend an hour and $5-15 per person.

FoodShoppingLive music

$5–$15 typical45 min visitmoderate parking

South Lowell

Shedd Park

Shedd Park is a free community park suitable for a casual family outing or solo stroll. Expect to spend 1-2 hours enjoying the playground, splash pad, or athletic fields.

OutdoorsSportsRelaxed

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Downtown

Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center

This visitor center offers a free historical look at the industrial revolution, suitable for a 2-hour solo or family visit, and can be paired with other Lowell attractions. Expect a moderate amount of walking through exhibits.

OutdoorsArtsHistory

$0 typical2 hr visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

Jay Gee's Ice Cream and Fun Center

Jay Gee's is a solid pick for a family outing or a kid's birthday party, offering a mix of go-karts, mini-golf, and ice cream. Expect to spend a couple of hours and around $10-30 per person for activities and treats.

FoodOutdoorsShopping

$10–$30 typical45 min visiteasy parking

Pawtucketville

Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsborough State Forest

This state forest offers 6 miles of hiking trails and fishing ponds, ideal for a morning or afternoon outdoors with family or for a solo walk. It's a free activity that requires good weather and comfortable shoes.

OutdoorsSportsViews

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

North Chelmsford

Varney Playground

Varney Playground is a free outdoor space suitable for families, offering play equipment, athletic fields, and a pond with a beach for a few hours of activity. It pairs well with a picnic or a nearby casual meal.

OutdoorsAnimalsSports

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Outdoors

Willard Brook State Forest

Willard Brook State Forest is good for a half-day to full-day outdoor excursion, ideal for hiking, wildlife viewing, or camping. Expect to pay minimal entrance fees, or more for a campsite.

OutdoorsAnimalsViews

$0–$20 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

South Lowell

Chuck E. Cheese

This is a good spot for a family outing or birthday party, especially with younger children, offering arcade games and pizza. Plan for a 2-hour visit and expect to spend $20-50 per person on food and games.

FoodSportsPlayful

$20–$50 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking

Downtown

Boott Cotton Mills Museum

This museum provides a few hours of historical and educational content about the textile industry, suitable for a solo visit, family, or visitors. Expect to spend $12-18 per person for entry.

ArtsHistoryEducational

$12–$18 typical2 hr visiteasy parking

Family

VinKari Safari: Children's Indoor Playground & Party Place

This is a good spot for a 2-hour family outing with young children, especially on a weekend. Expect to spend $15-25 per child for entry, providing active play regardless of the weather.

SportsAnimalsPlayful

$15–$25 typical2 hr visiteasy parking

Downtown

Fuse Bistro

Fuse Bistro is suitable for a casual date, girls' night, or family dinner with American fare and a small patio. Expect to spend $30-70 per person for an hour and a half meal.

FoodCocktailsOutdoors

$30–$70 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Nightlife

The Sunset Tiki Bar

The Sunset Tiki Bar is a good spot for a casual outdoor meal or drinks with family or friends, especially on a sunny day. Expect to spend a couple of hours and around $25-50 per person on food and drinks.

FoodCocktailsLive music

$25–$50 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

The Acre

Worthen House Cafe

This pub is good for a casual evening out with friends or a date, offering bar bites and cocktails in a historic setting. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and $20-50 per person.

FoodCocktailsOutdoors

$20–$50 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

South Lowell

Rogers Fort Hill Park

Rogers Fort Hill Park is good for a free, relaxed outdoor activity with some historical context, ideal for an hour-long walk or a family picnic. It can be paired with a visit to downtown Lowell attractions.

OutdoorsHistoryViews

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Pawtucketville

Lowell Heritage State Park

This park offers outdoor recreation like boating, fishing, and hiking along the Merrimack River. Expect to spend 2-4 hours, with potential costs for activities or equipment rentals, making it a good option for a casual weekend outing.

OutdoorsHistorySports

$0–$10 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

The Acre

LeLacheur Park

LeLacheur Park is a solid choice for an evening or afternoon outing watching baseball, perfect for families or a casual date. Expect to spend a few hours and around $15-40 per person on tickets and concessions.

SportsFoodOutdoors

$15–$40 typical2.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Food & Drink

The Java Room

The Java Room is a relaxed coffee and wine bar, good for a casual solo stop or a low-key evening out with live music. Expect to spend $10-35 per person for light fare and drinks during a visit lasting 1-2 hours.

FoodShoppingLive music

$10–$35 typical45 min visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

Pressed Cafe

Pressed Cafe is a good spot for a casual meal or coffee break, suitable for a solo stop, a family breakfast, or lunch with friends. Expect to spend $15-30 per person and dedicate about an hour.

FoodRelaxedSocial

$15–$30 typical45 min visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

Euphoria Coffee Chelmsford

Euphoria Coffee is a good stop for a quick, relaxed solo or small group outing, perfect for a caffeine fix or light snack. Expect to spend $5-$15 per person for about 30 minutes.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visitmoderate parking

Downtown

Little Delights Bakery

This bakery is a good spot for a casual morning coffee and pastry, or to pick up desserts for a gathering. Expect to spend 30 minutes and around $5-15 per person.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visitmoderate parking