Full Works: Pawtucket Canal, Suffolk Mill, and Trolley Tour

Offered on a limited basis, this special 2.5 hour-long ranger-guided tour provides a comprehensive look into how the water of the Merrimack River was harnessed into a complex canal system and used to power a massive cotton textile industry in Lowell in the 19th century.

First, join a Park Ranger for a guided boat tour along the Pawtucket Canal – the oldest canal in Lowell’s historic 5.6-mile canal system. Discover the stories of the workers who built and operated Lowell’s remarkable waterpower system. Then, hop on one of Lowell National Historical Park’s trolleys and enjoy a ride through the city as you make your way to the Suffolk Mill. There, explore the River Transformed exhibit with a ranger to learn more about how waterpower was converted into mechanical power with a close up look at a historic turbine and fly wheel inside a former cotton mill.

*Water Levels Permitting – Visitors may have the option to climb a short but steep historic granite staircase and explore the site of Francis Gate on foot.

Tours begin at the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street.