Newton
Newton is a city in Massachusetts and a western suburb of Boston. Newton is nicknamed "The Garden City" and is one of Boston's oldest suburbs, settled in 1639.
Culture and History
Newton is made up of 13 "villages" or neighborhoods, including Auburndale, Chestnut Hill, Lower Falls, Newton Centre, Newton Corner, Newton Highlands, Newtonville, Nonantum, Oak Hill, Thompsonville, Upper Falls, Waban, and West Newton. Each village has its own historical and architectural character. Many of the villages grew up around railroad stations after the Boston & Worcester Railroad opened up through the north side of Newton in 1833. Another railroad line opened up across the south side of Newton in 1851 and is the "D" Branch of the MBTA's Green Line today. Walking tours of most villages are available through the website of the Newton City Planning Department[1].
Striking enclaves of Victorian houses and Gothic Revival churches can be seen in Auburndale, Chestnut Hill, Newton Centre, Newton Corner, Newton Highlands, and Newtonville, and West Newton Hill. Newton's grandest boulevard is Commonwealth Avenue, which connects Boston to Weston and serves as the route of the Boston Marathon (Patriot's Day, third Monday of April). Heartbreak Hill begins just east of Newton City Hall.
For trivia buffs: in 1886, Nabisco's Fig Newton cookie was named after the City of Newton.
Travel to Newton, visa requirements
By train or bus
- Mass Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), [2]. Newton is connected to Boston and surrounding communities by light rail/streetcar, commuter rail, and busses. The Green Line "D" Branch (Riverside line) is a light rail line running into downtown Boston, about 30 minutes away. It runs frequently throughout the day. The commuter rail line, which originates at Boston's South Station, has stops at Newtonville, West Newton, and Auburndale villages and travels west to Framingham and Worcester. It operates frequently at the rush hours and less often the rest of the day. Express busses travel from Washington Street to the Massachusetts Turnpike and on to downtown Boston.
By car
Newton is located on the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90) and Interstate 95 (also called Route 128). Routes 9 and 16 also pass through the city.
Get around
Cars are generally good, but sometimes not practical because of traffic.
Drivers are not considerate to bikers, so only an experienced biker could bike in Newton on the street. However, there are numerous parks and school yards to bike in.
Newton attractions and sightseeing
- Newton History Museum at the Jackson Homestead, 527 Washington Street, Phone: +1 617 796-1450, [3]. Tu-Sa 11AM-5PM, Su 2PM-5PM. A Federal-style farmhouse built in 1809. The museum offers an intriguing introduction to Newton's history with exhibits of paintings, photographs, costumes, and historic objects. The house was a station on the Underground Railroad hiding escaped slaves. $5/$3.
- Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, [4]. See the original Neo-Gothic campus with buildings designed by Maginnis & Walsh. The McMullen Museum of Art shows changing art exhibits. Alumni Stadium and the Conte Forum showcase BC's football, basketball, and hockey teams.
- Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Phone: +1 617 796-1360, [5]. Airy contemporary library with extensive collection, Newton History Room, and auditorium with constant concerts and lectures.
City tours
In the warmer months, rent a canoe or kayak at the Charles River Boathouse off Commonwealth Avenue at the Weston Bridge (Route 30).
- West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington Street, Phone: +1 617 964-6060, [6]. See a foreign or independent film at one of the region's top cinemas.
In Newtonville, view annual Independence Day fireworks at Albemarle Field along the banks of Cheesecake Brook (corner of Albemarle Rd. and Crafts St.).
Go for a swim at Crystal Lake in Newton Highlands.
Shopping, Newton souvenirs
- Newtonville Books, 296 Walnut Street, Newtonville--Independent bookstore noted for contemporary fiction, children's books, and frequent author readings.
- Chestnut Hill Mall, Route 9, Chestnut Hill--High-fashion mall
- Atrium at Chestnut Hill, Route 9, Chestnut Hill--Borders, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, etc.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
- Baker's Best, 27 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands. Tasty breakfast, lunch, baked goods, takeout.
- O'Hara's, 1185 Walnut Street, Newton Highlands. Irish pub with full menu.
- Le Soir, 51-53 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands. French restaurant owned by former Ritz chef Mark Allen.
- Blue Ribbon BBQ, 1375 Wasington Street, West Newton. Authentic barbecue with all the fixings.
- Keltic Krust Bakery, 1371 Washington Street, West Newton. Irish wheat soda bread, petit fours, sandwiches, and coffee.
- Lumiere, 1293 Washington Street, Washington Street, West Newton. Top-rated French restaurant.
- Cabot's Ice Cream, 743 Washington Street, Newtonville. Classic ice cream parlor with full menu and all-day breakfast. Largest selection of sundaes around.
- Lam's, 825 Washington Street, Newtonville. Top-notch Vietnamese kitchen.
- Taste, 311 Walnut Street, Newtonville. Independent cafe featuring crepes and specialty sandwiches.
- Cafe Saint Petersburg, 57 Union Street, Newton Centre. Lively Russian restaurant.
- Johnny's Luncheonette, 30 Longley Road, Newton Centre. Contemporary diner-style breakfasts and sandwiches.
- Sol Azteca, 75 Union Street, Newton Centre. Full-scale Mexican restaurant with outdoor terrace.
- Antoine's Bakery, 317 Watertown Street, Nonantum. Old-fashioned bakery with cakes, cinnamon bread, and cookies.
Newton nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
- Boston Marriott Newton, 2345 Commonwealth Avenue, Phone: +1 617 969-1000, Fax: +1 617 527-6914, [7]. Overlooks the Charles River and Route 128.
- Sheraton Newton, 320 Washington Street, Phone: +1 617 969-3010 ยท Fax: +1 617 630-2976, [8]. Built above the Massachusetts Turnpike at Exit 17.
- Holiday Inn, 399 Grove Street, Phone: +1 617 969-5300, [9].
- Best Western Terrace Inn, 1650 Commonwealth Avenue, Phone +1 617 566-6260, [10]. Free continental breakfast
Learn
- Mount Ida College.
- Pine Manor College.
Newton has some of the best public schools in the country. There are a number of different elementry schools which feed into four middle schools and eventually two high schools.
Contact
Get out
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