I was just put in the position of recommending things to do for a friend who is driving up from Rhode Island to drop someone off in Newton- rather than drive back an hour and then turn around again in the evening, she wants to hang around for the day and asked me for suggestions of what to do. She will happen to be near Needham St, so I recommended nearby shopping and eats, but also Echo Bridge and Charles river kayaking.
Without worrying whether your response is timely enough to help my friend, what would you tell someone who was “stuck” in Newton on a nice summer day?
1. Kayaking is a great idea! Stand Up Paddle too.
2. The Gardens at Elm Bank
3. JFK Library in Boston
4. Freedom Walk in Boston
5. Museum of Fine Arts
I would tell her to go visit the historic sites in Newton – here is a link to historic newton http://www.historicnewton.org/. Tell her to visit the Jackson Homestead and the Durant-Kenrick house. Then she can poke around the historic burying grounds. After she is hot and tired she can stop at Cabot’s for a tasty ice cream cone.
I second Susan’s recommendation about Cabot’s (and any time of year). Also any time of year (because arboreta are beautiful any time of year), she could take a walk in Newton Cemetery using their Tree Map of specimen trees:
http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=244218d7f88b419f9f336d0f5f5502ab&extent=-71.2263,42.3291,-71.1946,42.3401
I was going to particularly recommend the Annie Cobb (woman architect ahead of her time) at Jackson Homestead. But I see it is closed during the renovations.
She could also bring a bathing suit and buy a day pass at Crystal Lake.
Great suggestions all- shared the links
When my family visits from Toronto they love walking in West Newton Hill and parts of surrounding streets in Newton Centre. The old homes and gardens are simply fabulous.
Doug, in addition to the other ideas offered, if she wants to sit and relax and/or read in a quiet place, I recommend Bulloughs Pond. She could read a book sitting near the northeast corner of the pond (near Dexter Rd and Bulloughs Park). If she would prefer walking in the woods, I would suggest the trail in Cold Spring Park. Julia’s idea for the cemetery walk is another very relaxing, enjoyable and interesting afternoon activity. JMO.
Why not lend her your iPad and suggest that she visit V14! 😉
Echo Bridge and Friday Concert / Movie at the Hyde
Newton’s historic villages walking tours (get to see the old houses, check out the architecture, read about the history:
http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/planning/histpres/history.asp
Also Newton’s many parks and open spaces:
http://www.newtonconservators.org/conservation_areas.htm
That’s the two things I love about Newton — it’s a historic city, but it also has generous open space, from land large enough to get lost in, to little pocket parks.
How old is your friend? What are their hobbies? How late will they be here? After sitting in the car, I’d suggest grabbing a book and hitting Crystal Lake s/he could live on the edge and swim in the unsanctioned part of the cove. Followed by lunch and a mosey over to the Newtonville Bookstore. If she has to be here late, then I’d also check out the event listings at the library, next few days alone they have lectures on drones, Russian music, and Banjo performances.
Now if she really doesn’t need to stay “in Newton”, then I’d second the nod to the MFA or look at the ferry schedule and go joy riding around the Boston Harbor Islands. Why not.
I always encourage folks to check out the East Coast Greenway, the park that runs along the Charles River, including through Newton. For walking or biking it’s hard to beat. If you have a bike, it’s also a great way to take an excursion into Cambridge or Boston to maybe visit Harvard Square, for example, or the Science Museum, without needing a car or having to fight traffic.
Oops, the correct way to refer to it is the Charles River Bikepath, which is just a small part of the East Coast Greenway:
“Heading west from Boston to Waltham, the ECG follows the Charles River Bikepath for twelve miles past the Museum of Science (on the Cambridge/Boston line) and the Museum of Industry (in Waltham), as well as past the campuses of MIT and Harvard.” My bad.
I would tell my friend to go to Boston.
She should visit the Meadow in Hemlock Gorge across the River from the Mill Falls complex late in the afternoon of August 25, bring a picnic meal, and enjoy a free concert by the group[ Broken Arrow mf made possible by the generosity orgf Karen Osborne and the partnership of the Friends of Hemlock Gorge and the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Brian Yates
President
Friends of Hemlock Gorge