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 1630.

Understand

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. While mainly a suburb of Boston, it is a sizable city in its own right, boasting a population of almost 90,000 (2018). 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 ^{[dead link]}.

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 winds through the entire city and is lined with historic mansions. "Comm Ave," as it is known to Bostonians, 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. Divided down the middle by a landscaped mall that runs throughout the city, the street was designed by celebrated landscape architect Fredrick Law Olmstead, who also designed Central Park in New York City and the Emerald Necklace in Boston.

For trivia buffs: in 1886, Nabisco's Fig Newton cookie was named after the City of Newton.

Get in

By plane

Logan International Airport in Boston is the most convenient and has various ground transportation alternatives available.

By train or bus

Mass Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). Newton is connected to Boston and surrounding communities by light rail/streetcar, commuter rail, and buses. 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 on the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90) and Interstate 95 (also called Route 128). Routes 9 and 16 also pass through the city. From Boston, you can also reach Newton via city streets: both Beacon Street and Commonwealth Avenue run directly to and throughout Newton, and provide a more scenic drive (particularly Beacon Street).

Get around

42°19′31″N 71°12′49″W

Map of Newton

By car

Cars are generally the most convenient means of transportation, but sometimes impractical due to traffic.

By train or bus

Newton is well-served by the MBTA bus, light rail, and commuter rail lines. The D line of the T's Green Line provides the best access throughout Newton, with 7 stops located in the city. Otherwise, there are 3 commuter rail stops in the city, and several bus lines. Note that most bus service stops around 6PM, and some bus routes do not operate on the weekends.

By bike

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.

The Charles River Bike Path is a mostly off-road path that runs from Newton and Waltham east through Watertown, Boston, and Cambridge along both banks of the Charles River. Cyclists of all levels can enjoy this scenic path. There is also a carriage road that is used as a bike path that runs along part of Comm Ave.

By taxi

Taxis are exorbitantly expensive in Newton and in Boston in general; try to avoid them if you can. If you have to call a taxi try Veterans Taxi, they are courteous, punctual, and clean.

See

42.355278-71.1952781 ^{[dead link]} Newton History Museum at the Jackson Homestead, 527 Washington St, ☏ +1 617 796-1450. Tu-Sa 11AM-5PM, Su 2-5PM. 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.
42.335083-71.1703612 Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill. 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.
42.3388-71.20753 Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St, ☏ +1 617 796-1360. Airy contemporary library with extensive collection, Newton History Room, and auditorium with constant concerts and lectures.
42.329537-71.1924814 Newton Centre, Intersection of Centre Street and Beacon Street. The largest and most bustling of the city's village centers. Boasts a number of high-end clothing stores, salons and spas, restaurants of various cuisines, coffee shops, ice cream shops, and banks. Abuts Newton's largest public park. Only a short stroll from beautiful Crystal Lake.
42.322423-71.2055325 Newton Highlands, Intersection of Walnut Street and Lincoln Street. Perhaps the most quaint of Newton's village centers. Mostly a daytime destination for locals, but has some of the best restaurants in the city, and one of the best independent coffee shops, Lincoln Street Cafe.

Do

In the warmer months, rent a canoe or kayak at the Charles River Boathouse off Commonwealth Avenue at the Weston Bridge (Route 30).
42.349241-71.2264461 West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington St, ☏ +1 617 964-6060. See a foreign or independent film at one of the region's top cinemas.
In Newtonville, view annual Independence Day firework at Albemarle Field along the banks of Cheesecake Brook (corner of Albemarle Rd and Crafts St).
Go for a swim at scenic Crystal Lake in Newton Highlands, and enjoy the beautiful houses abutting the lake.
42.333988-71.1622622 Chestnut Hill Reservoir, Beacon St, Chestnut Hill.. Located between Boston College campus and Cleveland Circle. A beautiful reservoir with biking and walking trails surrounding it. Very popular during warm weather months. Like Commonwealth Avenue in Newton, the reservoir was also designed by renowned landscape architect Fredrick Law Olmstead.
The Boston College Eagles, representing said university in NCAA Division I sports, have most of their playing facilities within the Newton city limits, though the baseball and softball teams play in Boston proper (specifically Brighton). The most notable of these are:
- 42.335-71.1663893 Alumni Stadium, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill (Boston College), ☏ +1 617 552-8000. Home of BC Eagles football, this stadium seats 44,500. Actually located within the city limits of Newton. (updated Apr 2024)
- 42.335-71.16754 Conte Forum (Kelley Rink), 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill (Boston College), ☏ +1 617 552-8000. Directly attached to Alumni Stadium and home of BC Eagles basketball and (ice) hockey, seating 8,600 for basketball and just under 7,900 for hockey. The "Kelley Rink" name is used only for hockey. Power Gym, attached to the Forum, is home to BC women's volleyball. (updated Apr 2024)

Buy

42.331212-71.193991 Newtonville Books, 10 Langley Rd (Newton Centre), ☏ +1 617 244-6619. M-Sa 9AM-9PM, Su 11AM-7PM. Contrary to the name of the store, Newtonville Books has now moved to Newton Centre--Independent bookstore noted for contemporary fiction, children's books, and frequent author readings.
42.321444-71.1760392 The Shops at Chestnut Hill (Chestnut Hill Mall), Route 9, Chestnut Hill. A very expensive, high-fashion mall. Houses the only Bloomingdale's in New England and Barney's New York. (updated Mar 2024)
42.352054-71.2077593 Newtonville Camera, 249 Walnut St, ☏ +1 617 965-1240. M-Th 10AM-7PM, F Sa 10AM-5PM. A great local camera shop that has been around for ages. The owner is very helpful.
42.318755-71.1814264 Winston Flowers & Garden (Winston's), 11 Florence St, toll-free: +1-800-457-4901. A beautiful flower shop, if a bit pricey.
42.313025-71.2118745 Newbury Comics, 130 Needham St, ☏ +1 617 965-5054. Primarily a CD shop, not a comic shop. They also have posters, memorabilia, clothing, and more.
42.315006-71.2109856 International Bicycle Center, 71 Needham St, ☏ +1 617 527-0967. M-Tu Th F 10AM-6PM, W noon-6PM, Sa 9:30AM-6PM, Su noon-5PM. Local bike and bike repair shop.
42.329122-71.1946557 Learning Express, 1296 Centre St, ☏ +1 617 969-2722. M-W Sa 9:30AM-6PM, Th F 9:30AM-7PM, Su 10AM-5PM. Local toy store.
42.314218-71.2103528 New England Mobile Book Fair (The Book Mobile), 82 Needham St, Newton Highlands, ☏ +1 617 527-5817. M-Tu Th F 9AM-7PM, W 9AM-8:30PM, Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 11AM-5PM. A huge book store! Check out the used half of the store.
42.331018-71.1932029 Leather World, 30 Langley Rd Ste A, ☏ +1 617 332-6519. Beautiful luxury leather goods and luggage.

Eat

42.321121-71.2058851 O'Hara's, 1185 Walnut St, Newton Highlands, ☏ +1 617 965-6785. M-Sa 11AM-11:30PM, Su 10AM-9PM. Irish pub with full menu.
42.348669-71.2293482 Blue Ribbon BBQ, 1375 Washington St, West Newton, ☏ +1 617 332-2583, fax: +1 617 527-7427. M-Sa 11AM-9PM, Su 11AM-8PM. Authentic barbecue with all the fixings.
42.352395-71.2040793 Cabot's Ice Cream & Restaurant, 743 Washington St, Newtonville, ☏ +1 617 964-9200, info@cabots.com. Tu-Th Su 8:30AM-10PM, F Sa 8:30AM-11:30PM. Classic ice cream parlor with full menu and all-day breakfast. Largest selection of sundaes around. No credit cards accepted but there is an ATM in the front of the restaurant.
42.35012-71.2071954 George Howell Coffee, 311 Walnut St, Newtonville, ☏ +1 617 332-6886, info@georgehowellcoffee.com. M-F 6:30AM-6PM, Sa Su 8AM-6PM. Independent cafe featuring crepes and specialty sandwiches. This is by far the best coffee in Newton. (updated Dec 2017)
42.329839-71.192285 Cafe St Petersburg, 57 Union St, Suite 1, Newton Centre (entrance to the restaurant is through an alley between Sovereign Bank and Peet's Coffee & Tea), ☏ +1 617-467-3555, +1 617-467-3133, fax: +1 617-467-3145, cafestpetersburg@gmail.com. Tu-Th noon-10PM, F-Su noon-midnight. Lively Russian restaurant.
42.331031-71.1932026 Johnny's Luncheonette, 30 Langley Rd, Newton Centre, ☏ +1 617 527-3223, fax: +1 617 527-4103. M-Sa 7AM-9PM, Su 8AM-9PM. Contemporary diner-style breakfasts and sandwiches.
42.32968-71.1928757 Cafe Sol Azteca, 75 Union St, Newton Centre, ☏ +1 617 964-0920, cafesolazteca@aol.com. M-Sa 5-9:30PM, Su 5-9PM. Full-scale Mexican restaurant with outdoor terrace.
42.361154-71.1995018 Antoine's Pastry Shop (Antoine's), 317 Watertown St, Nonantum, ☏ +1 617 527-6747. Old-fashioned bakery with cakes, cinnamon bread, and cookies.
42.322529-71.1690519 Legal Seafoods (Legal's), 43 Boylston St, Chestnut Hill, ☏ +1 617 277-7300. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-10PM. The most famous of Boston's seafood restaurants. The clam chowder has been served at the U.S. president's inaugural ball for years. Very pricey.
42.330699-71.19194310 ^{[dead link]} Coconut Cafe, 759 Beacon St, Newton Centre, ☏ +1 617 244-7050, visoot5@yahoo.com. Su-Th 11:30AM-9:45PM, F Sa 11:30AM-10:15PM. Great Thai food. Seating is limited.
42.358083-71.18512911 Amarin of Thailand (Amarin), 1 Newton Pl, 287 Centre St, Newton Corner, ☏ +1 617-527-5255, fax: +1 617-630-0753. Lunch: M-Sa 11:30AM-3PM; dinner: M-Th 5-9:45PM, F Sa 5-10:30PM. Another great Thai restaurant with an authentic ambiance.
42.3303-71.19110612 Tartufo Restaurant (Tartufo Cucina Abruzzese), 22 Union St, Newton Centre, ☏ +1 617-244-8833. M-F 11:30AM-10PM, Sa Su 4-10PM. Very popular Italian restaurant overlooking Newton Centre.
42.331857-71.19476813 Tango Mango, 1191 Centre St, Newton Centre, ☏ +1 617 969-8100. M-Sa 10:30AM-10PM, Su 11AM-9PM. Small taco joint, not nearly as good as Annas Tacqueria in Brookline
42.35278-71.2030114 Village Cafe, 719 Washington St, ☏ +1 617 795-5200, info@newtonvilagecafe.com. M-Sa 7AM-3PM, Su 7AM-2PM. Great place for breakfast and lunch.
42.3301-71.194415 Sweet Tomatoes Pizza, 47 Langley Rd, ☏ +1 617 558-0222. 11:30AM–9PM daily. Local pizza place specializing in thin-crust pizza. Take-out counter. $10 for a sandwich, $20–25 for a large pizza. (updated May 2020)
42.329619-71.19439316 Rosenfeld Bagel Company (Rosenfeld's), 1280 Centre St, Newton Centre (down a flight of stairs), ☏ +1 617-527-8080. W-F 7AM-5PM, Sa Su 7AM-1PM. A local bagel shop specializing in gourmet bagels and cream cheese. The shop is small but always crowded, especially around the Jewish holidays. It is cash only but there is a Bank of America just up the street.
42.350151-71.20673617 Great Harvest Bread Company (Great Harvest), 316 Walnut St, Newtonville, ☏ +1 617 928-1162, TheBreadLady@WickedGoodBread.com. M-F 6:30AM-6:30PM, Sa 6:30AM-6PM, Su 7AM-2PM. Local bakery with fresh baked bread daily. Come around lunchtime for a free slice of bread!
42.34003-71.16743818 White Mountain Creamery (White Mountain), 19 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill, ☏ +1 617-527-8790. 11AM-midnight daily. A cute local ice cream shop. Open late.
42.348604-71.2296319 Shogun Restaurant (Shogun), 1385 Washington St West, ☏ +1 617 965-6699, ShogunWestNewton@gmail.com. Lunch: Tu-F 11:30AM-2:30PM; dinner: Tu-Su 5:30PM-10PM. Local sushi restaurant. Casual, quiet, and not too pricey for sushi in Newton.
42.34729-71.2472620 Tom's Pizza & Sandwich Shop, 423 Lexington St, ☏ +1 617-969-4979. 11AM-9PM. Famous for its handcrafted pizza, trendy burgers, inspiring rice bowls, creative sandwiches and extra fresh salads. Tom's Pizza has been family owned and operated since 1964. $10 for Sandwich, $9 Small Pizza, $14 for Large. (updated Oct 2022)

Drink

42.329856-71.1935521 Union Street, 107R Union St, Newton Centre.. An older, more local crowd. A popular after-work place, with a very pleasant terrace designed to feel like a roof deck.
42.357094-71.186612 Buff's Pub, 317 Washington St, Newton Corner. After work place. Good bar food.
42.309187-71.2211883 The Biltmore, 1205 Chestnut St, Newton Corner. Lunch/After work place. Crowd is mostly aged 25-40. Updated tavern atmosphere, restaurant features craft cocktails and local seasonal produce.
42.349406-71.2296824 Paddy's Pub (Paddy's), 95 Elm St W (just off Washington St), ☏ +1 617 965-6444. M-Sa 11AM-11:30PM, Su noon-9PM. A pub/restaurant. A good place to get a drink that is also kid friendly.
42.349277-71.2066945 Brewer's Coalition, 344 Walnut St, Newtonville, ☏ +1 617 964-7600, bhoneycutt@johnbrewerstavern.com. M-Sa 11:30AM-1AM, Su 10AM-1AM. Great beer selection and nice atmosphere.

Sleep

42.33405-71.2544371 Hotel Indigo Boston Newton Riverside, 399 Grove St, ☏ +1 617 969-5300. Contemporary boutique hotel with free internet, outdoor pool, and on-site restaurant.
42.346315-71.25842 Boston Marriott Newton, 2345 Commonwealth Ave, ☏ +1 617 969-1000, fax: +1 617 527-6914. Indoor pool, onsite restaurant.
42.356737-71.1870683 Sheraton Newton, 320 Washington St, ☏ +1 617 969-3010, fax: +1 617 630-2976. Built above the Massachusetts Turnpike at Exit 17.
42.334089-71.2544874 Holiday Inn, 399 Grove St, ☏ +1 617 969-5300.
42.339015-71.2346725 Best Western Terrace Inn, 1650 Commonwealth Ave, ☏ +1 617 566-6260. Free continental breakfast and free parking.

Learn

42.293494-71.1943041 Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst. in the more suburban south side of the city.
42.335546-71.1684912 Boston College. moved from Boston's South End to the Boston/Newton border in the 19th century. The Boston campus (which is located in Newton) is filled with stunning Collegiate Gothic architecture, while the Newton campus boasts more modern buildings.
42.342774-71.2447763 Lasell College. , in Auburndale. Lovely campus, some of which overlooks Woodlands Country Club golf course.
42.324851-71.188964 Andover Theological Seminary. next to Newton Centre.

Connect

Greater Boston uses 10-digit dialing. This means you need to include the area code whenever you are making a call. The standard area code is 617, but some phone numbers, especially cell phones, use the 857 overlay.

Go next

Boston proper is a 10- to 20-minute train ride on the Green Line of the T, and only a 5-minute car ride on the Mass Pike (I-90).
Cape Cod is home to some of New England's best beaches, seafood, and sightseeing. The Sagamore and Bourne Bridges are about 1 hour by car from Newton. The Cape is also accessible by bus.

Routes through Newton

Peabody ← Weston ←	N S	→ Wellesley → Canton
Worcester ← Weston ←	W E	→ Boston → END
Worcester ← Wellesley ←	W E	→ Brookline → Boston
Milford ← Wellesley ←	W E	→ Watertown → Medford
END ←	W E	→ Brookline → Fenway-Kenmore
Worcester ← Wellesley ←	W E	→ Boston → END

This city travel guide to Newton is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.