Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Medford, MA

Sitting on the Mystic River, approximately three miles northwest of Boston, Medford is a city incorporated in 1892, yet it has a rich history that dates back to the 17th century.

Medford is home to Tufts University, categorized as a Research I institution and recognized for producing numerous Nobel Prize laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners.

The prestigious hilltop campus is worth exploring, as Medford boasts a considerable amount of public outdoor space along the Mystic River, its lakes, and the stunning Middlesex Fells Reservation.

Medford Square, the primary commercial district, features a variety of independent eateries ranging from traditional Italian cuisine to fresh sashimi, as well as a prominent performing arts venue at the Chevalier Theatre.

1. Royall House and Slave Quarters

This historic house museum addresses a challenging facet of New England’s history, preserving the residence of the largest slaveholding family in Massachusetts.

The Royall House and Slave Quarters is open to the public on weekends from May through October. The opulent Mansion House provides a wealth of historical context, showcasing the only remaining separate quarters for enslaved individuals found in Massachusetts.

This construction, referred to as an “out kitchen,” was built in the 1730s to direct heat away from the main residence and was expanded in 1760. Over 60 enslaved Africans resided here across a span of 40 years.

The property also holds revolutionary significance, as several patriotic generals, including John Stark, Charles Lee, and John Sullivan, utilized it during the Revolutionary War.

Additionally, George Washington is said to have visited the Royall House, where he allegedly interrogated British soldiers.

2. Middlesex Fells Reservation

A significant portion of Medford is occupied by a vast recreational area on hilly wooded terrain, featuring both active and inactive reservoirs.

The most prominent of these is the picturesque Spot Pond, a popular destination for summer water activities, offering rentals for rowboats, canoes, and paddleboards at the boathouse.

The reservation is interspersed with a seemingly endless network of trails, some leading to stunning viewpoints such as Wright’s Tower, which offers a panoramic vista of the Boston skyline, while others provide challenging terrain for mountain biking enthusiasts.

If you are visiting with your dog, Sheepfold Meadow serves as a premier dog park, featuring ten acres of expansive open fields for recreation.

3. Medford Square

Medford’s bustling downtown area emerged in the 17th century at the convergence of several primary thoroughfares, including High Street, Salem Street, and Main Street.

Contemporary Medford Square offers a plethora of attractions, featuring a major live performance venue at the Chevalier Theatre, as well as a nearby riverside park hosting the Medford farmers’ market and a variety of outdoor events during the summer.

The dining scene in this area is especially noteworthy, with over 20 restaurants within walking distance, catering to diverse culinary preferences, from sushi and Korean BBQ to pasta, Sichuan dishes, Middle Eastern fare, and Mexican cuisine.

Ebisuya Japanese Market, located at 65 Riverside Ave, stands out as a local favorite, offering fresh ramen, bento, and sushi alongside a wide selection of imported Japanese goods and ingredients.

For a glimpse into the region’s history, consider visiting the Salem Street Burying Ground, which features stones dating back to 1683 through to 1881.

4. Mystic River State Reservation

One distinctive feature of the Mystic River is that nearly the entire riverbank along its seven-mile stretch is publicly owned.

This availability allows for a long and accessible riverfront flowing through Medford, perfect for relaxation, exercise, walking, cycling, picnicking, and more.

The reservation was established in 1893 concurrently with Middlesex Fells by the newly formed Metropolitan Parks Commission, and underwent renovations in the 2010s.

Just a short distance from Medford Square lies a riverside park, which hosts the Medford Farmers’ Market on Thursdays from mid-June to mid-October.

All summer long, the Condon Shell (built in 1956) features various events, including a well-received live music series and outdoor film screenings.

5. Wright’s Tower

While hiking in the Middlesex Fells Reservation, ensure to set your sights on this lookout tower situated atop Pine Hill in the southeastern corner.

Wright’s Tower, a project from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression, was completed in 1937 and is dedicated to Elizur Wright (1804-1885).

Wright dedicated years to protecting Middlesex Fells as a public park, which helped form the foundation for the Metropolitan Park System.

The tower boasts a square footprint with an interior stairway, offering visitors an exceptional panorama that includes the Boston skyline approximately six miles to the southeast.

6. Chevalier Theatre

A remarkable landmark in Medford Square is the Greek Revival-style Chevalier Theatre, a New Deal project completed in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) as part of the Medford High School complex.

Continuing to thrive, this venue has a capacity of 1,900 and is home to a rare Mighty Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ, originally built in 1922 and relocated here from Dayton, Ohio.

The Chevalier Theatre has a rich schedule of performances, hosting concerts by renowned musical acts, dance performances, stand-up and sketch comedy shows, evenings with prominent cultural figures, and live podcast recordings.

Among the notable acts scheduled to perform around the time of this writing were Boy George, Wanda Sykes, Beres Hammond, Amy Schumer, Ben Schwartz, Ron White, and Paul F. Tompkins.

7. Paddle Boston

During the summer months, the paddlesports company Paddle Boston operates a location at the Condon Shell in Medford, offering a variety of watercraft for an adventurous outing along the Mystic River.

Available options include rowboats, canoes (accommodating up to five adults), kayaks, and paddleboards, which can be rented for durations ranging from 90 minutes to an entire day.

Given the extensive public access along the banks of the Mystic River, this waterway is ideal for a paddling excursion.

From this location in Medford, guests can journey downstream to the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse in Somerville or navigate upstream to Shannon Beach, all while enjoying stunning views of the Boston skyline.

8. Tufts University Campus

A wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors in Medford is by exploring the picturesque campus of Tufts University, founded in 1852.

Situated on a scenic hill overlooking Boston, the Medford-Somerville campus was established on land inherited by the founder, Charles Tufts (1781-1876).

The older portion of the campus, referred to as “Uphill,” is enclosed by a wrought-iron fence and features several stunning 19th-century buildings around the academic quad.

The main access point is through the Memorial Stairs, designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers in the 1920s. Ballou Hall (1854) remains the university’s main administrative building, followed by Packard Hall (1856), recognizable by its gothic design and steeply pitched roof.

Subsequent constructions include the pedimented East Hall (1860), West Hall (1871), Goddard Chapel (1882), Goddard Hall (1883), and Eaton Hall (1908).

Barnum Hall (1884) was originally the site of a museum established by showman P. T. Barnum to display taxidermied animals from his circus. That collection was lost to a fire in 1975, and the Jumbo statue was unveiled in 2015 as a monument to this former museum.

9. Tufts University Art Galleries

The Alex Aidekman Arts Center, located on the Tufts University campus in Medford, features an exhibition space that hosts approximately four shows per semester, showcasing the university’s extensive art collection.

This collection comprises 2,000 pieces, representing various cultures over thousands of years, from ancient Mediterranean and pre-Hispanic American societies to contemporary art.

Prominent artists included in this collection are Dürer, Rodin, Picasso, John Singer Sargent, Dalí, and Warhol.

In spring, visitors can enjoy thesis exhibitions by graduating master of fine arts students from the SMFA (School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University), spotlighting emerging talent.

10. Mystic Lakes State Park

Situated along Medford’s western boundary are two bodies of water, the Upper and Lower Mystic Lakes. The Mystic Dam, built in the mid-1860s, extends more than 1,500 feet between the two lakes.

Mystic Lakes State Park, part of the Mystic River Reservation, serves as a key area for rowing and sailing, housing the Medford Boat Club and a boathouse for Tufts University.

The Mystic River Path runs along the eastern shores, leading to Shannon Beach on Upper Mystic Lake, which offers freshwater swimming and lounging opportunities during the summer months.

11. Grandfather’s House (Over the River Poem House)

The residence referenced in the classic poem “Over the River and Through the Wood” (1844) by Lydia Maria Child (1802-1900) remains standing in Medford, situated along the Mystic River on South Street.

As you pass by, you may pause on the lawn to admire the architectural facade and read the historical marker. Even without its connection to the poem, this residence stands out as the finest example of Greek Revival residential architecture in the city.

Initially conceived as a small farmhouse in the early 19th century, the current design, featuring a grand Ionic portico, was commissioned in 1839 by the esteemed Medford shipbuilder Paul Curtis (1800-1873).

Paul Curtis launched approximately 30 vessels, including notable clipper ships, from his shipyard located along the north shore of the Mystic River between 1839 and 1852.

12. The Brooks Estate

Adjacent to Oak Grove Cemetery in northwest Medford lies a rare example of a 19th-century estate that has remained undeveloped over time.

Spanning over 80 acres and currently owned by the city, the Brooks Estate features a Queen Anne-style manor house constructed for Shepherd Brooks, a prominent member of a local family.

At the time of writing, plans were underway for the renovation of the manor and its accompanying carriage house, while approximately 50 acres of grounds remain accessible to the public.

Trails wind through mature woodlands and around the Brooks Pond, which serves as a sanctuary for migrating birds during spring and fall.

13. Stone Zoo

On the northern shore of Spot Pond lies a medium-sized zoo that has operated since 1905. As an accredited member of the AZA, Stone Zoo is home to around 60 species across 11 exhibits, many recently opened or updated.

Highlights include the Caribbean Coast, featuring a walk-through aviary with a diverse array of macaws and Caribbean flamingos, as well as the Animal Discovery Center with terrariums showcasing exotic spiders, amphibians, and snakes.

The Barnyard houses domestic breeds such as Nigerian dwarf goats and Guinea hogs, while the zoo’s most notable residents are the snow leopards in the Himalayan Highlands exhibit.

It is advisable to check the zoo’s website for details regarding daily animal encounters and feeding sessions prior to your visit.

14. Tufts Park

This 10.6-acre urban park located in South Medford warrants mention for its public swimming pool, open from late June through the end of August.

The L-shaped main pool is accompanied by a neighboring kiddie pool, two feet deep and equipped with an entry ramp. The Tufts Outdoor Swimming Pool operates daily, charging a nominal fee for both residents and non-residents.

Furthermore, Tufts Park features four ballfields, a playground, basketball courts, and several acres of open space along with a perimeter trail, partially shaded by trees.

15. Jingle Bells Marker

If you pay attention while in Medford Square, you will discover a historical marker at 21 High St. This commemorates the site of the Simpson Tavern, where James Pierpont (1822–1893) is believed to have composed the Christmas carol “Jingle Bells” in 1850.

The plaque indicates that this account was verified by a Mrs. Waterman, while the song was copyrighted as “One Horse Open Sleigh” a few years later by Pierpont in Georgia.

According to tradition, “Jingle Bells” was inspired by the sleigh races that once occurred on Salem Street in Medford.

Today, it is one of the most performed songs in American history and was notably the first song to be broadcast from space by Gemini 6 astronauts Tom Stafford and Wally Schirra in 1965.