Top 15 Amazing Activities in Newton, MA

Known as The Garden City, Newton is a thriving western suburb of Boston, comprising 13 distinct villages rather than a centralized downtown area.

Many of these villages, particularly Newton Centre, offer appealing pedestrian-friendly streets featuring locally owned shops, dining establishments, and various services.

Each village emerged at different periods, primarily around railroad stations, and thus possesses its own unique character and landscape.

A common feature connecting these villages is Commonwealth Avenue, which is famously part of the Boston Marathon route in April and includes a challenging segment known as Heartbreak Hill.

The primary campus for Boston College is located in the Chestnut Hill village, which boasts the world-class McMullen Art Museum and an impressive collection of Gothic Revival architecture.

1. Newton Centre

As the principal downtown area in the city, Newton Centre is an ideal starting point, featuring upscale shopping, an extensive range of dining options, and ample greenery.

The Newton Centre Green extends as a long, broad strip on the west side, and at its northern end lies Newton Centre Playground, the largest public park in the city.

An entire article could be devoted to the diverse range of independent retailers in Newton Centre. However, to provide a glimpse of what is available, visitors can explore galleries, jewelers, a toy store, unique gift stores, a home goods shop, an Italian food market, a pet care store, and boutiques for men’s and women’s fashion.

Culinary options vary widely, encompassing cuisines such as pho, sushi, Thai, bagels, classic diner fare, farm-to-table New American, French, Chinese, pizza, falafel, and authentic Mexican—this is merely an introduction to the dining scene.

2. Jackson Homestead and Museum

Located in Newton Corner, the Jackson Homestead serves as the headquarters for Historic Newton and dates back to 1809. The homestead was home to several generations of the Jackson family until 1932.

A notable resident was William Jackson (1783-1855), a significant businessman and United States representative, who was linked to abolitionists and consequently made the homestead a stop on the Underground Railroad.

The Newton Historic Museum houses both rotating and permanent exhibits that delve into various facets of life in Newton across four centuries, including the Underground Railroad in Massachusetts.

At the time of this article’s compilation, exhibits were offered on slavery in the north, the evolution of hairstyles, 19th-century childhood portraits, and “The Great Curve” (1852)—a pastoral landscape of Newton’s Lower Falls by artist Samuel Adams (1813-1894).

3. Charles River Canoe & Kayak (Paddle Boston)

Newton is situated along a verdant stretch of the Charles River, known as the Lakes District, featuring six miles of tranquil water with minimal current.

The river meanders through wooded areas and sparse residential neighborhoods, often presenting a scenic landscape that might be surprising for an urban locale.

Operating from the historic Newton Boathouse in the west and Nahanton Park in the south, Charles River Canoe & Kayak offers hourly and daily rentals for an array of watercraft, including paddleboards.

The organization also provides paddleboard lessons and unique experiences such as serene moonlight tours.

4. Boston College Campus

The affluent village of Chestnut Hill is home to the main campus of Boston College (BC), established in 1863. Renowned for its Gothic Revival stone architecture, this site has been recognized as a historic district and is on the National Register of Places since 1990.

The primary buildings, designed by Charles Donagh Maginnis (1867-1955) and constructed in the 1910s, include Gasson Hall (1913), which serves as a cornerstone inspiring the Gothic towers that characterize several university campuses.

The McMullen Art Museum hosts an impressive collection, ranging from Medieval and Baroque tapestries to works by Modigliani and Frank Stella. In recent decades, this museum has presented significant exhibitions featuring artists like Munch, Paul Klee, Jackson Pollock, and Roberto Matta.

Additionally, it is noteworthy to mention the Boston College Eagles football team, which participates in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and has produced numerous players that have advanced to the NFL, including the 1984 Heisman Trophy recipient, Doug Flutie.

5. Hemlock Gorge Reservation

This state-maintained recreational area conserves a beautiful segment of the Charles River, featuring steep banks densely wooded with hemlocks.

The primary attraction at Hemlock Gorge Reservation is the Echo Bridge (1876), which carries the Sudbury Aqueduct across the river and is also accessible for pedestrian traffic, offering a satisfying view along the river and gorge.

Upon its construction, this was the second-longest masonry arch in the United States, and a path leads to the base of the structure, where one can learn about the origin of the name Echo Bridge.

6. Hammond Pond Reservation

Situated between the Shops at Chestnut Hill shopping center and the Boston College campus, Hammond Pond encompasses a significant natural park maintained by the state.

This area features remarkable formations of Roxbury puddingstone and conglomerate, which are favored destinations for rock climbing and bouldering.

Another highlight is the picturesque Houghton Gardens, where winding paths navigate through azaleas and rhododendrons, alongside a stream and a small pond.

Framed by geological formations to the west, Hammond Pond serves as a sanctuary for various waterfowl, including swans and geese, and boasts a trail that traverses wetlands via a boardwalk.

7. Newton Highlands Historic District

Another of Newton’s villages to keep in mind is Newton Highlands, primarily developed post-1870s.

The lush commercial area at the intersection of Walnut Street and Lincoln Street is particularly charming.

A range of shops and local services includes a patisserie, café, nostalgic candy shop, clothing boutiques, and diverse dining options representing vegetarian, Mediterranean, Japanese, Mexican, Chinese, and American cuisine.

The Gothic Revival Newton Highlands Congregational Church, established in 1906, contributes to the quaint ambiance, while the surrounding streets are lined with intricate Queen Anne and Colonial Revival architecture.

8. Chestnut Hill Reservoir

Adjacent to the Boston College campus is the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, constructed in 1870 on land that was once marshland to support Boston’s water supply system.

The reservoir and its associated waterworks are now classified as a historic district, representing one of the early metropolitan water systems in the United States.

A 1.5-mile paved path encircles the reservoir’s verdant banks, offering stunning vistas, particularly of the Richardsonian Romanesque waterworks structures.

On the eastern side of the Chestnut Hill Reservation, recreational amenities include ball fields, tennis courts, and the Reilly Memorial Rink.

9. Metropolitan Waterworks Museum

For insights into Boston’s pioneering water system developed in the 19th century, the Metropolitan Waterworks Museum, located in the esteemed Richardsonian Romanesque complex at the southeast corner of the reservoir, is a must-visit.

This venue merges themes of social history, public health, architecture, and engineering. A key highlight is the trio of colossal steam-driven water pumps situated in the Great Engines Hall, each standing over three stories in height.

The museum also hosts engaging temporary exhibitions, and during the writing of this article, an impressive display regarding the Great Fire of Boston (1872) and its repercussions on the city’s fire service and water system was available for viewing.

10. Newton Cemetery & Arboretum

Located within walking distance of Newton City Hall and the Newton Free Library, this extensive garden cemetery, established in 1855, is set in a picturesque landscape.

Newton Cemetery is considered one of the most beautiful historical burial grounds in the Boston area, offering a serene environment for leisurely walks intertwined with history and nature.

The cemetery’s website provides maps highlighting notable individuals interred here, including stage actress Georgia Cayvan (1857-1906), Broadway and Hollywood star Josephine Hill (1877-1957), and baseball player Dom DiMaggio (1917-2009).

Visitors may also obtain a map detailing the diverse specimen trees, ranging from Japanese zelkova to black tupelo.

11. The Rose Art Museum

Across the Charles River from Newton, in Waltham, lies the Brandeis University campus where the Rose Art Museum is located. Established in 1961, this museum boasts one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in New England.

Renowned for its innovative exhibitions, the museum has a legacy that includes the first video art exhibition in the United States, Vision & Television (1970).

Among the artists showcased in the expansive collection are Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Helen Frankenthaler, Yayoi Kusama, Yoko Ono, Mona Hatoum, Jasper Johns, and Henri Matisse.

The Rose Art Museum presents remarkable thematic exhibitions and surveys of significant contemporary artists while serving as a prominent platform for emerging artists to exhibit their inaugural solo museum shows.

12. Crystal Lake

Spanning 33 acres, this natural “great pond” in Newton is owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and surrounded by impressive mansions.

Despite its upscale environment, public access is readily available, with sidewalks, public parks, and paved paths tracing the pond at various points along the shore.

On the southern side, there is a beach and swimming area that opens during the summer months, which connects via trail to Levingston Cove, a small park situated on the southwest side.

To the north, visitors will find Cronin’s Cove, featuring a picturesque grassy bank equipped with benches and a fishing pier.

13. Gore Place

The opulent Federal-style country retreat of prominent politician and diplomat Christopher Gore (1758-1827) is located nearby in Waltham. Gore Place, established in 1806, encompasses a 45-acre estate open daily to the public free of charge.

Visitors can explore the picturesque parklands and introduce younger family members to the 10-acre farm that houses various breeds of chickens as well as sheep.

For a nominal fee, tours of the mansion are conducted on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, showcasing unique architectural features both inside and out.

During the summer months, special themed experiences, such as a Jane Austen tour, and regular concerts at the 1790s Carriage House are available.

14. Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds

This preserved late First Period house in Newton Centre encompasses nearly 300 years of history.

Constructed in 1734 by Edward Durant II (1695-1740), the property was later acquired by the Kenrick family in 1790, who subsequently established one of New England’s largest plant nurseries here during the 1830s.

The house features a modern educational space built in 2013 and provides fascinating insights into life in the Thirteen Colonies, the Revolutionary War, slavery, abolition, 19th-century horticulture, and the historic preservation movement.

15. Upper Falls Greenway

Recently transformed from an old railroad line, the Upper Falls Greenway now serves as a linear park through Newton Highlands.

This line once connected with the MBTA Green Line D across the Charles River and has been upgraded since the mid-2010s to include benches, kiosks, and annual public art displays.

Covering approximately a mile in length, the Upper Falls Greenway accommodates walkers, joggers, and cyclists, concluding at a scenic riverbank. Additionally, a short spur along South Meadow Brook provides access to an adjoining trail along Needham Street.