Getting to Somerville's Union Square
Hip bars and critically acclaimed restaurants. A booming Saturday farmers' market. Stores catering to locavores, fanboys (and girls), and vinyl aficionados. Buskers playing guitar outside coffee shops serving strong brews. And soon, the Green Line. Somerville's Union Square is one of greater Boston's most up-and-coming neighborhoods, cool long before it landed on everyone's radar.
It's also one of Somerville's most festive spots, highlighted by the annual Fluff Festival, held each September, which celebrates the namesake condiment (invented in Somerville back in 1917).
If you stop by on a weekend (especially in summer or fall), it's highly likely you'll encounter some type of event, be it a concert, art or food festival, or (often costumed) road race.
So don your favorite indie-band t-shirt and Chuck Taylors, embrace your 5 o'clock stubble, and come take a walk with me around this eternally hip 'hood.
Centrally situated in south Somerville, Union Square currently can be reached by car, MBTA bus, or (as the locals prefer) bike – and soon will be accessible by the Green Line Extension. To get here, take 93N to exit 28 for Sullivan Square. Make a left onto Cambridge Street and continue on to Washington. Make a left on Prospect Street, then turn right onto Somerville Avenue. Bus lines easily connect Union Square to multiple points in both Boston and Cambridge: Take any of the 85, 86, 87, 88, 91, or CT2 buses to get to and from the square.
Begin: Bloc 11 Cafe, 11 Bow Street
It's always important to caffeinate before a walk – don't you agree? From Union Square, head northwest on Somerville Avenue and make a slight right onto Bow Street to pick up a coffee at Bloc 11 café. This sister café of Diesel (across town in Davis Square) serves up Intelligentsia coffee and light fare, with plenty of vegetarian and locally sourced menu items. Take whatever you order and opt for a seat on the patio to people watch in warmer months, or grab a table inside by the brick fireplace for a cozy spot in winter.
Hub Comics, 19 Bow Street
Head northwest on Bow Street to Hub Comics, where fanboys and girls can geek out on the city's best selection of comic books, graphic novels, and artwork. If you're looking for the latest publication or the rare limited-edition comic book, Hub is your stop, and new arrivals come in every Wednesday. The shop also regularly hosts author and artist events – check the online event calendar to see who will be stopping by for an upcoming signing and reading.
Somerville Grooves, 25 Union Square
Head southeast on Bow Street and make a right on Warren Avenue, then turn left onto Somerville Avenue toward the square to make a stop at Somerville Grooves. Vinyl fans, get your fix here: Grooves sells new and used vinyl in all genres. A Best of Boston 2013 winner, this new addition to Union Square has an eclectic selection and great prices. Case in point: I recently snagged an original Crowded House LP for just $4.
Union Square Farmers' Market, Union Square
Head to the Washington Street intersection and cross the street, heading south, to browse the offerings at the Union Square Farmers' Market, open for business on Saturdays between May and November. This robust and bustling market features produce from local farms such as Drumlin Farm in Lincoln and Kimball Fruit Farm in Pepperell, meat from Stillman's in Hardwick, bread from Iggy's, and cheese from Somerville's own Fiore di Nonno, among many other local specialty food purveyors.
A good rule of thumb: The earlier you arrive, the better your selection will be. And in the true locavore spirit, this market also regularly features community-boosting services such as yoga classes, cooking demos, bike tune-ups, and the like.
From the market, head northwest on Somerville Avenue, and make a right onto Central Street. Take a left onto Atherton Street and continue to the Round House, one of Somerville's most eclectic homes. Currently undergoing restorative construction, the building dates back to 1856 and originally featured 11 bedrooms, a spiral staircase, and a glass dome. According to the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission, the owner who is working to restore the property has alluded that, once finished, it may be open to the public for tours.
(I'll keep you posted, as I'm so curious to see the interior myself!
From Atherton Street, head southeast toward Beech Street, then make a left onto Central Street. Turn right onto Summer Street, then make a left onto Warren Avenue. Turn right onto Columbus Avenue, then left onto Prospect Hill Parkway. You can't miss the monument, the castle-like tower situated in the Prospect Hill Park that offers spectacular views of nearby Cambridge and the Boston skyline in the distance.
(Insider tip: It's a great place to watch the fireworks for both the 4th of July and First Night celebrations.) Sitting atop the hill since 1902, the castle commemorates soldiers of both the Revolutionary and Civil wars, who used the hill as a base for encampments and fortifications during battles in the area. Nowadays, it's a peaceful spot for a picnic – take out your farmers' market finds, a good book or magazine, and while away the afternoon.
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Hip bars and critically acclaimed restaurants. A booming Saturday farmers' market. Stores catering to locavores, fanboys (and girls), and vinyl aficionados. Buskers playing guitar outside coffee shops serving strong brews. And soon, the Green Line. Somerville's Union Square is one of greater Boston's most up-and-coming neighborhoods, cool long before it landed on everyone's radar.
It's also one of Somerville's most festive spots, highlighted by the annual Fluff Festival, held each September, which celebrates the namesake condiment (invented in Somerville back in 1917).
If you stop by on a weekend (especially in summer or fall), it's highly likely you'll encounter some type of event, be it a concert, art or food festival, or (often costumed) road race.
So don your favorite indie-band t-shirt and Chuck Taylors, embrace your 5 o'clock stubble, and come take a walk with me around this eternally hip 'hood.
Centrally situated in south Somerville, Union Square currently can be reached by car, MBTA bus, or (as the locals prefer) bike – and soon will be accessible by the Green Line Extension. To get here, take 93N to exit 28 for Sullivan Square. Make a left onto Cambridge Street and continue on to Washington. Make a left on Prospect Street, then turn right onto Somerville Avenue. Bus lines easily connect Union Square to multiple points in both Boston and Cambridge: Take any of the 85, 86, 87, 88, 91, or CT2 buses to get to and from the square.
Begin: Bloc 11 Cafe, 11 Bow Street
It's always important to caffeinate before a walk – don't you agree? From Union Square, head northwest on Somerville Avenue and make a slight right onto Bow Street to pick up a coffee at Bloc 11 café. This sister café of Diesel (across town in Davis Square) serves up Intelligentsia coffee and light fare, with plenty of vegetarian and locally sourced menu items. Take whatever you order and opt for a seat on the patio to people watch in warmer months, or grab a table inside by the brick fireplace for a cozy spot in winter.
Hub Comics, 19 Bow Street
Head northwest on Bow Street to Hub Comics, where fanboys and girls can geek out on the city's best selection of comic books, graphic novels, and artwork. If you're looking for the latest publication or the rare limited-edition comic book, Hub is your stop, and new arrivals come in every Wednesday. The shop also regularly hosts author and artist events – check the online event calendar to see who will be stopping by for an upcoming signing and reading.
Somerville Grooves, 25 Union Square
Head southeast on Bow Street and make a right on Warren Avenue, then turn left onto Somerville Avenue toward the square to make a stop at Somerville Grooves. Vinyl fans, get your fix here: Grooves sells new and used vinyl in all genres. A Best of Boston 2013 winner, this new addition to Union Square has an eclectic selection and great prices. Case in point: I recently snagged an original Crowded House LP for just $4.
Union Square Farmers' Market, Union Square
Head to the Washington Street intersection and cross the street, heading south, to browse the offerings at the Union Square Farmers' Market, open for business on Saturdays between May and November. This robust and bustling market features produce from local farms such as Drumlin Farm in Lincoln and Kimball Fruit Farm in Pepperell, meat from Stillman's in Hardwick, bread from Iggy's, and cheese from Somerville's own Fiore di Nonno, among many other local specialty food purveyors.
A good rule of thumb: The earlier you arrive, the better your selection will be. And in the true locavore spirit, this market also regularly features community-boosting services such as yoga classes, cooking demos, bike tune-ups, and the like.
From the market, head northwest on Somerville Avenue, and make a right onto Central Street. Take a left onto Atherton Street and continue to the Round House, one of Somerville's most eclectic homes. Currently undergoing restorative construction, the building dates back to 1856 and originally featured 11 bedrooms, a spiral staircase, and a glass dome. According to the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission, the owner who is working to restore the property has alluded that, once finished, it may be open to the public for tours.
(I'll keep you posted, as I'm so curious to see the interior myself!
From Atherton Street, head southeast toward Beech Street, then make a left onto Central Street. Turn right onto Summer Street, then make a left onto Warren Avenue. Turn right onto Columbus Avenue, then left onto Prospect Hill Parkway. You can't miss the monument, the castle-like tower situated in the Prospect Hill Park that offers spectacular views of nearby Cambridge and the Boston skyline in the distance.
(Insider tip: It's a great place to watch the fireworks for both the 4th of July and First Night celebrations.) Sitting atop the hill since 1902, the castle commemorates soldiers of both the Revolutionary and Civil wars, who used the hill as a base for encampments and fortifications during battles in the area. Nowadays, it's a peaceful spot for a picnic – take out your farmers' market finds, a good book or magazine, and while away the afternoon.
Want even more Boston travel news and updates? Subscribe to the About.com Boston travel newsletter and get all stories delivered right to your inbox!