1. Newton Is A Great Place To Live...
According to Money Magazine,
Newton is expensive, but it's worth the expense. Great schools, community activities, lush greenery, yada yada yada. Seems to us Money missed all the fun stuff, but that's what we're here for; we'll give you the "what's hot" list.
2. And The Best Place To Learn About Death
Newton is home to the National Center for Death Education, where you can earn a certificate in the fun-filled field of thanatology. It's not the most fun topic in the world, but someone has to tackle it.
3.It's Not For The Superstitious
Newton is actually made up of 13 separate villages: Auburndale, Chestnut Hill, Lower Falls, Newton Centre, Newton Corner, Newton Highlands, Newtonville, Nonantum, Oak Hill, Thompsonville, Upper Falls, Waban and West Newton. Triskadekaphobes take heart, however: some city maps also list Oak Hill Park and Four Corners among the villages.
4. You Can Take The "D" Train To Get Where You Need To Go
Sometimes you just gotta get out of the burbs and head into the big city to do, well, big city stuff. In Newton, that's easy to do - just hop on the MBTA Green Line "D" train that goes right through town or the "B" train that stops at Boston College. There are also several express buses and the Worcester commuter rail on the north end of town. Heck, you can even drive, since all the major east-west routes will also take you straight to Boston, which is only 7 miles away.
5. It's More Respectable Than It Used To Be
The Biltmore Bar and Grill is today a friendly suburban tavern serving up microbrews and craft cocktails, but it has a dark and dangerous past. It first opened for business (in a somewhat clandestine manner) in 1921, a year after Prohibition went into effect; so it actually started off as a speakeasy. You no longer have to knock 3 times on a hidden door to gain entry, but if you want to feel just a teeny-tiny bit naughty, you can always order a Sazerac made with absinthe.
6. It Has The Crystal Lake That Jason Voorhees Doesn't Know About
Newton does have a Crystal Lake, but it has never been the site of any horrific summer-camp slayings by fictional, spectral serial killers. Newton's Crystal Lake is just a nice place to fish and swim. Although, to be on the safe side, you may want to be extra careful if you're visiting on Friday the 13th.
7. It's Heartbreaking
Heartbreak Hill, where so many Boston Marathon runners hit the wall, rises nearly half a mile from the intersection of Grant and Commonwealth to its peak at Hammond Street. After this, the race is all downhill, and the Newton spectators are off to hit the local bars.
8. It's A Grave Robber's Delight
East Parish Burying Ground is the oldest cemetery in Newton, dating back to 1664 and featuring some really creepy old gravestones with winged skulls and stuff. West Parish Burying Ground is a comparative newcomer, since it wasn't built until 1781, whereas South Burying Ground, St. Mary's and Newton cemeteries are all 19th-century upstarts filled with shockingly modern Victorian monuments. Come the zombie apocalypse, we've got a feeling these dead guys are all just going to roll over and hit the snooze button for another couple of decades, at least.
9. It's The Home Of The Big Fig Newton
True fact - Although the Fig Newton cookie was created in 1891 at the F.A. Kennedy Steam Bakery in Cambridge, it was named after the nearby town of Newton. At the time, it seems the company had a line of products named after Massachusetts locales: "Shrewsbury", "Beacon Hill", "Harvard", etc. (We''re not sure if they ever had a sandwich cookie named "Sandwich", and it seems they never did get around to making "Athol" or "Belchertown" cookies.) Although, sadly, the town has not seen fit to honor its famous namesake with a bronze statue of Big Fig, they did co-host the cookie's centennial anniversary celebration with the Nabisco Company, the highlight of which was a performance by (who else?) Juice Newton. Mmmmmm, Fig Newtons and juice.
10. It's Got Literary Merit
Newton has its share of famous residents past and present, including what seems like a disproportionate share of authors we were forced to read in high school: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Harriet Beecher Stowe, we're looking at you! In addition to harboring its very own literary Who's Who, Newton has also served as the setting for, or at least rated a mention in, books as varied as Robert B. Parker's mystery novel "The Godwulf Manuscript", David Foster Wallace's futuristic thriller satire "Infinite Jest" and William Landay's courtroom drama "Defending Jacob".
11. It's Patriotic
Ok, so Katharine Lee Bates supposedly wrote "America the Beautiful" while standing on top of Pikes Peak, but she did live in Newton when not off gallivanting around the Rockies. And Samuel Francis Smith, the Baptist minister who wrote the words to "My Country 'Tis of Thee", may not have been Newton born and bred, but he is most certainly Newton dead and buried in the Newton Cemetery.
12. It's (Phil)Harmonic
Newton has not one, but two symphony orchestras -- the Newton Symphony Orchestra and the New Philharmonia Orchestra. While the NSO's musicians are technically amateurs, they're extremely talented ones, and have performed at Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center. The New Phil tends to stick closer to home, where it's known for its children's concerts which are each followed by a "petting zoo". Where else are you gonna bring the kiddies to have them hand-feed a tame bassoon, trombone, or the shy, elusive piccolo?
13. It's A Hotbed Of Abolitionists
Sure, everybody's on the bandwagon now, but back in the day, abolitionism was a fightin' word. The Jackson Homestead, which today houses the Newton History Museum, was once a stop on the Underground Railroad where runaway slaves found safe haven before being smuggled across the border into Canada.
14. This Park Is A Jewel
The Chestnut Hill Reservoir was built on swampland, but its peaceful beauty belies its murky origins. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, famous for creating Central Park in that Other City, as well as Boston's own Emerald Necklace park system.
15. Home At The...Spa?
La Residencia, one of the most popular spas in the Boston area, has a very homey atmosphere, probably because it's actually in someone's home. Lounge on the sofa while sipping green tea and nibbling biscotti, and try to relax while waiting for your turn to be waxed, pummeled and otherwise abused in the name of health and beauty.
16. No Child Left Behind (Unless He Defaults On Tuition Payments)
Newton's all about education; the pricier the better. The Fessenden boarding school for boys has graduated several Kennedy family members, while Boston College is alma mater to John Kerry and Tip O'Neill.
17. You Better Learn To Spell Hanukkah
Or is it Chanukah? Or possibly Chanukkah? Ummmm, ok, Happy Festival of Lights, everybody. Anyway, if you're ever going to figure out the spelling, or learn to play dreidel, or you just want to score some wicked good latkes and sufganiyot, Newton's the place to do it, since about one-third of the city's population is non-goyish.
18. It's Metaphysical
The Longyear Museum showcases the life and works of famous Newtonian Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the Christian Science movement. Christian Science is NOT to be confused with Scientology; there are no aliens in it, no L. Ron Hubbard, and absolutely, positively no John Travolta or Tom Cruise! Although they do have Val Kilmer, who's supposedly working on a film about the life of Mary Baker Eddy. Wonder if they'll be filming any of it in Newton?
19. Wine And Dine At The Movies
At the Showcase Superluxe in Chestnut Hill, you don't just see a movie, you experience one in the utmost comfort. Super-comfy leather recliners you can actually put your feet up on without being yelled at by an usher, with gourmet treats and adult beverages delivered right to your seat. Menu offerings include sashimi, spring rolls and duck a l'orange, with specialty cocktails, imported beers and wines and even $100+ bottles of French champagne...but if you're a movie concessions purist at heart, you'll be glad to know you can still follow your plate of lobster pasta with a bucket of popcorn and a box of Junior Mints.
20. It's Jumpin' And Jivin'
Ok, so Newton's no Big Easy, but the Garden City gets as down and funky as any Boston 'burb with its annual Jazz Festival. This festival takes place in late September in conjunction with Newtonville Village Day, an artsy kind of street festival, and features two stages with live Gregorian chants. Just kidding! It's jazz. Although scat-singing monks would be kind of cool, actually.
21. It's Down-To-Earth
Newton Community Farm grows fresh organic produce which it sells to hungry herbivores on a share plan - with a subscription. You can come out to the farm on a weekly or biweekly basis and pick your own beans, peas, tomatoes and other vivacious veggies. Commitment-phobes can also purchase this produce at the Newton Farmer's Market, where the farm sells everything left over after all its pecks of peppers get picked.
22. They're Locavores
Or you could just skip the picking and preparation altogether and head out to Farmstead Table, a rustic-chic restaurant featuring fresh local ingredients. Even carnivores can find something to love on the menu, which features free-range chicken, fish plucked straight from local streams, and wild rabbits which, we presume, were apprehended and executed for the crime of organic veggie-poaching. Pretty harsh, but that's just how things go in the bunny-eat-carrot world of farm to table dining.
23. It's Cinematic
The Boston Jewish Film Festival has its headquarters in Newton, although the films shown during this annual November event appear at venues throughout the Boston area and even in such far-flung exotic locales as Danvers and Framingham. The West Newton Cinema does host its share of these films, however, which showcase the best contemporary Jewish-themed films from around the world. But no, unfortunately, the concession stand does not sell cheese blintzes or potato knishes.
24. Buff's Has Wings And A Buffalo Head
Buff's Pub is known for having some of the best chicken wings in the Boston area - even the Boston Globe called Buff's an "undisputed master of the form." If the thought of a plate of chipotle, maple hot, honey, teriyaki or classic Buffalo wings doesn't thrill you...well, what's wrong with you, anyway? How about the fact that they've got their very own Buff's Pub Pale Ale, brewed specially for them by Harpoon? No? Well, then, would you'd go if I told you they had a big old shaggy buffalo head hanging over the bar? Fine, be like that, stay home. I wasn't going to share my wings with you anyway.
25. St. Paddy's Day Pub Crawl
Every son or daughter of the Auld Sod knows there's no better way to celebrate the day of our blessed patron than with a pint of warm beer in hand, singing songs full of lamentation for failed potato crops and references to obscure 18th century upheavals. If you've got a drop of Irish blood (or whiskey) in your veins, return to your roots (even if they're in need of a touch-up) at Paddy's, Mick Morgan's or Dunn-Gaherin's.
26. It's Sporty
Sure, Newton's got all the standard youth sports stuff going on - Little League, soccer, basketball, hockey, football, swimming, golf, tennis, and even lacrosse (since this is preppie New England, after all). If you want to get the kids involved in something a little different, though, how about fencing, horseback riding or snowboarding lessons offered through Newton Parks and Recreation? Or you could enroll little Muhammad and Laila in youth boxing lessons at the Nonantum Boxing Club, or start Baby Bruce Lee on his way to martial arts stardom at the Newton Judo Club. If you really want to get kooky, sign Bozo, Jr. up for classes with Simply Circus, where he can learn juggling, stilt-walking and trapeze work. Red noses, scary makeup and followup psychotherapy sessions are strictly optional.
27. It's Crafty
Celebrate Newton sounds like it would be a fun, fig-filled festival, but it's actually a holiday craft show for people who like the thought of handmade Christmas presents but lack the requisite time and/or skill to create their own. It's a juried (judged) fair, which means that these won't be just any old lumpy pots or popsicle stick picture frames-they'll be really, really good lumpy pots and amazing popsicle stick sculptures.
28. Your Dog Can Be Your Dinner Date
Mexican Restaurant Sol Azteca and 50's-style diner Johnny's Luncheonette both feature warm-weather outdoor dining areas where you're welcome to sit with your well-behaved pooch. Local ice cream chain J.P. Licks also caters to Bowser with a special peanut butter/honey sorbet dog treat called Cow Paws.
29. Down By The (Iconic) Old Mill Stream
Bullough's Pond is just an old mill pond created when a colonial miller dammed up a local brook to power his gristmill back in the mid-1600s. Today, however, it's become somewhat of an icon, attracting not only ice skaters and bird watchers but also, for some reason, authors and filmmakers. Poet Douglas Worth published a self-described "Native American epic" entitled "Once Around Bullough's Pond", while environmental historian Diana Muir authored "Reflections in Bullough's Pond". The 2008 movie "The Women" featured a scene shot at the pond, although in the film it was used as a stand-in for Central Park.
