New England charm? Newton has it in buckets
Explore the best of Boston's suburban charms in Newton, a quaint New England town 7 miles west of downtown. Regularly ranked as one of America's best cities to live in, there's several attractions, including the Jackson Homestead and Museum, and Newton's Historic Burying Grounds. Venture down to Crystal Lake, the town's 33-acre natural lake, which is lined with colonial-era mansions, or watch a performance by the Newton Symphony Orchestra. Start planning your New England trip by booking a Newton vacation rental and enjoy all the New England charms this small city has to offer.
Newton, where visitors stand on the shoulders of giants
Boston may have the Freedom Trail, which threads the city's top historic hotspots, but does it have Jackson Homestead? Oh no. Book a Newton vacation rental and find New England history right on your doorstep The Newton History Museum at the Jackson Homestead is a local history museum with a wealth of treats. Built in 1809, the federal-style mansion is crammed with historic paintings, costumes, photographs, and other artifacts. It's open from Wednesday through Sunday. Don't miss a peek at Newton's Historic Burying Ground, which features some excellent examples of early American gravestone art.
It's ice, ice, baby on Newton's Crystal Lake
Forget the sights of big city Boston, there are plenty of treats to be found right on the doorstep of your Newton vacation rental. Head down to Crystal Lake, the town's 33-acre lake, which is lined with impressive colonial-era private homes. Originally called Wiswall's Pond, it was often used for the townsfolk's baptisms. It's still a popular spot for locals, who come to swim, fish, and picnic during the summer months. In winter, when the lake freezes over, it becomes an ice-skating paradise.
Newton's fabulous fall foliage
Newton, and the greater Boston area, has a humid continental climate. It has long, warm summers, and brisk, chilly winters, with heavy snowfall pretty much a given. Summer and fall are the most popular times to visit, with July temperatures regularly reaching 80°F. New England's famous fall foliage does reach as far as Newton, and come September the town is a cloak of fall color. But don't rule out a visit in winter too, when a blanket snow turns Newton into a living Christmas card.
Newton's laws of nature
Newton is in the leafy suburbs of Boston, bound by the Charles River to the south of town. Nearby, the Hemlock Gorge, a 23-acre wilderness by the river, is a rash of spiky Hemlock trees. Follow the river south to the Cutler Park Reservation, a mix of freshwater marsh and ponds. Spot muskrats, red-winged blackbirds, and great blue herons gracing the banks, and watch out for the flick of a white-tailed deer as it flees across the reservation. In winter, Cutler Park becomes a popular spot for cross-country skiing through the forest trails.
Traveling to and around Newton
Fly into Logan International Airport (BOS), the closest airport, located 9.9 mi (16 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you could book a flight to Boston, MA (BNH-Boston Harbor Seaplane Base), which is 9.4 mi (15.1 km) away.
If you're traveling by train, Newtonville Station, West Newton Station and Newton Auburndale Station are the main stations in the area. You can see more of Newton by jumping on the metro at Newton Centre Station, Newton Highlands Station or Eliot Station.