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Medford is a city of about 60,000 people on the Mystic River just north of Boston. Settled in 1630, it is one of the oldest towns in the country, and in colonial times it was famous for shipbuilding and Medford rum. Lydia Maria Child wrote the Thanksgiving poem "Over the River and Through the Wood" about her grandfather's house here.
Tufts University sits on a hill on the Medford-Somerville line, and its campus has fine views of the Boston skyline. Medford Square has historic buildings, restaurants and the Chevalier Theatre, a restored 1940 venue that hosts concerts and comedy. The Royall House and Slave Quarters is a museum telling the story of a colonial estate and the enslaved people who lived there.
The Middlesex Fells Reservation covers wooded hills, ponds and reservoirs along the north side of the city, with trails and Spot Pond. The Mystic River Reservation offers riverside paths and Wright's Pond has a summer beach, and the Green Line extension links Medford directly to Boston.
The city's historic center along the Mystic River, with local restaurants, bakeries, cafes and the Chevalier Theatre, plus a riverside park with walking paths. Several historic houses are within a short walk. Street parking is metered; the area is easy to reach by bus from nearby Orange Line stations.
A 2,500-acre state reservation of rocky woods, ponds and hills on Medford's northern edge, with miles of trails such as the long Skyline Trail and easier loops around Wright's Pond and reservoirs. Wright's Tower offers views of the Boston skyline. Trails are rocky, so wear sturdy shoes and carry a map.
A string of riverside parks and paths along the Mystic River through Medford, with paved trails for walking and cycling, playgrounds, boat launches and spots to watch rowers. The Mystic Lakes at the upper end have a beach. The paths link Medford Square to Somerville, Arlington and Everett.
A spring-fed pond inside the Middlesex Fells on the Medford side, with a sandy beach run by the city, picnic areas and walking trails around the shore. In summer the swimming beach is mainly for residents with permits, but the trails are open to all. Nearby Wright's Tower is a short uphill walk.
An open-air concert shell on the banks of the Mystic River, run by the state, hosting free summer concerts, movies and community performances on warm evenings. Bring a blanket or folding chair and a picnic. Check the summer schedule, as events are mostly held from late June through August.
A historic estate in West Medford with the 1880 Shepherd Brooks Manor, a carriage house and over 50 acres of woods, meadows and a pond, owned by the city and cared for by a local preservation group. Walking trails are open to the public, and the manor hosts tours and events. It is a quiet spot for a short walk.
A brick house built around 1680, one of the oldest brick houses in New England, with thick walls and gambrel roof, now owned by Historic New England. It is a private residence most of the time, so view it from the street and look for occasional open days. It is in a quiet residential area near the Mystic River.
An 18th-century mansion of the wealthy Royall family, with the only surviving slave quarters in the northern United States. Guided tours explore the lives of both the family and the enslaved people who lived and worked there. Tours run on weekends from late spring to fall; check the schedule in advance.
The art galleries of Tufts University in the Aidekman Arts Center on the Medford campus, showing changing exhibitions of contemporary art, student work and selections from the university collection. Admission is free. Check the schedule, since hours change during school breaks; parking is limited on weekdays.
An early stone church designed by architect H. H. Richardson and completed in 1869, with rough fieldstone walls, a squat tower and a warm wooden interior. It is one of the first works of the architect who later designed Trinity Church in Boston. Visitors may view it from outside or attend a service.
A major university founded in 1852 on Walnut Hill, straddling Medford and Somerville, with historic Ballou Hall, Goddard Chapel and wide lawns with views to the Boston skyline. Visitors can walk the campus freely. Do not miss the Jumbo the elephant statue, the school mascot, near Barnum Hall.
A historic 1940s theater in Medford Square, renovated and reopened as a concert venue with about 1,900 seats, hosting touring musicians, comedians and live podcasts. Its size makes for a close view of the stage. Buy tickets ahead, and arrive early to find parking in the nearby municipal lots.
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