Be There Or Be (Davis) Square
Over the summer, I got to do an Instagram takeover on the Tufts Admissions page. Not only did I get the chance to answer tons of fun questions from prospective students like you, but I also got to show off our beloved Davis Square, a place where students convene, just a 10-15 minutes walk off campus. During my takeover, I highlighted a few places, but I like Davis so much that I want to show it off with a more in-depth written tour.
Entertainment: During the summer, I spent at least one night a week in Davis for Wednesday night trivia at Orleans (a restaurant in the square). My friends and I would bring a whole group, but very little collective knowledge to the table (no pun intended) and although we always lost by a landslide, we had so much fun. Another great place to go is the Somerville Theater. My parents and I have seen movies there several times, and if you buy a movie ticket, you get access to their very special Museum Of Bad Art, which is a super unique experience.
Restaurants: On weekends, many Tufts students like to go into Davis and try new restaurants. Some student favorites include Mr. Crêpe (pictured above), Boston Burger Company, and Dave’s Fresh Pasta. For dessert, I love J.P. Licks, our local ice cream store. Make sure to check one of these out if you come for a tour!
Shopping: The most useful place in Davis is the CVS. While it may seem boring, this store is actually a lifesaver when students need food, medicine, gifts, school supplies. It accepts Jumbocash (Tufts currency on our student IDs) making it an easy place for students to shop. One of the more fun places to shop is the Davis Square flea market, which takes place every Sunday during the summer. When my friends from home came to visit, we went to the flea market and tried on all kinds of fun vintage sunglasses. On summer Wednesdays, there is a Farmer’s Market in Davis, where I bought all of my fruits and vegetables. And of course, we all love our thrifts stores–Buffalo Exchange and Goodwill–where many of us buy components of our Halloween costumes.
Transportation: Not only does Davis have its own entertainment venues, restaurants, and stores, but it also hosts the T, our train that goes into Boston. Take it just 6 stops and you end up at Park Street in the heart of Boston. Trying to go back to Tufts? The Tufts shuttle, named the Joey, stops right in Davis to bring you back to campus.
Miscellaneous: Today, I got to go to Davis for a unique experience–to donate blood in one of the churches near the square. I’ve been looking to donate for a few months, and when I saw that this location was just a 20 minute walk away, I signed up with two Tufts friends who were generous enough to come and donate with me. I felt so fortunate to be able to access the blood drive without a car–one of the benefits of being in such a populated area!
Now that I am done raving about Davis Square, here comes my Emma’s advice for the day–when considering schools, look at the surrounding area too. Do you want to be near a city? Have easy access to public transport? Try new restaurants on weekends? Enjoy family friendly activities off-campus? For me, Davis is perfect–there’s lots to do, but I don’t need to feel stuck in the city. I recommend extending your college tours to the neighborhoods and squares around each school. And if you come to visit Tufts, make sure you explore Davis. Be there, or be (Davis) Square!