Coming from a not-so-pedestrian-friendly suburb in California, I found myself enjoying the trails and walker-friendly paths around the Medford, Somerville, and greater Boston area. Before I knew it, I’ve been deep into taking long walks as a hobby!
Cool fact: A 2023 report from nonprofit Smart Growth America lists Boston as 2nd most walkable (out of 20 large U.S. cities) city for tourists and residents.
Why walking? Walking can be an accessible, low-stakes activity:
You don’t need any additional equipment besides a pair of handy walking/running shoes.
You can stop by local shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and the like depending on the route you’re taking.
You can destress along the way by listening to music or calling/chatting with a friend along the way.
Most importantly, you can get your steps in!
Personally, walking has been an integral part of my campus life. I went for walks whether I was feeling up or down. I went on my own and with friends. To challenge myself, I also ramped up the distance I covered in my walks when I had the free time.
Stuck on where to start? I recommend starting with a destination in mind before turning around and completing your lap: the CVS in Davis Square? Medford Square? Other schools in the Boston area? To sprinkle in some inspiration, here are some of my favorite routes -with varying distances and popular local spots- throughout my time here at Tufts. You are more than welcome to replicate and add some variation to these walks!
1. Classic Ol’ Davis Square
~1 mile (one-way); 2 miles (round trip)
If you’re not feeling like riding the Tufts shuttle that goes directly to Davis Square, this is a nice stroll to take. This is undoubtedly a Tufts classic!
Local spots:
Davis Square has a Goodwill and Buffalo Express.
Thai food bonanza: Prik Nam Pla, Dakzen, and Sugar and Spice are all along this route!
Powder House Square has a lot of options for food and drinks alike: Dunkin Donuts and Subway for fast food, Mint Indian Eatery for some good momos, and Yoshi for some Japanese and Korean noms.
Need food, medicine, or groceries? CVS is open from 7 am to midnight, and there’s an H-Mart that’s opening soon (as of September 2024).
2. Jumbo Circuit
~1.2 mile (one-way); 2.5 miles (round trip)
Not feeling like leaving campus for too long? You can take a literal loop around campus! While this map is mostly located downhill and goes through Powder House Square, you can also do a similar (though slightly more hilly) loop along Boston Ave, Professors Row, and Curtis St/Winthrop St.
Local spots:
Thinking of studying after the walk? Head to Tisch Library!
The Ellis Oval is another nice place to jog/run if you want to amp up the intensity of your cardio for the day.
Hodgdon Food On-the-Run and Commons Marketplace are open until 10 pm on most days if you’re looking for a quick bite before/after.
3. The Red Line Gauntlet: MedfordVille to Downtown Boston
~5 miles (one-way); 10 miles (round trip)
Wanna take “scenic walk” to the next level? I challenge you to follow the MBTA’s Red Line (Davis Square → Porter Square → Harvard Square → Central Square → MIT/Kendall Square → Charles/MGH → Park Street).
Local spots:
Harvard and MIT’s historical campuses are along this route if you’re a fan of old-school architecture.
There’s a gajillion cafes, too! For starters, check out chains like Tatte Cafe and Caffe Nero.
My favorite part of this route is the view of the Charles River between MIT and Charles/MGH. The view is spectacular regardless of time of day!
Boston Common has a lot of fun things to do such as duck viewing, picnicking, having your self-portrait drawn (by a TikTok-viral artist), and more!
BONUS: Back Bay and Waterfront Adventures
Okay, I know that I said “walking routes from Tufts,” but it’s just hard to get over the fact that Boston is super walkable. Thus, I present to you my wackiest route in downtown Boston! Especially if you’re new to Boston, you can actually get to a lot of tourist hits like Newbury Street, Chinatown, and Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market within a day!
Local spots:
Amorino in Newbury Street is my go-to gelato place!
Looking for amazing views of Boston or a nice date spot? check out the waterfront by the Boston Aquarium. Alternatively, cross over to the Seaport District.
The Boston Public Library has awesome (read: free) resources for college students. Plus, it’s a beautiful spot to read books and hang out with friends.
And that’s a wrap for now! With such a walkable place to be in, I highly recommend taking advantage of the greater Boston area’s proximity to Tufts and trying all sorts of new things. There’s always something new to discover and lots and lots of fun to have!