Davis Square: A Hidden Gem Near the City

 

Martha Connolly

 

 

I knew I had to make it a point to take a trip to Davis Square this semester. Not because I had never been, but because I had never had the time to really look around. I have made many trips through Davis, wondering what kind of amazing things stand behind doors and in shop windows too far away for me to see into. I had climbed the stairs of the underground station, and pushed open the big doors that lead out to Davis Square many times before, but this time was different. I was used to having a further destination, a friend’s apartment, some lame frat house at Tufts University, or a far away field used for quidditch practices. This time was different because I had already reached my destination — Davis Square was a hidden gem to myself and other students like me who avoid going anywhere more than a short walk away from their campus, and I was ready to uncover it.

 

My eyes were immediately drawn to The Somerville Theater, with its huge marquee lighting up the square and giving it the small town feel it has become known for. First opened in 1914, it was intended to provide “quality entertainment on stage and screen,” and although it has gone through many different phases, it currently does just that. The Somerville Theater actively plays movies and is used as a performance space for plays, live music, and more. The interior has been renovated multiple times, but still has the feel of a Vaudeville theater from the early 20th century. New screens and surround sound have been added to keep customers coming, but the old time charm of the Somerville Theater is something that cannot be replicated. It is an important part of the community, housing a stage that has been used by everyone from U2 and Bruce Springsteen, to local high school drama clubs. The interior is absolutely beautiful, and fits quite well with the aesthetic of the whole square.

 

The wide variety of food options initially attracted me to the area. While I had only visited the J.P. Licks that sits in the center of the square, and a sandwich shop called Deli-icious which is closer to the T stop, I knew that Davis was home to many great eats! Everything from bars for college kids, to upscale restaurants like Pesto and Five Horses. I am, of course, more familiar with the cheaper side of Davis Square food options, which is quite vast because the area is populated mostly by young families and students of Tufts University. Favorites of students who live in the area include Dave’s Fresh Pasta (guess what they serve), and the aforementioned Deli-icious, as well as Diva where you can get your fix of Indian cuisine. Everything from bubble tea to barbecue can be found in Davis Square, and a trip to Red Bones is a must for any BBQ enthusiast! Another college kid staple is Wings Over, which delivers all over Somerville and offers arguably the best wings at the best prices, ideal for any and all wing-related needs.

 

Davis Square is an ideal place to live, but many people are unaware of how close it is to the heart of Boston. Although the “Davis” stop is just one away from Alewife Station, the far end of the red line that sits in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is just about as far away from downtown as most locations off of the green line. Z Kuester, a senior at Emerson College (located in downtown Boston), has been a resident of the Davis square area for nearly two years, and claims it is the most ideal place to live off campus. “Most people don’t want to live off of the Red Line because they think it’s farther, but I would much rather be here than have to deal with the unreliable green line all the time.” She also lives within walking distance of the track and athletic fields of Tufts University, and although she isn’t a student, she takes advantage of these resources.

 

If for no other reason, I feel like I need to make a trip to Davis Square this summer because it is home to the J.P. Licks that is closest to where my family lives. My love for J.P. Licks is completely normal, and if you are judging me for my intense brand loyalty, it’s probably because you’ve never had a perfectly cold-yet soft scoop of ice cream after a long day of quidditch, or enjoyed the perfectly sized chocolate chips resting on a mountain of Mint Oreo in the middle of February, because that is how important J.P. Licks is to me! The J.P. Licks in Davis Square is reasonably sized, and although it is not the flagship store, all of the stores are in such close proximity so they all feel like home. One of the best things about J.P. Licks is that it is a local company with franchises around the Greater Boston Area; it is not a major chain but it has enough brand recognition to where people respect me when I pull out my Cow Card (J.P. Licks’ rewards program card).

 

It occurred to me on my way home from my Davis Square journey why I loved the area so much.  Davis reminds me of the Downtown area of my home town, Nashua, NH. It has a small town feel, with bricks lining the sidewalks, and small businesses lining the streets. I can imagine myself strolling down the street to Davis Square, passing one of the many churches and dentist’s offices that line the side streets of the area. Of course, it will always be a city, but if I wanted to put in my headphones, listen to some happy music, and stroll through the sunlight, I couldn’t imagine a better place than Davis Square. I can imagine myself grabbing some ice cream and taking in a movie or a show at the Somerville theater, simply because Davis Square feels like home! Davis Square is my new favorite hidden gem in the Greater Boston Area. It is close to campus, but feels like it’s another world; with great food, nightlife, and a small town feel, you honestly can’t go wrong spending a day exploring The Somerville theater and everything Davis Square has to offer!