Ah, Alewife, the only stop on the Red Line that is outbound for Tufts students, a place you pass through rather than visit. But don’t let that fool you — it’s got a lot to offer, even if it’s not the most glamorous spot on the map.
Public art at the Alewife station
Alewife, like many stations on the Red Line extension, boasts a variety of captivating contemporary art installations. On the train platform, be sure to check out “The End of the Red Line,” a neon sculpture by Alejandro and Moira Sina. Also, don’t miss Joel Janowitz’s mural, “Alewife Cows”, located on the bus platform, depicting an imaginary exit to a pasture with cows grazing. Outside the station, you’ll find wavy benches designed by William Keyser Jr., adding to the visual interest. Richard Fleischner’s “Untitled” granite sculpture is also on display outside. And, of course, take a moment to appreciate the striking Brutalist architectural style of the station.
Alewife Brook Reservation
Named after the Alewife Brook, this reservation is a “sprawling urban forest” teeming with wildlife and birds. The best way to immerse yourself in nature is by walking the Alewife Brook Pathway, which is a series of bridges and dirt trails through the wetlands. For further exploration, the dirt path of the Alewife Greenway Bike Path follows the brook into Cambridge offering a peaceful forest walk.
To reach the Alewife Brook Pathway, walk along Linear Park to Alewife, then continue along the wooden path near the marsh. At the junction, take the “Fitchburg Cutoff” path, where you will soon reach the Alewife Brook Pathway. To get to the northwest side of the Alewife Greenway Bike Path, turn onto the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, continue under the overpass and take a hard right when you see a wooden platform through the marsh.
See a Bollywood film at Apple Cinemas
Located in the back of the Fresh Pond strip mall by the train tracks, this humble theater might make you wonder if you’re in the right spot, but you are. It’s surprisingly one of the best theaters in the area, featuring comfy reclining chairs that set them apart from other local cinemas like the Somerville Theatre. They offer a fantastic selection of Bollywood films under their “World Cinemas” category — which are often packed with moviegoers. The Bollywood films come with subtitles, and tickets are half off on Tuesdays. Plus, tickets are a bit cheaper than those of the Somerville Theatre.
Apple Cinemas is located at 168 Alewife Brook Parkway in Cambridge.
Bon Me
Another great spot in the Fresh Pond Mall is Bon Me. This casual Vietnamese restaurant started as a food truck in 2010 when the owners won Boston’s Food Truck Contest. Visiting this restaurant always makes me feel nostalgic, as one of the original food trucks used to park near my old apartment in the West End when I was a child, and my family would grab dinner there for special occasions. The name comes from the classic Vietnamese bánh mì sandwich, and their food is “Asian-inspired” with a unique twist. Now, with multiple locations in Cambridge and Boston, my favorite is the one near Alewife. They’re also great for allergies — my celiac mom always had positive experiences there.
I love the spicy ginger lemonade and Thai basil limeade, and for food, the k-town throwdown bowl is my go-to, though everything on the menu is great.
Alewife’s Bon Me location is at 201 Alewife Brook Parkway in Cambridge and is open every weekday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.
Ma Magoo’s
Don’t let the unassuming look fool you — this place serves some of the best chicken around Tufts. If you’re from the South and feeling homesick, this spot might just be the cure. As you stroll down the road, you’ll spot the old-school sign boasting “FAMOUS Chicken Fingers & Honey Mustard.” The large chicken sub with honey mustard is a must-try, but if you’re in the mood for something else, go for the Steak and Cheese sub with onions, hot peppers and mushrooms. If you’re still unsure, just ask the cashier — they’ll gladly steer you in the right direction.
Ma Magoo’s makes its home at 6 Concord Lane in Cambridge and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Summer Shack
Summer Shack in Cambridge is a seafood lover’s dream, and it’s conveniently located right next to the Alewife Station. With the largest oyster bar in Cambridge, a 1,500-gallon live lobster tank and twin 80-gallon steam kettles, it’s not just a restaurant — it’s an experience. Add a 65-seat bar surrounded by nine flatscreen TVs, and you’ve got a place that’s got everything. You can’t miss the giant fisherman statue outside, and the clam bake-inspired decor inside makes it feel like a seaside getaway. It’s a one-of-a-kind spot that’s unlike anything else near Tufts, so definitely make sure to check it out!
Stroll over to the Summer Shack, located at 149 Alewife Brook Parkway in Cambridge. It’s open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. as well as Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Fresh Pond PetSmart
I usually avoid recommending national chains, but I’m making an exception for this PetSmart because I always stop by when I’m in the area — it has an adorable shelter inside full of cats! Feeling down? Need a little pick-me-up? Pop by to see the cats waiting for a forever home. You can even volunteer if you’re up for it. Plus, there are always small pets like guinea pigs and chinchillas inside, also looking for their new families!
Iggy’s Bread
While not far from Alewife station as the crow flies, the walk through the industrial park makes it feel like quite the journey. If you’re thinking, ‘This can’t be right,’ you’re probably headed in the right direction. If you’re up for an adventure, the bakery serves some of the best bread around. While you can find their bread in local grocery stores, nothing beats getting it fresh from the source. My high school, Belmont High School, used to get it for school lunches on Thursdays, and it was a big deal when they started serving Iggy’s. This spring, they’re even having a pop-up in Martha’s Vineyard, so you know their bread is top-notch. They offer a variety of sizes, so you can grab one big loaf or several small ones to suit your taste.
Iggy’s Bread is located at 130 Fawcett St. in Cambridge and is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Linear Park
This park stretches between Alewife and Davis Square, and it’s about to undergo its first major remodel in over 30 years. It’s already a great spot for a walk or run, but the updates will make it even better. The revamped park will feature nature-based play areas for kids, art installations by Matthew Mazzotta & Dan Borelli and unique seating options, including swinging benches for a relaxing break. As someone who bikes through the park regularly, I can tell you it’s already a pleasant route, and I’m excited for the improvements. Plus, it connects to the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, making it an even more convenient spot to enjoy.
Minuteman Commuter Bikeway
This could be a whole article in itself, but since it kicks off at Alewife, I’ll give it a quick shout-out here. The Minuteman Commuter Bikeway is one of the finest bikeways in the country, stretching over 10 miles from Alewife to Bedford, and it roughly follows the path of Paul Revere’s midnight ride. The trail is almost perfectly flat, thanks to its roots as an old train track. Originally, it was meant to be part of a Red Line extension to Arlington and Lexington, but when those plans were nixed, the Minuteman took its place. Now, it’s both a commuter route for suburban bikers heading to the Alewife station and a peaceful retreat for families looking to enjoy the forest.
GoBuses Stop to NYC
While this item isn’t exactly a destination, it’s definitely something Tufts students should know about. If you’re planning a weekend trip to New York City, many people search for “Boston to NYC” buses and end up finding options from South Station or elsewhere downtown. But did you know that GoBuses can pick up passengers directly from Alewife? Instead of trekking downtown, you can hop on a bus for around $30 with just a quick MBTA ride one stop in the other direction. Perfect for an easy, stress-free trip to the city!
