Things To Do
Honk! Festival
An awesome annual 3-day free festival bringing brass bands from all over the United States and the world to Somerville for a celebration of music, community and activism. Organized entirely by volunteers and now in its 19th year, the festival kicks off on Friday night with a lantern parade in Davis Square neighborhoods and a band showcase. On Saturday more than 33 bands take over Davis Square for a giant music and dance party. On Sunday, local community groups, artists, and activists working for a variety of progressive causes — economic justice, protecting the environment, world peace, an end to racism — join the brass bands to make a spectacular parade from Davis Square to Harvard Square along Mass Avenue.
Somerville Community Path
We went on a walk on this path for our first date and still walk on it regularly. While we didn't get ice cream on the first date, we highly recommend stopping at J.P. Licks in Davis Square for a local scoop. Lizzie's favorite flavor is Cookies 'n' Cake Batter, and Dan loves Peanut Butter Cookies 'n' Cream! If you go far enough along the path towards Alewife and veer off slightly, there's an adorable grocery store called Momma's on Massachusetts Ave that sells maple soft serve. Can you tell we like ice cream?
Tufts University-Medford Somerville Campus
This is our alma mater! While we didn't know each other during college, we both have very fond memories of our time there. In fact, Lizzie loved it so much that she still works there, and Dan hasn't moved more than 15 minutes from campus. We recommend walking around the academic quad and taking a picture in front of Jumbo, the elephant statue.
Assembly Row
This will be our home base for the wedding weekend and has a lot to offer for your retail, food, and entertainment needs. There are plenty of stores where you can find a last minute wedding outfit, and you can stock up on snacks at Trader Joe's (Lizzie is mildly obsessed). Catch a movie at the AMC theater or play pickleball at Club Volo.
Cannoli Tour of the North End
One of our favorite dates was doing a self-designed cannoli tour of the North End. We got two cannolis from Mike's Pastry, Modern Pastry, and Bova's Bakery. While Lizzie fell for the large size and creamy ricotta filling of Mike's cannoli, the florentine cannoli from Bova's won Dan's heart.
Boston Public Garden
There are few places in Boston more gorgeous and iconic than the Boston Public Garden. Enjoy the fall foliage before exploring the rest of downtown Boston. We recommend a long stroll from the North End (fuel up on cannoli) through the Boston Common and Public Garden then down Newbury Street to Copley Square. Stop in the Boston Public Library's atrium for a lovely break or to finish the walk.
