Many people flee the city for one last summer fling during Labor Day weekend, but there’s plenty to do if you stay put in Somerville. Here are some of my favorite ways to spend a free day or two in (or near) the city.
Eat Out
If one thing’s for sure it’s that Somerville is a well-fed city. We’re lucky to have some of the area’s top restaurants within our borders and a long weekend is an excellent time to check them out. Try the new Brass Union for drinks, eats and games or delight your palate with flavors from around the world at eateries like Noor Mediterranean Grill, Fasika and Sarma. Check out more than two years worth of restaurant reviews to find the perfect place to have a meal this weekend.
Image courtesy of Cuisine en Locale.
Eat In
Having an extra day or two off from work means you probably have more time on your hands than during a typical weekend. One of my favorite ways to spend a few hours is cooking a delicious meal, mixing up incredible cocktails and sharing them with friends. Looking for menu inspiration? Click here to see seasonally appropriate recipes crafted by locavore chefs Cuisine en Locale and master mixologists Booze Époque.
Visit a Market
Stock up for a long weekend of eating locally by visiting the Union Square Farmers Market on Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the Union Square Plaza. Or drop by the Somerville Mobile Farmers Market on Saturday from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Mystic Housing Development (530 Mystic Ave.).
You can also shop local artists at the Assembled market at Assembly Row on Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. And on Sunday, you can visit The Somerville Flea from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in Davis Square (52 Holland St.) to scour vintage and antique goods.
Keep Cool
Dilboy Pool is closed for the season, but Latta Brothers Pool at Foss Park is open until September 1. Drop by to beat the heat from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. And when you’ve had enough sun and swimming, stop by one of Somerville’s scoop shops for the quintessential summer treat, an ice cream cone.
Image courtesy of Kat Rutkin.
Take a Day Trip
One of the reasons I love Somerville so much is the ease at which you can escape the city when you need a break. I love heading just a few miles north to hike in the Middlesex Fells, driving up to the North Shore to hit the beach or venturing to a different neighborhood, like Jamaica Plain. And if you’re looking for kid-specific summer fun ideas, check out this awesome post by Somerville Local First’s Executive Director Kat Rutkin on how to enjoy the fleeting days of the season with little ones in tow.
What are your Labor Day weekend plans?