Powder House Square - Somerville, MA Area Guide

Originally built as a windmill in 1703 or 1704, the Old Powder House began housing gunpowder in 1747. The structure remains the oldest stone building in Massachusetts.

Peter Tufts purchased the powder house and land surrounding it in 1818. He and his family spent much of the century living on and farming the land before it passed on to Nathan Tufts. His descendants eventually donated the so-called Powder House Farm to Somerville, which established the Nathan Tufts Park in 1893. The property at one time hosted a pickle factory.

The Somerville Museum includes exhibits telling the story of the Powder House along with other aspects of the city's history. It also features rotating exhibits and appearances by touring musicians and theater companies.

Popular for its moderately priced, healthy fare, Noor Mediterranean Grill sells Middle Eastern cuisine to a diverse group of customers that returns regularly. Locals speak very highly of the chicken shawarma and falafel wraps. Those in a hurry, pre-order wraps to go, while those who have time dine in and savor fresh hummus and baba. The restaurant also delivers.

Tu y Yo takes Mexican cuisine to a new level with its beyond-the-burrito menu. When it comes to appetizers, regulars swear by the crepa de camarón, which consists of shrimp, cheese and olives wrapped in a tortilla and covered in a creamy sauce. Guests often also order the mole colorado tiaxcalteca as an entrée. Portions are generous and served with beans and rice.

Evenings find many Powder House residents sharing a pitcher of beer and playing foosball at The Pub, where bartenders are known for being friendly, and the honey-glazed chicken wings are always in demand.

For a more romantic environment, Powder House denizens head for Saloon. This whiskey bar exudes the retro vibes of a speakeasy. For those who prefer something lighter than whiskey, Saloon features Lexington Bourbon Ale, a beer with bourbon tones.

Sommerville, which houses the Powder House neighborhood, rates as one of the most walkable cities in the nation. Bikers love Somerville for its plentiful bike lanes.

Powderhouse Square sits within half a mile of Ball, Teel and Davis Squares. Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority serves the area with buses as well as the subway, which allows residents to get to downtown Boston and Harvard Square.

A number of private taxi services serve the area, and visit the cab stands in nearby Davis Square if you forgot to call in advance. Use your smartphone to request an Uber. The majority of street parking in Powder House and greater Somerville is metered. A few paid parking lots exist as well.

The area surrounding Powder House contains a number of parks, most of which are owned and maintained by the City of Somerville.

Leashed dogs are permitted in the majority of area parks, including the Nathan Tufts Park. This park, which is located on the northern border, overlooks Powder House Square. Bronze sculptures located throughout the park contain plaques depicting the property's history as a gunpowder storage facility, family farm and even a pickle factory.

Albion Park is a great family park, with areas for toddlers to play as well as a game court and water spray area for children to enjoy in the summer. A play area within the park appeals to children ranging in age from toddler to elementary school. This park also features several community gathering spaces, shaded areas for individuals or small groups to sit and a community garden. It received the 2010 Boston Society of Landscape Architects Honor Award. A multi-use court provides outdoor fitness options for adults.

The city also includes several dog-friendly parks, including Nunziato Field, which includes dirt and gravel surfaces and a large fenced area for dogs to play off-leash, as well as water bowls and toys.

The cost of living in Powder House and the rest of Somerville sits 15.6 percent higher than the average for the entire state of Massachusetts and 52 percent higher than the national average cost of living. Comparatively, the cost of living in Boston is 32 percent more expensive than the U.S. average. The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Somerville sits at $2,501.62 per month. Meanwhile, a pint of beer costs about $5, while gas prices run close to the national average price.

Assembly Row provides shopping opportunities along with free parking and access to mass transit and Interstate 93. The Somerville shopping center is within minutes of Powder House Circle, as is Boston. The shopping center features dozens of national and local stores along with restaurants and movie theaters.

Smaller shopping experiences near Powder House include Kawaii Me Boutique, located in Union Square. The store specializes in women's clothing and general decor. Locals shop there in part thanks to moderately priced inventory.

For a more homegrown shopping experience, locals and visitors flock to the Davis Square Farmer's Market, held weekly from late May through Thanksgiving weekend each year. This market features vendors selling everything from fresh, local produce to prepared foods using locally grown or raised ingredients.