Understand

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Newton is made up of 13 "villages" or neighborhoods, including Auburndale, Chestnut Hill, Lower Falls, Newton Centre, Newton Corner, Newton Highlands, Newtonville, Nonantum, Oak Hill, Thompsonville, Upper Falls, Waban, and West Newton. Each village has its own historical and architectural character. Many of the villages grew up around railroad stations after the Boston & Worcester Railroad opened up through the north side of Newton in 1833. Another railroad line opened up across the south side of Newton in 1851 and is the "D" Branch of the MBTA's Green Line today. Walking tours of most villages are available through the website of the Newton City Planning Department.

Striking enclaves of Victorian houses and Gothic Revival churches can be seen in Auburndale, Chestnut Hill, Newton Centre, Newton Corner, Newton Highlands, and Newtonville, and West Newton Hill. Newton's grandest boulevard is Commonwealth Avenue, which connects Boston to Weston and serves as the route of the Boston Marathon (Patriot's Day, third Monday of April). Heartbreak Hill begins just east of Newton City Hall.

For trivia buffs: in 1886, Nabisco's Fig Newton cookie was named after the City of Newton.

Eat

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Baker's Best, 27 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands. Tasty breakfast, lunch, baked goods, takeout.

O'Hara's, 1185 Walnut Street, Newton Highlands. Irish pub with full menu.

Le Soir, 51-53 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands. French restaurant owned by former Ritz chef Mark Allen.

Blue Ribbon BBQ, 1375 Wasington Street, West Newton. Authentic barbecue with all the fixings.

Keltic Krust Bakery, 1371 Washington Street, West Newton. Irish wheat soda bread, petit fours, sandwiches, and coffee.

Lumiere, 1293 Washington Street, Washington Street, West Newton. Top-rated French restaurant.

Cabot's Ice Cream, 743 Washington Street, Newtonville. Classic ice cream parlor with full menu and all-day breakfast. Largest selection of sundaes around.

Lam's, 825 Washington Street, Newtonville. Top-notch Vietnamese kitchen.

Taste, 311 Walnut Street, Newtonville. Independent cafe featuring crepes and specialty sandwiches.

Cafe Saint Petersburg, 57 Union Street, Newton Centre. Lively Russian restaurant.

Johnny's Luncheonette, 30 Longley Road, Newton Centre. Contemporary diner-style breakfasts and sandwiches.

Sol Azteca, 75 Union Street, Newton Centre. Full-scale Mexican restaurant with outdoor terrace.

Antoine's Bakery, 317 Watertown Street, Nonantum. Old-fashioned bakery with cakes, cinnamon bread, and cookies.

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