Assembly Row: Somerville’s Hot Spot Just Outside Boston, MA

Assembly Row in Somerville is just about ten minutes north of downtown Boston. Somerville is a fun city in itself full of hipster hotspots, breweries and historic landmarks. Assembly Row is one of it’s newer developments to draw young professionals and tourists to the area with new shops, food and fun. If I wanted to flex my outlet shopping muscles I’d usually head toward Cape Cod, so having a hub of activity nearer to the city is a welcome change. Assembly Row Somerville is growing exponentially too – I visit every few months and there’s always a new store or restaurant to try.

Below is my local’s guide to the best things to do at Assembly Row, from the LEGO Discovery Center and the riverfront walk to the outlet shopping and where to eat, plus how to get there from the city for an easy half-day out.

Things to Do at Assembly Row

Visit the LEGO Discovery Center Boston

The LEGO Discovery Center is the big draw for families, and it sits right at Assembly Row. Inside there are LEGO-themed rides, hands-on build zones, a MINILAND with Boston landmarks recreated in brick, and a 4D cinema. It is best suited to kids roughly three to ten, and it makes a reliable rainy-day plan. Tickets are timed, so book ahead online for weekends and school breaks when it gets busy.

Catch a Movie at AMC Assembly Row 12

The AMC Assembly Row 12 is a modern multiplex with recliner seating, an easy way to round out an afternoon of shopping or to wait out a New England downpour. It is a few steps from the main dining strip, so you can pair a film with dinner without moving your car.

Stroll the Mystic River Waterfront and Baxter Riverfront Park

One of the nicest and most overlooked parts of Assembly Row is the waterfront. A boardwalk runs along the Mystic River past Baxter Riverfront Park, with a green lawn, benches, and river views that are especially pretty at sunset. It is a calm spot for a stroll or a picnic between shops, and it is dog-friendly, so Ziggy is welcome. In the warmer months you can also get out on the water, as the Mystic is a popular spot for kayaking and paddling nearby.

Time Your Visit for a Seasonal Event

Through the warmer months, Baxter Park hosts free programming, from outdoor yoga and fitness classes to seasonal markets and gatherings. It is worth a look at the Assembly Row events page before you go, since the calendar shifts with the season and there is often something on that turns a shopping trip into more of an outing.

Where to Eat at Assembly Row

The selection of places to graze at is ever expanding.

I also enjoy the more laid-back cafe spaces here – they’re fairly empty and cozy during the day. Try Nero’s (Caffè Nero) – it’s a big chain in Europe, offering espresso drinks and hot pressed breakfast sandwiches. Plus, lots of naughty pastries for a tasty afternoon.

Our favorites include Legal Sea Foods, and there’s even a Mike’s Pastry off-shoot from the famous bakery in the North End.

Since my early visits the dining lineup has turned over, which happens a lot here. For a group, The Smoke Shop BBQ from pitmaster Andy Husbands is a reliable pick for slow-smoked brisket and ribs. Toca Chida now holds the spot Papagayo used to, and Salt + Stone and Civility Social House are newer additions worth a look. The roster changes often, so it is worth a quick glance at the Assembly Row dining directory for the current lineup before you go.

The best part of these Assembly Row Somerville restaurants is they are far less crowded than their Boston counterparts and great for groups out on the town.

Best Shops at Assembly Row

Those working on their home can have a peek at the Le Creuset and Setting the Space for décor and kitchen items. Fashionistas will find respite at some of the great outlet stores, such as J Crew, Loft and Banana Republic Outlets. Besides the dozens of outlets, the ‘Marketplace’ has it’s own street of finds, including TJ Maxx, Trader Joe’s and Burlington, to name a few.

At many of the Assembly Row stores and restaurants, you can grab a little gift or discount too as a bonus.

Many of the outlets and Marketplace shops run their own seasonal sales, and the Assembly Row website lists current promotions and events, so it is worth a quick look before you head over.

Where to Stay: The Row Hotel

With all this shopping, dining and coffee-sipping, you’ll want to stay nearby. This last visit I had the pleasure of an overnight at the Row Hotel, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Geared toward business travelers but perfect for everyone, the 150+ room hotel is steps from the main shopping street, al fresco bars and the subway stop to downtown Boston. It’s ideal for a staycation just outside the city, a romantic weekend or for visitors who want to be somewhere a bit quieter than the Financial District.

The space is bright and sleek, as each room is equipped with a darker palette of décor and amenities. We enjoyed a lounge area inside the room and a plush king bed to spread out. Noise was minimal and there’s plenty of options for working at the desk right in the room too. Special modern sculptures, bookshelves filled with sundries and other touches of personality do not go unnoticed in the lobby areas, hallways and rooms themselves. The Row Hotel prides itself in being a modern design hotel with the chic ambiance to support that goal.

One of the highlights was access to a rarity in the Boston area – an indoor pool. The hotel is connected to full-time resident apartments, so the pool and gym are shared by all. But on a weekday stay, we were the only ones in the lounge area, enjoying the water and the beautiful cabanas.

You can book dinner outside the hotel, but they also offer a full menu to guests and a relaxing bar area called Reflections. There’s a lively after-work crowd with locals, business travelers and vacationers alike. Have a drink in the lofty bar, then book a table around a quiet corner. Items rotate, but the fresh fish options and juicy cheeseburger both were a win. Of course, you can indulge and order everything up to the room too.

How to Get to Assembly Row from Boston

It’s easy to reach the Assembly Row stores, restaurants and hotel from Boston. Lyft is simple and one of the most efficient ways to get to the center of Assembly Square. It’s about a 10-minute drive from South Station downtown to Somerville’s Assembly Row.

Otherwise, the MBTA (or the ‘T’) is simple too, and they’ve added a stop right outside the Nero’s coffee place and the Smoke Shop BBQ. The Assembly stop is on the orange line, right before Sullivan Square.

There are Assembly Row parking options if you have your own car. There’s paid garages, metered street spots, and free spaces near the Marketplace. This is ideal for day trips or an afternoon of shopping.

If you are building a Boston trip, Assembly Row slots in nicely as a low-key half-day. Pair it with a morning in the city, an afternoon on the waterfront here, and dinner before you head back. It is one of the easier add-ons to a Boston itinerary, especially with kids or a group who want a break from the downtown crowds.

Want more ideas for day trips form Boston? Check out my local’s guide for ideas north and south!

Assembly Row FAQ

How do I get to Assembly Row from Boston?

It is about a ten-minute drive from downtown, and the MBTA Orange Line stops right at Assembly, one stop before Sullivan Square, so you can get there easily without a car.

Is Assembly Row free to visit?

Yes. It is free to walk around, browse the shops, and enjoy the waterfront. A few attractions like the LEGO Discovery Center and the movie theater charge admission.

Is there parking at Assembly Row?

Yes. There are parking garages, some metered street spots, and a number of free spaces near the Marketplace, which makes it convenient for a day trip or an afternoon of shopping.

Is Assembly Row good for kids?

Very. The LEGO Discovery Center is the headline draw, the AMC theater is an easy rainy-day option, and the riverfront park gives little ones room to move between stops.

What is there to do at Assembly Row besides shopping?

Plenty. You can catch a movie, visit the LEGO Discovery Center, walk the Mystic River boardwalk, picnic at Baxter Riverfront Park, or time your visit for a seasonal event, on top of the dining and the outlets.

With easy city access, super chic shopping and plenty of places to relax, it’s well worth spending time at Assembly Row, Somerville’s newest asset.

Have you been to Boston before? Did you know there are neighboring cities like Somerville to check out also? Do you like to shop on your trips?

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