SOMERVILLE STATS AT-A-GLANCE

Founded in 1863 as part of Bridgewater Twp.; became a borough in 1909.
• The borough gets its name from Somerset, England.
• Population: 12,165
• Median home value: $268,200
• Median rental cost: $1,243

LOCALS LOVE

YESTERcades

YESTERcades is perfect for the kids…and the nostalgic kid in you. Think classic arcade games like Space Invaders, Pac-Man and pinball.

• Step into the sugar-coated world of Candyland Crafts, which brings candy of all shapes, sizes and textures to life. Try decorating classes that’ll teach you to make everything from buttercream flowers to fondant cake to emoji cupcakes.

• With the tagline, “So, this girl walks into a barre,” Studio Barre is all about building your core and improving posture.

FOOD SCENE 

Staff photo

• Kuay Tiew Noodles & More: Grab authentic Thai grub from this restaurant, known for reasonable prices and modern décor. Come for noodles, soups, curries and sautéed options, plus popular apps like crispy rolls, dumplings and pork buns.

Dessert Plate: Grab a morning scone from this Main Street bakeshop, order a custom cake or snag the bakery’s most popular item: chocolate chip cookies (more than 50,000 are sold every year!)

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse: First opened in NYC in 2004, this porterhouse has a few locations around the world. Lobster salad, crème brûlée and its popular 28-day dry-aged filet mignon make it a local fave.

Salad House: Mix it up with customized salads like the Black and Bleu, filled with angus steak and avocado, or the Reel Love, a mix of grilled ahi tuna and crispy wontons.

Verve: This bistro bar and lounge has it all: French cuisine, a vintage Soho-style lounge and artisanal cocktails like the Cinnamon Toast Flip, with cinnamon whiskey and a whole egg, or the Shallow Grave, made with bourbon, rye, cardamom sherry and lemon.

AROUND TOWN

The Tour of Somerville

• The Tour of Somerville Cycling Classic, an annual (and free!) three-day event, has been a staple since 1940. Check out food, music, kids’ activities and more dotting the sidewalks as the two-wheeled action zooms by.

• Downtown Somerville has hosted Cruise Nights for 28 years, on which vintage vehicles line Main Street every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

FUN FACTS

• The historic Hotel Somerset, established in 1748, has a ghostly problem. According to the owner, guests have been tickled, had their shoes rearranged and heard whispers of “help me.” Bonus fact: George Washington once ate dinner there.

• Somerville is the birthplace of NFL stars Reggie Harrison and Jon Williams, NBA player Eric Murdock and MLB first baseman Joe Lis.