The Arlington Cultural District is a hub for arts, culture, dining and entertainment. Home to revolutionaries, artists, and entrepreneurs throughout its history, the Town of Arlington and most specifically its Cultural District, is a lively, bustling area supported by an active and welcoming community. The District spans a walkable stretch along Massachusetts Avenue from East Arlington’s Capitol Square to the Civic Block in Arlington Center. East Arlington is a diverse, dense neighborhood with art galleries, a movie theatre, and unique shops nestled alongside generous open space at nearby Spy Pond. Arlington Center boasts a wide array of cultural assets like the Arlington Center for the Arts, the Cyrus Dallin Museum, the Old Burying Ground, Uncle Sam Plaza and the historic Jason Russell House. Dozens of restaurants, cafes, retail shops and the Regent Theatre keep this area busy at all hours of the day. The Cultural District supports year-round creative arts and entertainment activities such as our very own Porchfest, Romancing the Square, Feast of the East, Arlington Alive Arts Festival, Arlington Town Day, Taste of Arlington and many more. Bound together by both Mass Ave and the Minuteman Bikeway, the Arlington Cultural District showcases the Town’s natural beauty, history, and contemporary arts and culture.

Cultural District Map
List of Arlington's Cultural Assets

Why Go?

Arlington has a variety of attractions that are fun for all ages. Overlapping with the state’s Battle Road Scenic Byway, Arlington’s Cultural District is home to the site of the bloodiest battle of April 19, 1775, the Jason Russell House. Paul Revere stopped in Arlington on his historic ride to Lexington and Concord.

You can ride or walk the Minuteman Bikeway, enjoy public art produced by our thriving artist community, visit the Olmsted-designed Town Hall Memorial Garden and the beautiful reading room of the adjacent Robbins Library. Catch a live performance or film at one of our two independent theatres, drop in for a craft at Artbeat Creativity Store, a contemporary artist exhibition at 13 Forest Gallery or The Artful Heart Gallery, or a docent-led tour describing the life and work of Arlington’s renowned 19th century sculptor Cyrus Dallin at the Cyrus Dallin Museum.

Navigate

Arlington is located just 10 miles west of Boston. You can bike, take the bus or drive to Arlington. It is also conveniently located along Rt. 2 with easy access to nearby Cambridge and Somerville to the east and Lexington and Concord to the west. The Arlington Cultural District (ACD) is anchored by Capitol Square in East Arlington and the Civic Block in Arlington Center.

Bike It

Minuteman Bike Path panning the district and extending well beyond it, this 10-mile bikeway is a multi-use trail that spans four communities—Arlington, Cambridge, Lexington, and Bedford. For 25 years it has supported thousands of commuters, recreational cyclists, and joggers, and other athletes and visitors.