Arlington, MA is a town in Middlesex County a few miles northwest of Boston. It’s a modest-sized town home to around 45,000 people and is a sought-after commuter town for Boston.

Arlington is a relaxed town with lots of historic buildings as well as modern amenities. With many people commuting south to the city, it can be a quiet place to be during the day.

History of Arlington, MA

Arlington was settled back in 1635 by European settlers. It was originally home to the Algonquian people who called the region Menotomy. The town was originally called Belmont, then West Cambridge and finally Arlington to honor those interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

Mills were built along the Mill Brook resulting in 7 overall, one of which, Old Schwamb Mill still survives today.

Arlington played a significant part in the American Revolution with the midnight ride coming through the town and battles where Minutemen and the British fought in and around the town.

After the revolution, Arlington was an agricultural community and diversified into ice and other industries, including software and services.

Transport in Arlington, MA

Arlington doesn’t have its own airport but has easy access to Boston Logan International Airport accessible via I-90 or I-93.

Neither does Arlington have its own railway station, again, using Boston’s main station or West Medford a few miles northeast.

Local buses do run some services in and around Arlington, including commuter rail services into Boston and surrounding areas.

Roads include the Concord Turnpike, Highway 3, I-90, I-93 and local routes throughout Massachusetts.

Major employers in Arlington, MA

Most people who live in Arlington commute southeast to Boston but there are a few major employers in the area including Thermo Fisher Scientific, Whole Foods Market, BP, Verizon Wireless, MetroPCS, Domino’s Pizza, Select Medical, Knights of Columbus, PerkinElmer, Tufts University, Lexington Christian Academy, University of Massachusetts College of Agriculture and Middlesex County.

Neighborhoods of Arlington, MA

Arlington is made up of a few distinct neighborhoods including Arlington Center, Arlington Heights, East Arlington, Brattle Square, Jason Heights, Arlmont Village, Morningside, North Union, Turkey Hill, Little Scotland, Poets’ Corner and Kelwyn Manor.

Nearby cities include Boston, Belmont, Watertown, Watertown Town, Winchester, Brighton and Woburn.

Popular attractions in Arlington, MA

Despite its modest size, there is plenty to see and do in Arlington, including Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum, Jason Russell House, Capitol Theatre, AFD Theatre, Old Schwamb Mill, Regent Theatre, Scutra, Spy Pond Park, Robbins Farm Park, Menotomy Rocks Park, Meadowbrook Park, Florence Field and Arlington Reservoir.