Things to Do in Cambridge
The Charles River meanders 80 miles (129 kilometers) through eastern Massachusetts, including Boston and Cambridge, before emptying into the Atlantic. The Charles, as it’s often called, plays a role in the daily lives of many Bostonians, especially walkers, joggers, cyclists, kayakers, and those who love to quietly relax by the water.
Located in Cambridge, just north of Boston, Harvard University is synonymous with prestige and accomplishment. Known for a curriculum that challenges and inspires its students, this Ivy League university boasts over 45 Nobel Prize winners and eight US presidents, including Barack Obama, among its faculty and alumni.
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the well-respected Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research university with a strong focus on technology, science, and engineering. Although it’s a 168-acre urban campus, you’ll see visually interesting buildings mixed with peaceful green spaces.
It’s easy to spend an afternoon in Harvard Square, a popular gathering place and a hub for street performers thanks to a lively street scene and close proximity to Harvard University. Travelers will find plenty of local life in this Cambridge neighborhood, as well as restaurants, shopping, an old-school newsstand, and public-art installations.
This bronze statue, which stands at the center of Harvard Yard, is frequently visited by both travelers and prospective students, and it’s also been the target of dozens of pranks since its unveiling. Whether it’s covered in tar, paint, or some other substance, the John Harvard statue remains at the heart of the school named for him … even though the statue isn’t actually of him.
The expansive collection of the Harvard Museum of Natural History, located on the grounds of Harvard University, comes from the school’s major research museums. Visitors will find fabulous displays of fossils and dinosaurs, taxidermied animals from around the world, exquisite glass models of plants, and more at this family-friendly museum.
Cambridge Common is a popular green space near Harvard Square where local recreational sports teams play, picnickers gather, and energetic kids run around. On the site where George Washington gathered troops during the Revolutionary War, the park contains historic cannons and plaques that commemorate some of the revolution’s major events.
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Longfellow House is the former home of poet Henry W. Longfellow and served as headquarters to General George Washington during the Siege of Boston from 1775 to 1776. Visitors can wander the decorated halls of this Georgian mansion and learn about the dynamic Longfellow family.
Founded in 1971, the MIT Museum is home to a wide array of exhibits showcasing the intersection of science, technology, and art, from artificial intelligence and holography to robotics. The museum offers rotating exhibitions on STEAM-based topics, demonstrations by faculty and students, workshops, and hands-on activities.
Kendall Square has served as a transit hub for travelers venturing between Boston and Cambridge for centuries: In 1793, it provided the first direct wagon route between these cities. Today tech firms and offshoots of nearby MIT call Kendall Square home, and travelers will find plenty of accommodations, restaurants, and shopping here.