Cambridge, MA Road Trips

Tourists, new residents and students may see Cambridge as part of Boston, but in fact, it is a separate city with many neighborhoods (called “squares”). It is closely connected with nearby Somerville – you may hear the phrase "Camberville" used by locals – although each has its own distinct personality. The first European settlers were English Puritans in 1630. Cambridge developed as an agricultural town and was not really convenient to travel to Boston until bridges were built over the Charles River in 1793 and 1809. The latter of these opened up East Cambridge for industrial development led by furniture and glass factories. A major influx of penniless Irish immigrants fleeing the potato blight in 1845 increased the Irish population to 22 percent in the next ten years. Toward the end of that century they were followed by immigrants from Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Germany. French Canadians and Russian Jews also came at this time. A small African American population had been growing from colonial times, attracted by the integrated schools. Harvard University, the oldest university in the United States, and one of the most prestigious universities in the world, was founded during the colonial era in 1636. The result today is a highly diverse population augmented and further diversified by brilliant men and women drawn to Cambridge over the years by Harvard, Radcliffe and MIT, and later by the local high technology companies. "Cantabrigians" (from the city's Latin name, Cantabrigia) are regarded as progressive and tolerant.

African American Heritage Trail, ☏ +1 617 349-4683. 24 hours daily. Twenty historic plaques across the city honor notable African Americans who were abolitionists, authors, educators, and office holders in Cambridge from 1840 to 1940. Free. (updated Jun 2017) 1 Cambridge Arts Council Gallery, 344 Broadway (T: Central), ☏ +1 617 349-4380. M 8:30AM-8PM, Tu-Th 8:30AM-5PM, F 8:30AM-noon. Free. (updated Jun 2017) 2 Longfellow House–Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site (Longfellow National Historic Site), 105 Brattle St, ☏ +1 617 876-4491. Washington made his headquarters here during the siege of Boston from July 1775 through April 1776. From 1837 until 1882, it was the home of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow while he taught at Harvard. The site's collections deal mainly with Longfellow, but there are some Washington letters as well. 3 Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., ☏ +1 617 547-7105. Yes, it's a cemetery. It just happens to be the first landscaped cemetery and in fact the first large-scale designed landscape in the U.S. The tower provides visitors with a breathtaking panoramic view of the cities of Boston and Cambridge, as well as the surrounding countryside to the north. The fact that it's the final resting place of some of the area's most influential figures (Sumner, Gardner, Eddy, and Longfellow) cements its status as a National Historic Landmark. Free. (updated Jun 2017) 4 Washington Elm (Cambridge Common at Mason St). 24 hours daily.

1 The Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, ☏ +1 617 876-6837. The Brattle shows the best in classic, cutting-edge, foreign, and art-house films. The Brattle Theatre has been operated by the non-profit Brattle Film Foundation since 2001. 2 Charles River Canoe & Kayak, 15 Broad Canal Way (T: Kendall), ☏ +1 617 965-5110. 8AM-10PM. The best way to do this is to rent a boat and paddle upstream to Allston from Kendall Square. Vice-versa is great too, the river has no current to fight against. It'll take less than 2 hours and is amazing. $15-20 per hour, $40-60 per day. (updated Jun 2017) 3 Charles Riverboat Company (CambridgeSide), 100 Cambridgeside Pl (T: Lechmere), ☏ +1 617 621-3001. May-Oct 10AM-7PM daily. Sightseeing, sunset, and architectural tours on the Charles River and Boston Harbor. $10-28. (updated Jun 2017) 4 The Comedy Studio (Hong Kong), 1238 Massachusetts Ave (T: Harvard), ☏ +1 617 661-6507. Th-Su 8PM. All shows begin at 8PM $10-15. (updated Jun 2017) 5 Fresh Pond Golf Course, 691 Huron Ave, ☏ +1 617 349-6282. Apr-Dec sunrise-sunset. Public course. Nine holes: $24-27, cart $20, private lesson $50. (updated Jun 2017) 6 Landmark Kendall Square (One Kendall Square), 355 Binney St (T: Kendall), ☏ +1 617 621-1202. This great theater has all the newest Hollywood blockbusters, plus all the arty flicks you never knew you wanted to see. Big garage next door, so parking here isn't as big an issue. (updated Jun 2017) 7 The Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St (Inman Square). Afternoons and evenings.

With a dizzying array of options, and slightly less stringent liquor laws, Cambridge is every bit as much a dining destination as Boston. Sometimes more so. Many restaurants cluster around Harvard and Central Squares, and finding standbys like Anna's Taqueria and Clover Food Lab is a piece of cake. If you're willing to stray a bit beyond the subway stops (and you should be), you'll quickly discover many less-travelled neighborhood gems. Consider this simply a brief overview of current trends and old standbys. By all means follow your instincts, just don't make any rash decisions due to an empty stomach! 1 Pinocchio's Pizza, 74 Winthrop St (T: Harvard), ☏ +1 617 876-4897. M-Sa 11AM-1AM, Su 1PM-midnight. Well-known longtime spot for Sicilian pizza. Also known for steak and cheese subs. Has colorful mural of Pinocchio and other fables on walls of dining area. Located on a small street between Harvard Yard and JFK Park, just off JFK Street. Slices are a few bucks, subs from $6. (updated Jun 2017) 2 Aleppo Palace, 25 Central Square (T: Central), ☏ +1 617 945-7449. M-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-7PM. Located in a tiny "castle", this inexpensive Middle-Eastern restaurant serves up delicious shawarma, kebab, and their namesake falafel. Sandwiches $5-9, platters $7-10. (updated Jun 2017) 3 Basta Pasta, 319 Western Ave (T: Central), ☏ +1 617 576-6672. M-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 3PM-10PM. Gourmet Italian food, at fast food prices. The owner, Altin, used to work in high-end Italian restaurants, but decided to strike it on his own.

1 A4cade (Roxy's Central), 292 Massachusetts Ave (T: Central), ☏ +1 617 714-3960. M-F 5AM-1AM, Sa noon-1AM, Su noon-midnight. Beer, grilled cheese, and arcade games, what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, there's pinball too. (updated Jun 2017) 2 Charlie's Kitchen, 10 Eliot St (T: Harvard), ☏ +1 617 492-9646. Su-W 11AM-1AM, Th-Sa 11AM-2AM. In business since 1951, Charlie's is considered one of the last remaining businesses from the Harvard Square of old, before the big box chains moved in. It may be a dive, but it's an eco-friendly one; and boasts a great jukebox and three season patio to boot. (updated Jun 2017) 3 Grendel's Den, 89 Winthrop St (T: Harvard), ☏ +1 617 491-1160. M-Sa noon-1AM, Su 4PM-1AM. Serving basic American bar food, this dark and crowded Harvard tavern would be unremarkable, if it weren't for their incredible happy hour special, the quirky staff, and its proximity to the Harvard campus. From 5-7:30PM everything on the menu is half price with a beverage purchase of $3 or more. Skip the burgers... if you can get a table. Non-happy hour entrees $5-12. (updated Jun 2017) 4 Lord Hobo, 92 Hampshire St (T: Kendall), ☏ +1 617 250-8454. M-F 4PM-1AM, Sa Su 11AM-2AM. A wide selection of interesting independent draught (pints in the $5-8 range) and bottled beers, wine and upscale bar food (entrees in the $10-20 range). (updated Jun 2017) 5 Miracle of Science, 321 Massachusetts Ave (T: Central), ☏ +1 617 868-2866. 11AM-1AM daily. Popular with MIT grads, professors, and local tech company programmer types.

One budget option is to peruse craigslist.org Boston for temporary listings for people who are gone for a week or a month and trying to rent out their apartment. In the summer, you might find a bedroom for $200–300/week, which will be a lot cheaper than a hotel. 1 A Friendly Inn at Harvard Square, 1673 Cambridge St (T: Harvard), ☏ +1 617 547-7851, fax: +1 617 547-0202. Victorian House with 20-some guest rooms, private bathrooms, high speed wi-fi and parking, breakfast, front desk 24/7. From $100, $90 in winter. (updated Jun 2017) 2 A Cambridge House Inn, 2218 Massachusetts Ave (T: Davis), ☏ +1 617 491-6300, fax: +1 617 868-2848. 35-room B&B inn offers both Victorian and contemporary style rooms, for daily or weekly stay. Parking included on first come, first serve basis. From $130. (updated Aug 2023) 3 Irving House at Harvard, 24 Irving St (T: Harvard), ☏ +1 617 547-4600, fax: +1 617 576-2814, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Friendly staff ensure that your stay at the guesthouses here are comfortable and amiable. Breakfast, afternoon snacks, and off street parking included in the rates, as well as 24 reception and high speed internet access. From $65. (updated Feb 2021) 4 Courtyard Boston Cambridge, 777 Memorial Dr (T: Central), ☏ +1 617 492-7777. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. From $200. (updated Jun 2017) 5 Boston Marriott Cambridge, 50 Broadway (T: Kendall), ☏ +1 617 494-6600. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon.

Logan International Airport (BOS IATA), Boston. This is the closest option and is served by the MBTA public transportation. The Silver Line, a special bus route come every ten minutes during the day, and every 15 minutes early morning and late evening. For $2 (Charlie Ticket) or $1.75 (Charlie Card), it takes you directly to South Station (20 minutes travel time), where there is a free connection to the Red Line, which goes to Cambridge. Free shuttles also provide service to the Blue Line Airport station; one may take the Blue Line in from the airport to the Green Line (transfer at Government Center), the Green Line to the Red Line (transfer at Park Street), and the Red Line to whatever stop in Cambridge is closest. A taxi to Cambridge will cost you about $28–35, including tolls and tip, and take about 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic. or (about one hour away): Manchester - Boston Regional Airport (MHT IATA), in Manchester, New Hampshire. T. F. Green Airport (PVD IATA), Warwick, Rhode Island. Amtrak train service is available from nearby Boston from many east coast cities as well as other cities in New England, including Portland Maine and Providence Rhode Island. The Amtrak stations in Boston are connected to the MBTA subway system (see below), which has direct links to Cambridge via the Red Line and Green Line. Mass Bay Transportation Authority - MBTA or "the T": Subway: The Red Line stops consist of Kendall/MIT, Central Square, Harvard Square, Porter Square, and Alewife.

Public transportation is provided by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority ("MBTA"), which serves the entire Boston Metro area (including Cambridge.) The local subway system is called the "T" and can take you to most points of interest. The T's Red Line has Cambridge stations in Kendall Square, Central Square, Harvard Square, and Porter Square. The Green Line has one station in Cambridge: Lechmere. Directions are often marked "inbound" and "outbound", with reference to downtown Boston, where all four lines converge at four stops: State (Blue and Orange), Park Street (Red and Green), Government Center (Blue and Green), and Downtown Crossing (Orange and Red). The MBTA does not operate 24-hour service. Service begins for the day after 5:30AM and ends before 12:15AM on weekdays. Weekend schedules are slightly different and do not open until 6:30AM on Sundays. Transport still runs for a short time after this — stated times are "first train leaves the station" or "last train leaves the station" — and thus, to complete the route, will actually be in service for as much as an hour longer or an hour before, but it is imperative to find out when last service is scheduled to the stations you need, and allot time for early or late arrivals. MBTA employees can offer information on scheduling, but are not always available at all stations. Communication between stations is complex and while significant changes will be announced, often T employees themselves are not informed of delays or minor changes. Bus stations that are not also subway stations are unstaffed.

Cambridge is generally very safe, though it is a city and the standard precautions should be observed. The neighborhood of East Cambridge, which is near the Charlestown border and on the Charles River, usually has the city's highest crime rate (of course, this observation is relative to the Cambridge's low crime rate overall). As a rule, most crime in Cambridge that might affect a traveller is property crime. Parked vehicles with electronic equipment visible — laptops, mobile phones, GPS units, iPods, and the like — are the most likely to be targeted. Pepper spray is considered a weapon in Massachusetts, and is sold only by licensed dealers to persons who have obtained a firearms identification card. Massachusetts does not honor firearms licenses from other states. For more information, visit the Cambridge Police Department online.