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Cambridge (Massachusetts) - city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States of America

Cambridge is a city in Massachusetts, across the Charles River from Boston. It is renowned as the home of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), both widely considered to be among the best universities in the world. The city's population was 118,000 in 2020; the fourth largest in the state.

Understand

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.

History

Early October foliage begins to change color in Harvard Yard The first European settlers were English Puritans in 1630. Cambridge developed as an agricultural town and was not really convenient 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. Decline of the industrial base in the early 1900s led Cambridge to become an intellectual center. Universities are the major employers, but cutting edge companies in information technology and biotechnology such as Akamai Technologies, Google, Genzyme, Biogen Idec, and Novartis are located adjacent to the MIT campus in the Kendall Square area.

Cambridge now advertises itself as "a city where counter-culture still lives, classic culture thrives, and multicultural is a way of life." "Boston's Left Bank: A little funkier, a little spunkier and definitely spicier than Boston."

Visitor information

  • Cambridge Office for Tourism, 4 Brattle St (T: Harvard), 42.3735°, -71.119635°, +1 617 441-2884. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa Su 9AM-1PM. This non-profit Visitor Information Booth is just outside the main Harvard Square T-stop. Volunteer staff are available to distribute maps and brochures, and to answer questions you might have. Free 2017-06-21

Get in

By plane

  • Logan International Airport (IATA: BOS), 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 (IATA: MHT), in Manchester, New Hampshire.
  • T. F. Green Airport (IATA: PVD), Warwick, Rhode Island.

By train

Popping up into the hustle and bustle from Central Square station Amtrak train service is available to nearby Boston from many east coast cities as well as Chicago and upstate New York.

Mass Bay Transportation Authority - MBTA or "the T":

  • Subway: The Red Line stops from Kendall/MIT station to Alewife station (except Davis Square, in Somerville) are in Cambridge. The Green Line has a terminus at Lechmere station, near Lechmere Square in East Cambridge.
  • Commuter rail: The Fitchburg line has a stop at Porter Square. This line serves the northwestern suburbs and ends in Boston's North Station, where you can connect to other northbound commuter rail lines.

By car

Interstate 90 to Exit 18, or Interstate 93 to Exit 27, "Storrow Drive" to Monsignor O'Brien Highway (Rt. 28) to Cambridge.

Route 2 comes into Cambridge from Interstate 95 to the northwest.

Cambridge has a great many one-way streets and most streets and roads are not on a grid system. Drivers unfamiliar with the area are well advised to have a GPS device as one wrong turn can easily result in getting lost.

By bus

The MBTA has local regional bus service. For intercity buses, see Boston.

Get around

By public transportation

See also: Boston#By public transit

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.

Subway fare is $2.40 and includes transfers between all four subway lines (Red, Green, Orange and Blue) and bus fare varies between $1.70 (local bus) and $5.25 (outer express bus; none in Cambridge) and also includes transfers. Fares are paid via a stored value ticket (called a CharlieTicket) available in vending machines at subway stations. Fare is $2.40 subway, if using the freely available reusable plastic pass (the CharlieCard), which can be obtained at Harvard Square station, 7-11 convenience stores or Star supermarkets.

Information on fares, routes, delays and schedule changes is available at the MBTA's web site.

  • Parking at the Alewife station on the Red line is ample and costs $8 per 24 hour period.
  • MBTA Commuter Rail (color-coded purple) leaves from Porter Square, serving one of the twelve commuter rail lines. This should not be confused with
  • Amtrak, the US national rail service, departs from South Station, Back Bay Station, and North Station, all of which are in Boston.

By taxi

A taxi trip of a mile or less costs $5, excluding tip. Most of the major tourist areas will be a $10–25 fare. A trip to Logan Airport can cost up to $55, including tip, tolls and any waiting time. Flat rates are set for trips to Logan Airport from each hotel in Cambridge, which include all but luggage handling and gratuity.

Taxis are abundant in Harvard Square and Central Square, with many being queued up waiting for fares. The places that they will queue are designated as cab stands by street signs. Taxis are less abundant in Porter Square and rare near Alewife and Lechmere.

It is possible to signal a taxi from the sidewalk by waving an arm or a hand — a taxi cruising for fares is watching the crowds for this — and have it stop for you; however, taxi drivers from towns and cities other than Cambridge are heavily penalised if they accept passengers flagging them down on the street. This rule is not always rigorously followed, but taxi drivers from Boston, Brookline, Somerville and other towns will be wary of street pick-ups.

Taxis are regulated by the Cambridge License Commission, which sets fares and handles complaints.

The two primary taxi companies in Cambridge are:

By bicycle

Cambridge is perhaps the most bicycle-friendly city in the Greater Boston area and probably has the most people who use bikes to commute and just to get around. While there are few bike routes, most major streets have bike lanes, and many minor streets do too. Car drivers tend to be aware of bike riders and generally respect bike riders' right of way. All of these features make Cambridge the safest place to ride a bike in Greater Boston.

Lock your bike when you park it! Bike thieves are skilled and quick. Be sure to lock your front wheel in addition to your frame, and your back wheel too if it is a quick-release.

See

  • African American Heritage Trail, NA°, NA°, +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 2017-06-13

  • Cambridge Arts Council Gallery, 344 Broadway (T: Central), 42.36989°, -71.10348°, +1 617 349-4380. M 8:30AM-8PM, Tu-Th 8:30AM-5PM, F 8:30AM-noon. Free 2017-06-12

  • Longfellow House–Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site (Longfellow National Historic Site), 105 Brattle St, 42.3767°, -71.1264°, +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.

  • Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., 42.370556°, -71.145833°, +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 2017-06-02

  • Washington Elm, 42.3766°, -71.1222°. 24 hours daily. On July 3, 1775, George Washington officially took command of the Continental Army at ceremonies taking place beneath this Elm tree, which stood at the edge of the training grounds used by the troops. While this tale may be a myth, clearly the tree has remained a symbol of patriotism in Cambridge for generations. The tree finally succumbed to old age and disease in 1923, and today a small bronze plaque marks this historical spot. Free 2016-12-06

  • List Visual Arts Center, 20 Ames St (Building E15, Atrium level), 42.3608°, -71.0877°, +1 617 253-4680, listinfo@mit.edu. Free 2019-12-21 John Harvard Statue. Make sure to rub his foot for good luck!

  • Harvard Yard, 42.37445°, -71.11724°. The center and oldest part of the Harvard campus. An enclosed grassy yard including picturesque buildings dating as far back as 1720. The freshman undergraduate dorms are located in Harvard Yard, which means that a long list of famous intellectual and political figures have lived here. Near the center is a statue of John Harvard, for whom the university is named. Tour guides will tell you that students rub the statue's left foot for good luck before exams, and the foot is indeed rubbed shiny. But in reality, most of the rubbing is probably done by tourists rather than students.

  • Harvard Lampoon building, 42.37163°, -71.11741°. Home of the Harvard Lampoon, a student humor publication. The west end of the building, fittingly, resembles a cartoonish face wearing a spiked helmet. The building was finished in 1909.

  • MIT Great Dome, 42.35977°, -71.09223°. A monumental dome with an oculus at its center, similar to the Pantheon in Rome. Located in MIT Building 10 (most MIT buildings are referred to by numbers rather than names, as befits the university's technical orientation).

  • Stata Center, 42.36154°, -71.09056°. Likely the most striking building on MIT's campus, built in 2004 in a very modern architectural form. Contains a small branch of the MIT Museum (see below).

  • Harvard Bridge, 42.35698°, -71.09254°. The bridge connecting Cambridge to Boston across the Charles river. Located at the edge of MIT, not Harvard University. It's well known in the nerdy folklore of MIT: the distance across the bridge is marked in "smoots" (1 smoot = 5 feet 7 inches) after Oliver Smoot, an MIT student who allowed himself to be laid end-to-end to measure the distance across the bridge, as part of a fraternity prank.

  • Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts, 24 Quincy St, 42.373133°, -71.114628°, +1 617-496-5387, ccva@fas.harvard.edu. Free 2021-02-05

  • Cooper-Frost-Austin House, 21 Linnaean St, 42.3845°, -71.1218°, +1 617-994-6669. Built in 1681 and owned by the same family for over 250 years. The oldest residence standing in Cambridge. It is open for tours seasonally. $10 2021-12-02

Museums

  • Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St (T: Harvard), 42.374167°, -71.114722°, +1 617 495-9400. 10AM-5PM daily. This collection of museums includes three once separate entities. The Fogg Museum, known for western art from the Middle Ages to the present, with particular strengths in Italian early Renaissance, British pre-Raphaelite, and 19th-century French art. The Busch-Reisinger Museum, which is devoted to promoting the informed enjoyment and critical understanding of the arts of Central and Northern Europe, with a special emphasis on the German-speaking countries. Finally, the Arthur M. Sackler Museum holds a superb collection of ancient, Islamic, Asian, and later Indian art. $15, seniors $13, students $10, under 18 free 2017-06-12 Beetles on display at the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
  • Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St (T: Harvard), 42.378414°, -71.115553°, +1 617 495-3045. 9AM-5PM daily. Drawing from the University's vast natural history collections, the HMNH displays the famous Blaschka 'Glass Flowers' collection, dinosaurs (the world's only mounted 42-ft long Kronosaurus), minerals, meteorites, gemstones (a 1,642 lb amethyst geode), and hundreds of 'stuffed' animals and birds. Fun for the whole family. It's an 8-minute walk across the historic Harvard Yard from Harvard Square (Red Line MBTA). Lectures & educational programs for all ages. $12, student/senior $10, under 18 $8 2017-06-12
  • MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave (T: Central), 42.3628°, -71.0992°, +1 617 253-5927. Sep-Jun: 10AM-5PM daily; Jul-Aug: 10AM-6PM daily. Has a huge collection of holography, rotating exhibits, and showcases some of the best "hacks" performed by students. Hacks at MIT are practical physical jokes taking place around the institute. For example: installing a somewhat functioning police car (complete with instructions for how to remove it) atop the great dome. This museum is great for kids and many exhibits are hands-on, including moving sculptures and a shadow room. Adults $10, youth/students/seniors $5, children under 5 free. Free admission last Sunday of the month Sep-Jun 2017-06-12
  • Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, 11 Divinity Ave (T: Harvard), 42.3782°, -71.1148°, +1 617 496-1027. 9AM-5PM daily. One of the oldest museums in the world devoted to anthropology, it houses one of the most comprehensive records of human cultural history in the Western Hemisphere. $12, students/seniors $10, under 18 $8 2017-06-12
  • Putnam Gallery (The Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments), 1 Oxford St (T: Harvard), 42.376695°, -71.116746°, +1 617 495-2779. Su-F 11AM-4PM. Representing a broad range of scientific studies, this museum holds over 20,000 unique instruments dating from 1400 to present day. Free 2017-06-12
  • Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East (formerly Semitic Museum), 6 Divinity Ave (T: Harvard), 42.3781°, -71.1139°, +1 617 495-4631, hmane@harvard.edu. Su-F 11AM-4PM. See a collection of over 40,000 artifacts from the Near East across multiple ancient civilizations. Free 2021-12-02

Do

Music

Courtney Barnett plays her first US tour at The SInclair in 2014

  • The Cantab Lounge, 738 Massachusetts Ave (T: Central), 42.366067°, -71.105355°, +1 617 354-2685. M-W 8AM-1AM, Th-Sa 8AM-2AM, Su noon-1AM. A Cambridge staple since the early days of the American folk music revival. Small, old-school feel with live music 7 nights a week, focusing heavily on American roots music. The Cantab hosts a folk music open mic on Monday nights and jams other nights, as well as small- to medium-sized acts every night. A must for those interested in the Boston folk music scene. 2017-06-14
  • The Middle East, 472/480 Massachusetts Av. (T: Central), 42.3638°, -71.1014°, +1 617 864-3278. Su-W 11AM-midnight, Th-Sa 11AM-1AM. This legendary Cambridge institution consists of an art gallery, 4 live music venues, 4 full bars, and no less than 3 dining areas (including the upscale Zuzu, below). Sample a large variety of Lebanese dishes served in a vibrant, artsy setting. The "Corner" dining area (enter at 480) features live music every night, often free, with belly dancing on Su and W. Extensive vegetarian menu. $4-12
  • The Phoenix Landing, 512 Massachusetts Ave (T: Central), 42.364023°, -71.101967°, +1 617 576-6260. M-W 11AM-1AM, Th-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 10AM-1AM. The Phoenix Landing really depends on what time you get there. It could be a subdued local pub trivia night, a fan packed sports bar, or even a full on dance party. 2017-06-14
  • Plough and Stars, 912 Massachusetts Ave (T: Central), 42.368222°, -71.108844°, +1 617 576-0032. M-W 11:30AM-1AM, Th F 11:30AM-2AM, Sa 10AM-2AM, Su 10AM-1AM. Another sorta Marxist bar down from People's with excellent live music. 2017-06-14
  • The Sinclair, 52 Church St (T: Harvard), 42.373975°, -71.120593°, +1 617 547-5200. M-W 5PM-1AM, Th F 5PM-2AM, Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 11AM-1AM. Affiliated with Great Scott in Allston. 2017-06-14
  • Zuzu, 474 Massachusetts Ave (T: Central), 42.363773°, -71.101440°, +1 617 864-3278. Su-Th 5PM-1AM, F Sa 5PM-2AM. This is also a middle-eastern tapas joint, which serves pretty good food at reasonable prices. 2017-06-14

Events

Learn

The Great Dome at MIT's Killian Court during a nor'easter Many visitors to Cambridge are there to see its two major universities, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, either as tourists or as prospective students. Both universities have extensive information for visiting prospects. As this typically varies with type of student (graduate, undergraduate) and program of study (for graduate students), prospectives are best advised to visit the school websites that interest them.

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Building 10, room 100), 77 Massachusetts Ave (T: Kendall), 42.35982°, -71.09211°, +1 617 253-4795. Information sessions and tours M-F 10AM & 2:30PM. The MIT Office of Admissions requests that prospective students make tour reservations beforehand. At 10AM and 2:30PM information sessions take place, and after the presentation a student-led campus tour will get underway. Free 2017-06-13
  • Harvard Events and Information Center (Smith Campus Center), 30 Dunster St (T: Harvard), 42.372459°, -71.119084°, +1 617 495-1573. M-Sa 9AM-5PM. Student-led free tours of campus originate from here. It also has interactive computer displays, a print library, a video room, and you can pick up flyers for all of the free lectures, films, and classes at University museums, such as the Harvard Museum of Natural History, and the Harvard Art Museum. Free 2017-06-13

Harvard Yard, located right by the Harvard stop on the Red Line subway, is the center of Harvard College (the university's undergraduate arm) and a favorite of tourists, who can often be seen taking pictures of each other at the statue of John Harvard, located in front of Massachusetts Hall.

In the shadows of these two giants are other fine schools.

Buy

Stroll through Harvard square, the prime shopping district in Cambridge.

  • Armageddon Shop, 12 Eliot St (T: Harvard), 42.372323°, -71.121542°, +1 617 492-1235. M-Sa noon-8PM, Su noon-6PM. Started in Providence, this is the second location of this niche shop for punk and metal records. Browse music, flyers for upcoming shows, and all the assorted paraphernalia. 2017-06-13
  • CambridgeSide, 100 Cambridgeside Pl (T: Lechmere), 42.368132°, -71.076364°, +1 617 621-8666. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su noon-7PM. From American Eagle to TJ Maxx, a thorough mall experience. Come for the fluorescent lighting, stay for the recycled air. 120 stores with low, low prices on all consumer electronics and also tube socks. The mall runs a free shuttle here from Kendall station. See website for coupons. 2020-02-14
  • The Garage, 36 JFK St (T: Harvard), 42.37265°, -71.1198°. M-Sa 10AM-10PM, Su 11AM-8PM. Actually a garage once upon a time, today the Garage is a mini-mall in the heart of Harvard Square. A bit run down, it's got all the things a young person could want. Music at Newbury Comics, a few rotating clothing stores, body piercing, tattoos, jewelry shops, and last but not least: pizza. There is also a public restroom in the basement, but consider it for emergency use only. 2017-06-13
  • The Garment District, 200 Broadway (T: Kendall), 42.365889°, -71.092972°, +1 617 876-5230. Su-F 11AM-8PM, Sa 9AM-8PM. Home to $2/pound clothes where you can sift through piles of randomness. The other parts of the store include a vintage/mid-end designer consignment store and women's shoes in man's sizes. 2017-06-13
  • Leavitt & Peirce, 1316 Massachusetts Ave (T: Harvard), 42.372856°, -71.117626°, +1 617 547-0576. M-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su noon-6PM. An amazing array of cigars, chess, and game sets. A small selection of "old fashioned" razors and jewelry is also available. In business since 1883, it's no exaggeration to say this shop is a fixture of Harvard Square. 2017-06-13
  • Oona's, 1210 Massachusetts Ave (T: Harvard), 42.371865°, -71.115516°, +1 617 491-2654. 11AM-6PM daily. Decent selection of vintage clothing for men and women. Accessories selection is very good. 2017-06-13
  • Planet Records, 144 Mt Auburn St (T: Harvard), 42.373826°, -71.124897°, +1 617 492-0693, planet@planet-records.com. M-Th 11AM-8PM, F Sa 10AM-9PM, Su noon-7PM. Local used vinyl and CD shop that has been around for almost 30 years and is a landmark in Harvard Square. A great selection of music, movies, and more. 2017-06-13

Bookstores

  • Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave, 42.3725°, -71.1164°, +1 800-542-READ. Independent shop, nice and cozy, has a wide selection, and has interesting staff recommendations glued to the book stalls. Used and remaindered books are located downstairs.
  • The Harvard Coop, 1400 Massachusetts Ave (T: Harvard), 42.3737°, -71.1196°, +1 617 499-2000. Official bookstore for Harvard which boasts a huge selection (four stories) of academic and general books. Run by Barnes and Noble. 2017-06-08
  • MIT Press Bookstore, 301 Massachusetts Ave (T: Central), 42.362437°, -71.098221°, +1 617 253-5249. M-F 9AM-7PM, Sa Su noon-6PM. Some books here are somewhat academic in nature; however, many are written to appeal to a wider audience. Don't skip it! You can find some really fantastic literature here relating to technology, the future, and how humans will adapt to it all. While extensive renovations are performed in the old Kendall space, it's been "temporarily" located to the other side of campus, next to the MIT Museum. The MIT Coop is still at Kendall station. 2017-06-13
  • Porter Square Books, 25 White St (T: Porter), 42.3896°, -71.11884°, +1 617 491-2220. M-F 7AM-9PM, Sa Su 8AM-7PM. Independent book store in the Porter Square Shopping Mall, and also the home of Cafe Zing. 2017-06-13
  • Raven Books, 23 Church St (T: Harvard), 42.3745°, -71.11983°, +1 617 441-6999. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 11AM-8PM. Incredible selection of used scholarly books, including philosophy, gender studies, cultural studies, and art. Clean, well-organized independent shop run by very helpful people. 2017-06-13
  • Grolier Poetry Book Shop, 6 Plympton St, 42.3723°, -71.1166°, +1 617-547-4648. W-F and 1st Sa of each month: 11AM-7PM. A one-room bookshop focused entirely on poetry. It regularly hosts poetry readings, check website for schedule and signup. 2021-12-02

Eat

Budget: under $15, mid-range: $15 - $40, splurge: over $40 (meal for one + soft drink).

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!

Budget

Some of the Suan La Chow Show on offer at Mary Chung's

  • Pinocchio's Pizza, 74 Winthrop St (T: Harvard), 42.371994°, -71.120359°, +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 2017-06-09
  • Moody's Falafel Palace, 25 Central Square (T: Central), 42.365365°, -71.104564°, +1 617 864-0827. Tu-Sa 10:30AM-11PM. 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 2017-06-09
  • Basta Pasta, 319 Western Ave (T: Central), 42.364733°, -71.113202°, +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. By appearances it ain't much (formica booths, no table service), but the food is spectacular. Fresh homemade pasta daily. The major drawback is they have no liquor license, and since the Cambridge constabulary eats there nightly, won't let you bring your own. $8-12 2017-06-09
  • Mary Chung's, 464 Massachusetts Ave (T: Central), 42.363573°, -71.101333°, +1 617 864-1991. Su M W Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11:30AM-11PM. Super-yummy Chinese food, including Dim Sum 11:30AM-3PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Signature dishes are Dun Dun Noodles and Suan La Chow Show. A major hangout for MIT geeks, and thus the first restaurant with a Usenet newsgroup, alt.fan.mary-chungs. Don't forget the pot stickers. Cash only. Starters $4-8, mains $9-12 2017-06-09
  • Veggie Galaxy, 450 Massachusetts Ave (T: Central), 42.363424°, -71.101296°, +1 617 497-1513. Su-Th 9AM-10PM, F Sa 9AM-11PM. Veggie Galaxy cuisine focuses on a fresh and modern take on the classic American diner, serving breakfast all day, additional options during lunch and dinner, and offering bold and bright versions of traditional diner fare. Veggie Galaxy is a from-scratch vegetarian diner where everything can be made vegan if it isn't originally, and most things can be made gluten-free. $8-14 2017-06-09
  • Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage, 1246 Massachusetts Ave (T: Harvard), 42.372521°, -71.116321°, +1 617 354-6559. T-Sa 11AM-9PM. A Harvard Square landmark, Bartley's serves practically any kind of hamburger you can imagine, most named after individuals. A favorite - The Ted Kennedy - "a plump, liberal amount of burger with cheddar cheese, mushrooms, cole slaw and french fries." Don't miss the raspberry lime ricky here! Owners/Menu leans right to the dismay of many customers. $10-15 2017-06-04
  • Yume Wo Katare, 1923 Massachusetts Ave (T: Porter), 42.3894°, -71.11975°, +1 617 714-4008. Tu-Sa noon-2PM; 5PM-10PM. A fulfilling experience in several ways. Those finishing a bowl of ramen here (including the broth) should receive a "perfect!" and a hearty cheer from the crowd. Noodle finishers get a "good job!", while those whose eyes were bigger than their stomachs will get an "almost!". Don't feel bad, there's always next time. You'll also be invited to tell your dreams to fellow patrons; just anything that's on your mind, like if you want to visit France or give up sugar and so on. $12-14. Cash only, tax included 2017-06-08
  • S&S Restaurant, 1334 Cambridge St (Inman Square), 42.373384°, -71.099827°, +1 617 354-0777. M-Th 7AM-10PM, F 7AM-11PM, Sa 8AM-11PM, Su 8AM-10PM. Everything is delicious on this menu from deli case to freshly prepared entrees. Prices are reasonable and breakfast is served all day long. The S&S wings are quite popular. Breakfast $8-12, dinner $10-18 2017-06-09
  • Christophers, 1920 Massachusetts Ave (T: Porter), 42.389058°, -71.120051°, +1 617 876-9180. M-W 11:30AM-1AM, Th F 11:30AM-2AM, Sa 10:30AM-2AM, Su 10:30AM-1AM. A great place if you need both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. They are very vegetarian friendly, but also have good burgers and beer, and some more yuppie-ish options. Starters $5-10, burgers $8-12 2017-06-13

Ice cream

Mid-range

Splurge

Drink

Head downstairs and into the Den

  • A4cade (Roxy's Central), 292 Massachusetts Ave (T: Central), 42.362063°, -71.098394°, +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. 2017-06-12
  • Charlie's Kitchen, 10 Eliot St (T: Harvard), 42.3725°, -71.1215°, +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. 2017-06-04
  • Grendel's Den, 89 Winthrop St (T: Harvard), 42.372388°, -71.120837°, +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 and the quirky staff. 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. 2017-06-13
  • Lord Hobo, 92 Hampshire St (T: Kendall), 42.368768°, -71.095094°, +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). 2017-06-12
  • Meadhall, 4 Cambridge Center (T: Kendall), 42.363719°, -71.087349°, +1 617 714-4372. M-Sa 11:30AM-1AM, Su 3PM-11PM. Phenomenal array of taps that skew towards Belgians and IPAs. Sometimes has issues with keeping draft lists updated, but with around 100 taps, you can probably find a backup plan. Food is tasty but overpriced; go for the beer. 2017-06-12
  • Miracle of Science, 321 Massachusetts Ave (T: Central), 42.362578°, -71.098555°, +1 617 868-2866. 11AM-1AM daily. Popular with MIT grads, professors, and local tech company programmer types. Order off a slightly skewed periodic table of elements. 2017-06-13

Breweries

  • Cambridge Brewing Company (CBC), 1 Kendall Square (T: Kendall), 42.366363°, -71.091271°, +1 617 494-1994. Tu-Th 11:30-midnight, F Sa M 11:30AM-11PM, Su 11AM-9PM. This place brews some of the best beer around Cambridge. They have a wide variety of choice and it changes depending on the season. This place is very popular among MIT community members and tech companies close by. 2017-06-04
  • Lamplighter Brewing, 284 Broadway (T: Central), 42.367783°, -71.097926°, +1 617 945-0450. Tu-Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-10PM. Get ready to wait in line! Once you cross the threshold, sample some of these sought after craft beers that are the talk of the town. Brewers will often use Brettanomyces in their brews which produces a "funkier" flavor. They don't go overboard with it, but still, it's not everyone's cup of tea. 2017-06-04

Coffee

Sleep

Budget: under $200, mid-range: $200 - $300, splurge: over $300 (standard double room).

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.

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Stay safe

The official Cambridge graffiti wall in a Central Square alley 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.

Connect

Cope

Houses of worship

Go next

  • Head just across the town line and get a taste of one of the many squares of Somerville.
  • Head over to South Boston and decide if you prefer the ambiance of the contemporary Seaport district, or Fort Point's charming bricks.
  • Stroll past stately Victorian architecture along scenic Newbury Street, Boston's preeminent shopping and dining destination.
  • On weekends find treasures you didn't know you were looking for at SoWa Open Market, the biggest open air marketplace around.
  • Enjoying the museums? Don't miss the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner, both found in Fenway.
  • If there weren't enough music options here for you, try your luck with scene in Allston Rock City.
  • Explore more of Massachusetts' revolutionary history in nearby Lexington and Concord.
  • Seek out early American history on itineraries such as From Plymouth to Hampton Roads or American Industry Tour.

Cambridge

cambridgema.gov
Postal code:02138–021422138214021422139Date Time:Please wait...Timezone:America/New_YorkPopulation:118,403Coordinates:42.38, -71.11

Middlesex County

2nd-order administrative division

Massachusetts

Primary administrative division

United States

usa.gov
Population:327.2 MDial code:+1Currency:Dollar (USD)Voltage:120 V, 240 V, 60 Hz
NEMA 14-30NEMA 14-50