Best known for being home of two world-famous universities, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the city of Cambridge has been a popular travel destination for hundreds of years; and for good reason. Ideally nestled across the Charles River from Boston, and often referred to as Boston’s ‘Left Bank,’ the city has always been a vibrant and eclectic cultural hub, with unique architectural landmarks, world-class museums and theaters, great music venues and notable displays of public art.
Where else can you see charming neighborhoods rich in options for shopping, dining and sightseeing, indulge in a variety of annual street fairs and festivals or scoot into a bar for the best bacon-topped burger of life? There is so much to see and do in this vibrant city that one needs a really long vacation to enjoy it to the fullest.
The first place locals usually recommend tourists is Harvard Square, a historically significant area and a bustling center of activity that embodies all that is Cambridge. Harvard Museum of natural History and The Harvard Art Museum are two must-see attractions when visiting the square, while a collection of shopping venues, interesting eateries and clubs also add to the charm Harvard has on offer.
Those interested in nature should head to the picturesque Cambridge University Botanic Garden to experience the impressive variety of plant species on display in 40 acres of beautiful landscapes. Opened to the public in 1846, the garden comes with many fascinating features, including a lake, greenhouses, winter garden and an exclusive collection of mature trees.
History buffs visiting Cambridge will find the Longfellow National Historic Site an interesting place. In addition to being G. Washington’s headquarters between 1775 and 1776, the site is also the home of the famous 19th century poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Guided tours are available.
And if you are a culture vulture, the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.), which is one of the country’s most celebrated resident theaters, will definitely please you. Over its 29 year history, the theater has welcomed many famous American and international theater artists. What more, it was recently named the third best theater in the country by ‘Time’ magazine. Not to be missed is also Harvard’s Fogg Museum of Art, which is considered the city’s best and which is being transformed into a glass-topped masterpiece by architect Renzo Piano.
Shopaholics greatly appreciate the city’s high street shops, and for those looking for a more unique shopping experience usually choose the market as a great place, a place where people have been selling their wares since Saxon times. Make sure to visit also the Harvard Coop, the best place to buy authentic, local souvenirs and all Saints Garden for handcrafted items.
Cambridge is also a great place for food lovers, as it houses a wide range of stylish restaurants and bars, serving international cuisines. Most restaurants are found in Harvard Square; however, Porter Square in North Cambridge has the region’s largest number of Japanese restaurants and shops. Some of the best restaurants in Cambridge are Rendezvous in Central Square, Cambridge 1 in Harvard square, and Temple Bar in porter Square. Tasty Burger is the spot for late-night eats.
There is something to suit every visitor when it comes to entertainment in Cambridge. You can go punting on the River Cam, join a walking tour of the city, try a picnic in Kingsley Park and visit Fresh Pond.
Cambridge offers hotels to suit a range of budgets, and visitors seeking a more intimate encounter with local hospitality have several bed and breakfast accommodations to choose from.
Cambridge is a year round travel destination, with weather pretty much the same as it is in Boston; this means summers here are warm and often humid, while winters are usually cold, frequented with snowfalls. The best way to see Cambridge is to make use of the public transit system. The Red Line subway offers service every 5 minutes and easily links Boston and Cambridge, offering stops in Kendall Square, Harvard Square, Central Square and more.
Welcoming, vibrant, and intriguing, Cambridge today is very much a college influenced community that blends a strong fusion of cultural and social diversity, intellectual vitality and technological innovation.