CAMBRIDGE Lot to Unpack Owner’s Manual

Table of Contents

A LOT TO UNPACK

ONLY MINUTES AWAY FROM DOWNTOWN BOSTON, CAMBRIDGE IS A CAPTIVATING, OFF-BEAT, NOT-TO-BE-MISSED DESTINATION TO EXPLORE WHILE VISITING BOSTON

Located less than 3 miles from Downtown Boston and less than 8 miles from Boston Logan Airport, Cambridge is easy to get to!
You can drive, take a rideshare, walk across one of nine bridges, or take a quick ride on the Red Line of the MBTA (the T).

WHAT AND WHERE ARE THE FAMOUS “SQUARES” OF CAMBRIDGE?

In the European tradition, the “Squares” of Cambridge are charming neighborhoods rich in fine dining, eclectic shopping, theaters, museums, technology, innovation, and historic sites.
Each Square” is a vibrant, colorful destination with a personality all its own.
Cambridge is home to five squares and an additional four neighborhoods all within its six-square-mile city limits:
Cambridgeport, Central Square, East Cambridge, Harvard Square, Inman Square, Kendall Square, North Cambridge, Porter Square, and West Cambridge.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO IN CAMBRIDGE?

It’s not only wrong to try to contain Cambridge to just a list of “things to do” — it’s impossible! The real allure lies in discovering the city’s character — artsy, diverse, intellectual, and eclectic.
Visit our website or stop by our Visitor Center in Harvard Square for more information and itineraries!

WHERE SHOULD I STAY IN CAMBRIDGE?

Just as each neighborhood in Cambridge has its personality, so do our overnight accommodations.
With 20+ hotels and bed and breakfasts in the city to choose from, staying in Cambridge provides a unique experience while still being close to everything Boston has to offer.

CAMBRIDGE A PLACE OF UNEXPECTED CONTRASTS

Historic and innovative.
A need to preserve, yet create.
Boston has the Common, but Uncommon is more our style.
Here you can be like former resident Julia Child and eat it all up.
Plant yourself in Harvard Square and lie with a statue.
Get thrown more curve balls than a day at Fenway. And if you’re lucky, even find what you’re not looking for.
Enjoy a dizzying journey down streets bursting with offbeat locals, colorful storefronts, exotic foods, and endless nightlife.
Where a random left just feels right.
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
So much to explore. A lot to unpack.

WHERE TO START

Begin your day in Harvard Square, one of Cambridge’s most identifiable squares. The Red Line subway delivers you into the heart of the iconic neighborhood.
When you’re ready to see the sights, walk along Tory Row” on elegant Brattle Street and visit the Longfellow House, Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site. Or, opt to take a short bus ride or walk to the 175-acre Mount Auburn
Cemetery, the first garden cemetery in the U.S.
Then join an official student-led Harvard University tour or simply stroll through Harvard Yard and take in the beautiful and historic campus.

IN THE AFTERNOON:

The museums in Cambridge are plentiful and cannot be missed. Hop back on the Red Line and head to Kendall Square, home to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Enjoy an official tour of the MIT campus, also student-led, or visit the newly reimagined MIT Museum offering exhibits, programming, and hands-on activities.
Or, see Boston and Cambridge from a new perspective: the Charles River. Paddle Boston offers guided tours and rentals of kayaks, canoes, or paddle boards.
If relaxing on the water is more your speed, enjoy a fully narrated sightseeing cruise by the Charles River
Boat Company, departing from the Lechmere Canal Park at CambridgeSide in East Cambridge.

AFTER DARK:

With over 300 restaurants to choose from, Cambridge’s dining scene truly provides something for everyone – whether you are in the mood for exotic or more traditional New England fare.
After dinner, don’t miss the live music and nightlife venues that call Central Square home.
CAMBRIDGEUSA.ORG
@CAMBRIDGEUSA
Cambridge Office for Tourism
Visitor Information Center Cambridge, MA 02138
Next to Harvard Square T Station