Cambridge (Massachusetts)

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 per cent 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 M.I.T., 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, 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

  phone: +1 617 441-2884
  address: 4 Brattle St
  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.

By plane

• Logan International Airport, 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, in Manchester, New Hampshire.
• T. F. Green Airport, Warwick, Rhode Island.

By train

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.

By public transportation

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.
As of June 2017, subway fare is $2.75 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 discounted (Subway: $2.25) 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:

• Brattle Taxi

  phone: +1 617 492-1100

• Checker Cab

  phone: +1 617 497-1500

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.

• Broadway Bicycle School

  phone: +1 617 868-3392
  address: 351 Broadway
  You can get your bike fixed, fix it yourself, or be taught how to repair it.

• Cambridge Bicycle

  phone: +1 617 876-6555
  address: 259 Massachusetts Ave

• HubwayA bike sharing service that offers use of 1,300 bikes from 140 kiosks around Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville. Visitors can purchase a 24-hour ($6) or 72-hour ($12) pass with a credit or debit card; both offer unlimited trips under 30 minutes (longer trips incur expensive extra charges).

• African American Heritage Trail

  phone: +1 617 349-4683
  Twenty historic plaques across the city honor notable African Americans who were abolitionists, authors, educators, and office holders in Cambridge from 1840 to 1940.

• Cambridge Arts Council Gallery

  phone: +1 617 349-4380
  address: 344 Broadway

• Longfellow House–Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site

  phone: +1 617 876-4491
  address: 105 Brattle St
  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

  phone: +1 617 547-7105
  address: 580 Mount Auburn St.
  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.

• Washington ElmOn 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.

• List Visual Arts Center

• Harvard YardThe 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 buildingHome 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 DomeA 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 CenterLikely 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 BridgeThe 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, a MIT student who allowed himself to be laid end-to-end to measure the distance across the bridge, as part of a fraternity prank.

Museums

• Harvard Art Museums

  phone: +1 617 495-9400
  address: 32 Quincy St
  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.

• Harvard Museum of Natural History

  phone: +1 617 495-3045
  address: 26 Oxford St
  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.

• MIT Museum

  phone: +1 617 253-5927
  address: 265 Massachusetts Ave
  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.

• Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology

  phone: +1 617 496-1027
  address: 11 Divinity Ave
  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.

• Putnam Gallery

  phone: +1 617 495-2779
  address: 1 Oxford St
  Representing a broad range of scientific studies, this museum holds over 20,000 unique instruments dating from 1400 to present day.

• Semitic Museum

  phone: +1 617 495-4631
  address: 6 Divinity Ave
  See a collection of over 40,000 artifacts from the Near East across multiple ancient civilizations.

• American Repertory Theater

  phone: +1 617 547-8300
  address: 2 Arrow St
  Named one of the top five regional theatres in the U.S. by Time magazine in 2003. Also shows student productions.

• The Brattle Theatre

  phone: +1 617 876-6837
  address: 40 Brattle St
  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.

• Charles River Canoe & Kayak

  phone: +1 617 965-5110
  address: 15 Broad Canal Way
  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.

• Charles Riverboat Company

  phone: +1 617 621-3001
  address: 100 Cambridgeside Pl
  Sightseeing, sunset, and architectural tours on the Charles River and Boston Harbor.

• The Comedy Studio

  phone: +1 617 661-6507
  address: 1238 Massachusetts Ave
  All shows begin at 8PM

• Fresh Pond Golf Course

  phone: +1 617 349-6282
  address: 691 Huron Ave
  Public course.

• Landmark Kendall Square

  phone: +1 617 621-1202
  address: 355 Binney St
  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.

• The Lilypad

  address: 1353 Cambridge St
  A performance space, art gallery and community space for anything from yoga, to lectures and workshops.

• Lynch Family Skatepark

  phone: +1 617 300-8172
  Shred your face off in this concrete paradise designed for you to bust out your sweetest ollies and kick-flips. Established 2016.

Music

• The Cantab Lounge

  phone: +1 617 354-2685
  address: 738 Massachusetts Ave
  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.

• The Middle East

  phone: +1 617 864-3278
  address: 472/480 Massachusetts Av.
  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.

• The Phoenix Landing

  phone: +1 617 576-6260
  address: 512 Massachusetts Ave
  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.

• Plough and Stars

  phone: +1 617 576-0032
  address: 912 Massachusetts Ave
  Another sorta Marxist bar down from People's with excellent live music.

• The Sinclair

  phone: +1 617 547-5200
  address: 52 Church St
  Affiliated with Great Scott in Allston.

• Zuzu

  phone: +1 617 864-3278
  address: 474 Massachusetts Ave
  This is also a middle-eastern tapas joint, which serves pretty good food at reasonable prices.

Events

• • • 
      

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

  phone: +1 617 253-4795
  address: 77 Massachusetts Ave
  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.

• Harvard Events and Information Center

  phone: +1 617 495-1573
  address: 30 Dunster St
  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.

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.

• Lesley University

  phone: +1 617 868-9600
  address: 29 Everett St

• Hult International Business School

  phone: +1 617 746-1990
  address: 1 Education St

• Abodeon

  phone: +1 617 497-0137
  address: 1731 Massachusetts Ave
  Between Harvard and Porter squares, features an incredible and unique assortment of Danish design, Finnish glassware, vintage American kitsch, and contemporary furniture.

• Armageddon Shop

  phone: +1 617 492-1235
  address: 12 Eliot St
  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.

• CambridgeSide

  phone: +1 617 621-8666
  address: 100 Cambridgeside Pl
  From Abercrombie to Yankee Candle, 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.

• The Garage

  address: 36 JFK St
  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.

• The Garment District

  phone: +1 617 876-5230
  address: 200 Broadway
  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.

• Leavitt & Peirce

  phone: +1 617 547-0576
  address: 1316 Massachusetts Ave
  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.

• Oona's

  phone: +1 617 491-2654
  address: 1210 Massachusetts Ave
  Decent selection of vintage clothing for men and women. Accessories selection is very good.

• Planet Records

  phone: +1 617 492-0693
  address: 144 Mt Auburn St
  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.

Bookstores

• Harvard Book Store

  phone: +1 800-542-READ
  address: 1256 Massachusetts Ave
  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

  phone: +1 617 499-2000
  address: 1400 Massachusetts Ave
  Official bookstore for Harvard which boasts a huge selection (four stories) of academic and general books. Run by Barnes and Noble.

• MIT Press Bookstore

  phone: +1 617 253-5249
  address: 301 Massachusetts Ave
  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.

• Porter Square Books

  phone: +1 617 491-2220
  address: 25 White St
  Independent book store in the Porter Square Shopping Mall, and also the home of Cafe Zing.

• Raven Books

  phone: +1 617 441-6999
  address: 23 Church St
  Incredible selection of used scholarly books, including philosophy, gender studies, cultural studies, and art. Clean, well-organized independent shop run by very helpful people.

• Rodney's Bookstore

  phone: +1 617 876-6467
  address: 698 Massachusetts Ave

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

• Pinocchio's Pizza

  phone: +1 617 876-4897
  address: 74 Winthrop St
  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.

• Moody's Falafel Palace

  phone: +1 617 864-0827
  address: 25 Central Square
  Located in a tiny "castle", this inexpensive Middle-Eastern restaurant serves up delicious shawarma, kebab, and their namesake falafel.

• Basta Pasta

  phone: +1 617 576-6672
  address: 319 Western Ave
  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.

• Mary Chung's

  phone: +1 617 864-1991
  address: 464 Massachusetts Ave
  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.

• Veggie Galaxy

  phone: +1 617 497-1513
  address: 450 Massachusetts Ave
  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.

• Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage

  phone: +1 617 354-6559
  address: 1246 Massachusetts Ave
  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.

• Yume Wo Katare

  phone: +1 617 714-4008
  address: 1923 Massachusetts Ave
  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 who's 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.

• S&S Restaurant

  phone: +1 617 354-0777
  address: 1334 Cambridge St
  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.

• Christophers

  phone: +1 617 876-9180
  address: 1920 Massachusetts Ave
  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.

Ice cream

• Christina's Homemade Ice Cream

  phone: +1 617 492-7021
  address: 1255 Cambridge St

• Honeycomb Creamery

  phone: +1 617 714-3983
  address: 1702 Massachusetts Ave

• Lizzy's Homemade Ice Cream

  phone: +1 617 354-2911
  address: 29 Church St
  Home-style ice cream.

• Toscanini's

  address: 899 Main St
  An extremely popular ice cream shop in the Boston area, rated as "best ice cream in the world" by the New York Times and also has been highly rated by Gourmet magazine. Popular flavors include burnt caramel, salted saffron, and B3 (brown sugar, brown butter, brownie). New location at 159 First Street in Cambridge, old location re-opening in June

Mid-range

• Alive & Kicking Lobsters

  phone: +1 617 876-0451
  address: 269 Putnam Ave

• Cafe Sushi

  phone: +1 617 492-0434
  address: 1105 Massachusetts Ave

• The Automatic

  phone: +1 617 714-5226
  address: 50 Hampshire St

• Waypoint

  phone: +1 617 864-2300
  address: 1030 Massachusetts Ave

• Muqueca

  phone: +1 617 354-3296
  address: 1008 Cambridge St
  Serves Brazilian food cooked in clay pots. Don't miss the fried plantains and the muqueca itself.

• East Coast Grill

  phone: +1 617 714-4662
  address: 1271 Cambridge St

• Giulia

  phone: +1 617 441-2800
  address: 1682 Massachusetts Ave

• Oleana

  phone: +1 617 661-0505
  address: 134 Hampshire St
  Oleana's inspired and exquisite offerings span the Mediterranean from Spain to Turkey and Armenia to North Africa, yet everything comes together superbly. Mezze will run you anywhere from $3-14, while omnivorous entrees are $26-28. Or come just for dessert to sample their exceptional baked Alaska with coconut ice cream & passion fruit caramel, $15.

Splurge

• Les Sablons

  phone: +1 617 268-6800
  address: 2 Bennett St

• Loyal Nine

  phone: +1 617 945-2576
  address: 660 Cambridge St
  Dining inspired by food available to the early colonists.

• Harvest

  phone: +1 617 868-2255
  address: 44 Brattle St
  Regional contemporary American cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. A wonderful outside dining terrace and one of the best Sunday brunches (prix fixe, $33) in Greater Boston.

• Pagu

  phone: +1 617 945-9290
  address: 310 Massachusetts Ave

• The Table

  phone: +1 617 871-9468
  address: 2447 Massachusetts Ave

• Puritan & Company

  phone: +1 617 615-6195
  address: 1166 Cambridge St

• Craigie on Main

  phone: +1 617 497-5511
  address: 853 Main St

• A4cade

  phone: +1 617 714-3960
  address: 292 Massachusetts Ave
  Beer, grilled cheese, and arcade games, what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, there's pinball too.

• Bukowski Tavern

  phone: +1 617 497-7077
  address: 1281 Cambridge St
  They have a menu of beers with pages and pages of choices from around the world.

• Charlie's Kitchen

  phone: +1 617 492-9646
  address: 10 Eliot St
  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.

• Grendel's Den

  phone: +1 617 491-1160
  address: 89 Winthrop St
  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 5PM-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.

• Lord Hobo

  phone: +1 617 250-8454
  address: 92 Hampshire St
  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).

• Meadhall

  phone: +1 617 714-4372
  address: 4 Cambridge Center
  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.

• Miracle of Science

  phone: +1 617 868-2866
  address: 321 Massachusetts Ave
  Popular with MIT grads, professors, and local tech company programmer types. Order off a slightly skewed periodic table of elements.

• The People's Republik

  phone: +1 617 491-6969
  address: 876 Massachusetts Ave
  Decorated with Communist propaganda posters, this bar is quintessential Cambridge. Cash only but with an ATM in the back. Darts in both back corners

Breweries

• Cambridge Brewing Company

  phone: +1 617 494-1994
  address: 1 Kendall Square
  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.

• Lamplighter Brewing

  phone: +1 617 945-0450
  address: 284 Broadway
  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.

Coffee

• 1369 Coffeehouse

  phone: +1 617 576-1369
  address: 1369 Cambridge St
  Coffee shop and arthouse combined. You'll probably visit the one in Central square, however.

• Algiers Coffee House

  phone: +1 617 492-1557
  address: 40 Brattle St

• Café Pamplona

  phone: +1 617 492-0352
  address: 12 Bow St
  Spanish style cafe serving teas, strong coffee, desserts, and Spanish main courses supplemented by grilled Cuban sandwiches. Has both an outdoor patio and an indoor seating.

• Darwin's LTD

  phone: +1 617 497-1000
  address: 1629 Cambridge St
  A great local shop offering assorted coffees, local brews, sandwiches, pastries, and other sweet treats. Two additional locations, one in Central and another in Harvard.

• Flour Bakery

  phone: +1 617 225-2525
  address: 190 Massachusetts Ave
  A delicious sandwich, coffee, and desserts shop constantly rated in Boston magazine in the "Boston's Best" rankings that also has its own nationally-available cookbook. Another location at the end of Albany Street, one in Harvard, and several more in Boston.

• Petsi Pies

  phone: +1 617 499-0801
  address: 31 Putnam Ave
  Fantastic local bakery and coffee shop. One other location north of the square near Porter.

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

• A Friendly Inn at Harvard Square

  phone: +1 617 547-7851
  address: 1673 Cambridge St
  Victorian House with 20-some guest rooms, private bathrooms, high speed wi-fi and parking, breakfast, front desk 24/7.

• A Cambridge House Inn

  phone: +1 617 491-6300
  address: 2218 Massachusetts Ave
  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.

• Irving House Bed and Breakfast

  phone: +1 617 547-4600
  address: 24 Irving St
  Friendly staff ensure that your stay at the guesthouses here are comfortable and amiable. A full continental breakfast is provided each morning, as well as 24 reception and high speed internet access.

• Harding House Bed and Breakfast

  phone: +1 617 876-2888
  address: 288 Harvard St
  This 1860s Victorian house is a refreshing alternative to chain style hotels. Offers 14 private rooms complete with full ensuites and kitchens. Weekly and monthly rates available.

• A Bed & Breakfast in Cambridge

  phone: +1 617 868-7082
  address: 1657 Cambridge St
  Located just two blocks away from Harvard Yard, this B&B is noted for its simplicity and attention to detail. Rooms are decorated in a charming colonial style and the room rates are reasonable. 5% of all proceeds go to the Cambridge Action Fund, a nonprofit that helps the Cambridge homeless. You must stay at least five nights.

Mid-range

• Courtyard Boston Cambridge

  phone: +1 617 492-7777
  address: 777 Memorial Dr

• Boston Marriott Cambridge

  phone: +1 617 494-6600
  address: 50 Broadway
  The Marriott Cambridge Hotel is located across the Charles River from downtown Boston and is ideally positioned in Kendall Square near popular Boston area attractions.

• Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Cambridge

  phone: +1 617 349-0700
  address: 120 Broadway

• Mary Prentiss Inn

  phone: +1 617 661-2929
  address: 6 Prentiss St
  Historic Greek revival style hotel with 20 furnished rooms serving made-to-order breakfast every morning.

• Freepoint Hotel

  phone: +1 617 491-8000
  address: 220 Alewife Brook Pkwy
  New in 2017 with a cool restaurant/bar on the ground floor.

Splurge

• Kendall Hotel

  phone: +1 617 577-1300
  address: 350 Main St
  An old firehouse turned into a cozy hotel.

• Royal Sonesta Boston

  phone: +1 617 806-4200
  address: 40 Edwin Land Blvd
  A luxury 4-Diamond hotel on the Cambridge side of the Charles River offering city views, upscale accommodations, and fine dining. Also located across the street from the Cambridgeside Galleria mall and around the corner from the Museum of Science. During summer months, offers free shuttles around Cambridge and to Prudential Center and Quincy Market, free river cruises, free ice cream and free bike rentals.

• Le Méridien Cambridge-MIT

  phone: +1 617 577-0200
  address: 20 Sydney St
  Le Méridien Cambridge-MIT is located on the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Guest rooms include a collection of standard and suite accommodations with city or garden terrace views.

• The Charles Hotel

  phone: +1 617 864-1200
  address: 1 Bennett St

• Hyatt Regency Cambridge

  phone: +1 617 492-1234
  address: 575 Memorial Dr
  Stay in the ziggurat overlooking the Charles!

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.

• Main Branch

  phone: +1 617 349-4040
  address: 449 Broadway

• Boudreau Branch

  phone: +1 617 349-4017
  address: 245 Concord Ave

• Central Square Branch

  phone: +1 617 349-4010
  address: 45 Pearl St

• Collins Branch

  phone: +1 617 349-4021
  address: 64 Aberdeen Ave

• O'Connell Branch

  phone: +1 617 349-4019
  address: 48 Sixth St

• O'Neill Branch

  phone: +1 617 349-4023
  address: 70 Rindge Ave

• Valente Branch

  phone: +1 617 349-4015
  address: 826 Cambridge St
  Closed for renovations.

Houses of worship

• First Parish Cambridge Unitarian Universalist

  address: 3 Church St

• Temple Beth Shalom of Cambridge

  address: 8 Tremont St
  Friday night partnership services, Saturday morning mechitza and egalitarian services, hosts Minyan Tehillah (partnership) every other Saturday morning.

• Islamic Society of Boston

  address: 204 Prospect St

• Pentecostal Tabernacle

  address: 77 Columbia St

• St John’s The Evangelist Roman Catholic

  address: 2254 Massachusetts Ave

• Reservoir Church

  address: 15 Notre Dame Ave

• St Paul AME Church

  address: 85 Bishop Richard Allen Dr

• Cambridge Community Fellowship Church

  address: 234 Franklin St

• The Society of St. John The Evangelist: A Monastic Community of the Episcopal Church

  address: 980 Memorial Dr

• Friends Meeting at Cambridge

  address: 5 Longfellow Park

• Cambridge Zen Center

  address: 199 Auburn St

• Faith Lutheran Church

  address: 311 Broadway

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) Church

  address: 2 Longfellow Park

• 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 with scene in Allston Rock City.
• Explore more of Massachusetts' revolutionary history in nearby Lexington and Concord.