Cambridge Travel Guide

4 places and guides from our Cambridge coverage, gathered into one page.

8 Must-Visit Historic Sites In Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard University, the Longfellow House, and six other sites anchor Cambridge’s historic landscape. Start at Harvard Yard (founded 1636), then walk to the Longfellow House on Brattle Street, where George Washington planned the Siege of Boston in 1775–76. The Cambridge Common, a Revolutionary War muster ground, holds the Washington Elm site and a Civil War monument. The Hooper-Lee-Nichols House (c. 1685) on Brattle Street is one of the city’s oldest surviving buildings. The Cooper-Frost-Austin House (c. 1689) on Linnaean Street offers a 17th-century interior. Christ Church (1761) on Garden Street is the oldest church building in Cambridge. Mount Auburn Cemetery (1831) on Mount Auburn Street is a National Historic Landmark with gardens and notable graves. The Harvard Museum of Natural History on Oxford Street displays the Glass Flowers collection. These eight sites sit within a 2-mile radius; allow a full day to visit them all.

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Beyond the main squares, Cambridge holds 11 hidden gems. The Grolier Poetry Book Shop on Plympton Street (opened 1927) is the oldest continuous poetry-only bookstore in the United States. The Longfellow House’s garden, open to the public May through October, offers a quiet retreat. Mount Auburn Cemetery’s Washington Tower gives a 360-degree view of Boston and Cambridge. The Harvard Museum of Natural History’s Glass Flowers (created 1887–1936) are a unique botanical collection. The Cambridge Public Library on Broadway (renovated 2014) has a rooftop terrace. The MIT List Visual Arts Center on Ames Street rotates contemporary exhibitions. The Harvard Semitic Museum on Divinity Avenue houses ancient Near Eastern artifacts. The Cambridge Center for Adult Education on Brattle Street hosts classes in a historic mansion. The Fresh Pond Reservation on Fresh Pond Parkway offers a 2.25-mile walking loop. The Cambridge Artists’ Cooperative on Huron Avenue sells local crafts. The Kendall Square Roof Garden on Third Street is a seasonal pop-up park. For deeper context, the city also contributes to local tips and Witch trial lore in Massachusetts, as nearby Salem’s 1692 events are a short drive north.

11 Scenic Hikes To Take In Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cambridge’s 11 scenic hikes run along the Charles River and through conservation areas. The Charles River Esplanade (3 miles one way) connects the Boston University Bridge to the Museum of Science, with paved paths and river views. The Fresh Pond Reservation loop (2.25 miles) circles a 162-acre reservoir, passing through woodlands and meadows. The Alewife Brook Greenway (2 miles) runs from Alewife Station to the Mystic River, linking to the Minuteman Bikeway. The Mount Auburn Cemetery paths (1.5 miles of main loops) wind through hills and ponds. Cambridgeport Riverfront Park (0.5-mile loop) sits at the mouth of the Charles River. The Danehy Park paths (1 mile) traverse a former landfill turned athletic fields. The Magazine Beach Park loop (0.75 mile) follows the river near the BU Bridge. The Riverside Press Park paths (0.5 mile) border the Charles. The Elm Street Greenway (0.3 mile) is a short connector. The Harvard Yard paths (0.25 mile) are paved. The MIT campus paths (0.5 mile) include Killian Court and the Great Dome. These trails are flat and accessible year-round. For more rugged terrain, the site’s coverage of hiking and the outdoors in Massachusetts includes state parks within a 30-minute drive.

5 Best Cycling Routes In Cambridge, Massachusetts

The five best cycling routes in Cambridge range from 3 to 12 miles. The Charles River Loop (8 miles) follows the Esplanade on both sides of the river, crossing at the BU Bridge and the Longfellow Bridge. The Minuteman Bikeway (10 miles one way) starts at Alewife Station and runs to Bedford, passing through Arlington and Lexington. The Somerville Community Path (2.5 miles) connects Cambridge to Davis Square via a former rail corridor. The Fresh Pond Loop (2.25 miles) is a flat circuit around the reservoir, shared with pedestrians. The Cambridgeport Neighborhood Route (3 miles) uses low-traffic streets to link Magazine Beach, the MIT campus, and Central Square. All routes are paved and signed. The Minuteman Bikeway is the longest; the Fresh Pond Loop is the shortest. Cyclists can rent bikes at several Hubway stations throughout the city.