Cambridge

Travel Guide

Cambridge showing a city and street scenes
Cambridge
Cambridge
Cambridge
Cambridge

Home to two of the most prestigious universities in the U.S., Cambridge has a distinguished feel, with fine dining, museums and riverside strolls among its charms. 

Tour the grounds of Harvard and admire the elegant buildings in which some of America’s finest minds have been nurtured. Visit museums and galleries within the grounds, before making your way to the contrasting Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where cutting-edge architecture houses students that are shaping the future. Cruises down the River Charles, numerous boutique stores and a culinary culture to rival some of the finest cities in the country will keep you busy for the rest of your stay.

Cambridge was founded in 1630 and is the fifth-largest city in Massachusetts. It’s known as the “City of Squares” because of the way town planners designed the town around an easily navigable network of plazas. 

Take a tour of the Harvard grounds and learn about the many famous alumni who have studied here, including President Barack Obama and poet T.S. Eliot. Conduct some learning of your own and stop in at the Harvard Museum of Natural History where over 12,000 specimens are on display. Art fans should head to the Harvard Museum of Art, which is made up of three distinct sections focusing on Western, Germanic and Asian art. 

Visit MIT for the architecture alone, with the stunning Stata Centre and Simmons Hall among the highlights. Don’t miss the MIT museum, which focuses on exhibits that showcase scientific, artistic and technology innovations in the modern era.

Stroll beside the Charles River, which boasts hundred of acres of nature reserve on each of its banks. Take a visit to Mount Auburn Cemetery, the first landscaped cemetery in the United States. It’s also notable for being the burial place of the poet Henry Longfellow. Visit Longfellow House in the town to find out more about this literary great.

Cambridge is well served by public transport, with a good network of trains and public buses covering all the major sights. It’s also an easy city to cycle around in. Rent a bike during the warm summer months and discover the extensive network of cycle routes. 

Where to stay in Cambridge

Boston featuring a garden

MIT

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

While you're in MIT, take in top sights like MIT Museum and jump on the metro at Kendall-MIT Station to see more of the city.

MIT
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East Cambridge

4/5(10 area reviews)

The stunning river views and popular shops are a few things travellers love about East Cambridge. Check out Cambridgeside Galleria or Charles Hayden Planetarium while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Lechmere Station to get around town.

East Cambridge
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Cambridgeport

4/5(4 area reviews)

The abundant dining options and stunning river views are top of the list for many visitors to Cambridgeport. A stop by Central Square Theatre or Charles River might round out your trip.

Cambridgeport
Cambridge showing a city and street scenes

Mid-Cambridge

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

While you're in Mid-Cambridge, take in top sights like Harvard Art Museums and jump on the metro at Harvard Square Station to see more of the city.

Mid-Cambridge
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Central Square

When in Central Square, check out the abundant dining options and consider stopping by Central Square Theatre. If you want to see more of the area, you can catch the metro at Central Square Station.

Central Square
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Kendall Square

While you're in Kendall Square, take in top sights like Kendall Square and jump on the metro at Kendall-MIT Station to see more of the city.

Kendall Square

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Cambridge

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
12
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
12
4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
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3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
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2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
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1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

I am an alumna of Harvard College so it is always lovely to be back and see changes in the Square. It is clean and well kept but sad to see old institutions like the newsstand close down. The food options were excellent, but the shopping was just OK.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Cambridge is an absolute gem and a must see location. There are lovely buildings and Harvard University, walk around the beautiful Charles River with excellent cycle paths. There is a great range of lovely shops and places to eat/drink.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

As a family we love Cambridge, the safeness, the shopping, the dining options, the location. We keep returning!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great place. Unfortunately seemed to be quite a lot of homeless people. No bother to anyone though.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Good walking city, with frequent cheap buses