From Wikitravel

Cambridge is a city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, USA, and part of the Greater Boston metropolis. It is the fifth largest city in the state. It is well-known as the location of both Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

[edit] Understand

First settled in 1630 by English Puritans, 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.

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, in later years, by the high technology companies here. "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."

• Cambridge Office for Tourism, 4 Brattle St.(Harvard Sq.), Phone: +1 617-441-2884 or Phone: +1 617-497-1630. [1] Volunteers staff the Visitor Information Booth, located just outside the main Harvard Square T-stop, and are available to distribute maps and brochures and to answer questions. The booth is staffed M-Sa 9AM-5PM, and Su 1PM-5PM.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

• Logan International Airport,[2], Boston. This is the closest option and is serviced 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 $1.25 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, [3], in Manchester, New Hampshire.
• T. F. Green Airport,[4], Warwick, Rhode Island.

[edit] By train

AMTRAK[5] train service is available to nearby Boston from many east coast cities.

Mass Bay Transportation Authority - MBTA or "the T", [6]:

• Subway: The Red Line stops from Kendall/MIT station to Alewife station (except Davis Square, in Somerville) are in Cambridge. [7] The Green Line has a terminus at Lechmere station, near Lechmere Square in East Cambridge. [8]
• Commuter rail: The Fitchburg line has a stop in Porter Square. This line serves the northwest suburbs and ends in Boston's North Station where you can connect to other northbound commuter rail lines. [9]

[edit] 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.

[edit] By bus

The MBTA, [10], has local regional bus service. For intercity buses, see Boston.

[edit] Get around

[edit] Public transportation

Public transportation is provided by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority ("MBTA")[11], 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[12] 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). Note that subway service stops between midnight and 2AM. Therefore, make sure to check with a T employee (usually available in a token booth by the turnstiles) or with a bus driver to get the "last train" time for the subway or bus line you want to take.

The fare system is very complex, and often not well described. There's some info about it at mbta.com

• Parking at the Alewife station on the Red line is ample and will cost you $4.50 per 24 hour period.

• MBTA Commuter Rail (color-coded purple) leaves from Porter Square, serving more distant suburbs. This should not be confused with
• Amtrak,[13] the US national rail service, which departs from Boston's South Station which is reachable via the Red Line.

[edit] Taxis

Expect to spend at least $5 for a short taxi ride and possibly up to $40 for a trip to Logan Airport (this includes the initial fare, a small tip for the driver, small one-way streets, bad traffic, construction, tolls for bridges, tolls for tunnels, tolls for the MassPike, and any wait time).

The best way to find a taxi in Cambridge is to go to a subway station and find a cab at its nearby taxi stand. It is sometimes possible to signal a passing taxi on the street. You can also telephone a local cab company to ask them to pick you up.

One trick to save a $3.25 on a trip to the airport, if you are in Cambridge but near boston, is to call a Boston cab company. They will send someone to pick you up (usually as fast as a Cambridge company), and you will not be obliged to pay round-trip tolls.

• Ambassador Brattle Taxi, 76 Hampshire St., Phone: +1 617-492-1100.
• Cambridge Checker Cab, 103 Fulkerson St., Phone: +1 617-497-1500.
• Hernandez Transportation, 70 Concord Ln., Phone: +1 617-666-3719.
• Star Taxi Of Cambridge, 324 Rindge Av., Phone: +1 617-876-8888.
• Yellow Cab, 76 Hampshire St., Phone: +1 617-876-5000.

[edit] 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.

• Cambridge Bicycle, 259 Massachusetts Ave., (617) 876-6555, [14].

[edit][add listing] See

• African American Heritage Trail, [15]. Twenty historic plaques across the city honor notable African Americans who were abolitionists, authors, educators, and office holders in Cambridge from 1840 to 1940.

[edit] Museums

• MIT Museum, 265 Mass Ave. (Central Sq), Phone: +1 617-253-4444, [16]. Has a huge collection of holography, a hall of hacks (practical physical jokes that get placed around the institute -- like the police car that once graced the top of the great dome is in the hall of hacks), plus rotating exhibits. Great hands-on exhibits for kids, including moving sculptures and a shadow room.
• Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford Street, Phone: +1 617-495-3045, [17]. Drawing from the University's vast natural history collections, the HMNH displays the famous Blashka 'Glass Flowers' collection, dinosaurs (the world 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. 6 minute walk from Harvard Square. Lectures & educational programs.
• Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, 11 Divinity Ave, one of the oldest museums in the world devoted to anthropology, houses one of the most comprehensive records of human cultural history in the Western Hemisphere.

• Busch-Reisinger Museum, 32 Quincy Street, Phone: +1 617-495-9400, [18]. 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.
• The Fogg Art Museum, 32 Quincy Street, Phone: +1 617-384-8310, [19]. Western art from the Middle Ages to the present, with particular strengths in Italian early Renaissance, British pre-Raphaelite, and nineteenth-century French art.
• Arthur M. Sackler Museum, 32 Quincy Street, Phone: +1 617-495-9400, [20]. Superb collections of ancient, Islamic, Asian, and later Indian art.
• Cambridge Arts Council Gallery, 344 Broadway, Phone: +1 617-349-4380, [21].

[edit] Presidential Places

• Washington Elm, Cambridge Common at Mason St. On July 3, 1775, Washington officially took command of the Continental Army at ceremonies beneath the tree, which stood at the edge of the training grounds used by the troops. A small bronze plaque marks the spot. The history of the Washington Elm is included in the "Harvard Book," the electronic history of Harvard and its surroundings.

• Longfellow National Historic Site, 105 Brattle St., Phone: +1 617-876-4491, [22]. 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.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Tales of Olde Cambridge Walking Tour, Harvard Square, Phone: +1 617-354-3344, [23]. Professional actor-led historical walking tour. $15/$10.
• ESL Walks and Talks, Phone: +1 617-264-8844, [24]. Walking tours of Cambridge and Boston for non-native English speakers.
• Double Decker Bus Company, CambridgeSide Galleria, Phone: +1 617-679-0031, [25]. Yep, a piece of London.
• Charles Riverboat Tours, CambridgeSide Galleria, Phone: +1 617-621-3001, [26]. Sightseeing tours on the Charles and Boston Harbor.
• Fresh Pond Golf Course, 691 Huron Av., Phone: +1 617-349-6282, [27]. Public. Apr-Dec. 9 holes.
• The Boston Phoenix [28] Free weekly and web site listing concerts, theater plays, movies, restaurants, etc.
• The Weekly Dig, [29] The Pheonix's alt-weekly rival, serves the same purpose, but geared toward a younger audience.
• Walk/Ride along the Charles River: +1 Cambridge has paved pathways for walking, biking, and skating along the Charles river. A pleasant walk would start at Kendall Square T-Stop (head towards the river and then head west) for about 2 miles until Kennedy Street. You will enjoy views of the river (sailing, rowing), and Boston skyline. At Kennedy street you may turn right and end up in Harvard Square.
• The Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle Street, 617-876-6837, 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.
• The American Repertory Theatre and The Zero Arrow Theatre, www.amrep.org, named one of the top 5 regional theatres in the U.S. by Time in 2003. Also shows student productions.
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show, AMC 11 Church Street, midnight on saturdays all year 'round.

[edit] Learn

Many visitors to Cambridge are there to see its two major universities, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 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, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Phone: +1 617-253-4795, [30]. At MIT's main entrance. Tours leave weekdays at 10:45AM and 2:45PM.
• Harvard Events and Information Center, Holyoke Center Arcade, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Phone: +1 617-495-1573, Fax: +1 617-495-0905, [31]. Student-led free tours of campus originate from here. It also has interactive computer displays, a print library and a video room.

Harvard Yard, located right by the Harvard stop on the Red Line subway, is the center of Harvard College and a favorite of tourists, who can be often 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, 29 Everett Street, Phone: +1 617-868-9600, [32].
• Hult International Business School, 1 Education St., Phone: +1-617-746-1990, [33].

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Cambridge has about two dozen book stores. A couple of outstanding ones are:
  • The Harvard Coop, the official bookstore for Harvard which boasts a huge selection (four stories) of academic and general books. Located at 1400 Massachusetts Avenue, right across from the main exit of the Red Line Harvard Square T stop.
  • Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Avenue.[34] Nice and cozy, has a wide selection, and has interesting staff recommendations glued to the book stalls. Used and remaindered books are located downstairs.
  • Porter Square Books, is a independent book store in the Porter Square Shopping Mall, and also the home of Cafe Zing.
  • McIntyre and Moore Booksellers, 1971 Massachusetts Avenue, just north of Porter Square.[35] One of the best used book selections in the Boston area, not cheap but they carry many hard to find titles.
• CambridgeSide Galleria, Edwin Land Blvd.(Lechmere T stop or free shuttle from Kendall), Phone: +1 617-621-8666, [36]. M-Sa 10AM-9:30PM, Su 11AM-7PM. From Abercrombie to Yankee Candle, a thorough mall experience.
• Leavitt & Peirce, 1316 Massachusets Avenue, Phone: +1 617 547-0576. An amazing array of cigars and chess sets. A small selection of "old fashioned" razors and jewlery is also available.
  • Revolution Books 1156 Massachusetts Ave, +1 617 492 5443. Ready for the revolution? Marxist, Leninist, and other Communist Literature on sale here.
  • Museum Shop, Harvard Museum of Natural History. Minerals, geodes, jewelry, natural history books, toys, games, men's ties. A great choice for the unusual.

[edit][add listing] Eat

With a dizzying array of options, and slightly less stringent liquor laws, Cambridge is every bit as much a dining destination as Boston. Most restaurants tend to cluster around Harvard and Central Squares, but 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.

[edit] Budget

• Anna's Taqueria, 822 Somerville Av., (Porter Sq.), Phone: +1 617-661-8500. Fast Mexican food, much better than Taco Bell. People seem divided on Annas, some love it, some hate it.

• Basta Pasta, 319 Western Avenue (Central Sq.), Phone: +1 (617) 576-6672, [37]. 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 with the Cambridge constabulary eating there nightly, won't let you bring your own.

• Beauty's Pizza, 228 Broadway (Kendall Sq.), Phone: +1 617-876-6969, [38]. Mo-Th 11AM-10PM, Fr-Sa 11AM-12AM, Su 5PM-10PM. Delicious pizza, oven-baked subs, and fresh salads. Take-out and delivery.

• Mary Chung's, 464 Massachusetts Av. (Central Sq.), Phone: +1 617-864-1991. Closed Tuesdays. Super-yummy Chinese food, including Dim Sum on 11:30am-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays. A full menu is available. 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.

• Cinderella's, 901 Main St. (Central Sq.), Phone: +1 617-576-0280. Su-W 11AM-1AM, Th-Sa 11AM-2AM. Pizza, subs, and good "American" Italian cooking. Pizza slices aren't on the published menu, but are available for a scant $1.25 and only $.25/topping. Entrees $5-$10.

• Christophers, Porter Square, 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.

• Moody's Falafel Palace, 25 Central Sq., Phone: +1 617-864-0827. 11AM-12AM daily. Located in a tiny "castle", this inexpensive Middle-Eastern restaurant serves up delicious shawarma, kebab, and their namesake falafel. Sandwiches $3-$5, platters $5-$7.

• The Middle East, 472/480 Massachusetts Av. (Central Sq.), Phone: +1 617-864-EAST, [39]. Su-W 11AM-12AM, Th-Sa 11AM-1AM. 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. $4-$12.

• Grendel's Den, 89 Winthrop St. (Harvard Sq.), Phone: +1 617-491-1160. M-Sa 12PM-1AM, Sun 4PM-1AM. Serving basic American bar food, this dark and crowded Harvard tavern would be unremarkable if it weren't for their incredible happy hour special. From 5PM-7:30PM everything on the menu is half price with a beverage purchase of $3 or more. If you can get a table, that is. Non-happy hour entrees $5-$8.

• Pinocchio's Pizza Harvard Sq., Phone: +1 617-497-1530. Well-known for Sicillian pizza. Also known for steak and cheese subs. Has colorful mural of Pinoccchio and other fables on walls of dining area. Located on a small street between Harvard Yard and JFK Park, just off JFK Street.

• Picante Mexican Grill, 735 Massachusetts Av. (Central Sq), Phone: +1 617-576-6394. Good and healthy Mexican food, a step above fast food.

• Veggie Planet, 47 Palmer St. (Harvard Sq, Inside Club Passim at Church & Palmer Streets), Phone: +1 617-661-1513, [40]. 11:30AM-10:30PM daily, brunch Su 11AM-3PM. Didi Emmons, author of Vegetarian Planet, is the owner and head chef. Completely vegetarian and mostly organic, with plenty of vegan options (they'll substitute tofu "ricotta" for other cheeses) and do not serve soft drinks to further the more organic appetite. Yummy veggie combinations served over whole-wheat pizza dough, brown, or coconut rice. Lunch runs about $6, dinner $10.

• The Porter Exchange, 1815 Massachusetts Av. (Porter Sq.). M-Sa 12PM-9PM, Su 12PM-8PM. The food court of this indoor shopping area is the closest thing to Tokyo in Boston. A half dozen stalls compete to serve up delicious and cheap portions of tempura, udon, sushi, ramen and bulgogi without any frills. Finish your unagi-don (eel over rice) with a scoop of ginger mochi ice cream. $3-$7

• Royal East, 792 Main St. (around the block from the MIT Museum), Phone: +1 617-661-1660. Hong Kong–style Chinease food. Recommended: hot & sour wonton soup (think steamed dumplings and sauce as a soup), General Gau's Chicken, and Beef Hot Pot (beef with ginger and scalions–not on the menu).

[edit] Mid-range

• Atasca, 2 locations. 50 Hampshire St. (Kendall Sq.), Phone: +1 617-621-6991. M-Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su 12PM-10PM & 279A Broadway (b/w Central & Inman Sq.), Phone: +1 617-354-4355. Tu-Sa 5PM-11PM, Su 5PM-10PM.

• Emma's, 40 Hampshire St. (Kendall Sq.), Phone: +1 617-864-8534. Tu-F 11:30AM-10PM, Sa 4PM-10PM. This cozy little pizzeria stands out for two reasons: Unique and sometimes bizarre topping combinations (like the house-smoked bacon pizza with roasted gold potatoes, cilantro and dried cranberries) will make you rethink what makes a pie. And, more importantly, the pizza here is actually good -- the crust is thin and crispy, the sauce is flavorful, and the cheeses are fresh and melt just right -- quite a feat considering what typically passes for pizza in the Boston area. $8-15/$11-18 (small/large pie).

• Forest Cafe, 1682 Massachusetts Av. (Harvard/Porter Sq.), Phone: +1 617-661-7810. [41]. M-Sa 5PM-10PM, Sun 11AM-3PM/5PM-10PM Bar 7 days a week open until 1AM. Authentic Mexican restaurant (by New England standards) that mixes up their creative enchilada sauces frequently. Main course - $10-$18.

• Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage, 1246 Massachusetts Av. (Harvard Sq.), Phone: +1 617-354-6559, [42]. M-Sa 11AM-9PM. 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." Owners/Menu leans right to the dismay of many customers. $10-15.

• Border India, 781 Main St. (Central Sq.), Phone: +1 617-354-0405. 11:30AM-10:30PM daily. Indian food, highly recommended. An online menu is available.

• Zuzu, 474 Massachusetts Av. (Central Sq), Phone: +1 617-864-3278 x237. 5:30PM-11PM nightly. This is a middle-eastern Tapas joint, which serves pretty good food at reasonable prices.

• Gallery Cafe, 40 Edwin Land Blvd.(In the Royal Sonesta Hotel) Phone +1 617.806.4122 Mon-Thu 6am-11pm Friday 6am-12am Sat 6:30am-12am Sun 6:30am-11pm [43]

• The Asgard, 350 Massachusetts Ave, +1 617-577-9100. Central Sq. [44] Tasty blend of Irish/American/Mexican food with large selection of beer and Martinis.

[edit] Splurge

• Bambara, 25 Edwin H. Land Blvd. (In the Hotel Marlowe near the Cambridgeside Galleria), Phone: +1 617-868-4444, [45]. Su-Th 5:30PM-10PM, F-Sa 5:30PM-11PM.

• Harvest, 44 Brattle St. (Harvard Sq.), Phone: +1 617-868-2255, [46]. M-Th 12PM-2:30PM, 5:30PM-10PM; F-Sa 12PM-2:30PM, 5:30PM-11PM; Su 11:30-2:30, 5:30PM-10PM. 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. Lunch $20-$30, dinner $40-$60.

• Oleana, 134 Hampshire St. (Inman Sq.), Phone: +1 617-661-0505, [47]. Su-Th 5:30PM-10PM, F-Sa 5:30PM-11PM. Oleana's inspired and exquisite offerings span the Mediterranean from Spain to Turkey and Armenia to North Africa, yet everything comes together superbly. Vegetarian prix fixe ($38) includes 5 mezze and dessert. Omnivorous entrees $21-$25. Or come just for dessert to sample their exceptional baked Alaska with coconut ice cream & passion fruit caramel, $10.

• Upstairs on the Square, 91 Winthrop Street (Harvard Sq.), Phone: +1 617-864-1933, [48]. Lunch 11-1; Dinner 5-11, both daily. Formerly Upstairs at the Pudding, this is one of Cambridge's finer restaurants, serving a mix of New American and Continental cuisine. The restaurant has two dining rooms, a lower-priced "Monday Bar Room," and a more upscale Soiree Dining room. Main dishes at the former range from $14-$28, while a prix fixe dinner at the latter runs $65.

• Restaurant dante 40 Edwin Land Blvd (In the Royal Sonesta Hotel) +1 617.497.4200[49] Mon-Thur 6:30am-10pm Fri 6:30am-11pm Sat 7am-11pm Sun 7am-9:30pm

[edit][add listing] Drink

• B-side, 92 Hampshire St. (Inman Sq.), Phone: +1 617-354-0766, [50]. Check Website for hours. For some of the best cocktails in the Boston area, perhaps in the northeast, head to the B-Side. Professional bartenders will mix up whatever you're looking for but specialize in "old school" cocktails. The kind your grandfather used to drink. And a whole menu of new and usually original cocktails as part of their food menu. Drinks run between $3 for a beer to $12 for high-end drinks. Killer mint juleps and old fashioneds. Don't forget their food menus are incredible as well. Sit at the bar with your newspaper and order anything off the Sunday Brunch menu, topped with a "biggie mimosa" or a Bloody Mary.
• Bukowski Tavern, 1281 Cambridge St. (Inman Sq.), Phone: +1 617-497-7077. They have a menu of beers with pages and pages of choices from around the world.
• Cambridge Brewing Company (aka CBC), 1 Kendall Square, Phone: +1 617-494-1994. 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 closeby.
• People's Republik, 876 Massachusetts Av. (Central Sq.), Phone: +1 617-492-8632. Decorated with Communist propoganda posters, this bar is quintessential Cambridge.
• Miracle of Science, 321 Massachusetts Av. (Central Sq.), Phone: +1 617-868-2866. Popular with MIT grads and professors and local tech company programmer types.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

One budget option is to peruse craigslist.org boston 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 is a lot cheaper than a hotel.

[edit] Bed and breakfasts

• A Bed & Breakfast in Cambridge, 1657 Cambridge St., Toll free: +1 877 994-0844, Phone: +1 617 868-7082, [51].
• Antrim House Bed and Breakfast, 16 Antrim Street, Phone: +1 617-491-5677, (Fax: +1 617-491-4055), email: jean@antrimhouse.com, [52].
• Harding House Bed and Breakfast, 288 Harvard St., Phone: +1 617-876-2888 Toll free: +1 877-489-2888 (Fax: +1 617-497-0953), [53].
• Irving House Bed and Breakfast, 24 Irving St., Phone: +1 617-547-4600, Toll free: +1 877-547-4600 (Fax: +1 617-576-2814), [54].
• Lotus Place at Harvard, 208 Prospect Street, Phone: +1 617-504-5992 (Fax: +1 617-663-6284), E-mail: lotusplace@gmail.com, [55]. $120-$200.
• Yun's Place, 66 Hopedale Street. Phone: +1 617-987-2085. E-mail: see website. Website: [56]. $109 per night (4/2008).

[edit] Mid-range

• Best Western Hotel Tria, 220 Alewife Brook Pkwy., Phone: +1 617-491-8000, Toll-free: +1 866-333-8742 (Fax: +1 617-491-4932), [57].
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 250 Monsignor O'Brien Hwy., +1 617-577-7600, [58].
• Hotel Marlowe, 25 Edwin H. Land Blvd., +1 617-868-8000, [59].
• Kendall Hotel, 350 Main St., Toll free: +1 866 566-1300, Phone: +1617 577-1300, [60]. An old firehouse turned into a cozy hotel.
• Mary Prentiss Inn, 6 Prentiss St., +1 617-661-2929, [61]. Historic hotel with 20 furnished rooms serving made-to-order breakfast every morning.
• Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston, 40 Edwin Land Blvd., +1 617-806-4200, [62].

[edit] Splurge

• Boston Marriott Cambridge, 2 Cambridge Center, (Broadway and 3rd St.), +1 617-494-6600 (Fax: +1 617 494-0036), [63].
• Charles Hotel 1 Bennette Street, 1-800-882-1818, [64]. Boutique hotel on Harvard Square.
• Doubletree Hotel at MIT, 20 Sidney St., Phone:+1 617-783-0090, [65].
• Residence Inn Boston Cambridge, 6 Cambridge Center, Phone: +1 617-349-0700 (Fax: +1 617-547-8504), [66].

[edit] Contact

Greater Boston uses 10-digit dialing. This means you need to include the area code whenever you are making a call. The standard area code is 617, but some phone numbers, especially cell phones, use the new 857 overlay.

[edit] Stay safe

Cambridge is generally very safe, though it is a city and the standard precautions should be observed. The area of East Cambridge, which is near the Charlestown border, generally has the city's highest crime rate (of course, this observation is relative to the Cambridge's low crime rate overall). For more information, go to the Cambridge Police Department's website.

[edit] Cope

[edit] Get out

• Boston is just across the Charles River from Cambridge. Historical Lexington and Concord are nearby. Many other New England destinations are an easy car ride away.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!