Location: Cambridge
Top Things to do in Cambridge
10 Things to do Good for Kids in Cambridge That You Shouldn't Miss
Home to two of America's most prestigious universities, Cambridge exudes a certain intellectual quirkiness. A mix of historical haunts, student hang-outs, alternative art and culture venues, vintage clothing shops, bookstores and ethnic restaurants, the city is, well, really cool. Although it is located just across the Charles River from Boston, Cambridge has a distinct vibe that is noticeable immediately. Start at Harvard Square, a hub of activity and mishmash of trendy stores, outdoor cafes and colorful local characters. Pick up a walking tour map at the visitors information booth in the center of the Square. The route will take you past many important landmarks including the Mount Auburn Cemetery, Tory Row and the Longfellow National Historic Site. Harvard University offers student-led tours through the illustrious buildings and monuments of its sprawling campus. Art and architecture buffs should meander around the M.I.T campus, which includes outdoor sculptures by masters such as Picasso and 20th-century buildings designed by modern greats like Eero Saarinen and I. M. Pei. Along the way, browse through bookstores, stop to watch street performers and grab a coffee at an outdoor café to take in all this captivating city has to offer.
Restaurants in Cambridge
1. Mount Auburn Cemetery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 613 reviews
Mount Auburn Cemetery was founded in 1831 as America's first landscaped cemetery. A National Historic Landmark, its renowned landscape inspired the creation of the nation's public parks. Mount Auburn was designated an Important Bird Area by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, reinforcing its status as a significant wildlife sanctuary. Still an active burial place, Mount Auburn Cemetery provides comfort and solace to countless families. The Friends of Mount Auburn Cemetery was established in 1986 to assist in the conservation of the Cemetery's natural beauty and to promote the appreciation of its cultural, historic, and natural resources. Over 100 public programs are offered annually by the Friends to educate, enrich, and inspire the community. The Friends seeks financial support for education and interpretive programs and materials for the public, specific cultural projects, and operational support for horticultural rejuvenation and the preservation of the historic monuments, structures, and archival artifacts and records.
Reviewed By mariannakharis - Cambridge, United States
EVERYONE should visit Mt. Auburn Cemetery. It's free, beautiful, and interesting - ideal for friends on a walk (that was us!), families exploring, couples spending time together, or anyone visiting the area for the first time. Definitely take some time to go for a long walk and explore winding paths, because this cemetery is much bigger than it looks from the outside. If you drive in, there are clear places to park at the beginning of the cemetery, or you can park the car on the side of the road where fewer cars go by. There's a small area up by the tower that has an incredible view of Boston. We brought food from Sofra cafe (check it out!) and had a picnic right there. Perfection.
2. Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
From towering Native American totem poles and large Maya sculptures to precious artifacts of the ancient world, the Peabody Museum is among the oldest archaeological and ethnographic museums in the world with one of the finest collections of human cultural history found anywhere. The Peabody Museum was founded in 1866 and is one of the oldest museums in the world devoted to anthropology, the study of ancient and contemporary peoples and cultures. The museum building adjoins the Harvard Museum of Natural History complex on the north side of the main Harvard campus. With 1.2 million objects, the Museum has one of the largest archaeological and ethnological collections in the world, including extensive archives of documents and historic photographs. The collections are heavily used by researchers, descendant communities, Harvard faculty and courses given by universities throughout the region. The museum also has an Education department that serves primary and secondary school students.
Reviewed By marcodL8041FK - Big Sky, United States
Check out the Central American stelae. They are accurate castings in plaster. The original ones have degraded from exposure to weather, so reachers come to Harvard to see the best examples of stelae.
3. Harvard Museum of Natural History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,183 reviews
At the Harvard Museum of Natural History, just steps away from the historic Harvard Yard, you can witness the amazing artistry of the celebrated Blaschka glass flowers & sea creature collections, roar with the Siberian tiger, buzz with honeybees, find your birthstone gem, and go back in time in Romer Hall, home of the famous 42-foot Kronosaurus. The Harvard Museum of Natural History is the most-visited attraction at Harvard—for its incomparable collections based on the research of scientists across the University, and its ongoing exhibitions like Climate Change, The Rockefeller Beetles, Birds of the World, Marine Life, and more. The Harvard Museum of Natural History’s mission is to enhance public understanding and appreciation of the natural world and the human place in it, sparking curiosity and a spirit of discovery in people of all ages.
Reviewed By VincentI133
For the same admission ticket you can also access the anthropology museum connected to the natural history museum. Highlights include the extensive collection of glass models of flowers, and the collection of rocks and minerals. Kids would enjoy the taxidermied animal exhibits. Worthwhile coming to Harvard just for this!
4. Memorial Drive
5. Charles River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 795 reviews
A nature reservation covering 950 acres along both sides of the Charles River offers bicycle and jogging paths, 12 tennis courts, six swimming pools and the popular Hatch Memorial Shell with live concerts.
Reviewed By McHopper - Tallahassee, United States
We go every year to see the Head of the Charles River Regatta, a "world event" that attracts thousands from all over the globe to compete and watch this adrenaline pumping exciting event. The Charles River is filled with the long skinny boats of one, pairs, fours and eights with coxswains wailing at the rowers to give it their all toward the finish line. The banks and bridges of the Charles River stream with crowds of college students and families who enjoy several days of boat watching and races and shouting encouragement to their favorites. Booth after booth offer everything from seafood, hotdogs and hamburgers, wraps, and more to free samples of new products like fizzy maple drinks and healthy veggie snacks. Being outside and gathering at the Charles River, sitting in the trimmed grasses to view the shimmering river and the races or walking down the tree-lined paths with the sun shining down through sprinkles of yellow leaves is the epitome of feeling happy.
6. Charles River Bike Path
7. Fresh Pond Reservation
8. World's Only Curious George Store
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
We are the World's Only, brick and mortar, retail store for everything Curious George™. We also carry a wide selection of children's books, toys, and clothing that are not Curious George-themed. Located in the heart of Harvard Square, we pick up where the Curious George story left off. Visit our website to read about why Cambridge, MA is so important in Curious George's journey.
9. Charles Riverboat Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
Charles Riverboat Company offers our guests the best views of Boston and Cambridge on our Sightseeing Tours, Sunset Cruises, and Architecture Cruises. Our tours depart daily from the CambridgeSide Mall from May through October, with special prices for children, seniors, and groups. Join us aboard our riverboats for an interesting and relaxing local experience on the Charles River. We also offer private events specializing in weddings, corporate events, cocktail and dinner parties and much more! Give us a call or view more information here: https://charlesriverboat.com/events/.
10. Charles River Canoe & Kayak Cambridge at Kendall Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Paddle in the heart of Boston and Cambridge from our location in Kendall Square! Treat yourself to a phenomenal view of the Boston skyline and the Esplanade, as well as other nearby landmarks like the Zakim Bridge, M.I.T., the Museum of Science, and Boston University. This nine-mile stretch of river has no current, allowing painless round trips. However, renters can also enjoy one-way trips to or from our Boston location in Allston/Brighton — a unique way to see the city! Experienced paddlers can even venture into Boston Harbor for an unforgettable adventure! Our Kendall Square location also hosts our spectacular Skyline Tours, Harbor Tours, and Barbeque Tours — a wonderful way for anyone to see the river.
