Location: Cambridge
Top Things to do in Cambridge
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What to do and see in Cambridge, Massachusetts (MA): The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups
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. Red Fox Escapes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 330 reviews
Do you love immersive adventures and solving puzzles? Come and inhabit a new character for an hour, and let us transport you on an adventure you'll remember for a lifetime while you're visiting Cambridge, MA. We're located between Harvard University and MIT, right next to Central subway station, surrounded by great bars and restaurants.
Reviewed By O4416PWchristiank - Boston, United States
Hello, all! This is Christian Krenek, Dauphin D'Escape Rooms. I decided to celebrate my 30th birthday by doing my 29th escape room, and chose the U-Boat after really enjoying The Heist. I got seven friends together, and we dove under the sea. Like "The Heist," the U-Boat is absolutely superb! The designers went out of their way to create a stunning recreation of a genuine submarine--the props, set dressing, and even music were all taken straight from the 1940's. There was even an element of thrill to the game--without spoiling anything, let's just say that things got dangerous! Of course, the thing that gets me the most excited in an escape room is the puzzles, and Red Fox does those brilliantly. As in The Heist, the U-Boat uses an extreme wide variety of puzzles, including physical objects, decoding messages, observing codes, pattern recognition, and exploration. This is a great tactic, as my teammates and I were able to play to our strengths and work on the things we liked best. Everyone felt like a member of the team, and escaping was truly a group effort! I do recommend coming with a large group--there's a LOT to do. I also want to praise the designers/owners for their incredible use of tech. Through a combination of brilliant design, adapting existing objects, and just plain inventiveness, they made us go "WHOA!" several times. We're a bunch of theatre nerds and LARPers, so we know about the value of quality construction and props. The team did just that! And finally, be sure to tell the owners when it's a special occasion! I was surprised with a bottle of "champagne" (really a plastic bottle full of candy) and a lovely card as we left. This really is a one-of-a-kind room, and I cannot recommend it enough!
2. Harvard University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,134 reviews
Founded in 1636, Harvard is America's oldest institute of higher learning and one of the country's most prestigious universities. Among the illustrious alumni are civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois, philosopher Henry David Thoreau, writer Gertrude Stein, composer Leonard Bernstein, cellist Yo Yo Ma and seven U.S. presidents.
Reviewed By vincentdE9094KZ - Dún Laoghaire, Ireland
The Harvard campus is a beautiful and historic place to experience calm, mature trees, and beautiful red brick buildings. If the Memorial hall is open it is worth going in.
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,043 reviews
One of the world's leading educational institutions, with an emphasis on math and sciences, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located on the banks of the Charles River. The M.I.T. campus includes many modern buildings designed by famous architects and is worth exploring.
Reviewed By 912masanorim - Oak Ridge, United States
Conversations and visit to an old experimental facility and hearing its future activities were very interesting; visit to the Student Center were good; visit to the Alumuni Office was a little disappointed
4. Public Tour of Harvard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
Our award-winning tours of America’s most prestigious University are led by current Harvard students. The 70-minute walking tours launch daily and are scripted as a theatrical experience. Tours are led in English and we have written translations available in Spanish, French, Mandarin, German, or Italian.
5. 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!
6. Memorial Drive
7. 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.
8. The Hahvahd Tour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,283 reviews
The Hahvahd Tour, now in its 13th season, is the most popular tour of Harvard University in Cambridge. Our guests enjoy a theatrical journey led by current Harvard students. Our tours have served over one million Harvard visitors and enjoy high marks from the NY Times, NPR, TripAdvisor and Yelp! Our Harvard Square staff are available to help you find places to eat, shop and enjoy during your visit to Harvard. They can be easily be found by looking for their straw Harvard hats and smiling faces right outside of the Harvard MBTA Station. The tour is owned by Harvard alumni, operates under license by the Harvard Trademark Program and officially partners with The Harvard COOP and Harvard Student Agencies. Tours run year-round, 7 days a Week; Visit our website for an up-to-date calendar and to purchase tickets!
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. Parish of Saint Paul
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
