clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

7 Cambridge Tourism Spots Not Harvard- and M.I.T.-Related

View as Map

So the City of Cambridge has had with tourists visiting only M.I.T. and Harvard and then either heading home or heading over the bridges to Boston for more sight-seeing. They have launched a campaign to get people to take in more of the town beyond its two big universities. To help things along, we've mapped several potential tourist attractions that have absolutely no direct relation to either M.I.T. or Harvard. In other words, you won't find an affiliated museum or arboretum in this bunch. Instead, we've got stuff for the history buff (George Washington slept here!), the foodie (Julia Child shopped here!) and the exercise fiend (who knows who biked here!). Go.


· Our Curbed Maps archive [Curbed Boston]

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Cambridge Common Cannons

Copy Link

These three cannon were seized by Washington’s army after the British evacuated the Boston area in 1776. There are other Revolutionary-related markers in the Common as well, including the tree beneath which Washington supposedly took command of the Continental Army.

Mount Auburn Cemetery

Copy Link

This cemetery includes more than 900 people who served during the Civil War. The big sphinx statue, in fact, is a memorial to those who died in the war. The cemetery offers regular group tours.

Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters

Copy Link

The house served as headquarters for George Washington during the Siege of Boston from July 1775 to April 1776. It was later the home of poetry giant Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It is open during the summer for regular tours.

Fort Washington Park

Copy Link

This park sports not only the oldest surviving fortification from the Revolutionary War, but five life-size, painted-steel silhouettes, four minutemen and a Victorian-era woman, to commemorate George Washington’s siege of Boston.

Charles River Frontage

Copy Link

Cambridge has roughly eight miles of Charles River frontage, much of it speckled with easily accessible bike and running paths as well as benches, picnic areas, boathouses, oh my!

Julia Child Landmarks

Copy Link

Julia Child lived for decades in the house at 103 Irving Street, just east of Harvard (it's a private home, still, so please don't ring the doorbell). She shopped for ingredients at Savenor's nearby at 92 Kirkland Street and received the Legion of Honor from the French government at the Meridien Hotel at 20 Sidney Street.

Minuteman Bikeway Path

Copy Link

With an entrance just to the west of the Alewife Red Line stop, this 11-mile bike and hike trail runs along where the earliest fighting of the American Revolution took place. There are stops along the way for souvenirs and food.

Cambridge Common Cannons

These three cannon were seized by Washington’s army after the British evacuated the Boston area in 1776. There are other Revolutionary-related markers in the Common as well, including the tree beneath which Washington supposedly took command of the Continental Army.

Mount Auburn Cemetery

This cemetery includes more than 900 people who served during the Civil War. The big sphinx statue, in fact, is a memorial to those who died in the war. The cemetery offers regular group tours.

Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters

The house served as headquarters for George Washington during the Siege of Boston from July 1775 to April 1776. It was later the home of poetry giant Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It is open during the summer for regular tours.

Fort Washington Park

This park sports not only the oldest surviving fortification from the Revolutionary War, but five life-size, painted-steel silhouettes, four minutemen and a Victorian-era woman, to commemorate George Washington’s siege of Boston.

Charles River Frontage

Cambridge has roughly eight miles of Charles River frontage, much of it speckled with easily accessible bike and running paths as well as benches, picnic areas, boathouses, oh my!

Julia Child Landmarks

Julia Child lived for decades in the house at 103 Irving Street, just east of Harvard (it's a private home, still, so please don't ring the doorbell). She shopped for ingredients at Savenor's nearby at 92 Kirkland Street and received the Legion of Honor from the French government at the Meridien Hotel at 20 Sidney Street.

Minuteman Bikeway Path

With an entrance just to the west of the Alewife Red Line stop, this 11-mile bike and hike trail runs along where the earliest fighting of the American Revolution took place. There are stops along the way for souvenirs and food.