Skip the obvious tourist stops. These seven Cambridge gems are beloved by locals but rarely show up in guidebooks.
Beyond the Tourist Trail
Everyone knows Harvard Yard and the MIT campus. But Cambridge's real character lives in the spaces between the famous landmarks — in the back alleys of Inman Square, the quiet courtyards off Mass Ave, and the neighborhood spots where regulars know each other by name. Here are seven places that locals love and guidebooks miss.
The Seven Gems
Mount Auburn Cemetery
America's first landscaped cemetery is also Cambridge's most beautiful park. The tower at the summit offers the best panoramic view of Boston and Cambridge — better than any observation deck.
Inman Square's Back Streets
While Harvard and Central get the foot traffic, Inman's quiet side streets hide some of Cambridge's best independent restaurants and the city's most charming residential architecture.
Danehy Park
Built on a former landfill in North Cambridge, this 50-acre park has fields, playgrounds, and a perimeter walking loop with surprisingly good skyline views. It's where families go on weekends.
The Longfellow House
George Washington's headquarters during the Siege of Boston, later home to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. One of the most historically significant houses in America, and it's free to visit.
Brattle Street's Tory Row
The stretch of Brattle Street between Harvard Square and Fresh Pond is lined with magnificent 18th-century mansions built by Loyalist families. It's one of the finest colonial streetscapes in New England.
Russell Field at Sunset
This unassuming park near Danehy Park has an unobstructed westward view that makes for spectacular sunsets. Locals bring blankets and watch the sky change colors.
The Cambridge Common Cannons
Three Revolutionary War-era cannons sit in Cambridge Common, marking where Washington took command of the Continental Army. Most people walk right past them.
Exploring Like a Local
The best way to discover Cambridge's hidden gems is on foot or by bike. The city is remarkably walkable, and many of its best spots are tucked into residential neighborhoods where cars would just be in the way. Pick a neighborhood, give yourself a few hours, and wander.