Looking for the best things to do in Cambridge? Home to Harvard and MIT, Cambridge is one of the most walkable, intellectual and lively cities in the country. Locals point to Harvard Square and Harvard Yard, the MIT campus and museum, the Charles River, and the arboretum-like Mount Auburn Cemetery.
Things to do in Cambridge
Harvard Square & Harvard
Bookstores, cafés, street performers, Harvard Yard, and the Harvard Art Museums and the Natural History Museum (with its famous glass flowers).
MIT & Kendall Square
The striking MIT campus, the MIT Museum, and the innovation hub of Kendall Square.
The Charles River
Walk or bike the paths, watch the rowers, and take in Boston skyline views across the water.
Squares & Mount Auburn
Central, Inman and Porter Squares for food and nightlife, and Mount Auburn Cemetery, a stunning historic landscape and birding spot.
Things to do in Cambridge at night
Central Square and Harvard Square lead for live music, comedy, bars and global dining, with theater and a college-town energy that runs late.
Free things to do in Cambridge
- Wandering Harvard Yard and Harvard Square
- The Charles River paths and skyline views
- Mount Auburn Cemetery and its arboretum grounds
What Cambridge locals actually recommend
The best Harvard/Central Square spots, campus events open to all, quiet river corners — that comes from people who live here. On Neighborhood Nurturers’ Cambridge community, real neighbors answer “what should I actually do this weekend?” Join your Cambridge neighbors free →
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Cambridge, MA?
Explore Harvard Square and Harvard Yard, visit the Harvard Art Museums and MIT, walk or bike the Charles River, wander Mount Auburn Cemetery’s arboretum grounds, and enjoy the food and nightlife in Central and Inman Squares.
What is Cambridge known for?
Being home to Harvard and MIT, its walkable squares (especially Harvard and Central), its innovation hub at Kendall Square, and a rich intellectual and cultural scene.
What are free things to do in Cambridge?
Wandering Harvard Yard and Harvard Square, the Charles River paths, and Mount Auburn Cemetery’s grounds are all free.
Is Cambridge worth visiting near Boston?
Yes — Harvard and MIT, the squares, and the Charles River make it a highlight, easily reached from Boston by the Red Line.