Harvard Square, Boston

Cambridge is kind of like a giant bow tie, with Harvard Square smack in the middle, forming the knot. Harvard University sprawls out from here, and together, they form the brainy and cultural heart of Cambridge. It's where folks flock to check out the famous Ivy League school, soak in some history, savor the lively coffeehouse-and-bookstore scene and a dash of rebellious counterculture. Even though it's just a square mile in size, it's jam-packed with things to do and see, making it a part of town you don't want to skip.

The action mostly goes down in an area known as "The Pit", which is a hub for teens to hang out, flaunt their vibrant green hair, and show off their latest body piercings. It's also the beginning of the street music scene, where talented performers like folk sensation Tracy Chapman and country star Bonnie Raitt got their big breaks. If you're looking for some square-time excitement, aim for Friday and Saturday nights or Sunday afternoons when the place is buzzing 鈥� crowds, street performers, and good vibes galore.

When it comes to food, Harvard Square has you covered with an array of restaurants dishing out global flavors. Japanese, American, Italian, Middle Eastern, Korean 鈥� you name it, they've got it. If the weather's playing nice, snag a seat in a beer garden or take to the streetside. For a unique experience, check out Daedalus, a spot fashioned from a greenhouse, complete with a heated rooftop bar where you can chill year-round. If ramen's your jam, Hokkaido Ramen at No. 1 Bow Street has communal tables for your noodle feasting pleasure.

Feeling artsy? Catch some indie flicks or top-notch plays at the arthouse theaters around. And hey, if you're up for a mental challenge, they've got outdoor chess sets that see plenty of action.

Tip:
Take a peek at the calendar 鈥� you might strike gold and find yourself in Harvard Square during a festival. Winter Carnival, Chinese New Year, Mayfair, and Sparklefest 鈥� they all add a little extra sparkle to the seasons.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Boston. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Harvard Square
Sight Location: Boston, USA (See walking tours in Boston)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Boston, Massachusetts

Create Your Own Walk in Boston

Creating your own self-guided walk in Boston is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Harvard University Walking Tour

The United States鈥� oldest institution of higher education (and, of course, among the most prestigious), Harvard was established in 1636. Reverend John Harvard, who bequeathed his entire library and half of his estate, is the University鈥檚 namesake. Presidents, billionaires and Rhodes Scholars are only some of the illustrious graduates; in fact, Harvard has more Nobel Prize-winning alumni,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

North End Food Tour

Boston鈥檚 North End is famous primarily for its Italian food. By far not as big as New York's Little Italy, this one-square-mile waterfront community is the oldest in the city, and is packed to the brim with a cornucopia of Italian eateries 鈥� restaurants, cafes, espresso bars, pizza and sandwich shops 鈥� lined next to each other within just a few short blocks to ensure visitors both a... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles

Beacon Hill Historic Houses Tour

Boston鈥檚 historic neighborhood of Beacon Hill is quite a charm! One can spend hours here, admiring the elegant uniformity and restraint of the architecture; at times, perhaps, imagining people from the past in their horse-drawn carriages. Federal-style and Victorian row houses, narrow streets lit by antique gas lanterns, brick sidewalks and lavender-hued windows adorn the area, which is... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

Historical Churches Walking Tour

Boston's great churches are among the most precious of the city's numerous architectural jewels. What makes them special are their unique styles, elegant facades and long history.

Starting with the Old North Church, which towers in the city鈥檚 North End, this journey surely feels like taking a step back in time. Legend was made there, in the very place that Paul Revere waited for... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles

Boston Introduction Walking Tour

The capital of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States and it had played a key role in the country's struggle for independence. Founded in 1630 by Puritan settlers from England, it witnessed many events of the American Revolution, including the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Siege of Boston.

... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Historical Cambridge MA Walking Tour

Once a quiet New England farming village-turned capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, today's Cambridge, MA is a university town that dazzles visitors as the home of renowned Harvard University 鈥� alma mater of many intellectuals, literary geniuses, celebrities, and wealthy and powerful. Many of America鈥檚 elite have spent some time at Harvard, and their contributions to Cambridge have... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles

View all walking tours in Boston, Massachusetts

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