Things to Do In Cambridge and Boston

If you're not often in the Boston area, and you've got some free time while in town, you may want to consider some of the following attractions. All are favorite places of John and Carey's

John can get you discounted passes for some of these attractions. See the listings below for availablillity and price and let him know if you want him to pick some up for you. The best part of a prepaid pass is that you often don't have to wait in the ticket line! That can save you an hour at a popular place like the aquarium.

Museums

The MIT Museum
MIT Map, Google Map
265 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, (617) 253-5927, http://web.mit.edu/museum/
The MIT museum, located very near MIT campus, is a good place for a short visit. Our favorite exhibits are the holograms and the sculpture of Arthur Ganson. The museum has exhibits designed for children as well as adults, so it's a good place for the whole family. A visit will take 1-2 hours. The MIT museum is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10am to 5pm, and weekends from noon to 5pm. Admission is $5.

Boston Museum of Science
Google Map
1 Science Park, Boston, (617) 723-2500, http://www.mos.org

The Museum of Science is located on the Charles River between Boston and Cambridge. It's quite large and has many exhibit halls about all aspects of science. Plus there's an IMAX theater and a planetarium. Lots of fun. The science museum is open every day from 9am to 5pm, and on Fridays from 9am to 9pm.

John can get discounted tickets for you as follows: $7.00 (ages 3& over). Regular price = adult $19, children ages 3-11, $16 and senior citizens $17. An IMAX movie or Planetarium costs more.

Harvard Museums
Google Map
26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, 617.495.3045, http://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/, http://www.peabody.harvard.edu/

The Harvard Museum of Natural History includes three institutions: the Botanical Museum, the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and the Mineralogical and Geological Museum. Expect lots of rare rocks and taxidermied animals in elaborate wooden display cases. The glass flower collection is unique in the world. There is also the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology next door. Fascinating exhibits on native cultures. Admission to one museum admits you to both during regular hours. Plan on 2-4 hours.

The museums are open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, seven days a week. Adults: $9.00; Non-Harvard Students with I.D.: $7.00, Seniors (65+): $7.00, Children ages 3-18: $6.00

The New England Aquarium
Google Map
1 Central Wharf, Boston, 617-973-5200, http://www.neaq.org/

This is one of our favorite places to visit in Boston. A huge tank filled with sharks and other fish, plus lots of smaller tanks with other fish, amphibians, etc. Be sure to find the coral garden in the corner on the first floor. Oh...and don't forget the penguins and seals! A really cool place for the young ones.

John can get you discounted tickets: $10.00 (ages 12 & over). Regular price adult $18.95, junior admission ages 3-11 $10.95, children under 3 FREE, and senior citizens $15.95.

Siteseeing

Charles River Sightseeing Cruise
Google Map
Canal Park at the CambridgeSide Galleria, 100 CambridgeSide Place, Cambridge, http://www.charlesriverboat.com/sightseeing/charlesriver.html

This 60-minute riverboat tour is a fun and relaxing way to see both Cambridge and Boston, especially the sunset cruise. The tour starts and ends in a canal at the back of the CambridgeSide Galleria Mall. We're thinking about planning a group trip on firday before the wedding. more details to come. Cruises are available every day between 10am and 4:15pm. Admission is $10.

MIT Campus Tour
http://web.mit.edu/visit/info.html
77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MIT Building 7
Google Map, MIT Map
The MIT Information office runs free daily tours of the MIT campus which leaves at 11:00am and 3:00pm Monday through Friday in Lobby 7. John can get you a self-guided tour map if you'd rather skip the admissions pitch.

Restaurants:

Cambridge Brewing Company
One Kendall Square, Building 100, Cambridge
http://www.cambrew.com/
Google Map
This is a good local choice when the weather is warm and nice. CBC has outdoor seating, good and moderately-priced pub fare, and a wide selection of beers including those brewed on the premises. It is located in One Kendall Square, just a short distance from MIT campus.

Shay's Pub
58 JFK Street, Cambridge, (617) 864-9161
Google Map
John and Carey eat here about once a week. A short menu, but they have good burgers and a substantial wine and beer selection. No hard liquor here. It's a great relaxed place to sit and hang out. The music tends to get louder as the night goes on...especially Thursday through Saturday. They have an outdoor patio which is perfect for people watching, but is usually ruled by smokers.

Charlie's Kitchen
10 Eliot Street, Cambridge, (617) 492-9646
http://restaurant.com/charlieskitchen
Google Map
There are two parts to Charlie's. There's the beer garden, which is the best place to sit outside in Harvard Square and enjoy a beer and food (no smoking allowed though). And then there's Charlie's upstairs which draws an edgier tatooed crowd and hosts the best punk and hardcore jukebox in the city. John likes the black bean burger, Carey recommends the chicken fingers.

Cuchi Cuchi
795 Main Street, Cambridge, (617) 864-2929
http://cuchicuchi.cc
Google Map
A retro Roaring Twenties styled restaurant/lounge that serves excellent small plates with an international flavor. This place will get you wrecked on potent delicious cocktails with muddled herbs and fruit. Very classy, but will empty your wallet in a hurry.