Harvard Square
by zChris
Although the character of the stores has faded somewhat with the invasion of chains, old-time favourites such as Wordsworth's Books, the Harvard Cooperative Society, J. August, Leavitt and Peirce Tobacco, and the Harvard Book Store remain. Out of Town News, a popular newstand and a local landmark, stands at the centre of the square, right near 'The Pit' where bands can be found playing. Shops and restaurants extend in every direction- along Massachusetts Avenue, Brattle Street, and JFK Street. If you're not into shopping, the Square is a great place to watch the interesting variety of people who frequent it. Some of the sidestreets around the square are great too- quiet and lined with old colonial houses which have survived the test of time. It's accessible from the Harvard T stop.
Kendall Square...
by Cabana_Boy
Kendall Square is located at the intersection of Main Street, Broadway Street and Memorial Drive right near the Longfellow Bridge crossing the Charles River into Boston. This Square is mostly surrounding by office buildings; and, therefore, seems mostly deserted after 5pm.
However, you can find a few bars around the movie theater, including a nice pool hall. One Friday night my roomate and I went to Flat Top Johnny's after work and proceeding to drink pitcher after pitcher of Newcastle Brown Ale (one of my favorite beers) at the bar. The place was mostly filled with the university kids from MIT and Harvard.
Anyway, as the night wore on, the bartender started cutting off some of the college kids who were getting a little too drunk. After cutting one particular guy off, the bartender looked at Charles and I and said "I should be cutting you guys off, how many ptichers have you guys had?" We replied, "well, not sure, but we are empty...can you get us another?" To that the bartender replaced our empty pitcher with a full one... It was just one of those Friday nights after a bad week of work that no amount of beer could resolve the amount of stress built up...
situation
STREET MUSICIANS in Harvard Square
by KarenandCory
Relax, sit and listen to the great street musicians in Harvard Square. You never know, you may be witnessing the early works of a future famous artist.
Singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, who attended nearby Tufts University, is known to have played here during her college years.
Head of the Charles Regatta
by sarahandgareth
The Head of the Charles Regatta, held every October, is the biggest rowing festival in the US, and marks the end of the rowing season for most people.
It's an unusual event, since you can see everyone from club rowers to recent Olympians (including medal-winners) on the water. Sunday is the big day, with most of the championship races.
Almost everyone seems to congregate on the Cambridge side of the water, as well as on the many bridges over the Charles. Races go upriver, so the end-points are especially crowded, with lots of potential for boat-crashes.
The races are all timed, with boats released every few seconds, so it's nearly impossible to tell who's actually winning. Even the rowers don't know.
There are all kinds of stalls selling sporting paraphernalia and food, and there's a very festive atmosphere - as well as thousands upon thousands of people wearing 'crew' shirts, often from their college days decades before!
The Bunker Hill Pavilion is in...
by acemj
The Bunker Hill Pavilion is in a park in Charlestown, the neighboring community east of Cambridge. You'll also find the Charlestown Naval Yard which contains the famous USS Enterprise naval vessel also known as 'Old Ironsides' because of the British canon balls that bounced off its sides.