Cambridge Local Customs

 
by jamiesno
 
  •   Local Customs
    by jamiesno
  •   Local Customs
    by jamiesno
  •   Local Customs
    by jelw
  •   Local Customs
    by jelw
  •   Local Customs
    by acemj
 

Most Recent Local Customs in Cambridge

Sort by: Most recent | Most helpful

Write a Review
Head up, eyes open
SullyBiz profile photo

3 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

SullyBiz 59 reviews

Bostonians are notorious jaywalkers. As pedestrians we would rather risk our lives than wait at a crosswalk for a second longer than we have to. So if you are a walker waiting calmly for the light to change, don't be surprised to see people head straight into the road with barely a side glance. They're more likely to be looking at you with a puzzled expression than watching for oncoming traffic.
And if you are driving in Boston be aware that we often don't even bother with crosswalks. If we think we can make it across before your speeding vehicle hits us with bone-shattering force, we're going for it.

Updated Mar 26, 2007

Was this review helpful?

Have coffee w/ your game of Chess
jelw profile photo
jelw 298 reviews
2 more images

The game of chess is as much an art form here as it is a sport. Take away the mind numbingly slow pace of the ordinary game and replace it with a tournament of moment, action and speed and you have Chess in the square. The chess celebrities here are as unique as they are brilliant.
This takes place at the tables outside of a chain coffee house. The coffee is necessary to keep your adrenaline pumped to play!

Written Oct 27, 2006

Related to:
 Arts and Culture
 Study Abroad
 Casino and Gambling

Was this review helpful?

Harvard Square
acemj profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

acemj 4857 reviews

Harvard Square has a festive atmosphere with street performers and outdoor cafes being the norm. At the Boston-based au bon pain cafe here in the Square, you'll find self-appointed chess masters that are willing to take on all challengers. Be careful though; these guys might only charge a couple bucks to take them on, but if they're beating Harvard students, you can be sure they're pretty good at this!

Updated Sep 25, 2005

Was this review helpful?

STREET MUSICIANS in Harvard Square
KarenandCory profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

KarenandCory 373 reviews

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.

Written Jul 29, 2005

Related to:
 Study Abroad
 Business Travel
 Budget Travel

Was this review helpful?

SPARE CHANGE
KarenandCory profile photo
KarenandCory 373 reviews

Young man! Excuse me, young lady? Will you buy a copy? Help the homeless help themselves!
So goes the familar sales pitch heard at Au Bon Pain in Harvard Square.
Spare Change is a newspaper published in Cambridge, through the efforts of the Homeless Empowerment Project, a grassroots organization created to help end homelessness.
Spare Change contains news features, interviews, stories, poetry and classified ads that are all written by people who are homeless or who work with the homeless.
Vendors pay .25 cents per copy and sell it for $1.00, if you give more than $1.00 they are allowed to keep that money as well. Buying this newspaper is the perfect solution for those that would like to help but are hesitant to hand out spare change to the homeless.

Written Jul 29, 2005

Website: http://www.homelessempowerment.org/who_we_are.html

Was this review helpful?

Don't go around wearing New...
Alcinoe profile photo

1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Alcinoe 39 reviews

Don't go around wearing New York Yankees gear. We don't like it. (Go Sox!) For those of you who are not baseball fans and have no idea what I am talking about...The Boston Red Sox is the local Baseball team. We have had an intense rivalry with the New York Yankees for many years. Sadly, the Yankees come out ahead far more than we do. We have not won the World Series (baseball championship) since 1918. We love our team anyway.

(UPDATE 2004) The Red Sox Won the World Series!!!

Updated Dec 16, 2004

Was this review helpful?

Street Performers
jamiesno profile photo
jamiesno 1728 reviews
2 more images

Stay tuned..

Written Jun 28, 2007

Was this review helpful?

Try the local beer brand
Gili_S profile photo
Gili_S 4484 reviews
SAM

Samuel Adams Ale is the best beer around here, so, if you are tired of the lagers, just have this one.

Updated Apr 6, 2004

Related to:
 Beer Tasting

Was this review helpful?

The American Repertory Theater...
geograph profile photo
geograph 6 reviews

The American Repertory Theater in Harvard Square is a cutting edge theater that presents interesting, and often excellent, interpretations of classic plays and also original productions.

Updated Aug 26, 2002

Was this review helpful?

This is a town of Universities...
RhondaRuth profile photo

1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

RhondaRuth 442 reviews

This is a town of Universities with multi-cultures throughout the area. I love to go out & about whenever I can but ...

I'm usually in my office dreaming of what to put on VT next!

Written Aug 26, 2002

Was this review helpful?

Top 3 Hotels in Cambridge

Hotel Marlowe - A Kimpton Hotel

 2 Reviews and 643 Opinions  I'm a fan of the Kimpton chain for my business travel. One stay at the Hotel Marlowe turned the... 

 Hotels in Cambridge

Kendall Hotel

 2 Reviews and 271 Opinions  Very convenient location, very clean, helpful staff, comfortable bed, free wifi, free parking &... 

 Hotels in Cambridge

Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston

 1 Review and 623 Opinions  The Royal Sonesta is great hotel that caters to both families and business travelers alike (oddly... 

 Hotels in Cambridge

The Place

Reviews and photos of Cambridge attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Cambridge sightseeing.

Experience Cambridge
  Share your Travels  
 

The People

167 Members Live Here
 
Our Members Say
 profile photo

 This is a town of Universities with multi-cultures throughout the area. I love to go out & about whenever I can but ...I'm usually in my office dreaming of what... 

167 members live in Cambridge

 

Questions and Answers

Daisylove profile photo

Q:  I like to just take a short tour on my own at the harvard yard on 6 Sept (sunday). May i know if there are any hourly carpark? And... 

risse73 profile photo

A: Parking around Harvard is quite limited, but there are a few hourly parking garages in the area. Here's a list of said parking garages with their posted on-line... 

Read 7 Replies

postQuestion_button

Top Cambridge Writers

1

Missing Cambridge...

rwlittle profile photo

 Eclectic Cambridge Cambridge is a eclectic, vibrant city, with lots to see and do. When we lived in nearby Somerville, we'd walk to Harvard Square in Cambridge many weekends in the spring, summer,...... 

2

You go for Harvard, you stay for Cambridge!

Jefie profile photo

 Located across the Charles River from downtown Boston, Cambridge is first and foremost known as the home of Harvard University. Most people who travel to Boston will plan on spending at least an... 

3

Cambridge: The other side of the Charles

sarahandgareth profile photo

 Like the majority of visitors, we started our explorations of Cambridge in Harvard Square - with Harvard University, lots of nightlife and abundant dining opportunities, it hardly made sense to start... 

4

Go with the Red

SullyBiz profile photo

 In and around Boston I have found that many people are adamant about what line of the T they live off of. I myself prefer the red line as I have had some annoying experiences with the drunken college... 

5

Harvard and much more

shohman profile photo

 Harvars Square in Cambridge is my absolute favorite place on Earth. I was so fortunate to grow up nearby and visit often. Even though I live 1,500 miles away, I still visit often. Cambridge is the...... 

View all rated pages

View newest pages

Build your own Cambridge page