Cambridge, Boston & Harvard Square

Just across the Charles River and a twelve-minute subway ride from downtown Boston, Harvard Square is a hub of student life in Cambridge, which combines the attractions of a cosmopolitan city with the charm of a New England town. Organized around traditional town greens, tree-lined squares and the grassy banks of the Charles River, Cambridge is one of metropolitan Boston’s vital urban centers and is part of a comprehensive public transportation network.

One-of-a-kind shops, international restaurants, bookstores, cafés and theaters occupy the streets surrounding the College. Sporting events, concerts and colorful street performers also draw neighbors and visitors to Harvard Square.

Boston and its environs are often referred to as America’s premier “college town,” with 200,000 students in 50 institutions in the area. While Boston is full of history and colonial charm with its cobblestone streets and towering church spires, it is also a modern city whose liveliness is apparent in its myriad architectural styles, thriving industries, diverse cultures and major arts centers.

The Boston waterfront boasts a world-famous aquarium and science museum as well as numerous opportunities for walks through historic districts or cruises to harbor islands and recreational areas. Within easy reach of Boston and Cambridge are the beaches of the Atlantic, cozy seaside villages from Cape Cod to Maine, ski slopes, forests and historic sites recalling America’s storied past.