Cambridge Common
Cambridge Common
4
11:30 AM - 12:00 AM, 11:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Monday
11:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
11:30 AM - 12:00 AM
11:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Wednesday
11:30 AM - 12:00 AM
11:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Thursday
11:30 AM - 12:00 AM
11:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Friday
11:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 1:00 AM
About
Whether you want to relax, people-watch or learn about Boston's rich heritage, visit this central meeting ground in the heart of historic Cambridge.
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How to get there
- Harvard • 6 min walk
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4.0
83 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
36
Average
18
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Louise M
Sydney, Australia219 contributions
Oct 2019
Walked through after walking through the Harvard Law School campus. Its a lovely small Park with some notable statuss.
Written 27 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DougDavidoff
Bridgeport, CT167 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
Boston Common is more famous, but the history at Cambridge Common is more concentrated, more accessible, more understandable. It’s a great place to take children from late elementary school and up. The place is a survey crash course in U.S. history.
Start with the trees that overlooked General George Washington mustering the Revolutionary Army in the aftermath of Lexington & Concord and Bunker Hill. From these trees, Washington headed south to Long Island, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. What began at Cambridge ended with the British surrender at Yorktown, Va.
Stand where he stood. Contemplate what that ragtag army did.
Cross the common and stand with Abe Lincoln. Contemplate again.
Head toward the First Parish church and visit the monument to the Potato Famine given to Boston’s people (but installed in Cambridge) by the Irish president. The statue hauntingly shows a man and a woman, each with a child, struggling for food to feed their young. Your heart will ache with empathy for these parents and for these children. You will appreciate the opportunity the Irish found in America after the widespread disease caused by pestilence and famine caused by, many will argue, the British policy toward Ireland.
Cambridge Common is so closed to Harvard Square and Harvard Yard. A 20-minute walk is enough to touch base with these historic American reference points. In a city full of history, if you’re at Harvard, don’t ignore the Cambridge Common.
Start with the trees that overlooked General George Washington mustering the Revolutionary Army in the aftermath of Lexington & Concord and Bunker Hill. From these trees, Washington headed south to Long Island, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. What began at Cambridge ended with the British surrender at Yorktown, Va.
Stand where he stood. Contemplate what that ragtag army did.
Cross the common and stand with Abe Lincoln. Contemplate again.
Head toward the First Parish church and visit the monument to the Potato Famine given to Boston’s people (but installed in Cambridge) by the Irish president. The statue hauntingly shows a man and a woman, each with a child, struggling for food to feed their young. Your heart will ache with empathy for these parents and for these children. You will appreciate the opportunity the Irish found in America after the widespread disease caused by pestilence and famine caused by, many will argue, the British policy toward Ireland.
Cambridge Common is so closed to Harvard Square and Harvard Yard. A 20-minute walk is enough to touch base with these historic American reference points. In a city full of history, if you’re at Harvard, don’t ignore the Cambridge Common.
Written 27 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlexanderD
Jackson, NJ5,743 contributions
Sept 2019 • Family
My family and I enjoyed our time here. It is a short walk from the Harvard Campus and museums. As many have mentioned, there is a large and fun playground here that it a great place for families with kids to unwind a bit.
Written 2 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James W
Birmingham, AL900 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Great quiet park near Harvard Square. History of the revolution is on every side of you.
Several monuments including one marking where Washington assumed command of the Continental army it can be very relaxing, but not as good as nearby JFK park.
Several monuments including one marking where Washington assumed command of the Continental army it can be very relaxing, but not as good as nearby JFK park.
Written 19 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angelo S
Hilliard, OH5,124 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
Nice little park right near Harvard with a number of historical markers. The most interesting to me was the elm tree that Washington took command of the continental army. Lots to see in the general area, but very cool to know you are standing in the same spot that the forefathers of the country began their move to separate from the British rule.
Written 24 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheDoor_isopen
Tuggeranong, Australia2,897 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
This park can be visited in conjunction with a visit to Harvard. It has historical significance as it contains the Washington Elm where Washington assembled his Troup's in 1775. It also houses the Civil War Memorial, a handsome structure in the centre of the Common. At the Eastern end on Dawes Island see the brass footprints where Dawes' horse walked to warn that "The British are Coming". In Garden Street is Christ Church was used as Military Barracks during the Revolutionary War.
Written 28 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danuza
Cambridge, MA935 contributions
June 2015 • Family
The Common is a green area that is boring and lacks beauty. there are not enough seats and it has no interest for families or adults. The buildings in Garden st or Concord are not that pretty to make-up for the lack of beauty of this area. It is such a waist since it sits in prime land in front of Harvard yard. I wished the City mayor was more interested in lifting up this common to make it beautiful and family friendly. It could have more seating and some playground for kids or water fountains with some flowers. It definitively needs a lift!
Written 13 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
plusGRAY
Massachusetts311 contributions
Cambridge Common is a smallish park with soccer field and playground near Harvard Square / the Sheraton Commander. It is currently under construction and a good portion of the surrounding walkway is roped off. Not attractive. People tend to picnic here in the summer and there are a few benches along a paved path thru the park, but given its current state I recommend taking in / picnic / sitting by the Charles River or Fresh Pond instead (unless you're here to see the statues of historical figures).
Written 6 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SLRS5
Cambridge, MA184 contributions
Dec 2012 • Friends
Now an ok, small park between major thoroughfares in the middle of the square. Sometimes pleasant. SOmetimes a mecca for weirdos, throw-backs to the '60's or homeless thoughstill feels and is safe.Nice enclosed playground at one end. If you need a place for a quiet picnic, go tp the Charles riverbamk instead
Written 9 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MHeredia
New Smyrna Beach, FL304 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
Cambridge is charming and historic. Nice shops, vintage architecture and some good restaurants. Nice stop on the way to Harvard.
Written 21 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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