The hallowed halls of academia are what come to mind when most of us hear the name Cambridge. Actually, people often mistakenly give next-door neighbor Boston the credit for the bragging rights of Cambridge: Harvard University, Radcliffe College, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They're all here -- on the other side of the Charles River. And although their ivory towers and rotundas are clearly visible from the Boston side of the Charles, Cambridge residents are quick to correct the geographical confusion of tourists and newcomers. Like neighbor Boston, Cambridge is loaded with history and pride. The best time to visit undoubtedly is during the fall months, when you can slosh your way through autumn leaves as you make your way down its streets.

A description of Cambridge is incomplete without some description of its heritage. In 1630, approximately 700 passengers made their way from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony on a fleet of 11 ships. These travelers, all of them devout Puritans, hoped to establish a new community centered around their church. Once they arrived, they settled in several different communities around the Bay area. A debate ensued about where the capital should be. Ultimately, the settlers chose Newtowne as their capital -- located five miles from Boston on the north bank of the Charles River. The new capital was a suitable place, they decided, to accommodate their large ships. In 1638, Newtowne was renamed Cambridge. Residents immediately set to work building streets (foremost among them is Massachusetts Avenue (known as "Mass Av." to the locals), a major thoroughfare that today connects Boston to Cambridge via the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge), a meetinghouse, school, and Winthrop Square, the town's official center of commerce. Six years later, Harvard College opened its doors. At that time, Harvard's mission was to train men, and men only, for ministerial positions and other leadership capacities within the religious community. Years later, Elizabeth Cabot Cary Agassiz would found Radcliffe College, a world-renowned institution for women located on the same grounds of the Harvard campus. In 1846, Cambridge was designated a city, a decision which effectively united the villages of Old Cambridge, Cambridgeport, and East Cambridge.

Today, more than 95,000 residents call Cambridge home. But of course, that population swells each fall with the arrival of hordes of college students who travel from throughout the world to study at local world-class institutions. Aside from the diverse student population, the year-round city population is also ethnically varied, comprised of more than 50 languages -- Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Creole, to name but a few. The Cambridge Public School system accommodates children from approximately 82 different countries of origin. With such top-notch educational systems at every level, Cambridge has fostered the development of a growing high technology sector in its own back yard.

Residential real estate is pricey in Cambridge. Newcomers to the area often harbor romantic notions of living in a brownstone near the Charles or on some quiet, tree-lined street, but history is expensive. Even more modern accommodations carry hefty price tags. An online search of local listings reveals such prices as a three-bedroom, two-bath condo for more than $225,000. And the closer you get to Harvard Square, the more you're likely to pay. But the good news is that since Cambridge is a college town, there is indeed something for everybody -- older homes converted into multifamily properties, modern apartments and condominiums, and single-family homes. If for any reason you come up empty-handed, you can always cross the river and head into Boston; the two cities are within close proximity of each other -- and now more than ever, thanks to an excellent public transportation system (known as the MBTA, or "T"). The bottom line is that you're probably going to experience some sticker shock, but you don't have to go broke looking for a place to live here.

Harvard Square is by many accounts the center of it all in Cambridge. Even if that philosophy isn't geographically accurate, it's hard to argue that "The Square" isn't one of the liveliest and most culturally interesting spots in the city. Harvard Square pulsates day and night, but the evening hours are when this area really comes alive. Street performers abound, playing all sorts of musical styles -- reggae, classical, rock and roll. Tourists wander the campus, students from more than 60 colleges and universities in the greater Boston/Cambridge area meet, mingle, and fill the local pubs, and lost souls wander the streets talking to no one in particular. The Square truly is a melting pot and probably one of the country's best spots for people-watching.

"Don't miss" sights in Cambridge include The Coop, originally founded by a group of Harvard students in 1882 as a cooperative that supplied students with books, school supplies, and coal or wood to keep them warm during the harsh New England winters. Today, The Coop is one of the biggest and most-loved bookstores in Cambridge, although the store carries a multitude of other items, as well, including college gear (note: Buying a Yale sweatshirt within spitting distance of Harvard won't endear you to the student cashier). The historic Harvard Bookstore is also a recommended stop for readers. And it goes without saying that you shouldn't pass up the opportunity to visit the Harvard and MIT campuses. If you're in the area in October, try to catch the annual Head of the Charles Regatta, a nationwide crew competition on the river that attracts thousands of fans each year. And don't miss Boston for its museums -- the Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts, and Children's Museum, to name a few -- its shopping (Newbury Street, Faneuil Hall), or its historical offerings (Beacon Hill, the U.S.S. Constitution, Boston Public Gardens). To reach Boston, forget about a car; walk from Cambridge across the Mass. Av. Bridge. This is the way to fully appreciate the Charles River, polluted yet still sparkling, where many graceful sailboats make their way, and where you can view the breathtaking Boston skyline, an unforgettable mixture of old and new.

Published: October 29, 1998

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Editor's Note: This article reflects the opinions of Courtney Ronan only and not necessarily the views of this or any other publication, organization or Website owner.