Cambridge Hotels

Cambridge African American Heritage Trail

2009-12-29T05:23:00.000-08:00

Cambridge African American Heritage Trail – Discover Cambridge’s history as one of the nation’s oldest African American communities. Walk the African American Heritage Trail, 20 historic markers that honor notable blacks who were abolitionists, authors, educators, and office holders in Cambridge dating back to 1840. With the allure of Harvard, desegregated public schools, and Massachusetts’ abolishment of slavery in 1783, skilled blacks flocked to Cambridge – making it a refuge for freedom. Highlights on the trail include the local residence of W.E.B. DuBois, the first African American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard and founder of the N.A.A.C.P. See plaques marking the historic homes of Maria Baldwin, the north’s first African American headmaster of an all-white school (Cambridge’s Agassiz Grammar School); and William H. Lewis, the first black U.S. assistant attorney general. Also view the abode of remarkable author Harriet Jacobs, who hid in a crawl space for seven years to escape slavery, and then when freed, ran a boarding house for Harvard students. The borders included Cornelia Willis, the woman who bought Jacobs’ freedom; and Harvard Law School dean Christopher Langdell, inventor of the case teaching method. To visit these and other significant Cambridge sites, pick up an illustrated guide at the Historical Commission. The booklet contains the complete text of each trail marker, a map, and a brief history of African Americans in Cambridge. Though the locations are spread out throughout the city requiring a car to view them all, and you can’t enter the homes, the trail still gives a rare glimpse into Cambridge’s unique history.
African American Heritage Trail, Cambridge Historical Commission, 831 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-349-4683.
http://www.cambridgema.gov/historic/aahtrail.html
Click Here For More Reviews

Whale Watching in Gloucester, MA

2009-06-10T06:11:00.000-07:00

Cambridge Hotels – An hour drive from Boston, Gloucester is America’s oldest and most famous fishing port, dating back to 1623. The town was immortalized in the best-selling book and George Clooney film, “The Perfect Storm,” about a local fishing boat that gets caught in the “storm of the century.” But Gloucester is also renowned as one of the world’s best locations to see endangered Humpback Whales. Watching these mammoth sea creatures, which are 50 feet long and weigh 40 tons, is breath-taking. Boats leaving from the port of Cape Ann take you on a five-hour excursion to the Stellwagen National Marine Sanctuary feeding ground 12 miles off the coast. There you will see these graceful behemoths raising their entire bodies out of the water, waving their massive black-and-white v-shaped tales, and shooting 12-foot water sprays from their blowholes. It’s one of the most amazing things you will ever experience. During the summer these whales eat almost non-stop, consuming 3000 fish per day before heading 1500 miles back to the Caribbean in winter to mate. The boat captains are extremely friendly and give you loads of interesting information. It’s a long day, and the Atlantic can be very choppy, but seeing these awe-inspiring whales in their natural habitat is one of nature’s wonders that should not be missed.
Seven Sea’s Whale Watch, 63 Rogers Street, Gloucester, Massachusetts, 1-888-283-1776.
http://www.7seas-whalewatch.com/

Historic Charlestown

2008-11-18T07:14:00.000-08:00

Cambridge Hotels – For a trip back in time, visit Charlestown - one of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods - where the streets are lined with clapboard houses and old-fashioned gas street lamps. Only a 15 minute car ride from Cambridge, this historic locale is where Paul Revere began his famous “midnight ride” before the Battles of Lexington and Concord. It’s also where the Revolution’s legendary Battle of Bunker Hill occurred, where Patriots were told “Don’t fire til you see the whites of their eyes.” Visit the 221-foot-high Bunker Hill Monument for beautiful views of Boston. Go to the Charlestown Navy Yard, one of the military’s oldest shipbuilding facilities, and board the illustrious USS Constitution “Old Ironsides,” one of America’s first warships. Then check out the navy museum where you can fire a cannon, raise a flag, swing in a hammock, and learn about life onboard the ship during the War of 1812. For a wonderful look at Boston’s historic past, a visit to Charlestown is the perfect choice.
http://www.charlestownbusiness.com/attractions.html

Unofficial Harvard Tour

2008-10-21T08:10:00.001-07:00

Cambridge Hotels – The 70-minute Unofficial Harvard Tour is an irreverent insider's peek into the history and traditions of America’s oldest and most prestigious university. The guides, current students who wear straw hats and “Hahvahd” sweatshirts, walk backwards while they share a cornucopia of school facts – many which you will surely not hear on the official tour. You will see sites such as Massachusetts Hall, a dorm which once housed John Adams and John Hancock; beautiful Memorial Hall dedicated to Harvard’s slain soldiers in the Civil War; and Quincy Street’s “museum row.” But you will also hear about Harvard’s ongoing battles with the city of Cambridge; the ghost room in Widener Library; and “Primal Scream,” the annual tradition where students run naked screaming across the yard during final exams in January. This tour entertains, makes you laugh and –if only for a day – makes you feel as though you actually attended Harvard. It’s not to be missed.
Unofficial Harvard Tour; 617-848-8576
http://www.harv.unofficialtours.com/

Boston Duck Tours

2008-10-16T06:34:00.000-07:00

Cambridge Hotels – If you can’t decide between a water or land tour of Beantown, Boston’s World Famous Duck Tour is for you. The unique tours are conducted in World War II amphibious landing vehicles called “ducks.” They are like boats with wheels that have funny names like Back Bay Bertha, Fenway Fannie and Tub of the Hub. The tour narrators, called ConDUCKtors, are hilarious. Guide Major Tom Foolery wears Superman pajamas while he drives; Cmdr. James Bernard Swampscott sets the ground rules by stating “no smoking and no ballroom dancing” on board; and all drivers encourage passengers to quack at pedestrians during the ride. But the guides are even more knowledgeable than they are funny, continually delivering interesting facts about Boston’s history. The 80-minute tour hits all of Boston’s hotspots: the golden-domed State House; Bunker Hill; Boston Common; Copley Square; the Big Dig; Government Center; trendy Newbury Street; Quincy Market; Prudential Tower and more. Then comes the highlight as the duck drives straight into the Charles River for beautiful seaside views of Cambridge and Boston. The ConDUCKtors even let passengers steer the boat while it’s in the water. For a site-seeing trip you’ll never forget that will make you laugh while teaching you about the city, the Duck tour does not disappoint.
Boston Duck Tours; 617.267.DUCK (3825)
http://www.bostonducktours.com

Charles River Canoe & Kayak

2008-10-14T06:34:00.001-07:00

Cambridge Hotels – For a peaceful afternoon and totally different view of Cambridge, rent a canoe or kayak on the Charles River. Row down one of America’s most beautiful urban rivers with majestic views of Frederick Law Olmstead's “Emerald Necklace,” the Esplanade, Harvard Business School, Harvard University and MIT. Glide along this calm nine-mile waterway watching the geese swim gracefully by your canoe while sailing under Cambridge’s famous bridges. Located in a small boat house across from the Harvard Coliseum off Soldiers Field Road, Charles River Canoe & Kayak offers affordable boats by-the-hour for kids and adults. Their friendly staff offer tips how to navigate the vessels and they even supply you with free water and sun block. For a peaceful day in nature without leaving the city, a canoe or kayak on the Charles is the perfect choice.
Charles River Canoe & Kayak, 1071 Soldier's Field Road, Allston, (617) 462-2513
http://www.ski-paddle.com/boston.php