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Evening

Golden Hour at the Stata Center

Catch the last warm light on the MIT campus before diving into the evening buzz of Cambridge.

Best time: 15 JanuaryAbout 180 min

Timeline

  1. 15:51

    Harvard Book Store

    Grab a book or a snack at Harvard Book Store. It is a cozy independent shop with interesting staff recommendations glued to the stalls. Check the website for their reading schedule if you want to catch a poet.

  2. 16:06

    Grolier Poetry Book Shop

    Walk over to the Grolier Poetry Book Shop. This one-room shop is focused entirely on poetry and often hosts readings. It is a quiet, literary pause before the main event.

  3. 16:16

    Longfellow House–Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site

    Walk to Longfellow House–Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site. This is where Washington made his headquarters during the siege of Boston. The site offers a historical perspective on the area before you head to the modern architecture.

  4. 16:36

    Stata Center

    Arrive at the Stata Center. This striking building by Frank Gehry is likely the most modern architectural form on the MIT campus. Stand outside in the garden area to watch the sun set toward the WSW. The contrast between the historic Longfellow House and this futuristic structure is the highlight of the evening.

  5. 17:06

    Toscanini's

    Head to Toscanini's for ice cream. It is an extremely popular shop rated as having the best ice cream in the world by the New York Times. Try the burnt caramel or salted saffron flavors while the evening air cools down.

  6. 17:51

    Miracle of Science

    End the night at Miracle of Science. This pub is popular with MIT grads and locals. Order off their unique periodic table of elements menu and enjoy the drink in a lively, tech-focused atmosphere.

Local tip

The walk from Longfellow House to the Stata Center takes about 55 minutes. If you prefer a shorter walk, take the 3 bus from Harvard Square to MIT. The Stata Center is best viewed from the exterior garden area where the light hits the glass and steel structures.

Check before you go

  • Harvard Book Store is open Mo-Sa 09:00-22:00 and Su 10:00-21:00.
  • Grolier Poetry Book Shop is open Wed-Fri and the 1st Sat of each month 11AM-7PM. Check if your visit day aligns.
  • Toscanini's is open Mo-Su 12:00-22:00.
  • Miracle of Science is open Mo-Su 11:00-01:00.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Cambridge (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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