Timeline
14:36
Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle upstream toward Allston. The river has no current to fight against, making the two-hour journey smooth and relaxing as you leave the city lights behind.
16:36
Turn the boat around and paddle back toward the shore near the Stata Center. Watch the sky turn orange and pink as the sun sets toward the WNW, casting a final golden glow on MIT’s striking modern architecture.
17:21
Walk back to the launch point and head to Harvard Square. Grab a slice of pizza at Area Four. It is open late on weekdays, making it a perfect easy dinner spot after your paddle.
18:06
Finish the evening with a drink at Amelia's Trattoria. The Italian restaurant is open until late on weekdays, offering a cozy end to your night in the heart of Cambridge.
Local tip
Check the route back from the Stata Center to the kayak rental if you are not familiar with the area. The walk from the water to Harvard Square is short but involves navigating through busy streets.
Check before you go
- Area Four is open Mo-Fr 11:30-20:00. On weekends it opens at 10:30. Ensure you arrive before 20:00 on weekdays.
- Amelia's Trattoria is open Mo-Th 11:00-22:00. On Friday it stays open until 23:00.
- Sunset on 15 January is at 16:36. The kayak rental closes at 22:00, so you have plenty of time to return and head to dinner.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Cambridge (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).