Situated northwest of Boston, Massachusetts’ most-populous county is characterized by historical landscapes, quaint suburbs, and natural scenery. Lowells National Historical Park is one of several nationally protected areas in Middlesex County. Situated on the Merrimack River, the park commemorates Lowell’s historical significance as the center of textile manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution. Nineteenth- century mills and a patent model of a loom are two features of this oldest urban park in the nation. Forty-minutes south of Lowell is the city of Cambridge, the cultural center and county seat of Middlesex County. Only ten minutes outside of Boston, Cambridge is often called "Boston’s Left Bank." It is characterized by a multicultural milieu that influences, and is influenced, by the capital city. Cambridge is an intellectual hub brimming with coffee-scented cafés, antique bookstores, multi-cultural restaurants, lively pubs, artistic festivals, and chic boutiques. Famous for its eclectic mix of small shops, the world’s largest concentration of bookstores, avant-garde street performers, and seasoned jazz musicians, Harvard Square is an artistic core of activity for local students, residents, and visitors. See it here at Cambridge Usa. The architecturally-rich buildings located in Harvard Square represent four centuries of history. One of these buildings is the Longfellow National Historic Site, site of the former home of the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and once the headquarters for George Washington during the Revolutionary War.
Another popular area of town is Kendall Square, which houses Cambridge’s high-technology and biotechnology industries and serves as a favorite area for shopping, performing arts, and dining. For physical activity, biking is a local favorite, as bike paths wind through the city, including one that travels along the Charles River. Cambridge is known internationally for its prestigious universities, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Ivy League-Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the nation and influences the intellectual and artistic culture apparent in the streets of Cambridge. The main campus of Harvard boasts architectural and historical must-sees, in addition to several museums like the Harvard Art Museum which specializes in Western Art dating back to the Middle Ages.
Neighboring Boston is only ten minutes east of Cambridge and can be accessed by one of several bridges that cross the Charles River. The Longfellow Bridge, that carries Route 3 and MBTA trains, directly connects Cambridge’s Kendall Square with Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. A true testament to the New England way of life, Boston is characterized by cobblestone streets, clam chowder, and crisp fall afternoons.
Serving as the site for American Revolutionary War events like the Boston Tea Party of 1773, Boston is also one of the oldest cities in America. The Freedom Trail walking tour is the perfect way to experience the history of the city. Beginning at Boston Common and ending at the USS Constitution, the tour includes visits to historic sites dating back to Colonial America. There are endless places to visit in Boston, however some suggested sites-to-see, include: Copley Square, the Trinity Church, Quincy Market (also known as Faneuil Hall Marketplace), Fenway Park (for Boston RedSox baseball games), the Boston Museum of the Fine Arts, Faneuil Marketplace , the Boston Pops Orchestra, the New England Aquarium, Boston National Parks, and the Prudential Tower.
