Cambridge Highlands - Cambridge, MA Area Guide

Cambridge Highlands was uninhabited swampland before the 1805 construction of the Concord Turnpike, which brought carriages along what is now Concord Avenue. Despite the arrival of the railroad in 1843, the area didn't grow into an industrial hub until well into the 1900s, helped along by the busy factories in Cambridge.

Though this small area has no museums and little art, one of Boston's best swing dances happens weekly at Boston Swing Central, where lessons for beginners kick off a long night of boogying. A short ride on the bus to Harvard Square broadens options considerably, where the Fogg Museum displays a small but world-class collection of paintings and the American Repertory Theater stages new shows and avant garde Shakespeare adaptations. In addition to the Harvard MayFair festival, locals show up for Waltham's Sheep Shearing Festival to see sheep, goats and llamas and watch the adorable dog herding demonstration.

Cambridge Highlands doesn't have a trendy restaurant scene, but locals love their sandwich shops and kabob joints clustered around route 3, along with Japanese and Middle Eastern. Regulars come to Ma Magoo's Pizza & Sub Shop for the impressive menu of sandwiches served on freshly made bread. For many, it's the chicken finger sub that keeps them coming back, served with a house-made honey mustard sauce that patrons say is downright addictive. Other standouts include the onion rings and jalapeño poppers, and most customers give the Greek-style pizza a thumbs up. The restaurant has no wait service, but tables and booths wait in the clean, no-frills dining room, and the establishment takes online orders for delivery.

Customers give high marks to the sushi at Genki Ya for the excellent quality of fish and generous cuts. Traditional standouts include the spicy rolls and the Ichiban, a variation on the Alaska roll that includes tuna and cream cheese. The menu also has inventive options such as the Hawaii, a mix of fruits and sweet potato with cream cheese. Most customers opt for delivery, which varies considerably in consistency, but the restaurant has a bright, relaxing dining room filled with greenery for a night out or quiet solo meal.

For a fun meal out with friends, locals can drive to Spoke in nearby Davis Square, where patrons choose from New American dishes with Mediterranean touches, such as the highly praised cured ham or marinated olives. The tiny restaurant has a lively, modern feel with playful pendant lighting and tables nestled closely together, along with a bar for drinks and nibbles. The small-plate style menu lends itself to sampling a little of everything, and selections change regularly. Diners recommend that you order the octopus if available, which arrives tender and drizzled with nutty romesco.

You won't see much nightlife in this quiet part of Cambridge, but residents find fun close by in Davis and Porter Squares. For the nearest neighborhood pub, locals head over to Joe Sent Me for a solid selection of beers on tap and cocktails, along with TVs for the game and a fairly competitive trivia night. Hungary patrons graze from the bar food menu and can take their drinks out to the sidewalk tables when the weather gets warm. The pub verges on hip with an old barber seat and specialty cocktails, but the atmosphere doesn't try too hard to impress, making the place feel fun and down-to-earth.

For live music, Toad in Porter Square delivers a show every night at the no-frills bar. Mostly local bands play here, but energetic crowds pack in, making the tiny space feel like a big party. A no-cover rule encourages people to drop in and hear who's playing, and the drinks are served strong.

Cambridge Highlands provides residents with a balance of quiet streets and solid public transit. L train riders walk 5 minutes to catch the red line from the Alewife station, and local bus routes 74 and 78 provide service to Harvard Square. For an express trip into Boston, residents can drive to the Fitchburg commuter line in Porter Square. Though you shouldn't count on hailing a cab here, Cambridge-based car services will give you a lift when you call, and Uber services the area.

Drivers take Route 3 to reach I-90, while the nearby Concord Turnpike leads to I-95. The Harvard and M.I.T. campuses are less than 10 minutes away, and downtown Boston is about a 20-minute commute. Drivers have an easy time parking on the suburban streets, with most homes providing private driveways and parking lots at businesses.

Despite the good public transit, the streets here aren't well suited to running errands on foot, and most residents have a car. However, paved trails for bikes along Concord Avenue and the Alewife parkway offer a safe route to the subway, and trails inside the area's many parks make for good weekend riding.

With Fresh Pond right next door, Cambridge Highlands has many ways to enjoy the outdoors in public parks both large and small. For short excursions, parents come to the excellent playground at Rafferty Park, which has a climbing structure, wobbly bridge, twisty slide and sandbox. Dog owners like the enclosed field where pups roam off-leash, and the park also has picnic tables and a tennis court.

Locals looking to escape the crowds go to the Fresh Pond Reservation, where people and dogs take long walks on the wooded paths overlooking the tranquil water, and cyclists can bike the paved loop. Kids look for frogs hiding under the water lillies at Black's Nook, and further south, dogs are invited to swim in Little Fresh Pond. Usually at least one free concert is held here during the summer, and golfers can play nine holes on the affordable public golf course.

For long summer picnics and pick-up games, residents prefer the well-kept, grassy lawns at Danehy Park, which also has a playground with a water play area, tables and bathrooms. Dog owners appreciate the well-designed dog park with sandy play areas and a water fountain, and the paths are a popular spot for running, along with a track for serious training and several athletic fields. Danehy also hosts free summer concerts, and the annual Family Day serves up free hot dogs and amusement park rides, along with live music and arts and crafts for kids.

The average one-bedroom in the Cambridge Highlands costs around $2,410 per month, about 10 percent higher than the Boston average. Groceries and utilities fall in line with Boston prices, and a beer at the nearest pub goes for $4 to $5. Gas prices are about 10 percent higher than the national average, and the subway ride into Boston costs $2.65 or $2.10 for the commuter rail.

Plazas and parking lots dominate the shopping options in Cambridge Highlands, particularly near route 3, where the Fresh Pond Mall holds a T.J. Maxx, Staples and PetSmart. Further west along Blanchard Road, residents find small plazas with a hardware store, florists, pet supplies and a nail shop. Hidden among the chains, the Cambridge Quilt Shop stocks a nice selection of fabrics into its small storefront, along with batting, books and handmade baby quilts. The experienced staff field questions about projects and the shop holds classes for beginners, as well as special topics like landscape quilts or binding. For home goods, customers at Circle Furniture find an extensive range of contemporary styles, including a few shaker and mission-inspired pieces, and a wide selection of fabrics for sofas and chairs. Stacks of beautiful imported rugs await at Noor Oriental Rugs, including brilliantly colored Persian designs. The impressive selection along with their knowledgeable cleaning and restoration services have earned the store a loyal following. For grocery shopping, locals can go to Trader Joe's or the Whole Foods just across the street. Residents like Iggy's Bread for fresh baguettes and croissants. The closest farmers market opens every Wednesday in Davis Square with a nice selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with baked goods, fresh fish, meat and cheese.