Things To Do Near Longfellow House – Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site
Take a guided tour of Longfellow House–Washington's Headquarters. George Washington lived in the home for nine months while he was the head of the Continental Army. Then, 15 years later, Andrew Carnegie and his wife moved there. Visitors can see the rooms where Longfellow and his wife lived. Many of the rooms contain personal pieces belonging to its famous occupants. Once you tour the home, head outside to explore the formal garden.
Hiking Trails
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Charles River Link Trail
This 16.5-mile trail runs along the Charles River, connecting Newton, Wellesley, Needham, Dover, Natick, and Medfield. This flat trail runs by several historical sites, and it crosses the river several times. The trailhead is just west of the intersection of Interstate 95/Route 128 and Route 16.
Location
Wellesley Municipal Parking Lot, at the intersection of Washington and River streets, Wellesley, Massachusetts 62457
Length
16.5 miles
Intensity
Moderate
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Bay Circuit Trail
The Bay Circuit Trail begins at Plum Island, and it runs for 200 miles to Kingston Island. You can see several historical sites along this trail, including Henry David Thoreau's Walden Pond, Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, and Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary. Hikers on this trail can choose between a northern and a southern route depending on what they want to see in several points.
Location
Plum Island, Newburyport, Massachusetts 01950
Length
200 miles
Intensity
Difficult
Sightseeing
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High Victorian Gothic Memorial Hall
Built between 1865 and 1868, the High Victorian Gothic Memorial Hall near Harvard University was constructed to honor Harvard graduates' contributions to the Civil War. It is one of the best examples of High Gothic architecture in the United States. The building contains the Sanders Theatre, Annenberg Hall, and Memorial Transept.
Location
45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
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Fresh Pond Reservation
Fresh Pond Reservation is a 155-acre kettle-hole lake with land on all sides of it. This pond supplies public drinking water to many area residents. It can be a great place to go bird-watching throughout the year. There is a path that leads around the preserve, which many locals use as a running trail.
Location
180-220 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
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Mount Auburn Cemetery
When Mount Auburn Cemetery opened in 1831, it became the first garden cemetery in the United States. It is filled with beautiful artwork, including the Washington Tower perched at the highest point. Many famous people are buried at this location, including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Mary Baker Eddy, Winslow Homer, Amy Lowell, Isabella Stewart Gardner, and architect Charles Bulfinch.
Location
580 Mt Auburn Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
Museums
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Harvard Art Museums
The Harvard Art Museums on Harvard Square are in one facility, but the different sections operate under the names Fogg, Busch-Reisinger, and Arthur M. Sackler Museum. Since 1895, visitors to the Fogg Museum have enjoyed seeing Western paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, photographs, prints, and drawings dating from the Middle Ages to the present. The Busch-Reisinger opened in 1901 as the Germanic Museum, and it is a terrific place to see Austrian Secession art, German expressionism, 1920s abstraction, and Bauhaus-related artwork. The Arthur M. Sackler Museum showcases Asian, ancient Islamic, and Indian art.
Location
32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
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Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
Millions of years of cultural, social, and biological history can be viewed at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. While you can see displays from many different parts of the world, a particular emphasis is put on those found in North and South America. This museum is home to four permanent collections focusing on indigenous people, including students who studied at Harvard's Indian School and residents of Mexico and Latin America before and after the arrival of European colonists.
Location
11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
Nearby Shops and Restaurants
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Grolier Poetry Book Shop
Grolier Poetry Book Shop opened for business in 1927 to sell only poetry books or critiques of poetry. There are approximately 160,000 works in the collection. Authors frequently hold reading events at this location.
Location
6 Plympton Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138
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The Coop
Since 1882, Harvard and MIT students and their visitors have been finding books, apparel, and souvenirs at The Coop. The first students had to pay $1.00 to shop at this store, and you will too. In addition to books and apparel, the store sells a wide range of collectibles, including tech accessories, home décor, and toys.
Location
1400 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
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Union Oyster House
This restaurant started serving customers in 1826, and Daniel Webster frequently ate there. Workers constructed the building housing this restaurant in 1742. You can dine on oysters and other seafood.
Location
41 Union Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108
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Alden and Harlow
Chefs prepare traditional American cuisine packed with flavorful additions at Alden and Harlow. Architect Alexander Wadsworth Longfellow helped design the thoughtful layout of this two-story restaurant, including the Longfellow Bar. The first meal was served at this location in 1889.
Location
40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138