Middlesex County Marvels: A 2-Day Educational Escape

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by Elijah

March 29, 2024 · 2 min read

Middlesex County 2 Days Itinerary

Embark on a 2-day journey through Middlesex County, where history and education blend seamlessly. Begin your adventure at Harvard Yard, the iconic city park that sets the stage for your exploration of America's oldest institution of higher learning, Harvard University. Spend a couple of hours wandering through the storied halls and lush grounds. Next, delve into the wonders of the natural world at The Harvard Museum of Natural History, where you'll spend an enlightening two hours. On your second day, breathe in the historical significance of Boston Common, a park that's witnessed centuries of American history. Cap off your trip with a stroll along the Freedom Trail, a path that weaves through Boston's most characteristic neighborhoods, offering a glimpse into the nation's revolutionary past. This itinerary promises a blend of leisure and learning, perfect for the curious traveler seeking a short but substantial getaway.

Top 6 Hotels in Middlesex County
TOP 1
Encore Boston Harbor
Encore Boston Harbor
hotelStar
5/5
81 reviews
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TOP 2
Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Concord
Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Concord
hotelStar
3/5
102 reviews
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TOP 3
Element Lexington
Element Lexington
hotelStar
3/5
103 reviews
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Sheraton Boston Needham Hotel
Sheraton Boston Needham Hotel
hotelStar
3/5
120 reviews
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Boston Marriott Burlington
Boston Marriott Burlington
hotelStar
4/5
111 reviews
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Four Points by Sheraton Boston Newton
Four Points by Sheraton Boston Newton
hotelStar
3/5
137 reviews
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Day 1: Exploring the Intellectual Heart of Cambridge

1

Harvard Yard

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Kickstart your Cambridge adventure at the iconic Harvard Yard, the historic core of Harvard University and a lush city park where academia and leisure blend seamlessly. As the first stop in today's educational journey, spend an hour wandering through the verdant lawns, surrounded by centuries-old buildings, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of intellectual pursuit.

Attraction Info

  • 2 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open on Mon-Fri,9:00am-5:00pm

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2

Harvard University

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Building on the foundations laid at Harvard Yard, the next stop is Harvard University itself. Dedicate a couple of hours to explore the hallowed halls of America's oldest institution of higher learning. Marvel at the architecture, absorb the scholarly ambience, and perhaps even engage with the students and faculty who make this university a beacon of knowledge and innovation.

Attraction Info

  • Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, MA 02138
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-5 hour
  • Open on Mon-Fri,9:00am-5:00pm
6 min,0.46 km
3

The Harvard Museum of Natural History

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Conclude the day's scholarly theme with a visit to The Harvard Museum of Natural History. Allot two hours to be mesmerized by an astonishing array of specimens and exhibits that span the natural world. From prehistoric fossils to the famed Glass Flowers collection, this museum offers a profound glimpse into the wonders of our planet and beyond.

Attraction Info

  • 26 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States
  • Suggested tour duration: 2 hour
  • Open from 9:00am-5:00pm
5/51 Reviews
5/5Perfect1 Reviews
Harvard University
Cambridge
|0.43km from The Harvard Museum of Natural History
4.2/5103 Reviews
4.2/5Very Good103 Reviews
Harvard University
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|0.5km from The Harvard Museum of Natural History
4.5/552 Reviews
4.5/5Excellent52 Reviews
Harvard University
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|0.65km from The Harvard Museum of Natural History
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4.4/5Excellent94 Reviews
Harvard University
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|0.83km from The Harvard Museum of Natural History

Day 2: Historic Trails and City Parks in Middlesex County

1

Boston Common

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Kicking off the second day of our Middlesex County adventure, we head to the heart of Boston to explore the lush landscapes of Boston Common. As the oldest city park in the United States, this verdant expanse offers more than just a green retreat; it's a mosaic of history stretching across 50 acres. Plan to spend an hour here, strolling through the well-kept paths, admiring the monuments, and perhaps even enjoying a leisurely boat ride on the Frog Pond. The Common isn't just a park; it's a living legacy nestled at 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111.

Attraction Info

  • 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02111
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour
  • Open from 6:00am-11:30pm

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Legal Sea Foods - Long Wharf
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2

Freedom Trail

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After refreshing our spirits at Boston Common, we'll follow the footsteps of the founding fathers along the iconic Freedom Trail. This 2.5-mile journey through characteristic neighborhoods is a vibrant artery of history, connecting 16 nationally significant historic sites. Each step on this trail is a step back in time, with stories of bravery and the birth of a nation waiting to be discovered. Allot two hours to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of America's past as you meander through Boston's storied streets.

Attraction Info

  • Boston, MA, USA
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-5 hour
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Top Things to Do in Middlesex County-2024

TOP 1
Harvard University
Harvard University
4.8/5 · 495 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 3,185 review
Highlights:
Located in Cambridge, Boston, Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and one of the most influential schools in the world. Modern Chinese writers and scholars Lin Yutang and Liang Sicheng also graduated here.
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TOP 2
Walden Pond State Reservation
Walden Pond State Reservation
4.4/5 · 23 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 689 review
Highlights:
Walden became famous in the book "Walden" written by American philosopher and author Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau built a log cabin by the lake and strictly controlled his daily necessities and contacts with others. Then he lived here for two years, two months and two days to complete this masterpiece. Many people come here to visit Walden Pond, the lake is really as pale blue as the author said, and thick ice forms in winter. A plank road for sightseeing has been built by the lake, and the surrounding is very quiet, like a paradise.
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TOP 3
The Harvard Museum of Natural History
The Harvard Museum of Natural History
4.5/5 · 77 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,213 review
Highlights:
Founded in 1998, the Harvard Museum of Natural History is a very popular museum on the campus of Harvard University. Glass plant model, commonly known as "glass flower". Exhibits within the museum range from displays of the extensive existing collection to multimedia displays including "The Woods of New England," "Thoreau's Lake Maine," and "Sea Life in Glass." All in all, the unparalleled collections in the museum and the precious results of scientific research at the university have contributed to the public's understanding of the natural world and the relationship between humans and nature.
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TOP 4
Freedom Trail
Freedom Trail
4.6/5 · 332 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 17,826 review
Highlights:
The Freedom Trail is a historic sightseeing line in Boston. The road surface is paved with red bricks, winding all the way, extending in three kilometers of streets. In 1951, the citizens of Boston preserved this unique street of red brick. The right way to open up American history is to set foot on the road to freedom. The Freedom Trail begins at the Visitor Center in Boston Common and ends at the towering Penga Hill Monument across the Charles River, with 16 attractions and many 17th and 18th century houses, churches and Independence War sites along the way. It takes about half a day to walk the entire freedom road, but if you want to visit carefully, it may take at least a day.
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TOP 5
MIT Museum
MIT Museum
4.5/5 · 33 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 679 review
Highlights:
The MIT Museum (Massachusetts Institute of Technology Museum) is located on the MIT campus. In a sense, the MIT Museum also undertakes the task of collecting scientific instruments and technological inventions in the history of the school. It is an important channel for the public to learn about and participate in the inventions and discoveries that MIT is doing, and to inspire the public to understand science.
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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Middlesex County 2 Days Itinerary