The Mt. Auburn Cemetery
Tuesday, March 27, 2007

One of the most picturesque and non-urban locations in Cambridge can be found in the Mount Auburn Cemetery.

The historic landmark, celebrating its 175th anniversary, offers spectacular floral scenes and tree-lined paths.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the cemetery, however, is the historic architecture. From its oldest structure, the Egyptian Revival gateway, to the Washington Tower, which offers memorable views of the city, one could spend a day just marveling at the historic buildings and scupltures.

The Cemetery is easily accessible via the MBTA's charming Route #71 or #73 Trackless Trolley routes, which run out of Harvard station on the Red Line. Take the bus to Aberdeen Avenue, and cross Mount Auburn Street to enter the cemetery.

For more information, including upcoming events and tours, you can visit the Mount Auburn Cemetery's website.

Enjoy!

Top photo from MountAuburn.org

Posted byMike Prescott at 9:26 AM 0 comments    

Labels: Cambridge, Cemeteries

Walk the [Red] Line
Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Some of the most enjoyable, most accessible community paths in and around Boston have been constructed on or near rapid transit lines, as is the case with the Red Line Linear Park bike path.

Take the Red Line to Davis station in Somerville. Exit through the Holland Street headhouse, and you'll be right at the start of the short but enjoyable bike path.

Facing away from the road, you will see a brick paved path going toward the nearby residential neighborhood. This is the Red Line Linear Park, constructed with the subway extension from Harvard to Alewife in the 1980's. This path runs almost entirely above the Red Line tunnel, so you'll come across some emergency exits and ventilation grates here and there, which add to the interesting scenery.

Not too far into your walk, you'll come across the North Cambridge Carhouse, home of the small but popular trackless trolley fleet that covers routes in Cambridge, Watertown, and Waltham. (See image above, from Google Earth)

After crossing Massachusetts Avenue, continue on the path, soon veering to the left to weave through the Russell Field athletic area. Take a sharp right and you'll see the Alewife station complex directly in front of you!

At this point, you can re-enter the subway at Alewife (there are restrooms and a Dunnkin Donuts inside), or you can continue, on the brick path, under Route 2. Walk around the subway entrances and through the "busway", making your way onto the Alewife Station access road on the other side (see image to the left, also from Google Earth). Take a right, and you'll soon run into another bike path which crosses the Alewife Brook. This path will lead you back under Route 2 and on to the Minuteman Bikeway, one of the most poopular in this area, which travels through Arlington, Lexington and on to Bedford. Enjoy!

Posted byMike Prescott at 10:28 AM 4 comments    

Labels: Bike Paths, Cambridge, Red Line, Somerville, Walking