The Times Spends '36 Hours in Cambridge'

CAMBRIDGE, MA — The New York Times' traveling "36 Hours" profile came to Cambridge, publishing this week an outline that's great for visitors and will no doubt service the new influx of student residents.

To the actual locals, most of the suggestions seem pretty darn obvious. There's also a definite feel that the reviewer didn't stray too far beyond the T stops or, really, Harvard Square. But we're curious what you think.

Here's how it starts:

Founded in 1630, the venerable college town of Cambridge has long been one of the nation’s intellectual centers. Anchored to the banks of the Charles River by both Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the city blends its storied past and erudite character with a rich serving of arts and culture. Today, the stamp of gentrification on Harvard Square and the gleaming biotech development flanking M.I.T., a.k.a. “Genetown,” make it harder to tune into Cambridge’s legendary countercultural vibe of used bookstores and punk rockers. Still, the outward-looking citizens, known as Cantabrigians, keep finding ways to express their funky, geeky flair, be it via political protests, copious bike lanes or science-driven cuisine and mixology.

Businesses meriting a mention included:

• Shay's Pub & Wine Bar;
• The Red House;
• Mr. Bartley's;
• Parsnip Restaurant;
• Brattle Theater;
• Newbury Comics; and many more

Read the full story here, and then please tell us in the comments. What do you think of the writer's choices? What great local place did they miss?

Photo by EandJsFilmCrew via Flickr/Creative Commons