If You Go
The Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., Cambridge; hmnh.harvard.edu; 617-495-3045. The museum is a seven-minute walk from the Harvard Red Line MBTA station. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, and $8 for visitors ages 3 to 18. Open most every day from 9 to 5.
Plan on spending two hours at the museum to see the Glass Flowers (the gallery is being renovated but is open to the public until November, when it will close for a month) and other museum highlights. These include Great Mammal Hall, New England Forests and the Earth and Planetary Sciences Gallery.
Parking can be a challenge in Cambridge. On weekends, parking permits for Harvard University’s 52 Oxford Street Garage (at Everett and Oxford streets) can be purchased in person at the museum’s admission desk for $7. Weekdays, limited parking is available for museum visitors at university-operated garages; permits must be purchased in advance and cost between $7 and $16. For information, call the Harvard Parking Office, 617-495-3772.
Dining Within Walking Distance Of The Museum
The quickest, most convenient option is to eat something from a food truck parked on The Plaza at Harvard. For a schedule, go to http://commonspaces.harvard.edu/food-truck-schedule.
Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage, 1246 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge; www.mrbartley.com. This 55-year-old burger joint, whose walls are covered with bumper stickers and concert posters, serves sweet potato fries, homemade frappes, triple-decker club sandwiches, and themed burgers; one such patty, The People’s Republic of Cambridge, “liberal heaven,” comes with cole slaw, Russian dressing, and French fries. Cash only.
Henrietta’s Table, 1 Bennett St., Cambridge; www.henriettastable.com. This Charles Hotel restaurant serves “fresh and honest” fare with locally grown, organic produce. In a farmhouse-chic atmosphere with indoor or patio (seasonal) seating, savor breakfast, lunch, supper, weekend brunch or seasonal cocktails, including the Tarragon Strawberry Smash. Lunch entrees start at $13.50. Reservations suggested.
Overnight Stay
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Boston/Cambridge, about 5.5 miles from the museum, offers free shuttle service to Harvard Square (as well as to downtown Boston). The clean comfortable rooms and suites, many with views of the Charles River and/or city skyline, include a fridge, microwave, and 27-inch HDTV. (Some include a separate living room with a pull-out sofa and second television.). The hotel has onsite restaurants, a seasonal rooftop bar, a 200-seat jazz club and distributes warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in. 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston; 617-783-0090. http://doubletree3.hilton.com
