Riverside (Coast), Cambridge

This neighborhood sitting along the Charles River is one of Cambridge’s oldest areas and is locally referred to as ‘The Coast’. Lying between Harvard Square and Central Square, it is where much of Harvard’s student housing is located as well as some of the university’s academic buildings. Because of the large student population, Riverside is full of ethnic, less expensive restaurants and shopping. It’s river location has made it popular for boat clubs and watching the rowers and sculls on the Charles is a neighborhood past time. There’s some serious competition to be seen as well as the chance to do novice rowing.

Riverside is aptly named because it overlooks the Charles River. The neighborhood houses many students from MIT and Harvard. I have spent a lot of time in this area and visited most all of the dormitories located along north section of Riverside at Harvard University. This is a popular area for college students to hang out and visit with friends. There are also two parks located in the neighborhood which are also popular among local residents and Harvard students. The parks in Riverside are known as Holt Field and Riverside Press Park.

Riverside is a tourist area due to the university’s presence but interestingly enough has not increased in population since the 1960s. Convenient accesses to shopping and dining options are available near Central Square and Harvard Square. There are more coffee shops than one can count and the Square’s are filled with small dining venues.