Fall in Cambridge doesn't last long, but for a few weeks every year the brick paths, old campuses and riverbanks around Harvard Square turn red, orange and gold. You don't need to drive to Vermont to see it. Some of the best color in New England is a short walk from our front door.
Here are our favorite places to catch fall foliage near Harvard Square, from five-minute strolls to an easy half-day outing.
When is peak fall foliage in Cambridge?
Peak color in Cambridge usually runs from mid-October through mid-November, a week or two later than northern New England. Maples tend to turn first. Oaks follow. The ginkgo trees that line many Cambridge streets, including the ones in front of Ginkgo House, are usually the last to go: they hold onto their green until November, then turn brilliant gold and drop almost all their leaves within a day or two.
Tip: Weekday mornings are the quietest and have the softest light for photos.
1. Harvard Business School Campus
Our personal favorite. Across the Charles River from Harvard Square, the HBS campus pairs Georgian brick buildings and the columns of Baker Library with wide lawns and tree-lined paths that blaze red and gold in late October. It feels like a postcard, and it's usually far less crowded than Harvard Yard.
Getting there: about a 25–30 minute walk from Ginkgo House, crossing the river at the Anderson Memorial Bridge, a lovely foliage walk on its own.
2. Harvard Yard
The historic heart of Harvard is full of mature oaks, elms, maples and sweetgums planted between its chapels, libraries and freshman dorms. Walk through the gates off Massachusetts Avenue, circle the John Harvard statue, and follow the paths toward Widener Library and Memorial Church for some of the most photographed fall scenes in Cambridge.
Getting there: about a 10-minute walk from Ginkgo House.
3. Mount Auburn Cemetery
Founded in 1831, Mount Auburn was America's first garden cemetery, and its 175 acres are one of the best foliage destinations in Greater Boston. Expect sugar maples, scarlet oaks and plenty of ginkgos along winding paths, ponds and hillsides. For the best view, climb Washington Tower at the top of the hill for a panorama of color stretching toward the Boston skyline.
Good to know: admission is free; grounds are open daily 8 AM–5 PM from October through April. The cemetery is an active burial ground, so please visit respectfully.
Getting there: about 2 miles west of Harvard Square, a short bus or rideshare trip.
4. The Charles River and Memorial Drive
For an easy, scenic walk, head down to the river. The paths along Memorial Drive are lined with sycamores and oaks, with rowers on the water and the Boston skyline across the river. On Sundays through November 8, Memorial Drive between Western Avenue and JFK Street is closed to cars from 11 AM to 7 PM, perfect for a long walk or bike ride.
Getting there: about a 10–15 minute walk from Ginkgo House.
5. Fresh Pond Reservation
A local favorite that most visitors never find. Cambridge's reservoir is circled by a 2.25-mile perimeter path through woods and meadows that turn bright in October. It's a great spot for a morning run or a quiet walk away from the crowds.
Getting there: about 2 miles northwest of Harvard Square, a short bus or rideshare trip.
6. Arnold Arboretum
If you have half a day, the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain is arguably the best place for fall color in Boston. Managed by Harvard, this 281-acre "living museum" holds more than 16,000 trees and plants, so there's something changing color nearly every week from early October into November. Don't miss the maple collection.
Good to know: admission is free. Check the Arboretum's website for current hours.
Getting there: take the Red Line from Harvard to Downtown Crossing, then the Orange Line to Forest Hills, next to the Arboretum's south entrance.
Make a Fall Weekend of It
Fall is one of the most beautiful times to visit Cambridge. Days are crisp and sunny, campuses are in full swing, and every walk feels like a postcard. Pair a foliage morning with a coffee stop (see our guide to the best coffee shops near Harvard Square), a long lunch, and an evening in Harvard Square.
Stay with us. Ginkgo House is a boutique hotel in an 1867 Second Empire home on Harvard Street, between Harvard Square and Central Square, a short walk from most of the spots above. Book your fall stay directly with us for our best rates.
