Harvard Square

Description

For an afternoon of funky bookstore browsing and serious people-watching, head to Harvard Square. Home of National Public Radio's infamous "Car Talk" brothers, Tom and Ray Magliozzi, Harvard Square also features eclectic shops, street musicians, and a rainbow of local color. Challenge the Chessmaster (play him for $2, win your money back if you beat him) or check out the Grolier Poetry Book Shop, the oldest continuous poetry book shop in America. For the perfect mid-afternoon treat, stop at Toscanini's Ice Cream, where you can savor a scoop of burnt caramel. Grolier Poetry Book Shop is located at 6 Plympton Street, and is open from noon to 7:30 PM Tuesday through Saturday. Phone 617-547-4648 for more information. Toscanini's address is 1310 Massachusetts Ave. They are open from 8 AM to 11 PM Monday through Friday, and 10 AM to midnight on the weekends. Toscanini's phone number is 617-354-9350. Parking is difficult in this area. Take the Red Line north from Park Street and get off at the Harvard Square stop. Note that Harvard Square is in Cambridge, not Boston proper.