Massachusetts Ave, Mid-Cambridge

My favorite part of Mass Ave (like Comm Ave, no one ever calls Mass Ave by its full name) is the corner with Brookline St. Known as Mark Sandman Square, to commemorate the untimely passing of the lead singer of local band Morphine, this is the home of the block that defines the local music scene -- TT the Bear's Place (TT's), the Middle East (downstairs and upstairs), and Zuzu. Larger touring acts and major local ones play the Middle East downstairs; local favorites and up and coming touring bands take the upstairs. TT's often showcases up and coming talent. Zuzu tends to feature more singer/songwriter oriented performers. The food at Zuzu and the Middle East is fantastic if you don't want to partake of the musical offerings.

This is a busy street connecting the Harvard and MIT campuses. As you might expect, most of the businesses on this street are geared towards students. There are a lot of decent (and generally inexpensive) restaurants, clothing and furniture shops, and music stores. Massachusetts Ave. is also home to some of the MIT community’s most popular bars, so it’s a busy place on a Friday night. There’s a red line T stop in Central Square, in the heart of this section of Massachusetts Ave.