Planning on going to Boston for Christmas with two teenagers. We were looking at the Cambridge MIT area to stay in. How safe is this area for walking, especially with teens looking to stay in a "cool" area?

I'm in that neighborhood and it's multi ethnic and SAFE!

Thanks. Thats what I wanted to hear.looking forward to it

P.S. You can walk straight up Mass.Ave. to Harvard Square or go in the opposite direction, the bridge across from MIT will take you right to the Back Bay of Boston. There's a wonderful tented Christmas bazzzar next to the Prudential.

Its a nice area! Ive stayed at the Hotel @ MIT (www.univparkhotel.com)and its really nice. Check hotels.com for details. great location, nice staff, and very nice hotel. Close to subway/MIT stop.

Thanks cigalechanta & bluestructure.
I've got a college kid and a high school kid that I know want to explore the areas on their own. I've heard some parts of Boston are kind of deserted and isolated, and since I've never been there, I don't want to make a mistake. At my kids ages, they really kind of want to be on their own a little, so the surrounding area is really important. Thanks again.

Can anyone comment on the Marriott in Cambridge? Is it undergoing some renovation? The rates are about $30 less than Hotel@MIT; I wondered why.

My parents stay at the Marriott at Kendall Square all of the time - last time was on Thanksgiving. I did not see any construction. I highly recommend it - clean and the T is right there. I believe there is a movie theater nearby and Harvard square is just a few T stops away. The tour trolly is also right outside.

The Kendall theatre is where I see most of my French films. There's also a Legal Seafood restaurant in that area.