Area Code 508

Where Is Area Code 508?

Harvard and MIT are widely considered to be two of the best universities in the United States and the world. As a result, Cambridge, Massachusetts is generally considered to be a college town that is filled with the best and brightest students and faculty in the United States. The 508 area code was given the honor of representing Cambridge in 1988 when it was split from the 617 area code. In 2001, the 508 area code was overlaid with the 774 area code, which is also used for many smaller cities in Massachusetts. The 508 and 774 area code combination is specifically used in Worcester. As a city that is nearly twice the size of Cambridge, the demands of the Worcester population have been met by the area code overlay. Furthermore, Cambridge’s popularity continues to grow, which makes it fitting that an overlay is already in place to meet future demand. 

Inman Square is definitely one of the top places to visit in the 508 area code. Although Inman Square does not have a major university to boast about, it does have some of the liveliest social hotspots in Cambridge. Students, young professionals, and tourists rub shoulders at iconic restaurants and boutiques that line the streets in Inman Square. For instance, Legal Sea Foods is widely considered to be one of the best seafood chains in New England. Luckily for tourists in the 508 area code, Legal Sea Foods’ first restaurant was opened in Inman Square in the early 1900s. However, do not expect to be surrounded by the original features of Legal Sea Foods. Unfortunately, the building burnt during a fire, and was later rebuilt.  If you are not in the mood for something fishy, Inman Square has plenty of delis and pastry stores that are a sure fire way to fill up hungry bellies.

A cultural tour of the Cambridge, MA area code absolutely necessitates a stop by Harvard University. As being arguably the highest ranking university in the United States, Harvard has a reputation that reaches the smallest islands in the South Pacific. Harvard Square in the 508 area code is the ideal place for tourists to spend the afternoon. Harvard’s campus is fairly spread out, but most of the touristy attractions are concentrated in Harvard Square. Gift shops and quaint coffee shops make up the square, and it is always bustling with student life. Many tourists are interested in the historic buildings that are located throughout Harvard’s campus. However, some tourists are more interested in Harvard’s significance in popular culture. For instance, Harvard is prominently featured in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. The main character in these novels is described as a professor at Harvard who specializes in symbols. Naturally, both novels have themes that revolve around symbols, which makes the professor’s knowledge gained at Harvard central to the resolution of problems presented in the novels. Harvard also boasts several well-known alumni in a variety fields. For instance, current President of the United States, Barrack Obama graduated from Harvard Law School. In contrast, the founders of Facebook and Microsoft also have close ties to the university. Furthermore, Harvard is widely regarded as the breeding ground for celebrated actors, poets, film directors, philosophers, activists, and musicians.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which is famously nicknamed MIT, is also located in the Cambridge area code. MIT is one of the top universities in the world, and maintains a stellar academic record in the United States. In fact, MIT’s programs in engineering, computer science, and other scientific disciplines are arguably the best available. MIT is definitely not the best place to attend in the 408 area code if you are interested in the fine arts or creative disciplines. However, people who have an affinity for numbers and scientific data find that they are right at home in MIT’s classrooms. Attending MIT is an achievement for most individuals. MIT alumni in the 508 area code include plenty of Nobel Prize winners and astronauts. However, most visitors in Cambridge are primarily interested in taking a tour of the campus, which would definitely include the Stata Center houses which are built in a unique architectural style. For such a scientifically inclined university, it should not come as a surprise that all MIT buildings have numbers and only a couple have names. The numerical system for the buildings is particularly convenient for tourists, as they label the buildings in the order that they were built. Furthermore, the region that MIT is located in is lovingly dubbed by locals as “Technology Square,” which makes it incredibly easy for tourists and new students to locate the campus.

Worcester, Massachusetts is also located in the 508 area code and has a fairly large population. The city of Worcester is not exactly a tourist destination, although many individuals truly do enjoy the quality of life in Worcester. For a big city, Worcester residents are friendly and try to get to know their neighbors. The Worcester area code has plenty of young children, and accordingly many high schools and elementary schools. Unlike Cambridge, which has mostly college students, Worcester is geared towards young families and older individuals. One of the most popular employers in Worcester is Polar Beverages. The headquarters for Polar Beverages is located in area code 508, and is widely regarded for its delicious drinks. For instance, Polar Beverages manufactures Izze, 7UP, Sunkist, and also A&W. Obviously, Polar Beverages has gained success in the United States, which has provided job security to its employees in area code 508. If a tourist happens to find themselves in Worcester, the Hanover Theatre for Performing Arts is a fun place to spend an evening, and the city also has several museums.

Massachusetts Area Codes By Number