Cambridge, UK--Great things to do?

Cambridge is made up of 31 different colleges scattered around the city - have a look at this illustrated map - so you won't have time to visit them all! Pick out two or three to concentrate on. AI picks out the following top colleges for visitors. You will need to allow at least an hour for each.

King's College:
Famous for its stunning Gothic chapel, a masterpiece of late-Gothic architecture with large stained-glass windows and a fan-vaulted ceiling. It is also centrally located.

St John's College:
Features impressive buildings, beautiful gardens, and the famous Bridge of Sighs. It is also the only college with two bridges.

Corpus Christi College:
Known for its historic Old Court, peaceful courtyards, and the world-famous Parker Library. It was founded in 1352 by local townspeople.

Clare College:
The second-oldest college, with some of the best gardens in Cambridge situated next to the River Cam.

You will need to check on opening times.

The Botanic Gardens will take 1-3 hours depending on how quick.slow you are...

Lots of companies offer punting - allow about an hour for this.

Evensong at King's College Chapel

In addition to visiting the colleges, you might want to go to The Eagle and Child (now just The Eagle) where Watson and Crick worked over lunch to help understand the protein-coding nature of DNA. Look at the history of airmen who stayed there during WWII.
Fans of the TV series, Grantchester, my husband and I walked along the backs of the Cambridge Colleges to the village of Grantchester and stopped along the way to have lunch at the Orchard Tea Garden. Cambridge is a lovely town which much history.

I lived not too far from Cambridge for five years and visited it regularly. I loved to wander the streets, exploring the colleges and the market area. The college area of Cambridge is very compact, flat and easily walkable. Basically follow Trinity Street from the Round Church down to the Fitzwilliam, veering off into the narrow streets to explore the colleges, the market area or the River Cam and the Backs. I was impressed with the Fitzwilliam Museum and recommend it but never visited the modern art museum. I also never punted but did enjoy standing on the bridge watching the punts go by. Kings College Chapel is pretty, especially the ceiling. Since you will be staying with friends I am going to assume you or they will have transportation and suggest some relatively nearby places you could consider visiting at least for one of your three days. Longstanton is not far from Ely with its amazing cathedral, standing watch over the fens. Ely also has a cute riverfront area with lots of narrow boats. Right outside of Cambridge there is a National Trust property, Anglesey Abbey, that is scenic and peaceful with its 98 acres of gardens, manor house and mill on the river. Wimpole Hall, a huge stately estate, is also near Cambridge. If you like World War II history or aviation visit the Imperial War Museum at Duxford and you will be in aviation heaven. There is also an American military cemetery between Longstanton and Cambridge. A little farther out, about an hour's drive from Longstanton is Lavenham, a gem of a small picturesque market town full of wonky old timbered buildings. Lots of tourists visit Cambridge but the surrounding area has many places of interest off the beaten path.

Thanks every so much, all you who have replied to my questions! You are so generous.

adding to the list -

Longstanton has a free Park & Ride carpark by Northstowe. That Guided Busway is frequent and takes you into the centre of Cambridge, and to Addenbrookes, and I'm sure your friends will be familiar.

I like the little market town of St Ives, on the River Great Ouse just a few miles west, near Huntingdon and Godmanchester. Walking over the ancient bridge, now pedestrian only, to Hemingford Grey is gorgeous. Tom's Cakes at the edge of the Market Square makes exquisite cakes and coffees and teas. I stop there often.

I'm in Cambridge several times a month but I have never been in a punt.

If you read Samuel Pepys' Diary, Brampton is just next to Huntingdon, and you can find pubs that he stopped in still open southwest of Cambridge. Tasty too.

The Fens are unique. If they are of interest, you can go near Peterborough to a Bronze Age archeological park, Flag Fen, where the dig has been consolidated and the Bronze Age settlement has been rebuilt. https://flagfen.org.uk/

A completely different view of the Fens is at Wicken Fen, about 4 miles from the previously mentioned Anglesey Abbey. Wicken Fen is the National Trust's oldest nature reserve and you get to really understand. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cambridgeshire/wicken-fen-national-nature-reserve

A lot of this depends on your interests, and what time of year you will be visiting. 3 days is barely enough to scratch the surface, you will have to choose.

A visit to Cambridge isn't complete without a Chelsea Bun from Fitzbillies. I prefer the original Trumpington Road location - no tourists and plenty of locals. If you miss breakfast try their Chelsea Bun French Toast. To die for.

The Fitz, the Fitzwilliam, is a lovely museum, bigger than it looks. If you just wander the rooms in an overview you can see many things in an hour or 90 minutes. They often have - pretty much always have - special exhibits on, usually no charge and the Fitz is free, which can be wonderful, and an easy way to spend a whole afternoon. The current exhibit is "Made in Ancient Egypt" until the 12th of April.

Cambridge University Botanic Garden is so good my wife and I are members. Great sausage rolls (both original and veggie) at the cafe with a cup of something warm is a lovely place for a break as you wander the paths of the gardens. See the redwood collection, the pond, the representation of a fen, the glasshouses, the dry garden. And much more. Again, if I knew when you are coming I could point you to seasonal spectaculars. There honestly is something to see different every day of the year.

Never yet made it to Kettle Yard or modern art. I have been to various scientific museums in Cambridge.

Between the Market Square in Cambridge and the Senate House, just down from Kings College is Great St Mary's Church - the church for University formalities. Climb the tower for an unparalleled view, listen on Sundays to the magnificent ring of bells ringing changes.

I've just scratched the surface - come back for specifics.

Or the Fitzwilliam Museum or Kettle's Yard (modern art museum)?
How close are some of these sites to each other?

according to google maps the walking distance from the Fitz to Kettle's Yard is 0.8 miles, 19 minutes on foot

Everything in the centre of Cambridge is close to everything else

I like Kettle’s Yard a lot - the main attraction is the house that is just full of mid century art and design. It’s like wandering around a lovely light home full of beautiful things to look at. I think there is also a gallery for some modern art displays but that’s not the main thing. It’s nice, peaceful, right there in the city, takes about an hour - but not necessarily an essential first time visitor attraction.

The Fitzwilliam Museum is the biggie - but it’s got a huge range of stuff, so it’s worth reading up to see what interests you so you can plan your visit. There’s also an interesting niche museum about polar exploration if that takes your fancy.

As a first time visitor, I’d prioritise the colleges and carefully decide which ones you want to see. That can take a day or several shorter visits over the course of several days. Check opening hours, prices etc - it’s not like there’s one university to see and be done with.

I always give myself time to browse Heffers bookshop when I’m there, too.

I have been fortunate to have visited Cambridge twice for a week each time. In addition to all the fine recommendations above , a highlight for me on my first visit was a visit to the Scott Polar Research Institute. Having long been interested in polar history and exploration , and knowing about the 1910 race to The South Pole which included access to the original diaries of Captain Scott and his party, I was brought to tears.