Harvard Square
Harvard Square
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Welcome to Harvard Square Each year, over 8 million men, women and children visit Harvard Square. Visitors come for a variety of reasons; this is a place of history, of books, of ideas, and of learning. It is a place of bookstores and coffee houses, of fine dining and eclectic shopping. It is a place of folk music and old theaters, of Cuban ballet and world-class music, of street-performers and award-winning pizza, of public discourse, and public art. Whatever brings you here, we welcome you and hope you enjoy your stay.
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- Harvard • 2 min walk
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1,907 within 3 miles
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614 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,415 reviews
Excellent
594
Very good
551
Average
207
Poor
45
Terrible
18
Traveller
New York City, NY2,992 contributions
Nov 2021
I walked around Harvard Square area in November 2021 during a Sunday morning. The area near the Harvard Square Red line subway station is full of construction and both the famous newspaper / magazine store and the tourist information booth were closed. If you are a tourist visiting Boston then I think walking around Harvard University (see separate review) is worthwhile and also a quick visit to the Harvard COOP. Otherwise, I would not necessarily come here.
Written December 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveldoc
Newton, MA75 contributions
Jan 2020
Harvard Square is the heart of Cambridge and combines a vibrant and busy center with more quiet surrounding streets. During the school year it is filled with students, but at other times, there is still no lack of life. There are good retail shops, with merchandise not necessarily found elsewhere. The service establishments are directed both to students and permanent residents of the area. There are many restaurants of all variety within a few blocks' walk.
Together with Inman Square, Porter Square and Central Square, Harvard Square qualifies as a central meeting place in Cambridge. The Red Line tube stops right there, and access from other parts of Boston is not very complicated. All of the Harvard campus can be reached by foot.
There are also several historical churches in and around the square, and, together with the architectural treasures on the Harvard Campus, they are worth visiting.
Highly recommended.
Together with Inman Square, Porter Square and Central Square, Harvard Square qualifies as a central meeting place in Cambridge. The Red Line tube stops right there, and access from other parts of Boston is not very complicated. All of the Harvard campus can be reached by foot.
There are also several historical churches in and around the square, and, together with the architectural treasures on the Harvard Campus, they are worth visiting.
Highly recommended.
Written January 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marinexbiologist
Florida1,035 contributions
Mar 2020
Out of all the places that I went to on Harvard’s Campus, Harvard Square was by far the most difficult and most crowded area that I visited. There is so much going on in this small area between the foot and car traffic, restaurants and shops everywhere, the T station entrances/exits, etc. It’s best to come to this area by the T station because there isn’t really anywhere to park. While you are in the square, I also recommend stopping in the Smith Campus Center. It gives you a great vibe of what student life is like on campus and is open to the public.
Written May 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelsey M
18 contributions
Feb 2020
The food and drinks around here can be a little pricey but they atmosphere of Harvard Square is fun. I enjoy when they have events because they close down the streets and everyone can walk around. Plus, the Sinclair is very close - a great place to hang out and listen to some music.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George C
Belfast, UK2 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
We walked here all the way from Newbury Street in Boston expecting to find an eclectic mix of bohemian coffee shops, restaurants, bars and architecture. Instead it was a most disappointing experience. The walk up Massachusetts Avenue quickly descended into a very run down neighbourhood which we were frankly glad to get out of. When we arrived at Harvard Square, it was better but also had seen better days, and it was particularly sad to see so many homeless people on the street adjacent to such a famous academic institution. It gave us the distinct feeling of “is this it?”. Walking round the Harvard campus, it too was not what we were expecting. My personal opinion is that it is not worth making the trip out from Boston - we hopped on the subway and quickly came back in again.
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Windowtotheworld
Walla Walla, WA78 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
Came here in a Sunday morning and easily parked on the street for free. Took the informative and well–presented student–lead tour of the campus. It was a very cold and windy day, and we were able to warm up and use the restrooms in the nearby student center. The T station is right there too. Harvard souvenirs and restaurants nearby.
Written December 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Groundhog_334
McLean, VA9 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
The Harvard Square is not at all how I recall it from years ago when attended school here. It is now rundown and overcome with homeless (and smells accordingly). What used to be a nice place to spend an hour wondering around has become very reminiscent of what you might see in San Francisco in terms of dirt, smells and homeless encampments. It is just an unpleasant and sad environment.
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia M
Indianapolis, Indiana494 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
I can see how this would be a fun and vibrant place to hang out, with all the student energy and its central location. But coming during Harvard's graduation week it's a crowded, confusing mess. You can barely walk on the sidewalks. Do yourself a favor and give it a miss if you are a graduation visitor, unless you are in dire need of a CVS errand.
Written May 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pablo C
Bogota, Colombia239 contributions
Sep 2021 • Family
This is the 1st time in this location, been in the Chesnut hill location when visiting Boston.
Service was great, ambience wonderful, wine enjoyable. Food was very very good as expected. We spent 3 hours with family and friends and enjoy ourselves.
This is what an experience should be around lunch in a restaurant
Service was great, ambience wonderful, wine enjoyable. Food was very very good as expected. We spent 3 hours with family and friends and enjoy ourselves.
This is what an experience should be around lunch in a restaurant
Written September 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GimmeSomeSunLondon
Edlesborough, UK122 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
Always wanted to visit Harvard. The area is clearly student orientated, but now becoming more touristic with the various ‘Harvard Shops’ so you kind buy all kinds of memorabilia. The university itself is beautiful and the gardens surrounding it. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Boston and have time. Additionally there is a tasty Hong Kong Restaurant - good value and tasty food with friendly staff.
Written October 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sugarginger
New York City, NY
Where should I park on the nearby outskirts of cambridge and then take T in?
sakaerka
Istanbul, Türkiye153 contributions
There is a big parking lot at the Alewife station. It takes 3-4 T stops to reach Harvard Square.
CapeCodEllis
Cape Cod17 contributions
Best place to park when visiting Harvard Square ?
Yasser S
Dammam, Saudi Arabia171 contributions
Parking there is difficult and paid in the streets infront the square I would recommend to take the red line and enjoy walking around
Harvard Square (Cambridge) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Harvard Square
- Harvard Square is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- We recommend booking Harvard Square tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 10 Harvard Square tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Harvard Square:
- Harvard University Campus Guided Walking Tour (From $23.00)
- Private Group Walking Tour of Harvard University (From $275.25)
- Tour de Cambridge Guided Bicycle Tour (From $68.00)
- Boston Lexington and Concord Revolutionary War full day tour (From $950.00)
- 100+ Self Guided Driving & Walking Tours by Action (From $44.99)
- Hotels near Harvard Square:
- (0.11 mi) Harvard Square Hotel
- (0.16 mi) The Charles Hotel
- (0.35 mi) Hotel Veritas
- (0.32 mi) Sheraton Commander Hotel
- (1.04 mi) Studio Allston Hotel
- Restaurants near Harvard Square:
- (0.00 mi) Tiger Sugar
- (0.02 mi) sweetgreen
- (0.02 mi) Cardullo's Gourmet Shoppe
- (0.02 mi) Ben & Jerry's Harvard Square
- (0.03 mi) Capital One Café
- Attractions near Harvard Square:
- (0.01 mi) Central Rock Gym
- (0.03 mi) Black Ink
- (0.03 mi) Cambridge Historical Tours
- (0.04 mi) Harvard Cooperative Society
- (0.07 mi) The Hahvahd Tour
Harvard Square Information
Excellent Reviews | 593 |
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Very Good Reviews | 550 |
Harvard Square Photos | 402 |