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 • 1 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,420 reviews
Excellent
596
Very good
551
Average
209
Poor
46
Terrible
18
Kelsey M
16 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.
Keith T
Danville, CA218 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
The center piece of Harvard Square is the more than well known Harvard Yard - the quad that houses the famous Harvard College.
On a hot and humid day, I got to see one of the oldest colleges in the country. The red brick buildings with the ivy covered walls and walkways crisscrossing the modest size, car-free, tree covered inner campus is definitely worth seeing. The well advertised Harvard Coop, on the other hand, was surprisingly sterile, boring and carries mostly items targeting tourists. The old Harvard Bookstore, not far away, interestingly is a true bookstore with every inch of its tight quarters packed with printed material. Navigating the narrow paths between stacks and walls of books was in itself an adventure.
I spent nearly three hours visiting the fantastic Harvard Art Museum located just outside the Yard. This is a gem of a museum with a spectacular atrium graced by a giant Calder mobile. The collection is modest in volume but exquisite in quality reflecting the wealth of donors and deep pockets in acquisition. Best of all, admission was free.
On a hot and humid day, I got to see one of the oldest colleges in the country. The red brick buildings with the ivy covered walls and walkways crisscrossing the modest size, car-free, tree covered inner campus is definitely worth seeing. The well advertised Harvard Coop, on the other hand, was surprisingly sterile, boring and carries mostly items targeting tourists. The old Harvard Bookstore, not far away, interestingly is a true bookstore with every inch of its tight quarters packed with printed material. Navigating the narrow paths between stacks and walls of books was in itself an adventure.
I spent nearly three hours visiting the fantastic Harvard Art Museum located just outside the Yard. This is a gem of a museum with a spectacular atrium graced by a giant Calder mobile. The collection is modest in volume but exquisite in quality reflecting the wealth of donors and deep pockets in acquisition. Best of all, admission was free.
Written September 13, 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.
George C
Belfast, UK3 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.
Groundhog_334
McLean, VA8 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.
Windowtotheworld
Walla Walla, WA81 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.
Pablo C
Bogota, Colombia225 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.
Julia M
Indianapolis, Indiana472 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.
GimmeSomeSunLondon
Edlesborough, UK126 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.
RitaLyC
Chicago, IL386 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
This was a great neighborhood square. So much great food everywhere you look. Public transportation right there. Live music. Great shopping. Loved walking around and lingering here.
Written June 16, 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.
Janet
Wooster, OH1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Friends
Great access to harvard campus, eateries, bars, live music, and restaurants. Green areas nearby. Access to all “T” line transport. Harvard art museum 5 minute walk.
Written July 19, 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, Türkiye146 contributions
There is a big parking lot at the Alewife station. It takes 3-4 T stops to reach Harvard Square.
CapeCodEllis
Cape Cod16 contributions
Best place to park when visiting Harvard Square ?
Yasser S
Dammam, Saudi Arabia169 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
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