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Massachusetts (MA)
Cambridge
Places to visit in Cambridge
Harvard Square
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Harvard Square

See all things to do
See all things to do
Harvard Square
4
#8 of 82 things to do in Cambridge
Points of Interest & Landmarks
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
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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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The area
Address
How to get there
  • Harvard • 2 min walk
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Best nearby
Restaurants
1,903 within 5 kms
L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates
351
0.2 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Dessert • Cafe
The Hourly Oyster House
235
86 m₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • American • Bar • Seafood
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
200
0.4 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Japanese • Asian • Soups
Mr. Bartley's Gourmet Burgers
1,055
0.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • American
Alden & Harlow
559
0.1 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Toscano Harvard Square
470
0.2 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Italian • Pizza • Tuscan
Russell House Tavern
931
48 m₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • American • Bar • Pub
Henrietta's Table
694
0.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Harvest
506
0.2 km₹₹₹₹ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Mike's Pastry
185
0.1 km₹ • Bakeries
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Attractions
629 within 10 kms
Harvard University
3,178
0.1 kmHistoric Sites • Universities & Schools
Harvard University Herbaria
10
0.1 kmSpeciality Museums • Natural History Museums
The Cooper Gallery
3
78 mArt Galleries
Harvard Memorial Church
2
0.1 kmChurches & Cathedrals
First Parish Cambridge Unitarian Universalist
1
0.2 kmChurches & Cathedrals
Houghton Library
3
0.2 kmLibraries
Harvard Community Garden
2
0.2 kmGardens
John Harvard Statue
319
0.3 kmMonuments & Statues
A.R.T. - American Repertory Theater
88
0.3 kmTheatres
The Fogg Art Museum
530
0.5 kmSpeciality Museums
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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
1,420 reviews
Excellent
596
Very good
551
Average
209
Poor
46
Terrible
18
jxx9595
Washington, DC1,463 contributions
Surprisingly uninteresting
Nov 2023 • Solo
Harvard Square was not what I expected. It was pretty ordinary in the end. Yes there are stores, restaurants, and the Harvard coop there. But there were also empty stores in the heart of the Harvard campus, a consequence of the pandemic I assume.

It's fine to wander around the area, but I wouldn't go out of my way just to go to the Square on its own.
Written 3 December 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.
Nobody special17
77 contributions
Fun place, especially on a nice day
Oct 2023 • Friends
The heart of Harvard and in some ways, Cambridge. Fun, busy, diverse. A must do if you're visiting. Lots to see and do.
Written 23 October 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.
Keith T
Danville, CA143 contributions
Harvard Square Visit
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.
Written 13 September 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.
Chris H
2 contributions
Club Passim for a show and dinner
Jul 2023 • Couples
Club Passim is just off Harvard Square. They were hosting Ellis Paul. Great show.
Good acoustics. Friendly staff. They have a small menu, you can do dinner or a snack.
Written 13 July 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.
32Morten
Finland454 contributions
Nothing special
May 2023
This was a quite boring experience. There are some shops around but not really anything which could elevate your experience. Walking around the area was nice, though.
Written 24 June 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.
ModdyinVermont
New Orleans, LA265 contributions
No More Newsstands
Jun 2023
The newsstands are all gone from Harvard Sq! No place to buy a paper. How sad. Cardullo's is still there, and the Brattle Theater and Charlie's Kitchen. All the old landmarks are gone: Wursthaus, Out of Town News, Jonathan Swift's.
Written 11 June 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.
Julia M
Indianapolis, Indiana494 contributions
Fun but not during graduation week!
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 24 May 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.
Hgtravl
Marlton, NJ1,651 contributions
Fun spot!
May 2023 • Solo
Super fun area to check out while in the area! Beautiful shops / places to eat nestled right next to Harvard University! Very walker friendly. Lots of public parking lots (parking prices are on the higher side- makes since due to tourists)

Beautiful walking area with plenty of shops. Such a fun vibe. You can also walk over to the campus while there & see all the beautiful buildings! Stunning buildings!

Most shops are open late too which is a plus since I stopped in after dinner hours to shop. Very clean & safe feeling!
Written 10 May 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.
Dana Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA1,290 contributions
Charming spot close to Harvard
Mar 2023 • Business
A charming spot that serves as student central for eating, shops, and more. Feels like an extension of the Harvard campus.
Written 14 March 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.
Victoria T
Essex, CT574 contributions
Different independent stores/restaurants
Mar 2023
Easy walk around the square with many different small shops with ethnic slants. Easy to navigate, and well worth a visit.
Written 11 March 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.
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Harvard Square (Cambridge) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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