Where Is Harvard Located? Campus Guide + Areas to See

Harvard University is one of the most prestigious institutions in the world, ranking third in both the country and the world. The school’s rankings might make you curious about what the school is best known for—and you might also be wondering, “Where exactly is Harvard located?”

The short answer? Harvard’s main campus is in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In the article below, we’ll also talk about the different Harvard schools and what to expect in and around Harvard’s location.

• Where Is Harvard’s Location?
• Main Campus Landmarks
• Places to Check out Near Harvard
• Harvard Transportation Options
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Where Is Harvard’s Location?

Harvard University’s main campus is located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts. The official Harvard University address is 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, which places you right in Harvard Yard.

However, you should also know that Harvard University isn’t confined to one spot. The undergraduate college and many facilities are in Cambridge, but its other schools are in multiple locations in Boston. Here they are:

Harvard College

Harvard College is the undergraduate program of Harvard University, located in Cambridge. The college also houses dormitories, classrooms, and libraries.

Some people tend to be confused about the difference between Harvard College and Harvard University. Harvard College is the part of Harvard that grants bachelor’s degrees and is just one school within the larger university. Meanwhile, Harvard University is the entire institution made up of multiple schools, including Harvard College and the various graduate schools.

Harvard Business School

Harvard Business School (HBS) is located across the Charles River from Harvard Yard, in the Allston neighborhood of Boston. The campus has its own cluster of buildings, including classrooms, libraries, and a large lawn. The school hosts research centers and initiatives on entrepreneurship, finance, and global business leadership.

Harvard Law School

Harvard Law School (HLS) is also located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is just a short walk from Harvard Yard. The law school offers the Juris Doctor, Master of Laws, and Doctor of Juridical Science degrees. HLS is known for its large faculty, extensive legal research libraries, and influential alumni in the judiciary and public service sectors, like Barack Obama.

Harvard Kennedy School 

Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), officially the John F. Kennedy School of Government, is Harvard’s graduate school for government and public policy. HKS is located in Cambridge along John F. Kennedy Street.

The school offers master’s programs such as the Master in Public Policy, Master in Public Administration, and doctoral programs that prepare students for leadership roles in public service and policy-making.

Harvard Medical School

Harvard Medical School (HMS) is located in Boston, Massachusetts, in the Longwood Medical Area of the city. This is a few miles south of Harvard’s Cambridge campus. HMS is part of a large cluster of hospitals, research institutes, and medical facilities in Boston’s Longwood neighborhood.

The school is also affiliated with major Boston hospitals and is recognized globally for its biomedical research and contributions to healthcare innovation.

Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) is Harvard’s graduate school for dentistry that’s also located in Boston’s Longwood Medical Area, alongside the Medical School. HSDM is actually Harvard’s smallest school.

In this school, students get a dental education integrated with medical science, letting them learn the connection between oral health and overall health.

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (often just called Harvard Chan School) is Harvard’s graduate school of public health that’s also located in Boston’s Longwood Medical Area.

The school focuses on public health research and professional degrees like the Master of Public Health. Students work on interdisciplinary public health challenges, global health, and disease prevention.

Harvard Divinity School

Harvard Divinity School (HDS) is dedicated to the study of theology, religious studies, and ministry across traditions. The school is located in Cambridge. HDS is nonsectarian, training religious scholars, educators, chaplains, and social justice advocates.

Harvard Graduate School of Education

Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) focuses on graduate degrees in education, producing graduates who can help improve education systems and outcomes. HGSE is also located in Cambridge, just off Harvard Square. The school is known for research in education policy, teaching practice, and human development.

Harvard Graduate School of Design

Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) is Harvard’s graduate school for architecture, urban planning, and design. The GSD is also based in Cambridge. The school emphasizes design theory, innovation, and sustainability, attracting students and faculty who want to help shape urban environments.

Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

The Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas such as computer science, bioengineering, and applied mathematics.

The school actually has a presence in both Cambridge and Allston (in Boston). Historically, Harvard’s engineering departments were housed in Cambridge near the Science Center, but recently, Harvard built a new Science and Engineering Complex in Allston.

Now, many of the engineering classes and research labs are in this modern Allston complex, but some facilities (Maxwell Dworkin and Pierce Hall) are still in Cambridge.

Harvard Extension School

Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education, which is also based in Cambridge, offers continuing education and extension programs, including the Harvard Extension School. The school offers part-time and online courses for adult learners and professionals who are looking for flexibility to earn their degrees.

Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study

The Harvard Radcliffe Institute isn’t strictly a “school” that grants degrees, but it’s still worth mentioning since it supports advanced study and public programs. The institute has roots in Radcliffe College (which is a former women’s college) and still maintains a focus on gender studies and inclusion. The Radcliffe Institute is located in Cambridge.

Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

The Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) is also located in Cambridge. GSAS is Harvard’s largest graduate school, offering master’s and doctoral degrees in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.

Main Campus Landmarks

Harvard University in Cambridge is a large campus, spanning 5,667 acres. However, the main campus, where Harvard College is, takes up around 209 acres.

Aside from being an academic hub, the Cambridge campus is also filled with historic landmarks and beautiful architecture. Here are a few of the most famous landmarks:

• Harvard Yard. This is the historic center of Harvard’s campus and the oldest part of the university. Most first-year dorms are found here, along with academic buildings and the famous John Harvard statue.
• Science Center. The Science Center is found at the north end of Harvard Yard, and houses classrooms, laboratories, and lecture halls for science and math-related courses.
• Sever Hall. Designed by famed architect H.H. Richardson, Sever Hall is a Romanesque-style red brick academic building used for humanities classes. The hall stands out for its architecture and central location in the Yard.
• Dudley Garden. This is a quiet, well-maintained garden behind Lehman Hall that offers a peaceful escape in the middle of campus.
• Tercentenary Theatre. This open space between Widener Library and Memorial Church hosts major university events like Commencement. The large lawn and surrounding trees make it a favorite place for gatherings.
• Harvard Art Museums. Just beyond the Yard, a museum complex houses world-class collections in the Fogg, Busch-Reisinger, and Sackler museums, making it a study and teaching space for students in the arts and humanities.

Places to Check out Near Harvard

The area around Harvard University offers plenty of attractions and things to do. Whether you’re interested in arts and culture, outdoor activities, or shopping and dining, here are some recommended places to check out in the area:

Culture and entertainment

• Brattle Theatre. This is a historic cinema in Harvard Square that features classic, foreign, and independent films. The theatre is a great place for cinephiles and hosts local film festivals and events.
• American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.). This is a professional theater associated with Harvard but open to the public, located on Brattle Street.
• Club Passim. This is a legendary folk music club in Harvard Square that has hosted performers like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, making it important in the local music scene.

Outdoor activities

• Charles River Esplanade.  Just across the Anderson Memorial Bridge, this scenic path along the Charles River is ideal for walking, biking, or relaxing. You can watch Harvard’s rowing teams or rent a kayak in warmer months. A popular route is to start near Harvard’s JFK Memorial Park (by the river at JFK Street) and stroll along the riverbank.
• Cambridge Common.  You can find this public park just north of Harvard Yard. George Washington is said to have gathered troops during the American Revolution in this historic green space. Nowadays, it’s a nice spot to relax on a bench, have a picnic, or stroll along the walking paths.
• Mount Auburn Cemetery.  This may sound like a weird recommendation, but Mount Auburn is famous as America’s first garden cemetery and is both a peaceful park and an arboretum. Located about 1.5 miles west of campus, this historic garden cemetery has quiet paths, scenic views, and notable gravesites. The place is also a great birdwatching spot.

Shopping and dining

• The COOP (Harvard Cooperative Society).  Also known as the COOP, it’s partly a student bookstore and partly a souvenir shop. You can find textbooks, bestsellers, and Harvard-branded apparel here.
• Harvard Book Store. This is an independent bookstore on Massachusetts Avenue that’s different from the COOP. This store has new and used books, staff recommendations, and author events, making it a local favorite for book lovers.
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe.  This is a stylish and popular cafe in Harvard Square serving Mediterranean-inspired pastries, breakfast, and lunch options. It’s often packed with students and visitors.
• Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage. This is a great burger joint across from Harvard Yard known for its creative burger names and vibrant atmosphere.

Harvard Transportation Options

Getting to and around Harvard is made easier by the variety of transportation options available in the Cambridge area. Here’s a rundown of how you can travel to Harvard University and navigate the area once you’re there:

By car

Driving in Cambridge is possible but can be challenging due to heavy traffic, narrow streets, and limited parking. Metered street parking is available but there’s not a lot of them. Harvard does operate some garages like the Broadway Garage (with limited public access), and there are also private garages in Harvard Square.

By public transportation

There are several public transportation options that can take you to and from Harvard:

• Subway (MBTA “T”). Harvard Square has its own subway stop called Harvard Station, which is on the MBTA Red Line (Boston’s subway system). The Harvard Station is located right in the heart of Harvard Square, just steps from Harvard Yard
• Bus. The MBTA runs several bus lines through Harvard Square as well​. In fact, underneath Harvard Square is a bus tunnel where many routes stop. Buses can be useful if you’re coming from areas not directly on the Red Line.
• Commuter rail. There isn’t a commuter rail station in Harvard Square, but the MBTA Commuter Rail is not far away. The Porter Square station (which is one Red Line stop north of Harvard) serves the Fitchburg Line, which goes to Boston’s North Station and out toward the suburbs.

By airplane

If you’re flying in from out of state or internationally, the nearest airport is Logan International Airport in Boston. Logan is about 6 to 8 miles from Harvard’s main campus in Cambridge. Then, from the airport, you can reach Harvard by:

• Taxi
• Rideshare
• Subway
• Shuttle or car

By bicycle

You read that right—we can recommend getting to Harvard by bicycle!

That’s because Cambridge is a bike-friendly city with dedicated bike lanes throughout the area. Harvard also provides bike racks. You can also use Bluebikes, the local bike-share program, which has multiple stations around Harvard.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Harvard University is in which country?

Harvard University is located in the United States of America. Specifically, it’s in the state of Massachusetts in the U.S.

2. Is Harvard in Boston?

Not exactly. Harvard’s main campus is in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, but some parts of Harvard (like Harvard Business School and Harvard Medical School) are physically located in Boston.

3. Where is Harvard Medical School located?

Harvard Medical School is located in the Longwood Medical Area of Boston, Massachusetts, which is a couple of miles from Harvard’s Cambridge campus.

Takeaways

• Harvard University’s main location is in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Some schools you can find here are Harvard College, HLS, HKS, HMS, HDS, HGSE, GSD, part of SEAS, the Division of Continuing Education, Radcliffe Institute, and GSAS.
• However, some of its schools are also located in Boston. These include HBS, HDSM, Harvard Chan School, and part of SEAS.
• Getting to and from Harvard is pretty easy thanks to transportation options such as the subway, bus, and commuter rail.
• Do you think Harvard is for you? Get your academic and extracurricular profile evaluated and receive a roadmap that can help improve your college application.