Emergencies
Sign up for MessageME for emergency notifications on Harvard campus
For emergencies at the GSD visit the security desk on the first floor
Cambridge City Services & Departments
Cambridge Traffic, Parking & Transportation Department
On Street Parking
Transportation
Cambridge is an extremely walkable and bike-friendly city, and most Fellows find they do not need a car during their time here. Comprehensive transportation resources, including options for getting around Cambridge and beyond, can be found on the GSD website: https://www.gsd.harvard.edu/resources/transportation
Public Transportation
For details on local public transit options, including the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) and how to access Harvard’s MBTA Semester Pass, please see the GSD Transportation page. It includes information about shuttles and discounts, maps, rideshare bikes etc.
Bicycles
Bikes are the fastest way to get around campus and around Cambridge and Boston, which are very compact and relatively flat. Loeb alumni recommend a hybrid or mountain bike with 2-inch wide tires for battling potholed streets and snow-covered bikeways.
It is important to register your bikes with the HUPD.
Although Cambridge is a biker friendly city we highly encourage you to wear helmets. Harvard offers discounts on helmets
If you venture out and get tired, you can bring the bike back on the MBTA or Commuter Rail. Find helpful information at Biking in Cambridge.
See the GSD Transportation page for information about Bicycle Rideshare and discounts.
Purchase new or used bikes
Bikes Not Bombs (Jamaica Plain)
Bikeway Maps
Find out more about the Minuteman Bikeway.
• The Dr. Paul Dudley White Charles River Bike Path is an 18-mile circuit that begins at Science Park (near the Museum of Science) and runs along both sides of the river as far as Watertown. You can enter and exit at many points along the way. Bikers share the path with joggers and in-line skaters, especially in Boston near the Esplanade and in Cambridge near Harvard Square.
• The Southwest Corridor Park is a popular commuter biking route from Back Bay to Forest Hills. It links the South End, Back Bay, Roxbury, and Jamaica Plain.
• Jamaicaway Bike Path: Take in the beauty of Olmstead Park as you make your way through this scenic nine-mile ride that stretches between Leverett Pond and Jamaica Pond.
• The Il-mile Minuteman Bikeway starts at Alewife station at the end of the Red Line in Cambridge. It runs through Arlington and Lexington to Bedford along an old railroad bed and is a wonderful way to reach the historic sites in Lexington.
• Fresh Pond Reservation in Cambridge has a 2.25 mile perimeter road popular with walkers, runners and cyclists.
Watertown-Cambridge Greenway — recently opened and pristine. Take it from Fresh Pond to Arsenal Yards in Watertown where you’ll find tons of kid friendly restaurants, shops, Target, a supermarket, and a beer garden in one place.
Driving
Cars
Discuss with staff if you plan to keep your own car at Harvard. There are two Harvard parking spaces reserved for the Loeb program behind Doebele House; you will need to have your car registered through the Loeb Office or you could be ticketed or even towed by Harvard. Strobel House has parking that can accommodate some tenants. Please notify staff if you plan to have your car with you at Strobel House.
Avis Rental cars in front of the Charles Hotel
Rideshare
Zipcar rideshare company was cofounded by Loeb alum Robin Chase ’05. Membership fees and rates are discounted with Harvard ID. There are also two Zipcar spaces behind Doebele House.
Tip: Memorial Drive is closed to cars on Sundays from spring through fall;
great for a walk/bike, ride/run, etc
Taxis
Access in front of the Harvard Coop, in front of the Charles Hotel, and in front of the Harvard Smith Campus Center
Sports and Fitness
Comprehensive information including gyms is at Harvard recreation facilities. With a HUID you can purchase low cost membership and passes online for classes and racket sports. You can buy a family membership for affiliates and children, too.
MAC is the largest facility, located behind the Smith Campus Center toward the river off Mt. Auburn St.. Great pool, aerobics and other classes taught here.
Hemenway Gym, part of the Law School campus, is the closest to the GSD. Often not crowded.
Best pool is the Blodgett Pool across the river (65 N. Harvard St.).
Yoga classes are offered through Harvard Recreation.
Some Fellows have taken rowing lessons through the Harvard recreational sculling program.
Shopping
Groceries
Broadway Market: just around the corner from Doebele House on Broadway, pricey but has organic foods and is convenient.
Market Basket: a favorite, walkable and even closer by bike; near Union Square, Somerville—400 Somerville Ave.
Whole Foods: several nearby—at Harvard St. at Prospect St.; Alewife Brook Pkwy.; River St. at Putnam Av. close to Memorial Drive.
Trader Joe’s: several nearby—775 Memorial Drive between Magazine St. and Western Av.; Alewife Brook Pkwy.; North Beacon St., Allston.
Star Market: several nearby—Central Square, Mass. Ave at Sidney St.; Porter Square at Red Line T stop; Mount Auburn St. at Watertown line.
H-mart: Asian supermarket, Central Square, Mass Ave., good produce.
Savenor’s: celebrated butcher, 92 Kirkland St. (Julia Child shopped here!).
Wholesome Fresh: Harvard Square, 60 Church St. Pricy market with sandwiches, prepared foods, and Asian condiments.
Cardullo’s Gourmet Shoppe: Harvard Square, 6 Brattle St. International offerings, good sandwiches and cheese counter.
Formaggio Kitchen: Huron Av., West Cambridge. Gourmet cheeses, bakery, meats and fish, prepared foods, imported goods. Pricey and high quality.
Middle Eastern markets and bakeries: several in Coolidge Sq. along Mt. Auburn St. in Watertown, and other areas of Watertown and Belmont. Some favorites: Sevan, Arax, Massis, Fordees, Eastern Lamejune, Sofra (Cambridge and Allston). All have wonderful prepared foods, desserts, grains, nuts, and dry goods.
Haymarket: Historic outdoor farmer’s market on Blackstone Street, Boston, Fridays and Saturdays.
Roche Brothers: Arsenal St., Watertown
Farmer’s Markets: nearly every nearby town has one or more.
Grocery delivery Peapod (Stop and Shop), Instacart (general), Amazon Prime (Whole Foods), Star Market
Office and Art Supplies
- Staples office supplies: Soldiers Field Rd; Alewife Brook Parkway
- Blick’s art supplies: Central Square
- Michael’s art and craft supplies: Porter Square
- Playtime Arts and Crafts: Arlington
Shopping Areas
Porter Square shopping center: Bookstore, grocery store, natural foods store, CVS, toy store, cheap art supplies, etc.
Inman Square: 15-minute walk from GSD down Cambridge Street. Good bars and restaurants.
Union Square and Davis Square: Somerville: Farmer’s markets and great bars and restaurants. Bow Market in Union Square for small independent food and retail, including a brewery; Market Basket and Target nearby.
Cambridgeside Galleria Mall: East Cambridge. Clothing shops, food court, Apple Store, and Best Buy.
Arsenal Yards: Arsenal Street, Watertown. Outdoor shopping center includes stores, restaurants, hotels, a movie theater, grocery, public programming. Target and Best Buy are across the street at the Watertown Mall, along with the Registry of Motor Vehicles and Joyful Garden dim sum restaurant.
Boston
Newbury St. and Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston: Restaurants & shops the length of the streets. Outdoor dining. Prudential Center and Copley Place are indoor, upscale malls—enter on Boylston St.
South End: galleries, restaurants, theatres, SoWa First Fridays open studios, SoWa Open Market—produce and art alternate on weekends May 3-Nov. 15.
Haymarket: famous outdoor farmer’s market, Fri and Sat. from 4 am — 7 pm. Nearby: Boston Public Market, vendors and food stalls; Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Quincy Market, food and retail.
The North End, Boston’s historic Italian neighborhood, food and retail.
Downtown Crossing, department stores, discount stores, jewelry district.
Beacon Hill, Charles St, shopping district, and restaurants.
Chinatown, Historic Asian neighborhood, food and retail.
Seaport District, historic piers, shopping, restaurants, convention center.
Bookstores
Harvard Bookstore: Mass Av. Used and reissued books downstairs; get a “frequent buyer” card for discounts.
Harvard and MIT Coops: Harvard Sq. and Mass. Av. in Central Square. Sign up for a Harvard Coop membership card for an end-of-year rebate.
Rodney’s Bookstore: Church St., Cambridge. Used books, with a specialty in art books.
Grolier Poetry Book Shop: 6 Plympton Street, around the corner from Harvard Bookstore.
Porter Square Books: in Lesley’s University Hall, 1815 Mass. Ave.. Good children’s section; small cafe.
Shipping
US Postal Service (USPS) locations abound in Harvard Square, Central Square, Inman Square, Union Square.
UPS (United Parcel Service)