The Harvard Museum of Natural History is located at 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge. We strongly suggest arriving by public transportation as parking near the museum is very limited. Please see the parking section below about where and how to park near the museum.

By public transportation

Taking the MBTA Subway ( the "T")

Take the Red Line to the Harvard Square stop. Walk through Harvard Yard and down Oxford Street one block. The Harvard Museum of Natural History is the large brick building on your right, just a six minute walk from Harvard Square. Bring a copy of our neighborhood map.

Taking the MBTA Commuter Rail

Take the Fitchburg Line to Porter Square. Walk 50 yards on Somerville Avenue, cross the tracks on the bridge, and bear right onto Oxford Street and continue to #26. The museum is less than a mile from Porter Square. Bring a copy of our neighborhood map.

Tour & school buses

Tour & school buses must get detailed bus parking instructions from the Education Department by calling reservations at 617.495.2341.

Parking at the Museum

On-Street metered parking: There are a limited number of 2-hour metered spaces located on Oxford and Kirkland Streets. These meters only accept US quarters. After 6 pm, and all day on Sundays, the meters do not require coins but may be restricted to Cambridge resident permits. Resident permits are not required all day on Sundays. Please read the street signs carefully.

Commercial Garages: There are commercial parking garages in Harvard Square; however the museum cannot validate parking for those businesses 

University Permit Parking: Limited parking is available for museum visitors in nearby University-operated garages including the Oxford Garage, located at the intersection of Everett and Oxford Street. Permits must be purchased in advance. Day permits (valid until 11 PM) can be purchased online up to 2 weeks in advance and range in price between $5 to $10 per pass. All major credit cards are accepted and sales are final. For customer service related to the purchase of permits, please contact the Harvard parking office at 617.495.3772.

Purchasing a parking pass online 

Before proceeding to the online form, please note the following:

1. If you are a first-time user, you will need to register by creating a user name and password.
2. You will need to have a printer ready to print out the parking permit.
3. Please have your car’s license plate number ready. No permit can be purchased without a current plate number.
4. You will be asked to select a parking lot. We recommend requesting a permit for the garage at 52 Oxford Street (The entrance to the garage is at the intersection of Everett and Oxford Street).
5. You will be asked for the date of the permit. Be sure to select the correct date (permits are not transferable.)
6. You will need to choose the museum's department from a drop down list. Select Museum Visitor.
7. You will need to enter the museum's department Code: 6137 You are now ready to proceed to the online parking permit purchase system.

Instructions as a PDF

Accessible parking

Accessible parking may be available based on disability at a nearby location by special arrangement in advance with Marie Trottier at Harvard University. Please contact Ms. Trottier at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 617.495.1859 Monday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm at least one week prior to your visit. The Disability Coordinator may not be able to accommodate last minute requests.

Driving directions

Driving directions to the Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA from Mapquest.

Driving directions from Google Maps.

Don’t forget to print out and bring along our neighborhood map!