Directions and Parking

A map of the area between Harvard Square and Harvard museums.

View the neighborhood map

Public Transportation

Taking the MBTA Subway

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 an eight-minute walk from Harvard Square.

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.

Bike Share

Bluebikes is Metro Boston’s public bike share program. The majority of bike-docking stations are available year-round, but in winter, it’s best to confirm station locations. View the Bluebikes map to locate the bike docking station across the street from the museum entrance.

Driving Directions

Google Maps

 

Off-campus Parking

There are a limited number of two-hour metered spaces located on Oxford and Kirkland Streets. These meters only accept US quarters or credit cards or you can pay via the parking app. After 8:00 pm the meters do not require coins but may be restricted to Cambridge residents. Parking is free on Sundays, and resident permits are not required. 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 52 Oxford Street Garage, located at the intersection of Everett and Oxford Street. Permits must be purchased in advance. Day permits (valid until 11:00 pm) can be purchased online up to two weeks in advance and range in price between $11 to $22 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) 496-7827 or parking@harvard.edu.

Weekend permits for the 52 Oxford Street Garage can also be purchased in person at the museum's admission desk. A license plate number is required for purchase.

Purchasing a parking pass online

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

  • Go to Harvard University Online Parking Permit System (HOPPS)
  • Register as a "Visitor."
  • Search Parking
  • Select the reason for your visit from the drop-down menu, such as "Museum Tour," "Event Participant," or "Other"
  • Choose a Subcategory: "Harvard Museum of Natural History"
  • Enter the desired date and Permit Type, such as "Weekday" or "Weekend," then choose Search
  • In the Harvard University Destination field, enter Harvard Museum of Natural History
  • Select a parking location: 52 Oxford Street Garage in Harvard University's Northwest Building is the closest to the Harvard Museum of Natural History. The 52 Oxford Street Garage is open seven days a week.
  • Add to Cart
  • Click the Cart icon in the upper right to pay
  • Print out the permit
  • Remember to bring your printed permit when you park
  • Need more help? See more about Harvard visitor parking

Accessible Parking

The 52 Oxford Street Garage has both ADA Accessible and Disability parking. For further information see Harvard University Accessible Parking.

Tour and School Buses

Tour and school buses must get detailed bus parking instructions from the Education Department by calling reservations at (617) 495-2341.