THE DEPARTMENT OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY (MCB)
is located in two buildings, The Biological Laboratories (BioLabs) and the Northwest Building.
The Biological Laboratories (BioLabs)
16 Divinity Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
The Northwest Building
38 Oxford Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Please note that there are electronic directories with mapping throughout the NW Building.
DIRECTIONS & MAPS
Search the Harvard based interactive map of the Harvard University campus below for both MCB locations. In the search field, type in Biological Laboratories or Northwest Building. Click on the outline of each building to obtain a photo for use with the directions listed below.
Harvard Map:
MBTA Mobile Applications
FROM LOGAN AIRPORT BY TAXI
Taking a taxi is a convenient way to get from Logan Airport to either MCB building. The ride takes about 30 minutes and the fare is approximately $40, but the actual fare depends on traffic volume which can often be heavy.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
You may want to consider purchasing a CharlieCard Day-Pass which will cover subway and bus fares for one day. The one-way subway cost is $2.00. More information is here:
http://goo.gl/NONP3From Logan Airport by Subway
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Silver Line, a free rapid-transit bus system, stops at all Logan Airport terminals. Take the Silver Line to South Station. From South Station, take the Red Line inbound (Alewife Train) six stops to Harvard Square. The Harvard Square stop is across the street from the Harvard Yard. You can also use the Church Street / Harvard Yard exit. See walking instructions below. Massport Logan Information (including Mobile)
http://goo.gl/kol2jTaking the Red Line MBTA Subway (from North and South)
Take a Red Line train from Boston or Alewife inbound to Harvard Square. The station has multiple exits; take a Massachusetts Avenue or Church Street Harvard Yard exit. See walking directions below.
MBTA Information (subway, bus, boats), including fares, maps, and schedules, visit the MBTA website.
http://goo.gl/hfe4YHARVARD TRANSPORTATION
M2 Shuttle from Longwood Medical Area Boston to the Harvard Lamont Library Cambridge
Provides shuttle service from the Longwood Medical Area to the Harvard Lamont Library. All Harvard Shuttles are free for those with an active Harvard ID. All others must purchase a ticket prior to boarding at locations noted on the M2 webpage (link below). See directions below that apply to both Lamont Library and Harvard Square starting points. M2 Route and fare information here:
http://goo.gl/CQZkyGoogle Walking Map Lamont Library to BioLabs:
Google Walking Map Lamont Library to Northwest Building:
WALKING DIRECTIONS FROM HARVARD SQUARE
To the Biological Laboratories (BioLabs)
16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, 02138
From Harvard Square, walk northwest on Massachusetts Ave towards Brattle Street keeping the Harvard Yard fence and gates on your right. Follow the fence as it turns right and opens up onto a wide plaza in front the Harvard Science Center that will be on your left. You will walk to the intersection of Kirkland and Oxford which is located between the Science Center on your left and the large brick Memorial Hall on your right (the large ornate brick building, home of Sanders Theatre). Walk down Kirkland Street and take the first left onto Divinity Avenue. 16 Divinity Ave will be on the right, almost at the end of the short street. Estimated time is 10-15 minutes.
To the Northwest Building
38 Oxford Street, Cambridge, 02138
From Harvard Square, walk northwest on Massachusetts Ave towards Brattle Street keeping the Harvard Yard fence and gates on your right. Follow the fence as it turns right and opens up onto a wide plaza in front the Harvard Science Center that will be on your left. You will walk to the intersection of Kirkland and Oxford which is located between the Science Center on your left and the large brick Memorial Hall on your right (the large ornate brick building, home of Sanders Theatre). Take a left onto Oxford Street and cross over to the right side of the street. Continue down Oxford Street. After the Harvard Museum of Natural History on the right, take your first right into the 38 Oxford entry driveway. You will walk past the garage entrance on your left and continue until you are under the building overpass. Use the right door entrance to access elevators and an electronic directory. Estimated time is 10-15 minutes.
TRAVELING BY CAR TO HARVARD SQUARE
Important note: if you will be driving, secure a parking reservation in advance.
Parking in the vicinity of the Harvard campus is difficult and is restricted to Cambridge residents only on many nearby local streets. There is some on street short-term metered parking. Visitors are encouraged to avoid driving and instead use the area’s extensive public transit system, particularly the MBTA Red Line or MBTA buses.
If driving, please be aware that visitor parking is on a space-available basis. To purchase a parking permit (with credit card) you must register online at the University Operations Services (UOS) webpage at least one day in advance (instructions below). The nearest lot for either MCB building is at 38 Oxford Street. No parking is available directly at the BioLabs at 16 Divinity Ave though 38 Oxford is nearby.
Weekday permits at available Harvard owned garages are $14.00 per day (subject to change), and lots fill up quickly, so please try to obtain a permit as early as possible.
Harvard Parking Online Self-Service System (Three Steps):
Step One: Before visiting the UOS website, please make note of the following information needed for the online registration form:
- Department: Molecular & Cellular Biology (select from drop down menu)
- Department Code: 3004 (type in)
- License plate state and number.
If you a driving a rental and do not know the plate, type in “RENTAL XXXX” (with XXXX being the last 4 digits of your cell phone #)
Step Two: Go to the Parking Webpage and follow the instructions carefully.
Step Three: Print out your permit and bring with you. You will hand it to the garage attendant when arriving. It should then be kept on your dashboard for the duration of your stay.
Direct all visitor parking questions to the Parking office, at 617 496-7827, or via e-mail, at parking@harvard.edu.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO HARVARD SQUARE
Driving from South of Boston: Take I-93 North to exit 26 (Cambridge/Storrow Drive). The exit ramp merges with traffic on Storrow Drive from the left. Move to one of the right lanes and continue on Storrow Drive approximately 4 miles to Cambridge/Allston. After a Doubletree Guest Quarters Hotel, take the right-hand exit to “Harvard Square – Cambridge.” Turn right at end of ramp onto John F. Kennedy Street. Harvard Square is approximately 1/2 mile straight ahead. Directions from Harvard Square to parking areas are below.
Driving from North of Boston: Take I-93 South to exit 26A (Storrow Drive/North Station). Keep left and take the underpass to Storrow Drive. Continue on Storrow Drive approximately 4 miles to Cambridge/Allston. After a Doubletree Guest Quarters Hotel, take the right-hand exit to “Harvard Square – Cambridge.” Turn right at end of ramp onto John F. Kennedy Street. Harvard Square is approximately 1/2 mile straight ahead. Directions from Harvard Square to parking areas are below.
Driving Mass Pike from West of Boston: Take I-90 East (Mass Turnpike) to exit 18 (Cambridge/Allston). A toll may apply. If so, it will vary depending on Pike entry and exit points. It can vary from $.5 to $9. Bear right after tollbooth at end of exit ramp. Turn left after lights (before the bridge) onto Storrow Drive. Take Cambridge/Allston exit (1/2 mile ahead) and turn right at end of ramp onto John F. Kennedy Street. Harvard Square is approximately 1/2 mile straight ahead. Directions from Harvard Square to parking areas are below. Toll calculator: http://goo.gl/EQQpR
Driving from Logan Airport: Follow the signs for I-93 and Boston. You will go through a set of tollbooths ($3 for cars) before the Sumner Tunnel. Stay to the right through Sumner Tunnel. At the end of the tunnel bear to the right and follow the signs for Storrow Drive. Continue along the river on Storrow Drive West for approximately four miles. Pass the “Massachusetts Avenue – Cambridge” exit and then the Doubletree Guest Quarters Hotel. Directly after the Doubletree, take the right-hand exit marked “Harvard Square – Cambridge.” Turn right at end of ramp onto John F. Kennedy Street. Harvard Square is approximately 1/2 mile straight ahead. Directions from Harvard Square to parking areas are below.
DRIVING FROM HARVARD SQUARE TO HARVARD VISITOR PARKING
Advanced Reservations Required As Per Details Above
Once on JFK Street, travel through three (3) sets of lights (not including the set at the intersection of Memorial Drive and JFK Street). You should pass the Harvard Coop and Nini’s Corner Newspaper Stand on your left, and on your right you will see the Harvard Square Out of Town Ticket/Newspaper Stand (the “Kiosk”).
At the next set of lights (which are located directly in front of the Johnston Gate, which is the main entrance to Harvard Yard), bear to the left at the fork ahead. At the next set of lights proceed to the right. This will put you onto Massachusetts Ave. Take your first right onto Everett Street. Cross over Oxford Street at the light and proceed straight ahead which is the 38 Oxford driveway. The entrance to the garage is located straight ahead and on the left.
Once on JFK Street, travel through three (3) sets of lights (not including the set at the intersection of Memorial Drive and JFK Street). You should pass the Harvard Coop and Nini’s Corner Newspaper Stand on your left, and on your right you will see the Harvard Square Out of Town Ticket/Newspaper Stand (the “Kiosk”). At the next set of lights (which are located directly in front of the Johnston Gate, which is the main entrance to Harvard Yard), bear to your right.
A fork in the road will immediately follow this set of lights, and you should bear right at that fork, traveling under the Underpass. As you travel under the Underpass, stay to your left. You will quickly be faced with another fork in the road (a fire station is situated in the middle of the fork). You now bear to your left at this fork, passing the fire station on your right. Take your third right onto Felton St. The Broadway Garage is at the end of Felton St. on your right.
Other Harvard Owned Parking Options
Public parking garages in the Harvard Square area:
ACCESSIBLE PARKING
University Disability Services (UDS) and Parking Services jointly manage all parking policy and parking requests based on disability. Individuals with specific needs should contact UDS at 617-495-1859 (voice) or by e-mail disabilityservices@harvard.edu. Persons who require accessible parking as a reasonable accommodation will not be required to pay more than the applicable rate for similarly situated individuals without disabilities who park in the same facility.
