Directions
For those attending in person, GEM will take place at the Harvard Kennedy School. To learn more about how to join virtually, please register here.
The Kennedy School's campus is located near Harvard Square in Cambridge next to the Charles River.
We suggest using public transportation (subway, buses or taxis) to get to Harvard Square as there are few parking lots in the area.
Please arrive at least 30 minutes before any scheduled activity.
The Kennedy School is convenient to Boston's three main Amtrak stations.
From South Station a taxi ride should take 15-20 minutes and cost approximately $20.
South Station is also convenient to Cambridge via subway. Take the Red Line (direction Alewife) six stops to Harvard Square. The subway ride should take about 15 minutes and costs $2.40.
From North Station a taxi ride should take 15-20 minutes and cost approximately $20.
If you wish to take public transport take any outbound Green Line train (direction Boston College, Cleveland Circle, Riverside, or Heath Street) for three stops to Park Street. Change to the outbound Red Line train (direction Alewife) for four stops to Harvard Square. Follow the maps for walking directions. The subway ride costs $2 and takes about 25 minutes.
From Back Bay Station a taxi ride should take 10-15 minutes and cost approximately $15.
If you wish to take the subway, take the Orange line inbound (direction Oak Grove) for three stops to Downtown Crossing. Change to the outbound Red Line train (direction Alewife) for five stops to Harvard Square. Follow the maps for walking directions. The subway ride costs $2 and takes about 25 minutes.
Walking from Harvard Square Subway Station
The Kennedy School is a quick walk from Harvard Square Station. As you come out of the station in Harvard Square head to your left down John F. Kennedy St. and continue down the street for three blocks. The Kennedy School is on the corner of John F. Kennedy Street and Eliot Street.
From Logan Airport
Exit Logan Airport and follow the signs to I-90 West. Take exit 20, Brighton/Cambridge. Stay right after the toll and follow Cambridge signs for Storrow Drive West. At the traffic light (Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel will be on your right) take a left onto Soldiers Field Road. Follow for approximately one-half mile. Take Harvard Square - Cambridge exit and follow it across the Charles River. Continue straight through the first traffic light. You will now be on John F. Kennedy Street. The first building on your left is the Kennedy School.
From Route 128 or I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike)
Take Route 128 to the Mass Pike East. Take exit 18, Allston/Brighton (exits left). Stay right after the toll and follow Cambridge signs to Storrow Drive West. At the traffic light (Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel will be on your right) take a left onto Soldiers Field Road. Follow for approximately one-half mile. Take Harvard Square - Cambridge exit and follow it across the Charles River. Continue straight through the first traffic light. You will now be on John F. Kennedy Street. The first building on your left is the Kennedy School.
From Route 2
Follow Route 2 East to Cambridge, it changes from a major highway to a four-lane thoroughfare. You will travel from Alewife Brook Parkway, to Fresh Pond Parkway and eventually Memorial Drive, but the road will still be marked as Route 2 East. Once you reach the Charles River, turn left onto Memorial Drive (at the Charles River). Turn left again at the sign marked "Harvard Square," which is John F. Kennedy Street. The first building on your left is the Kennedy School.
NOTE: Memorial Drive is closed to traffic on Sundays from 11a.m.-7p.m. (The closure is in effect from the last Sunday in April until the second Sunday in November.) During this time, you will need to take Storrow Drive (across the Charles River) and follows signs for Harvard Square.
From the North - Routes 95, 1 or 93
Follow Route 95 South to Route 1 South. Route 1 continues for several miles, crosses the Tobin Bridge and then merges with Route 93 South. Once on 93 South, take exit 26 and follow signs for Storrow Drive West. Stay to the right on Storrow Drive for approximately 4 miles. Take Harvard Square - Cambridge exit and follow it across the Charles River. Continue straight through the first traffic light. You will now be on John F. Kennedy Street. The first building on your left is the Kennedy School.
From the South - Routes 93, 1 or 3
Follow Routes 93/1/3 North to Mass Pike West (towards Worcester). Take exit 20, Allston/Brighton. Stay right after the toll and follow Cambridge signs to Storrow Drive West. At the traffic light (Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel will be on your right) take a left onto Soldiers Field Road. Follow for approximately one-half mile. Take Harvard Square - Cambridge exit and follow it across the Charles River. Continue straight through the first traffic light. You will now be on John F. Kennedy Street. The first building on your left is the Kennedy School.
The Kennedy School is only a few miles away from Boston's Logan International Airport.
A taxi ride from the airport should take 20-30 minutes and cost approximately $35.
To use public transportation, take the free MBTA shuttle bus to Airport Station, and then transfer to the Subway (or T, as it is more commonly known). Take the inbound Blue Line train (direction Bowdoin) four stops to Government Center. Change to any outbound Green Line train (direction Boston College, Cleveland Circle, Riverside, or Heath Street) for one stop to Park Street Station. Change to the outbound Red Line train (direction Alewife) for four stops to Harvard Square. Follow the maps for walking directions. The subway ride costs $2 and takes about 45 minutes.
If you are driving yourself from the airport, please follow the directions "From Logan" in the "By Car" section.
Hotel Options
The Charles Hotel
One Bennett Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617.864.1200 Toll Free: 800.882.1818
Distance from HKS: 220 ft
Courtyard Marriott Boston Cambridge
777 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: 617.492.7777
Distance from HKS: 1.3 miles
Harvard Square Hotel
110 Mount Auburn Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617.864.5200
Distance from HKS: 350 ft
Hampton Inn & Suites
25 Bond Street,Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617.926.0005
Distance from HKS: 2.3 miles
Hotel Veritas
1 Remington Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617.520.5000 Toll Free: 888.520.1050
Distance from HKS: 0.5 miles
Irving House at Harvard
24 Irving Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617.547.4600
Distance from HKS: 0.7 miles
Sheraton Commander Hotel
16 Garden Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
Phone: 617.547.4800
Distance from HKS: 0.4 miles