Two blocks wide and wrapped around Harvard University is Harvard Square, one of the most interesting and eclectic shopping areas around Boston. With over 8 million visitors a year, the Square is one of the most popular shopping locations in the Boston area.

Since the founding of Harvard University in 1636, the square has always been closely connected with the history of the university. Even today, you can see a strong influence of the university, with over six bookstores, the Harvard Coop, and many restaurants and eclectic coffee shops that cater to the student population. With over 50 stores, the commercial side of the square is becoming more prevalent, but there are still many remnants of the old square, including some old-style shops, street performers, award-winning pizza, and speakers in the public discourse.

Getting to Harvard Square via public transportation is easy. Right in the center is the underground “Harvard Square Station," one of the busiest on the Red Line.

Harvard Square Stores

Get in the Holiday Spirit!
Holiday Calendar: Tree lightings, Nutcracker magic, and sales from Black Friday to New Year’s. Details>
Holiday Markets: European-style villages, artisan pop-ups, and twinkling stalls in Seaport, SoWa & Harvard Square. Details>
Black Friday: Get an early start on Black Friday deals. Details>
Gift Guide 2025: Boston’s ultimate 2025 holiday gift guide Details>

Boston’s Best Deals — Updated Daily! Sale>
Every night, our team hunts Boston’s top stores to uncover the best on-sale products — delivered fresh to you at dawn.

Clothing Stores on Harvard Square

Anthropologie Shop Online Holiday Gift Sale>
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Upscale lifestyle brand with eclectic assortment of women's clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry, accessories, home decor, bridal and cosmetics. Visiting an Anthropology store lets you explore a unique world of products from all over the world reminiscent of a bazaar.
Newbury Street, Harvard Square, Seaport, Burlington Mall, Chestnut Hill, Burlington Mall, Natick Mall, Lynnfield

Gap Shop Online Holiday Sale>
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Iconic brand with men's women's and kids' clothing as well as maternity clothing. With its laid-back classics and iconic denim, the company became the go-to destination for the jeans-and-t-shirt.
Harvard Square, Faneuil Hall, Northshore Mall, South Shore Plaza, Lynnfield Marketstreet

Gap Kids Shop Online> Holiday Sale>
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Popular brand offering a wide range of stylish and comfortable clothing for children. The brand focuses on providing high-quality apparel, including jeans, tops, outerwear, and accessories, designed to meet the needs of kids from toddlers to pre-teens.
Harvard Square, Faneuil Hall, Northshore Mall, South Shore Plaza

J. August
A Harvard Square Shop since 1891 now specializing in a wide assortment of Harvard logo’d apparel and gifts for men women and children.
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Mint Julep Shop Online Sale>
Charming women’s boutique with a loyal following for its thoughtful collection of clothing, jewelry, and accessories from both American and European designers. The store offers everything from feminine dresses and printed tops to premium denim and versatile wardrobe staples.
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Tess Shop Online
Chic, contemporary women’s clothing store known for its excellent selection of stylish and sophisticated fashion. The boutique has an Italian flair offering a mix of emerging and established designer labels, featuring everything from elegant dresses and sleek separates to unique accessories.
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Book Stores on Harvard Square

Grolier Poetry Bookshop
Oldest continuously operating book shop dedicated solely to the sale of poetry books. In 2006, Ifeanyi A. Menkiti, a Harvard Ph.D graduate, saved the Grolier Poetry Book Shop in Cambridge when he purchased it to prevent it from shuttering. In the spirit of Ifeanyi, his family continues operating the Grolier.
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Harvard Coop Shop Online Holiday Sale>
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Official bookstore of Harvard and MIT including men's, women's and children's university apparel, gifts and decor with Harvard and MIT insignias. The Coop has enjoyed the distinction of being the oldest and largest college bookstore in the United States.
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Million Year Picnic
New England's oldest comic bookstore offering trading cards, unique t-shirts, new, old and rare comics, newspaper comic strip reprints and Japanese Manga and animation videos.
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Raven Used Books Shop Online
Book store specializing in scholarly and literary titles. "...hundreds of books come through the doors every day, sold by professors, grad students, and the general literary community. This turnover of 1200+ books every week keeps the stock at Raven Used Books fresh and exciting..."
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Jewelry Stores on Harvard Square

Cambridge Artists Cooperative Holiday Sale>
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Artist-owned gallery of Contemporary American Craft showcasing the work of over 100 artists from across the USA. Offering artisan-made jewelry, pottery, glassware, lamps, accessories, decor, ties, cuff links, clocks and gifts.
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Rebekah Brooks Jewelry
Women owned jewelry designer and store offering unique jewelry, silver, gold and gemstones, as well as curated antique jewelry. "...designing jewelry for me is about creating something beautiful that’s fully realized only once it’s adorned...)
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Zinnia Jewelry
Family-owned jewelry store with a great variety of hand-picked jewelry from local artisans at great prices. Offering handcrafted earrings, necklaces, rings and more.
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Other Great Stores on Harvard Square

Andover Shop Sale>
Shop for mens and women's clothing both off-the-shelf and custom-tailored. "The Andover Shop continues to provide made-to-measure service to generations of students and professionals..."
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Cardullo's Gourmet Shoppe Holiday Sale>
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Gourmet shop with imported foods, wines, chocolates, artisan cheeses, charcuterie and food gifts. Family owned and operated since 1950.
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Forty Winks Lingerie Shop Onlne
Lingerie store with bras, underwear, lingerie, pajamas and loungeware in broad range of sizes. Founded in 2010 with the goal to to provide a simplified, less awkward approach to bra shopping.
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Harvard Shop ShopOnline Sale>
Student run shop with Harvard and MIT themed apparel, accessories and gifts. "...our collections consist of bestselling sweatshirts and t-shirts, our warm iconic premium Hillflint "H" Sweaters and so much more..."
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Henry Bear's Park Shop Online Holiday Sale>
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Independent toy store stocked with toys, games, puzzles, construction sets, baby toys. "...we're an independent toy store that believes play is not only fun but also integral to physical, social, and mental growth..."
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Hunt's Photo & Video Shop Online
One of the oldest camera store chains in the country. Full-service camera and video store with new and used equipment as well friendly expert and service for beginners and pros.
Back Bay Boston, Harvard Square, Melrose

Leavitt and Peirce
Venerable shop founded in 1883 carrying tobacco products, games, chess boards, gifts, shaving accessories and toiletries.
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Moleskine Shop Online
Store offering planners, notebooks, journals, stationery accessories and phone cases.
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Planet Records
Store offering quality LPs, CDs, Cassettes, DVDs and music books."... Our high standards are reflected in our stock and we curate an inventory that is always enticing..."
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Swiss Watchmaker
Store for brand-name watches, clocks, pocket watches and straps. Offering new and vintage watches of top brands from Switzerland and other countries. Expert factory-approved repair of watches also available.
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Tibet's Jinten
Tibetan owned local business carrying fair-trade items from all around the Himalayan region. "... from calming singing bowls, to unique jewelry, and intricate clothing, we have many items that can be enjoyed by anyone..."
Harvard Square, Cambridge