This is a pretty good bridge for a walk being that it is well over two thousand feet long. It's also good for a run and if you are into bicycling there is a bicycle lane on the bridge so you can ride safely over it. If you're driving over the bridge during rush hour traffic it can get a little backed up but for the most part traffic moves pretty smoothly going from one end to the other. This is the bridge that connects Boston to Cambridge so if you are doing a walk along the bridge you can get some gorgeous views of the Boston skyline and MIT. I have walked over this bridge many times and I always make it a point to stop for a break every now and then during the walk so I can take in the views. Anytime you can walk over this bridge during a sunset is definitely a bonus! read more

While the Harvard Bridge offers a nice leisurely stroll, the real beauty comes from the views that it provides. From the beautiful sunrises and sunsets to the spectacular views of the Boston skyline; you'll be sure to witness some magical sights while on this bridge. As I was riding the bus from Boston to Cambridge, I couldn't help but notice how stunning the views of the city were while it crossed over this bridge. I noticed several pedestrians walking and running across, so I immediately stopped at the next bus stop and headed there to get a closer view. It was the perfect time too because the sun was starting to set. Walked across the bridge and then stopped to admire the colors in the sky. Stunningly beautiful views! Not only did I have the perfect sunset, but the city views were amazing too. The skyline glows at night! If you're someone who enjoys scenic vistas, then you will definitely appreciate what the Harvard Bridge has to offer. The walk across the bridge is pretty delightful as well. There will be other people and of course cars crossing, but it still has this element of peace to it. Maybe I was just too entranced by the sunset to pay attention to anything or anyone else. I did notice that other people stopped and watched the sunset too and took several pictures. I'm guessing that this is a popular spot for it. It felt extremely safe to maneuver even during the night. When in Boston, you're probably gonna have to cross this bridge at some point to reach Cambridge. You might as well make it a point to take a nice little stroll over the Harvard Bridge while you're here. I'd say that it's worth it and so would my pictures too. read more

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Nice fun place to be and relax. Take pictures and watch those sailboats on a good sunny day. read more

The Harvard Bridge - Harvard Bridge - Local Flavor Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Was it worth waking up at 3:50am and then running over 4 miles to catch the sunrise (5:07am) over Harvard Bridge? Absolutely. Would I ever do it again? Nope, I was wheezing and barely made it in time. Nonetheless, the views of Boston's skyline is absolutely stunning on the Harvard Bridge and a must see. The photos should speak for themselves. read more

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What can one really say about a bridge in the form of a review? As an aesthetic marvel, the Harvard Bridge is pretty underwhelming. In fact, if it were not for the efforts of Oliver Smoot's classmates in 1958, the most flattering thing I might be able to say about it, is that it keeps me from falling into the river. However, thanks to Mr. Smoot and his friends, the Harvard Bridge occupies a special place in the city's list of sites to visit. The Harvard Bridge does have some pretty commanding views up and down the river, and it is definitely pedestrian-friendly, which is nice in a city as walkable as Boston. The real reason to stop here though, is for the Smoots. I'll spare you the whole story, since there's a entire Wikipedia page devoted to it (not to mention an informative plaque on the bridge, itself), but suffice to say Oliver Smoot and his friends made this bridge famous, and if you're into quirky, off-the-beaten-path places of interest, this one is worth checking out. Come for the sunset, stay for the Smoots. read more

The Harvard Bridge - Possibly the most good-natured incident of hazing ever recorded. - Local Flavor Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

There is nothing more spectacular than views of the Boston skyline from the Harvard Bridge. Nothing. It's beautiful when it's rainy, even when the water and skyline are grey. It's beautiful when the Charles is a sheet of ice. It's beautiful in the fall, when tops red and orange and yellow trees can be seen, it's beautiful in the spring, and it's even more gorgeous in the summer, when there are boats and kayaks. It's also the best place to view the 4th of July fireworks. It's not fun to be on the #1 bus on a Friday afternoon when crossing the bridge; otherwise, it's the top place I recommend for tourists and visiting friends to see/get good pictures of the city. When I used to teach, I would ALWAYS tell my students (international students) to walk across the bridge from Hynes station when they wanted to see MIT, instead of going to Kendall. Even though there are bike lanes, bikers still bike on the sidewalk. They're not as CRAZY as Golden Gate Bridge bikers, though. That being said, there's lots of bike/people traffic on the bridge, so if you are going to stop and take pictures, please look behind you before you stop short... read more

It's a damn bridge and an ugly one at that.. Find something more productive to review.

The Coolness of Harvard Bridge Seasonally Quantified by Dr. Tom E affiliation: Boston Yelp ABSTRACT The Mass Ave river crossing linking Boston with the boffins of Cambridge has been previously judged as cool by several sources (1). To quantify this coolness, a series of bicycle rides were taken over the bridge at seasonal intervals and personal measurements of temperature and feeling were taken from the face, hands and heart of the rider. The crossing was found to be significantly lower in temperature than surrounding environs and thus qualifies as "Cool". INTRODUCTION Harvard Bridge is a long, flat, modern replacement bridge across Boston's Charles River talking Mass Ave from Back Bay to MIT and Harvard. It is known for smoots, bicycle lanes, fantastic views and an old Houdini stunt (2). Although it is pleasurable to walk across it is not elegant or interesting to view from a far. Therefore, to provide an accurate star-rating, we employed scientific measurement to quantify coolness. MATERIALS and METHODS An individual tester (Tom E) traveled both directions across the bridge in various clothing states on a 15-speed hybrid bicycle (Marin, USA), assessing the conditions during 95F summer days, windy fall days, 0F winter days and wet spring days. RESULTS Mid-bridge measurements on hot summer days were noticeably cooler than in-city measurements and provided much-needed relief. On wet spring days, increased exposure to precipitation also decreased core body temperature. On 0 and minus F winter days passing over thick frozen water, facial and hand temperatures were significantly lower mid-bridge and lead to inability to open eyes, stiffness in muscles and ice-cream headaches. The only anomaly to the trend was windy fall days, where core temperature increased on-bridge, likely due to headwind effects. DISCUSSION Despite a blandness in architecture, our seasonal measurements showed the bridge to overall be significantly cooler than the urban landscape we used as a control. The only exception to this was on windy days, when it was deemed 'not cool' to cross. Further experimentation of the coolness during extreme low temperatures in February would provide interesting data, especially if another party could experiment with different clothing states as they pass over the frozen Charles. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author wishes to thank Tarah H for living in The Tam and not ever moving from there over to Cambridge for anything. REFERENCES (1) See other reviews for this listing (2) For a recent summary see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_bridge read more

I am a Smoot! The Harvard Bridge always gets five stars from me! You can even order Smoot t-shirts from the MIT gift shop.

Measured in SMOOTS instead of feet or yards, the Harvard Bridge is my gym when I can't stand to be indoors. Round-trip from my hood is about 4.5 miles...a respectable jog with views that belong on postcards (especially now that autumn's upon us.) Closer to MIT than to Harvard, but I'm not complaining about the name. read more

The Harvard Bridge - Local Flavor Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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After a date faux-shanked* me on this bridge.. I can never look at it the same. And the fact that every time I come here to write, a guy on a bike asks me if I've ever seen a sunset so beautiful. Yes, yes I have sir. And they didn't involve you. BUT I do still love it. I walk on this bridge as many times as possible during the spring/summer/fall. Note.. don't wear a skirt if at all possible. You don't wanna cause any accidents for commuters. *So I don't know how shanking came up.. but it did. And instead of talking about it, he decided to come up behind me and show me. It was our first date. Err.. yeah. read more

Drumroll please. This is my 400th review. There is no significance to this number other than the fact that it marks a point in my life that I've written a shit-ton (aptly put, Shaina) of reviews. This one, unlike the others, will be full of mis-spellings, slang, run-on sentences, and strange mentions of my unhealthy love of Boston sunsets. ...Please excuse me while I wipe the drool from my mouth... and you're wondering what the heck any of this has to do with the Harvard Bridge. [I've always liked the name Mass Ave Bridge (just to get it out there).] When the earth tilts allowing the sun to shine on our northern hemisphere for a little bit longer in the day, the reflecting sunset on Boston is STUNNING. Standing on the mid-span of the bridge allows for the most complete view of the city at this time of day. When it's cloudless, the reflection of blues illuminate on the Prudential and John Hancock Buildings. When it's slightly cloudy, the light from the sun injects the clouds with cotton candy pink (wouldn't you drool if you thought the sky reminded you of cotton candy?). The bridge itself has no aesthetic quality, which makes a perfect un-distraction from the other good stuff: Silhouettes of geese flying overhead (watch for green poo!!), evening sailboats and rowers ... a picture of this is impossible to capture. I get all giddy when this time of day comes around. Seriously, my heart skips a beat. http://www.lala.com/#song/360569466644635624 read more

I loooooooove the Harvard Bridge! You get the best panoramic views here. It's the only spot where you can see the Zakim bridge, Beacon Hill, the Citco Sign...really the whole Boston skyline, MIT, and Harvard grounds all at the same time. When I do jogs around the Charles River, I often use this bridge to do wind sprints back and fourth for an awesome workout, as it's a little over 720 yards long...works the endurance big time when sprinting! ...I had a crazy friend who used to do lunges all across it...I haven't done that, but damn, that would definitely work your ass! (I mean glutes) The posted pics don't do it justice...such a great view there, as all us locals know...if you are visiting from out of town, and can't walk over it, at least drive over it to check out the view. Check it out at night, too. A whole different experience with the city lights. Beautiful. read more

It's no Longfellow Bridge.... ....but I love it almost as much. Reviewing bridges again? Indeed. But without it, I'd be stuck on one side of the river and I'd have a rough time getting around. I don't own a boat and I'm a terrible swimmer! read more

Holy crap, Batman. The duke here has 125 checkins!?? And here I was thinking I was an odd duck for checking in to a bridge.... O.o So.. as far as my review goes.. it is a great.. bridge! It gets you to places... from point A to point B, in fact...... or rather from Cambridge to Boston to be precise... OR from Boston to Cambridge if you prefer.. or even, if you're feeling frisky there and back! Perhaps even on the same day! *gasp* read more

Great time walking the bridge on a beautiful summer day. Beautiful views of both Boston and Cambridge. Great way to navigate from Boston-Back Bay to MIT and Harvard. Be on the lookout for bridge measurements in "Smoots". Be sure to google this for a great backstory. read more

The Harvard Bridge - Local Flavor Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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The Harvard Bridge is quite unique. Whether it's because of the Smoot measurements, the wide sidewalks (a major plus over the Longfellow's smaller, harder to maneuver mini-sidewalks), or its view of Cambridge, Boston proper, or Allston/Brighton, it's got it all. The sidewalks in particular make the walk across an enjoying experience, as there's less of the watching out for runners, though the larger sidewalks do bring out more bikes on the sidewalk itself. Finally, it gets you to two separate bustling areas: Back Bay and MIT, and with a good bit of exercise to boot. read more

This is a tight-ass bridge y'all (dang) It fully supported my weight as well as the weight of other pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles - I was like "tiiiiiight" I got to the other side of a body of water using it (which was tiiight) TL/DR: this is a tight-ass bridge y'all read more

My walk across this bridge was so fabulous I remember the day - July 15th, the first day of my vacation this summer. I was running errands and the weather was gorgeous - 84 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. I had something to do in Harvard Square and on Newbury Street, and in a fit of healthiness, decided to walk. Well, the view of the skyline gave me a hard on for Boston as I sashayed down Mass Ave, listening to the Ministry of Sound remix of "Work." I nearly laid down and starting making out with a smoots measurement I was so excited. Sometimes size does matter, and in this case it's the wide sidewalks and considerable length of this bridge that makes it such a pleasure just to walk along. You can see all the landmarks of Boston as you approach the Back Bay. Great for unadulterated Boston lust, people-watching, strolling, biking, and looking out at the water wistfully. read more

"Everyone should have themselves regularly overwhelmed by nature." ~ my thoughts every time I come here. Favorite running spot ~ gorgeous all the time, but especially during sunset. read more

The Harvard Bridge - #nofilter just another gorgeous sunset - Local Flavor Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Easy access from Back Bay to Cambridge, walking or driving. Nice place for a run along the Esplanade on the Boston side, then over to Cambridge with lovely views of the Charles River. Currently decorated with crocheted creations. Nice place to watch a sunset, too. read more

I love the view from this bridge. It renews my love of the city of my birth every time I cross it. You can almost see where I was born from here, and picture taking at almost any time of day or year, is a good idea. Take a walk or run. Take a friend who's in from out of town. Take some kids who need some fresh air. Take it all in. read more

The second in my bridge series. Walking: Good for commuting to and from Sox games from Central Square. Watch the Smoot markings by the MIT frats. Running: Super flat. Another good entry point from a bridge loop from Central Square, Kendall Square or Back Bay. Lots of runners sharing the wide sidewalks with walkers or even bikers who don't want to brave the bike lane. Views: Similar to those of the Longfellow Bridge, though you do get the bonus of looking at the remaining ironwork on the Longfellow and the sight of the T going across it. You can also see more views of Harvard. As a heights-fraidycat, I don't like walking too close to the edge of this one. read more

First of all, it looks nice and sturdy with no random pieces failing down and no visible cracks. After living in this old city, I have a new found appreciation for nice sidewalks, roads, bridges and apartments with closets. The view is magnificent, you get to see Bostons skyline and the The Independent republic of Cambridge. Very nice, Id say this is one the best views of the city I've seen so far. They got pedestrian lanes and bike lanes, so there is place for everyone. On the other note, Yelp, you are truly amazing, I have never reviewed a bridge before. read more

How does one yelp a bridge? It works well I guess. No trolls lurking under (excluding hobos) and there is no toll??? Yay? Oh, and its pretty great for photos at sunset. :) read more

Reviewing a bridge? But this is a special bridge with great views of Boston and Cambridge. It's really a walking or biking bridge because driving you're over to quickly to really see anything. What I really enjoy is that not matter how hot it is you always seem to get a breeze on the Harvard. Always thought it should be called the MIT bridge because that's where you end up. read more

Is it possible that only one person before me has undertaken to review the Harvard Bridge? While not as iconic as the Zakim or Longfellow Bridges, or as fraught with "true crime" street cred as the Tobin (nee Mystic River) Bridge, the Harvard Bridge is one of the great bridges of Boston, although not for its aesthetic value, which is negligible. It is, however, one of the quickest ways to get from Boston to the only parts of Cambridge that people other than residents care about, to wit, the corridor between MIT and Harvard Square. And isn't getting from point "a" to point "b" quickly and conveniently the reason we build bridges in the first place? The Harvard Bridge also offers easy access to the best stretch of the Esplanade--the portion running from Massachusetts Avenue to the Museum of Science. At the least, I should think that Tom E., with his penchant for minor feats of civil engineering, would have put in his two pence. Did you ever wonder at those odd measurements painted on the bridge's sidewalk? Well, they are "smoots" and the Harvard Bridge measures 364.4 + one ear of them. It's no coincidence that the Cambridge side of the Harvard Bridge terminates (or begins, if you're traveling in the opposite direction) at MIT. Did you know that in 1908, Harry Houdini performed one of his escapes by jumping off the bridge wrapped in irons and a straight-jacket? You *would* know this if you bothered to read the tarnished plaque on the Boston side of the bridge. Walk across the Harvard Bridge on a fine summer day. Look at the boats on the river and watch all the people, residents and tourists alike, taking advantage of the city's public spaces. At sunset, take in the view of the State House's golden dome and note the spires and steeples and campaniles of the old churches. You'll see why old Boston really was a shining city on a hill. A word of caution: Beware of Spandexed, pedestrian-ignoring twits who think they're riding in the Tour de France but who are too chicken to take their bicycles into the street. Would that everyone followed the admonition of Justice Cardozo who, in one of his many snootier moments, proclaimed, "The antics of the clown are not the paces of the cloistered cleric. . . . The timorous may stay at home." read more

There's a Yelp for this bridge?! How cute! The view is beautiful from all directions in any season. Definitely great photo ops for Instagram and such to get your friends jealous. read more

Reasons this bridge is the best one crossing the river: 1) Easy-on easy-off sidewalks and ramps 2) Bike lanes! 3) Wide sidewalks on both sides of traffic 4) Gets you to the best stretch of the Esplanade after going down the best stretch of the Memorial Drive parkway 5) Smoots! 6) You really cannot beat the view from here [edit] 7) Note from Tom E. : "It's not falling down in chunks of rust like all the others." So true! Please note that those of us on bikes sometimes do end up on the sidewalk and not the bike lane (the ramps from the Boston side in some directions put you right on the sidewalk), so please be careful that there might be a bike behind you. read more

usually I would never stop to review a bridge but this one is very special to me. It offers incredible views of the boston and cambridge skyline, which looks especially cool at night. this bridge also offers great views of the charles river and a nice view of part of the esplanade. this bridge leads into the MIT section of Cambridge so it is a very intriguing bridge to cross knowing what waits on the other side. read more

Gorgeous views of the city and sailboats... a nice walk and perfect path between Cambridge and Boston and to the amazing BackBay area.

I have walked this bridge many a time while deciding to not wait another half hour for the #1 bus. Great unobstructed views to and from MIT and the Charles. Plus it's wide enough for 2 way traffic and the occasional bike that's too scared to ride in the street with the rest of traffic. read more

I visit this bridge year round. Its beautiful and the views are amazing. Its nice to picnic near by on a sunny day and just relax. Definitely one place you can go for peace in the city. read more

Hmm how do I review a bridge...? I really like the view and nice breeze while walking or running across this bridge. You will typically see many others crossing this bridge, so it can be a great opportunity to people watch. I think crossing this bridge from the Back Bay into Cambridge is actually faster than taking the bus or train, so this is my typical route into Cambridge. The view is also pretty amazing at night! read more