STAMP Workshop: In-person Logistics & Accommodations

Workshop Location & Rooms

Most of the in-person workshop will be in the Stata Center (MIT Building 32).

Address: 32 Vassar St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Room Numbers: MIT uses a [Building]-[Room] format. For example, room 32-123 is in Building 32 (Stata Center) on the 1st floor. The room number for each session will be listed on the workshop schedule.

Above: Internal map showing entrances and the main room for the workshop, 32-123.

Breakout sessions will be held in nearby buildings, shown below:

General Campus Maps

We recommend the free “MIT Mobile” App (iPhone/Android) for maps and campus information.

whereis.mit.edu has an interactive map of MIT campus buildings. Google Maps is also reliable; search for “MIT Stata Center” for the most accurate pin.

WiFi Access

Important: There is poor cell coverage in the main workshop room (32-123). Please connect to the network before entering the room.

Option 1: MIT Guest (Recommended)
1. Select the “MIT Guest” wireless network.
2. Follow the prompt to receive a registration code via text message.
3. Enter the code to gain access.

Option 2: eduroam
If your home university participates in eduroam, you can connect using your home credentials.

Food and Coffee Options

The option closest to the STAMP workshop is the café in the Stata Center (Building 32) with coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches, salads, sushi, a hot entre, etc.

A light buffet dinner (Mediterranean food) is typically provided on one of the workshop days.

There are a few quick restaurants on Main St at Kendall Square, like Row 34 and Dig Inn. There is a Starbucks in the lobby of the Mariott Hotel and a Dunkin Donuts nearby.

The Stratton Student Center (MIT Building W20) food court is slightly farther away, but it has a few food options. There is a Dunkin Donuts on the first floor.

Google Maps lists many other nearby food options.

When to arrive/depart

Most people plan to arrive in Boston on Sunday and depart on Thursday afternoon. Monday will have classroom tutorials and practice exercises starting at 9am. The main presentations typically begin on Tuesday, and the workshop usually concludes at lunchtime on Thursday.

Hotels

We are not reserving hotel room blocks because better prices can be found online than the hotels are willing to give us. There are several hotels within a short walking distance, but hotels near MIT are very expensive. In general, hotels in Boston are expensive. If you want to save some money or can’t find a nearby hotel with availability, there is a metro (subway) stop in Kendall Square on the MBTA Red Line. Any hotel near the Red Line will be an easy trip to MIT. See the MBTA subway maps.

Some nearby hotels:

Within a block or two of the workshop:
The Kendall Hotel
Boston Marriott Cambridge
Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Cambridge

About 5 blocks away:
Le Meridien Cambridge
Hyatt Regency Cambridge (they provide free shuttle service to Kendall Square. There is also a free campus Shuttle from the dormitories a couple of blocks away)

About a mile away, but with no transportation to MIT:
Hotel Marlowe
Royal Sonesta Boston
Holiday Inn and Suites (about the cheapest you will find, but a long walk to MIT and no transportation. There is also a Hampton Inn, etc. in the same area, all with good prices but a long walk),

Others:
Liberty Hotel (about a mile away and one stop on the Red Line)
Best Western Hotel Tria (usually the best prices you will find, but about 5 stops on the Red Line. They provide a free Shuttle to the near Red Line station (Alewife) and also to Harvard Square)

A list of nearby hotels is also maintained by MIT.

You can find many other nearby hotels online. There is also Airbnb/VRBO.

Transportation

WALKING – The Kendal Square area has many hotels and restaurants within walking distance of MIT. It is about 2 blocks. If you are staying farther away, you can take the T (subway) to Kendall Square and then walk to MIT.

TAXI – Taxi fare from the airport to MIT is about $35. During non-rush hour, the taxi ride will take about 15 minutes. During rush hour, the ride could take 30 minutes or more.

SHARED SHUTTLE VANS – There are various shared shuttle vans from Logan Airport to and from hotels in Boston and Cambridge

PUBLIC TRANSPORT – From any terminal at Logan Airport follow “Silver Line T” signs, and take the Silver Line bus to South Station (end of the line). At South Station, change to the Red Line inbound toward Alewife. Exit at Kendall/MIT stop for the campus buildings, the Marriott, and Kendall hotel. Under normal conditions the ride will take about 45 minutes. The ride from Logan to South Station is free. To ride the T anywhere else, there is a small fee and you can pay with contactless credit card or a digital wallet. You can also get a CharlieCard (a reloadable contactless smart card) at certain stations or a CharlieTicket (a paper ticket) at vending machines in every station. You can purchase multiple-day passes if you anticipate using the T frequently (if you are staying in Kendall or Central Square areas, you likely will not need the T). More information is available at http://www.mbta.com.

EZRIDE/TECH SHUTTLE – These shuttles visit various locations around Cambridge and Boston. The EZRide shuttle is around $2 and the Tech Shuttle is free, but it’s a long, roundabout ride. The shuttles run different schedules and routes at different times of day. Information is available at: http://www.charlesrivertma.org/documents/EZRsch013012web.pdf

The best way to find out about MIT shuttles (routes, what times they will arrive) is to use the “MIT Mobile” phone app mentioned above.

Parking Information

There is no free parking or parking validation, but some parking options are available.

Public Parking Facilities - The 5 Cambridge Center (Orange marker on the map below; Entrance on Ames St.) may be used by vendors, visitors and others who have business with MIT, but who do not have an MIT parking permit. There is a charge.

Parking On Campus – Due to major construction on campus, we have limited space available, 139 Mass Ave Lot (see Campus Map) is an options. However, it is free after 5pm unless you buy parking tickets ($26/day) at Parking & Transportation Office in W-20 (Yellow marker on the map below).

MIT Visitor Information

Check the MIT Visitors Guide with general info for visitors.

Tourism and Evening Options

Boston is Massachusetts’ capital and largest city. Founded in 1630, it’s one of the oldest cities in the U.S. The key role it played in the American Revolution is highlighted on the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile walking route of historic sites that tells the story of the nation’s founding. One stop, former meeting house Faneuil Hall, is a popular marketplace. Another is the tavern where Paul Revere and the other revolutionaries met. There are hop-on/hop-off tour buses that leave from Kendall Square so you can ride between the historic sites and don’t have to walk the whole 2.5 miles.

The Kendall Square (MIT) area is filled with large Pharma office buildings so there are a few upscale restaurants, but not much else. However, Harvard Square is just two stops on the Red Line (subway) and that’s where all the students hang out. Harvard Square has nightlife, restaurants, book and craft stores, boutiques, etc. right around the Harvard Square subway stop. Harvard University (also right there) is a very beautiful campus to visit. The Passim nightclub in Harvard Square is where the folk revolution started and still has pretty good folk music (and I noticed chamber music one night next week). Look on the web to see what is playing—the concerts are in the basement in an intimate setting.

You should visit Harvard Square for at least one evening. That’s the gathering place for university students in Cambridge (Harvard Square is located right next to Harvard University, which is one of the most beautiful universities in the world). Harvard Square has a vast array of restaurants, stores, and some evening entertainment options. It’s a great place to wander around and enjoy the ambiance. The Passim nightclub in Harvard Square is where the 1960s folk revolution started and still has pretty good folk music. Look on the web to see what is playing—the concerts are in the basement in an intimate setting. Harvard Square can most easily be reached (unless you want some exercise after sitting all day) by taking the “T” (the Boston metro/subway) outbound (toward Alewife) two stops from Kendall Square. If you prefer walking, Harvard Square is about a mile and a half from Kendall Square. For those staying at the Best Western Tria in Alewife, your hotel provides a free Shuttle to Harvard Square (as well as to the Alewife T stop). You might also enjoy browsing in the Harvard Coop (bookstore) in Harvard Square and in the MIT Coop in Kendall Square.

Check the internet for a large array of Boston evening activities, including the Boston Symphony, theater, and the famous Blue Man Group. If you have extra days, Boston guided tours as well as “on and off” tour buses (you can spend as much time as you want at each location) leave from Kendall Square.

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