WARNING: this page was originally written for 2004's Summit and might not be accurate: WARNING
General advice is that ../PublicTransportation is vastly convenient than driving and parking in Cambridge. If you want to park and take public transportation, a good place to do that is at the Alewife station as Route 2 comes into Cambridge. You can park there for multiple days for $4.50 a day.
Mapquest gives complex routes through Cambridge in some cases, but will get you there. The Stata Center address is 32 Vassar St, Cambridge, MA.
From the Route 90 (west)
Take exit 18, follow the signs to Cambridge. Cross the river and continue about a mile to Massachusetts Avenue (2A). Turn right, go about half a mile and turn left on Vassar Street. The Stata Center will be on your right. The entrance to the East Annex Parking garage is past the Stata center on Main Street.
Here is adapted directions I usually give to people (-clarkbw)
Going 90 East
Take Exit 18 [ Brighton, Cambridge ]
- * LEFT Exit Ramp **
- * $1.00 Toll **
Stay RIGHT toward Cambridge
Straight through 2 lights (stop if they are red)
- (try for the left-middle lanes)
MIDDLE LANE as you go over the BRIDGE for the 3rd light
Straight through 3+ lights (stop if they are red too)
- (stay on right hand side)
RIGHT onto Massachusetts Ave.
- (You'll see the TAX MAN on the left and Starbucks on the opposite corner)
LEFT on Vassar Street
The Stata Center will be on your right. The entrance to the East Annex Parking garage is past the Stata center on Main Street.
From Route 2 (northwest)
(Fill me in. You can take 2 to 2A (Mass Avenue) and take 2A through Cambridge, but taking Memorial Drive along the river is probably faster.)
From Route 93 (north/south)
Take exit 26 and follow the signs to Back Bay along Storrow Drive West for about 1.5 miles. Take the (left) exit for Massachusetts Avenue (2A). Cross the Havard bridge, and follow Mass Avenue about half a mile through the MIT campus. Turn right on Vassar Street. The Stata Center will be on your right. The entrance to the East Annex Parking garage is past the Stata center on Main Street.
Parking
Free parking will be available all three days (including weekend) at the East Garage Annex next to the Stata center. It's conceivable it might fill up at some points.