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Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT and Harvard Walking Tour

Top rated
4.744856 out of 5 stars
4.7
4.744856 out of 5 stars
243 reviews
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Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT and Harvard Walking Tour
Top rated
4.744856 out of 5 stars
4.7
4.744856 out of 5 stars
243 reviews

Stroll through MIT with a local guide, listening to stories about one of the most innovative schools in the world. Walk through famous Harvard University and learn about America's oldest college.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 3.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

M
Melissa – United States

We like Jenny our tour guide. She had a lot of stories and knowledge regarding both institutions.

W
Wilson Bispo de lira – United States

The tour was better than I expected! Pros: good meeting point, guide was absolutely wonderful and knowledgeable, duration was just the necessary, no more no less. Need to improve: maybe the only improvement I can think of is trying to get a better view of the MIT / Harvard student profile such as class, what GPA is required etc. just because we get confused of what is “good enough” from the admission office perspective. Btw Alexandria the guide is just a perfect tour guide. I can’t think of a better person s2! I was amazed and I must say I thought it was a little overpriced before I purchased, but after the tour I changed my mind. It s 200% worth the cost. Trust me.

Select participants and date

Participants

Itinerary

  • Timeline stop icon

    Starting location:

    Ripple Cafe

  • Timeline stop icon

    MIT Media Lab

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (15 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Gray House

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (5 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Green Building

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (10 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Killian Court

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (10 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Harvard Bridge, Boston

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (10 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    MIT School of Architecture and Planning

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (10 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Great Dome

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (5 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    MIT.nano

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (5 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    MIT Banana Lounge

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (5 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Stata Center

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (15 minutes)

  • Break time (15 minutes)

    Extra fee

  • Subway / metro

    (20 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Johnston Gate, Cambridge

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (10 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (5 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    John Harvard Statue

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (10 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Harvard Yard

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (10 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Memorial Hall, Harvard

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (10 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Memorial Church, Cambridge

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (10 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Widener Library, Harvard

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (10 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Wadsworth House

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (10 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Lowell House

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (5 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Kirkland House

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (15 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Harvard Square

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (10 minutes)

  • Finish at:

    Harvard Square

Main stop
Other stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Explore historic Harvard Yard; see buildings that housed now-famous graduates
  • See where Harvard students live after "Housing Day" at the end of Freshman year
  • See buildings designed by famous architects Frank Gehry and I.M. Pei.
  • Learn about the famous Smoot markings on the Harvard Bridge
  • Take epic photos in front of the MIT Dome and Widener Library

Full description

Start your tour on the MIT campus. Follow your guide to learn about the school's history, famous pranks, inventions, and much more. See buildings designed by world-famous architects (both good and bad), dormitories home to hilarious MIT "hacks", and stunning views of Boston from across the river.

Learn the history of how MIT was founded, and hear about famous alumni who graced the school, astronomical phenomenon which occur in its halls, and quirky student hangout locations.

After MIT, follow your guide to Harvard using the subway system for a total of two stops. Learn about the history of America's oldest subway while waiting for the train. Your subway fare is included in the cost of the tour.

Once there, explore Harvard Yard and the surrounding campus area. Learn about the history of the oldest college in the United States, founded in 1636. See the "Statue of the Three Lies", standing proudly in the center of Harvard Yard, deceiving visitors for almost 150 years.

Learn about Harvard's academic legacy, as well as some rather whimsical traditions practiced by the students. See the house where George Washington stayed during his visit to Boston during the American Revolution and Harvard's part in the war.

Note that this is not a tour designed for prospective students to learn about the schools. We also do not go into any of the buildings on either campus. This tour is about the history, architecture, and legends about the schools.

Includes

  • A licensed tour guide
  • Subway ticket from MIT to Harvard
  • Gratuity for your guide

Meeting point

Meet in front of the Ripple Cafe, located next to the MIT/Kendall subway station. Your tour guide will be wearing a Boston Hidden Gems shirt.

Open in Google Maps

Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes

Know before you go

  • Please note that the tour does not go inside any buildings in MIT or Harvard. We tour the outside portion of the campuses only. This tour focuses on history, architecture, and stories about the two universities. If you are looking for a tour for perspective future students, please contact the admissions department of the university.
  • Harvard does not allow any non-students to enter any campus buildings.
  • If you would like to go inside MIT buildings, you may do so on your own on select days when the campus is open to visitors. Please ask your guide for more details.
Save up to 15%

From $55 $47 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 243 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Transportation
    4.8/5
  • Value for money
    4.5/5

Customer photos

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M
Melissa – United StatesMay 28, 2025 – Verified booking
We like Jenny our tour guide. She had a lot of stories and knowledge regarding both institutions.

Response from provider

May 31, 2025

Thank you so much for your review! Glad you had a fantastic tour with Jenny!

W
Wilson Bispo de lira – United StatesMay 11, 2025 – Verified booking
The tour was better than I expected! Pros: good meeting point, guide was absolutely wonderful and knowledgeable, duration was just the necessary, no more no less. Need to improve: maybe the only improvement I can think of is trying to get a better view of the MIT / Harvard student profile such as class, what GPA is required etc. just because we get confused of what is “good enough” from the admission office perspective. Btw Alexandria the guide is just a perfect tour guide. I can’t think of a better person s2! I was amazed and I must say I thought it was a little overpriced before I purchased, but after the tour I changed my mind. It s 200% worth the cost. Trust me.

Response from provider

May 12, 2025

Thanks so much for your review! We're glad you had such an incredible time on your tour of MIT & Harvard with Alexandria!

E
Eusaybia – United StatesApril 28, 2025 – Verified booking
Amazing! Such a friendly and informative tour guide. Highly recommend!

Product ID: 685928

Activity provider:Boston Hidden Gems Inc
  • United States
  • Massachusetts
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  • Tours in Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • Harvard University

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