Recently Viewed
Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard
4.8
27 Ratings
Cambridge
Explore MIT and Harvard on a guided tour. Discover history, pranks, and traditions. See iconic sites and stunning views. Subway fare included.
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- MIT Media Lab - Explore the MIT Media Lab, a hub for groundbreaking interdisciplinary innovations from MIT.
- Green Building - Visit the Green Building, designed by I.M. Pei, and discover the legendary “Tetris” student prank.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Check out the iconic MIT Dome and hear the story of the police car placed atop it in protest of parking tickets.
- Harvard Bridge - Observe the Smoot markers on the Harvard Bridge, which links Cambridge and Boston, and capture a photo of the Boston skyline.
- MIT Banana Lounge - Uncover the amusing tale behind the Banana Lounge.
- Stata Center - Marvel at the quirky Stata Center, known for its architectural brilliance and design flaws.
- Kendall/MIT - Ride the Red Line subway for two stops to the Harvard University Area. The subway fare is included in the tour, and your guide will assist you with the subway.
- Massachusetts Ave @ Johnston Gate - Enter Harvard Yard through its main entrance, Johnston Gate.
- John Harvard Statue - Discover why the renowned statue in Harvard Yard is dubbed the “Statue of the Three Lies”.
- Harvard Yard - Learn about the various dormitories around historic Harvard Yard and the notable individuals who lived there during their time at Harvard.
- Memorial Hall Harvard University - Visit Memorial Hall, a versatile building housed in a historic church.
- Harvard Memorial Church - See the Memorial Church, centrally located in Harvard Yard.
- The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library - Tour the main library of Harvard University and hear the poignant story behind its establishment.
- Wadsworth House - View one of the oldest buildings in Harvard Yard, where George Washington stayed during the American Revolution.
- Lowell House - Explore some of the upperclassmen housing at Harvard University and learn about the “Housing Day” tradition.
- Harvard Square - Conclude the tour at the lively Harvard Square, where your guide can recommend spots for souvenir shopping and dining.
What's Included
- Tour Guide Services
- Subway ticket from MIT to Harvard
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Additional Information
The tour starts on the MIT campus, where you will follow your guide to learn about the school’s history, famous pranks, inventions, and much more! Your tour guide will show you buildings designed by world-famous architects, dormitories home to hilarious MIT “hacks”, and stunning views of Boston from across the river!
After MIT, your tour guide will take you to Harvard using the subway system. Your subway fare is included in the cost of the tour.
Learn the history Harvard University, the oldest college in the country. See the “Statue of the Three Lies”, 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. The tour will show you the academic, residential, and hidden parts of one of the world’s most prestigious universities!
- 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.
- Parking is very difficult to find near the tour starting point. We strongly advise against driving and recommend taking public transit or taxi/Uber. The closest garage next to the tour start point is the Green Garage at Kendall and costs $38 for 3+ hours. Very limited metered street parking is available around the starting area of the tour, we advise arriving at least 30 minutes ahead of the tour start time to look for metered parking.
- Public transport is the easiest way to get to the tour start point. Take the MBTA (subway) to the Kendall/MIT station on the Red Line, the tour start point is next to the main entrance to the subway station.
- Tour starts exactly on time. If you are running late, you can catch up with the tour group by following the tour stops listed on the itinerary. First tour stop is MIT Media Lab, second stop is the Green Building, and so on. Your tour guide will not be able to answer any phone calls to direct you after the tour starts.
Location
Ripple Cafe
Main Street
Your tour guide will meet you in front of the Ripple Cafe on Main Street in Cambridge. The cafe is next to the Kendall Station subway stop on the Red Line. Your guide will be wearing a Boston Hidden Gems t-shirt and name tag.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(27 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
43akshayv
Jul 6, 2024
Tour - This was a very detailed experience with amazing places for photos. John is a very nice guide and made the tour very interesting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rja519
Jul 4, 2024
I’m not even a Smoot… - Excellent! Marvelous! Divine! Exhausting but John paced it really well. Bring bottled water and wear comfortable shoes…
Review provided by Tripadvisor
301aakritij
Jul 2, 2024
Excellent - Excellent. Very supportive, friendly and informative guide. Highly recommend for anyone who would like to know MIT and Harvard history
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jesus_c
Jul 1, 2024
Trip MIT - A very nice trip … a good walk on the campus and nice explanations, only if it’s rains it can be a problem.
Review provided by Viator
Janet_x
Jun 30, 2024
Beyond an university tour! - Jenn is an excellent gudie, her in-depth knowledge of Boston history has made the university tour a memorable experience!
Review provided by Viator
Mariaav1042dy
Jun 29, 2024
Highly Recommend - Our tour guide was great! This was great for my kids. I definitely recommend this to anyone that wants to learn about the campuses and specifics about their history. My guide was very considerate about the group getting shade as it was pretty hot and sunny.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
D3233xqfernandon
Jun 23, 2024
Great experience - John was very passionate on the tour, describing lots of details and interesting stories about both MIT and Harvard. I had a great time. The only limitation is that the group is not allowed to enter inside the buildings.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y5067nsrobertop
Jun 23, 2024
Great Tour! - John has been great! Super complete and with a great pace. I’d definetely recommend this tour to cover both MIT and Harvard campuses
Review provided by Tripadvisor
307anetab
Jun 8, 2024
Fun and Educational Tour! - It was a very informative and fun tour! Chris did and amazing job and answered many of our additional questions! The Smoke House recommendation was very good too! 😊 Our family had lots of fun!😊😊
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michaelasn5923pk
Jun 30, 2024
What a fun experience - John was a great tour-guide. He gave us a lot of background information und told us a lot of funny stories! Very interesting tour! We recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
