Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard

4.9 (150 reviews) 3 h 30 min Free cancellation

out of 5

150 reviews

4.9

MIT Dome — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Johnson Gate - Harvard University — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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 of 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!

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At a glance

Duration: 3 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 30 people
People per booking: 1–30
Guide: English
Operated by: Boston Hidden Gems

Ages: Children (3–12 years) · Youth (13–17 years) · Adults (18–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Tour Guide Services
Included: Subway ticket from MIT to Harvard

Not included

Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Stop 1

15 min

See the MIT Media Lab, home to some of the most innovative cross-discipline creations stemming from MIT.
Stop 2

10 min

See the Green Building, designed by I.M.Pei. Learn about the famous "Tetris" student prank.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

15 min

See the iconic MIT Dome and learn about the police car placed on top of the dome to protest parking tickets.
Harvard Bridge

10 min

See the Smoot markers on the Harvard Bridge, connecting Cambridge and Boston. Take a picture of the Boston skyline.
Stop 5

15 min

Learn about the hilarious story behind the Banana Lounge.
Stata Center

10 min

See the quirky State Center, both an architectural marvel and a design nightmare.
Stop 7

20 min Admission included

Take the Red Line subway two stops to the Harvard University Area. Cost of the subway ride is included in the tour. Your tour guide will direct you on using the subway.
Stop 8

10 min

Enter Harvard Yard through the main entrance - Johnson Gate.
John Harvard Statue

15 min

Learn why the famous Harvard Yard statue is called the "Statue of the Three Lies".
Stop 10

10 min

Learn about the various dormitories located around the historical Harvard Yard and who lived there while at Harvard.
Stop 11

15 min

See Memorial Hall, a multifunctional building inside an old church.
Harvard Memorial Church

10 min

See the Memorial Church, standing in the middle of Harvard Yard.
Stop 13

10 min

See the main library of Harvard University and hear the tragic story behind it.
Stop 14

10 min

See one of the oldest buildings in Harvard Yard, where George Washington stayed during the American Revolution.
Stop 15

20 min

See a few of the Upper Classmen housing of Harvard University and learn about the tradition of "Housing Day".
Harvard Square

10 min

End the tour at the bustling Harvard Square. Your tour guide can suggest places for souvenir shopping and/or lunch.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

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.

End point

Tour will end in Harvard Square, next to the Red Line subway stop with the same name.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Weekend vs Weekday Tours - the tour goes inside some MIT buildings on weekdays only! The MIT campus buildings are closed on weekends and major holidays; the listed tour price is lower to account for this. Harvard does not allow any public tours inside any buildings.
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 USD52 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.
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.