tours of harvard university

Visit Harvard

Whether you have a few hours or a few days, many discoveries await.

Tour updates

The Harvard University Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Harvard University Visitor Center

Harvard University established the Visitor Center in 1962 as the front door to the University, where students greet visitors from all over the world, answer questions about campus, and provide official tours of Harvard.

Email [email protected]

Mysterious facts, hidden gems, iconic figures, famous traditions, world-changing ideas, and everyday quirks—explore these and more on the official Harvard tours. Our tours are led by students and are offered both in-person, on campus and virtually. In addition, self-guided tours are offered on the Visit Harvard mobile app, available to download on iOS and Android devices.

Explore all of our tours

Historical Tour of Harvard

The free, student-led public walking tour through Harvard Yard provides a history of the University, general information, and a unique view on the student experience.

Visit Harvard mobile app

This free mobile app features a self-guided walking tour through Harvard Yard that highlights the history behind iconic buildings, traditions, alumni and more.

Explore on your own

Turn virtually any corner at Harvard and you’ll find something that leaves you feeling inspired. Explore the places, ideas, artifacts, and moments that make us who we are.

Find more at our museums

Harvard Libraries virtual exhibits

Virtual tour of the harvard museum of natural history, harvard and the legacy of slavery walking tour, places we love.

Harvard community members share their favorite places on campus.

William “Ned” Friedman, Director of the Arboretum

Arnold Arboretum

“There is a magnificent horticultural “sport” (genetic mutant) of the standard European beech tree ( Fagus sylvatica ) that came to the Arboretum in 1888 from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (and was probably collected in the wild in France). Instead of growing straight up to the sky, the shoots twist and turn into gyres, and the net effect is a tree that is essentially a small hemisphere.”

Rhea Bennett, Class of ’20

Radcliffe’s sunken garden

“One of my favorite places on campus when the weather is warm is the sunken garden in Radcliffe Yard. It is a beautiful, little green spot on campus where the gurgle of the fountain creates a quiet, calm atmosphere. Doing work there on a sunny day makes me feel like I’m in an oasis in the middle of the city.”

CURTIS KEITH, Chief scientific officer, Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator

Smith Campus Center

“I especially like having coffee in the second-floor seating area at the front of the Smith Campus Center, looking out onto the plaza in front of the center, the whole diversity of Harvard Square passing in front. For me, it also brings back memories of arriving at Harvard for the first time in 1993 as a student and seeing the chess players there.”

Find an event

Harvard offers many virtual and on-campus events open to visitors and neighbors.

Browse our upcoming events

SCREENING+TALK: Silvia Prieto

The Fromm Players at Harvard present "Piano: Sonic Revolutions"

Martha Grover Visiting Artist Workshop

Maps and Directions

There are a number of ways to get to Harvard. Find your best option.

Explore our campus

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Everything about tourist attractions

Harvard Tours – tickets, prices, discounts, what to expect

If you couldn’t make it to Harvard University, then worry not! You can still explore the campus – just book a  through Harvard Campus Tour. 

A Harvard tour gives you insights into campus life and tells you why it is the best institute in the world. 

The tour revolves around exploring Harvard History, Harvard Culture, and Famous Harvardians.

This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for the Harvard Campus Tour.

Top Harvard Tours

#  70-minute group tour

Table of contents

What to expect, where to book tickets, how do online tickets work, harvard tour ticket prices, harvard tour tickets, where do harvard tours start from, how long does the harvard tour last, is a tour of harvard worth it, sites you will see on the harvard tour, what to bring on the tour, things to know before starting a tour, faqs about the harvard walking tour.

The Harvard tours introduce you to the dynamic Harvard History, Harvard Culture, and Famous Harvardians. 

Harvard campus tour covers many landmarks such as Harvard Square, Harvard Yard, the John Harvard Statue (the university founder), Harvard Lampoon, and many more. 

All the tour guides are Harvard students who are charismatic, engaging, and enthusiastic. 

These guides make Harvard tours more like a show or a theatre filled with non-stop fun and entertainment. 

With the students’ guides by your side, you get to learn interesting facts about the university, its hidden secrets, and stories of popular Harvardians like Mark Zuckerberg, Barack Obama, Conan O’Brien, and many more. 

Harvard tours are designed to entertain both adults and children. AAA Magazine called them “great for families!” The tour guides cater to guests of all ages and families. 

Tickets for the Harvard tour are available to be purchased at the attraction or online in advance.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.

When you buy online, you can avoid standing in long queues and wasting time.

When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.

Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, they may sell out during peak days. Booking online also helps avoid last-minute disappointment and delays.

Go to the Harvard tour booking page , select your preferred date and time and the number of tickets, and buy the tickets right away.

After the purchase, you will receive the tickets via email.

You don’t need to carry printouts.

Show the smartphone tickets at the meeting point on the day of your visit and begin your adventure.

Adult tickets for the Harvard Tour are available for US$23 for visitors aged between 18 and 64 years.

For children between four and 17 years of age, tickets are available for US$21.

Senior Citizens aged 65 and above can get the tickets for US$22.

Infants up to three years of age do not require a ticket.

Experience Harvard University like never before with a guided walking tour.

Explore the campus while learning about the oldest university in the USA and its notable landmarks.

The tour will be led by a student guide who will share interesting anecdotes about life at Harvard.

In addition, the ticket also includes an illustrated map of Harvard Square.

The tour route covers a distance of less than one mile.

Ticket Prices

Adult ticket (18 to 64 years): US$23 Senior ticket (65+ years): US$22 Child ticket (4 to 17 years): US$21 Infant tickets (up to 3 years): Free

Along with their Harvard Campus Tour, some tourists prefer to book a group tour of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology .

The Harvard campus tour starts from Harvard Square. 

Located at the junction of Massachusetts Avenue, Brattle Street, and John F. Kennedy Street, Harvard Square is thronged by visitors, students, and artists daily. 

You’ll find your tour guides outside the Harvard Red Line Subway Station next to the Out of Town News Kiosk. Get Directions

The closest street address is 1380 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138.

The 70-minute Harvard Tour is available throughout the week.

Visitors can choose between tour slots starting at 10 am and continuing every half hour till 4.30 pm. 

The Harvard walking tour lasts for about 70 minutes. 

There are umpteen stops on the 1-mile (1.6 km) long tour.

The tour guides will tell you the stories and significance of various landmarks you pass by.  

Established in 1636, Harvard is America’s oldest university and perhaps the most famous institution of higher education on the planet. Harvard is very much worth visiting.

This prestigious university contains tall buildings, libraries packed with books, and iconic sites that are breathtaking. 

Whether you’re a student or not, the campus has much to please your mind and soul. 

Since the students will walk you through the campus, you get an insider perspective about the university. 

All of this makes the Harvard Tour worth your money and time.

You’ll walk through the university gates, around the yard, and past some historic buildings with Harvard Tour guides. 

The major sites covered under Harvard Tours are:

Harvard Square

It is a commercial center in Cambridge with streets lined with cafes, restaurants, retail stores, cinemas, and bookstores. 

Johnston Gate

This majestic gate takes you to the world of knowledge and wisdom. It is one of the many doorways to Harvard Yard.

Harvard Yard

It is the heart of Harvard University, enclosed by wrought iron fences, walls, and a thick canopy of trees. The John Harvard Statue is situated in this beautiful yard. 

Science Center

It is a place for science and math buffs who experiment and do research.

Memorial Hall

The cornerstone of the building was laid in 1870 in memory of those who laid down their lives during the Civil War. 

New College Theatre

It hosts several theatrical and musical performances of Harvard students every year. NCT is also open to the general public to enjoy the performances of Harvard-affiliated groups and performers. 

The Harvard Lampoon

Sometimes referred to as “Lampoon Castle,” this sturdy castle consists of an office, library, dining hall, and a lounge. It is famous for publishing comic and humor magazines. 

Lowell Bell Tower

This blue-capped bell tower is in proximity to Harvard Yard and Harvard Square. It houses the iconic Russian bells.

It is better to come prepared for the weather to avoid surprises.

When coming for the tour, you can bring along the following items-

• Comfortable shoes

Before starting the campus tour, keep in mind the following points-

• The tour will go on despite rain or sunshine.
• Reach the tour’s starting point (Harvard Square) at least 10-15 minutes before the scheduled time. 

The tour does not take you inside any of the buildings.

Here are some questions visitors usually ask before taking the Harvard Walking Tour.

The tour includes a guided walk through Harvard Yard and visits to various historic buildings on campus.

Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.

Yes, it is best to buy tickets in advance to ensure availability and have a hassle-free experience.

The tours last approximately 70 minutes.

Yes, the tours are wheelchair accessible.

Yes, you can bring a backpack or bag on the tour, but it will be subject to security screening.

Yes, there is a gift shop at the Harvard University Information Center where you can purchase souvenirs and other items related to Harvard University.

No, pets are not allowed on the tour.

Yes, cameras are allowed, and visitors are free to take photographs.

Yes, restrooms are available at the Harvard University Information Center.

Sources # College.harvard.edu # Harvard.edu # Apply.college.harvard.edu # Seas.harvard.edu The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy .

Popular attractions in Boston

# Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum # Boston Trolley Tours # New England Aquarium # Boston Ghost Tours # Zoo New England # Codzilla Boston # Fenway Park tours # Boston Harbor Cruises # Whale Watching in Boston # Harvard Tours # Boston Duck Tours

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This article was researched & written by

Nishtha Nogia

Nishtha Nogia loves to explore new places with family and friends. She travels to weave stories packed with fun, surprises, and laughter. For her, traveling is all about hogging local cuisines, interacting with people, and creating lifelong memories. She has a travel bucket list ready and is waiting to start ticking them one by one. Favourite Cities: Seoul, Paris, New York, and Istanbul.

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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Can I take a tour of the Harvard campus?

Jul 5, 2023 • knowledge.

The Harvard University Visitor Center offers in-person tours daily. Additional tour offerings include the  self-guided historical tour on the Visit Harvard mobile app, available to download on  iOS  and  Android  devices.  During business hours you may purchase a Self-Guided Tour Map for $3 available in multiple languages.

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How To Visit Harvard On Your Next Trip To Boston

On your next trip to Boston, why not take the opportunity to visit the iconic Harvard University? Getting there is quite easy and so worth it!

I did it myself and it was so fun to see the most famous university in the world in person. (:

In this post, you will read about how to visit Harvard and take a free tour of the university.

Plan your Perfect trip to Boston

🏨 Find the perfect hotel on  Booking.com

🎫 If you’d like to go on fun tours, check out the best tours to take in Boston

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Why Visit Harvard University

First, because visiting Harvard is one of the best things to do in Boston and it is a gorgeous place to visit all year round, I got to see the campus covered in snow, and it was so beautiful!

Second, if you never had the opportunity to attend one, exploring an Ivy League school is an interesting and unique experience.

Anyone can visit Harvard University and see with his own eyes the school chosen by brilliant minds like Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and George W. Bush.

How To Get To Harvard From Boston

The best way to get to Harvard is by driving, taking uber or public transportation.

I went with public transportation and getting there was easy peasy:

Public transportation

Boston’s public transportation system is very efficient and easy to understand. Taking the subway is a fast and cheap way to get to Harvard.

All you have to do is get to a subway station where you can take the Red Line and then get off at Harvard Station.

Climb the stairs and you will already find yourself right in front of the university, in Harvard Square.

Harvard Address

For those who prefer to go drive or take an uber the university’s address is Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.

In case you are driving, you might be asking yourself where to park to visit Harvard. Well, these are some commercial parking lots and garages where you can park:

• Smith Campus Center Parking Garage (managed by Propark)
• Harvard Square Parking Garage
• University Place Parking Garage
• Charles Square Garage
• Church Street Parking Lot
• Harvard Square Hotel

The history of Harvard University

According to Best College Reviews , Harvard University possesses the title of America’s oldest learning institution, founded in 1636.

In the beginning, its name was New College and was built mainly to educate clergy. In 1639, the school’s name became Harvard University, name after John Harvard, who donated half of his estate and his entire library to the school upon his death.

Taking A Tour of Harvard University

The best way to visit the Harvard Campus is by taking a student-led tour.

The tours last around 70 minutes and include a map of the campus.

When I did it, a very nice student called Jack showed us around and took us to one of the libraries (so beautiful!), the science building, the dorms, and so much more.

He also taught us about the university traditions and ended the tour on the famous statue of John Harvard.

It was such a fun experience!

What To Visit in Harvard Square

After you visit the university, you might as well make the most out of your day trip and stroll around the historic neighborhood of Harvard Square.

Some of the best things to do in Harvard Square include:

• Visiting one of the many souvenir stores
• Buy a book at the Harvard Book Store
• Catch a movie at the Brattle Theater
• Brunch at Henrietta’s Table

Other cool things to do in Boston

Besides visiting Harvard, there are many other fun and unique experience to have in Boston!

Here are some of my favorite:

Cruise along Charles River

Hop into a duck boat—renovated World War II amphibious vehicle—for a comprehensive tour of Boston. Pass Boston Common, Quincy Market, and the Celtics’ home turf at TD Garden. Then splash down into the Charles River for a view of the city by boat. Learn all about Boston’s history and landmarks as you go.

Go on a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard

Join Boston’s only award-winning, original, Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip! Leave the trouble of driving to someone else and enjoy a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard from Boston.

Then, take a short cruise to Martha’s Vineyard then enjoy free time to explore or upgrade to add an island tour.

Go on a Ghosts & Gravestones Night-Time Trolley Tour

Discover some of Boston’s deepest, darkest secrets on a “frightseeing” tour aboard the Trolley of the Doomed, which roams around the haunted streets and burial grounds of Boston

Tour Fenway Park, America’s most beloved ballpark

Revel in the history of Fenway Park, one of baseball’s most beloved stadiums, during this guided tour.

Revisit the careers of Red Sox greats like Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, and Carl Yastrzemski, celebrate the club’s numerous World Series titles and tour famous stadium locales like the ‘Green Monster,’ ‘Pesky’s Pole,’ and the Fenway Park Living Museum.

That’s a wrap! I hope this guide was useful to you and that you have a lovely time at the most famous university in the world.

Remember to send this post to any of your friends that still don’t know how to visit Harvard and follow me on Instagram for more travel tips (:

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[…] Going on a day trip to Harvard is an absolute must if this is your first time in Boston! The university is one of the most iconic in the world and it offers student-led free tours. You can see how to take one of those right here. […]

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[…] How to visit Harvard: taking a free tour of the university […]

This is so awesome! I’d love to visit Harvard one day and meet some of the brilliant minds who study there.

Camila Neves

I highly recommend it!! 🙂

Rebecca Scholes

We loved Harvard when we visited, would love to have done a tour. And Boston is one of our all time favourite American Cities, love it 😍

Daniel Barker

Love to visit the campus again and again. It’s the place from where many histories begin

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Private Group Walking Tour of Harvard University

• Personal guide for your group
• 90 minute private tour of Harvard University
• 1380 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA Meet our managers outside of the main Harvard Redline Subway (T) station. Our manager will connect you with the tour guide. The exact address is 1376 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138.
• 65 Mount Auburn Street, 65 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA The tour ends at The Harvard Shop - an official souvenir store of Harvard!
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Infant seats available
• Transportation is wheelchair accessible
• Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travelers can participate
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
• You'll start at 1380 Massachusetts Ave 1380 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA Meet our managers outside of the main Harvard Redline Subway (T) station. Our manager will connect you with the tour guide. The exact address is 1376 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138. See address & details
• 1 Harvard University Stop: 60 minutes See details
• 2 Harvard Square Stop: 30 minutes See details
• 3 John Harvard Statue Stop: 15 minutes See details
• You'll end at 65 Mount Auburn Street 65 Mount Auburn Street, 65 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA The tour ends at The Harvard Shop - an official souvenir store of Harvard! See address & details

• Marilyn E 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Cold, wet, windy The student guide was excellent but long periods of standing in the freezing rain was miserable. Why doesn’t the tour move the group inside during inclement weather? Read more Written April 4, 2024
• karinefE2804MC 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Absolute must!!! Totally awesome Awesome!!! Our guide Roseanne was unbelievable, funny and really great! A must if you want to visit Harvard!!! She highlighted the best of a visit of Harvard, had some great insider stories and was super helpful! Ask for her if you book, she is really great! Read more Written April 3, 2024
• L2900RTdanielc 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Walking tour We took the student led tour around Harvard and it was good fun. Our tour guide Evan, was fantastic. He gave us true insight into university life as well as all the history. I would highly recommend Read more Written April 3, 2024
• humbertod440 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Family Harvard Tour Great Experience and overall tour. Our tour guide Alfania was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and took her time to answer questions and interact with our children. We came out impressed with the history of Harvard. Great family experience! Read more Written April 2, 2024
• callxmw 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Cool tour Olga was so good ! And on her 19th birthday aswell . Very modest and lovely . Very comprehensive tour of Harvard and we really enjoyed ourselves Read more Written April 2, 2024
• A1292WZlisah 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Don’t hesitate, just book it! Our tour guide, Sally, was amazing! She provided a very thorough tour and gave us the insight on Harvard history and culture. Don’t hesitate on taking this tour. The students give you more than you’ll get if you do it on your own. Read more Written April 2, 2024
• TabathaSoltay 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Insightful Taking a tour with a current student is really insightful and interesting. Our guide was funny, knowledgable and honest both about the history and about his experiences. However, for the cost of this tour I would make two assumptions: - The groups would be smaller; this was a large group of close to 30 people. Our guide did an amazing job trying to position himself so we could all hear, but at points - especially when travelling - this became hard. It also slowed us down a lot - The guides would get more of the $ collected from the ticket fees. I know tipping culture is big in the US, but with a lot of foreign tourists and with more and more people using cards to pay, it would be nice if they were paid a fair wage for the tours. Read more Written April 2, 2024
• mohansubin 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Just for Being at Harvard The famous Harvard University is a treat to watch. However if you expect this tour to see its facilities, you will be disappointed. The tour takes you to the door steps of each of the iconic buildings and tells you whats inside and the history of it. Its up to you then if you are able to get a peep inside of those structures and many of them are only accessible to the students and staff. The tour covers the main campus, library, the freshman rooms, the graduation grounds and common hall. The Business school, the law school and medical school are not included as this is in a different place. Its a must visit if you have this in your bucket list or want to get inspired, but if it is for exploring deeply and gaining insights, i recommend you find it in a different way. Read more Written March 31, 2024
• Heidi P 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great Tour Sham was an absolutely amazing tour guide. She provided us with the history and the myths of Harvard. Great trip, thank you! Read more Written March 21, 2024
• Feegella 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles One Tour Not to Miss!! Evan was a brilliant tour guide. His extensive knowledge and history of Harvard was impressive. Answered all of our questions without hesitation. I wish him the very best of luck in his continued studies at Harvard. A very enjoyable tour and would highly recommend. Read more Written March 20, 2024
• nickib3 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The Harvard Experience Trey was an amazing guide! Answered all of our questions, gave fun facts and really showed us the Harvard University experience I really recommend asking for Trey! Read more Written March 19, 2024
• M1723NDjuanp 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best tour ever This is an amazing tour. We received all the information we needed to understand the entire Harvard's history. The guide was extremely kind and answered all our questions. Would repeat again 1000x times. Read more Written March 16, 2024
• jezzywanderlife 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing Tour Guide, AYA! Aya was our tour guide! She was excellent and had a positive energy. She was not only knowledgeable, but she answered questions we may have. We wish her luck on her upcoming years at Harvard! Note: I wish we could have went inside some of the buildings. Read more Written March 15, 2024
• adamjH229OF 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Harvard Campus tour Kate's knowledge of the Harvard campus was impeccable and her energy made the tour super enjoyable, her puns and jokes were also funny definitely recommend her Read more Written March 10, 2024
• anthonygD2337MJ 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles No entrance to buildings Surprised that we didn’t enter a single building for a paid tour. I think the tour should say more clearly that there is no indoor portion. Read more Written March 10, 2024

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Private Group Walking Tour of Harvard University provided by The Hahvahd Tour

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Harvard University Tours

1-day boston to quincy market, boston harbor cruise and harvard university in-depth tour tour code : gol-bos-335.

Departure City : Boston MA

Available Days : Thu & Sat

Highlights : Visit two top universities in the U.S. at Harvard and MIT. Official in-depth campus tour of Harvard guided by enrolled undergraduate students. Ride on the Boston harbor cruise for sightseeing around the city.

• Admission ticket to Boston Harbor Cruise.
• A minimum of 2 people is required to be operated.

1-Day New York to Cambridge, Harvard, MIT and Boston Tour Tour code : GOL-NYC-126

Departure City : New York City NY

Available Days : Tue,Fri,Sun (2024-01-01 To 2024-12-31)

Highlights : Be a part of this 1 day extravaganza to Boston. You will have a chance to explore the beautiful city with a professional tour guide. Air conditioned transport and sightseeing of Boston is included in the package. 

• Sightseeing of Boston

2-Day From New York to Rhode Island, Cambridge and Boston Tour Tour code : GOL-NYC-153

Departure City : Brooklyn NY, Flushing NY, New York City NY

Available Days : Sat & Special Date

Highlights : Visit three top universities in the U.S. at Harvard, Yale and MIT. Official in-depth campus tours of Harvard & Yale University guided by enrolled undergraduate students. Ride on the replica of amphibious military vehicle sightseeing around the city on the Boston duck tour. Visit the Breakers – one of the grandest summer "cottages" and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family's social and financial preeminence in turn of the century America. Grab a bite of authentic local gourmet: Boston lobster dinner & clam chowder.

• A minimum of 2 passengers is required for this tour to be operated.

4-Day New York to Niagara Falls, Corning, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Boston City Tour Tour code : GOL-NYC-108

Departure City : Flushing NY, New York City NY

Available Days : Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun

Highlights : 【Safety First】Travel with thoroughly disinfected sightseeing coach and our professional well-trained tour escort. 【Eastern US】Pack an array of top landmarks and attractions on the east coast, learning more about local culture and history. 【Wonder of Nature】Take an in-depth visit to Niagara Falls, getting astonished by the power of nature and spectacular view! 【World Top University】Walk into the world top ranked universitiy-- Havard University. 【Foodie’s Choice】Grab a bite of authentic local taste, check out the fresh products at Quincy Market and enjoy a real Boston lobster meal.

4-Day Boston to New York, Times Square, Museum of Modern Art, New Haven, Newport and Boston Harbor Cruise Tour Tour code : GOL-BOS-319

Available Days : Thursday & Special Dates

Highlights : Go to the Hudson Yards and climb to the top of The Edge with a 360 degree view! Walk around "The Crossroads of the World" at Times Square. Follow us and take a visit to the Museum of Modern Art. Put your taste buds to the test with the most authentic gourmet dishes. Visit the High Line, Chelsea Market, the Vessel, SOHO and Dumbo! Explore the true beauty of the Big Apple and visit the Grand Central, Bryant Park and Little Island.  Visit three top universities in the U.S. at Harvard, Yale and MIT. Official in-depth campus tours of Harvard & Yale University guided by enrolled undergraduate students. Ride on the replica of amphibious military vehicle sightseeing around the city on the Boston duck tour. Visit the Breakers – one of the grandest summer "cottages" and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family's social and financial preeminence in turn of the century America. Grab a bite of authentic local gourmet: Boston lobster dinner & clam chowder.

• Additional Date: 05/25/2024, 07/02/2024, 08/30/2024
• For schedules departing from August to October, an additional fee of $50 per room will be charged.

5-Day New York/New Jersey to Niagara Falls, Philadelphia, Washington DC, MIT and Boston Deluxe Tour Tour code : GOL-NYC-239

Departure City : Flushing NY, New York City NY, Newark NJ

Available Days : Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday

Highlights : Join us on this 5-day pleasant trip and visit New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Niagara Falls, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Old Fort Niagara, the Whirlpool State Park, Harvard University, MIT, Lincoln Memorial, Corning Glass Museum, Statue of Liberty, USS Intrepid, Wall Street, Madame Tussauds New York, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, White House and Boston.

Buy 2 get 2 free Buy 2 get 1 free

6-Day Washington DC to Boston, New York, Corning, Niagara Falls, Boston Harbor Cruise and Harvard University In-Depth Tour (Free Airport Pickup) Tour code : GOL-WDC-174A

Departure City : Washington DC

Available Days : Tuesday

Highlights : Visit the nation’s capital at Washington, D.C., and check out its most iconic sites including the White House, Lincoln Memorial and so much more. Visit the Corning Glass Center and watch the exquisite glass craftsmanship. Explore the power of nature and take an in-depth tour to Niagara Falls! Take a ride to the top of One World Trade Center while observing a stunning panoramic view of NYC! Walk around "The Crossroads of the World" at Times Square and take a Liberty Cruise to the icon of freedom.

6-Day New York to Philadelphia, Corning, Niagara Falls, Washington D.C, Boston, Quincy Market and Harvard University In-Depth Tour Tour code : GOL-NYC-573

Available Days : Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun

Highlights : Two-day tour of New York to explore city landmarks from a panoramic perspective! Explore the historic cities in the East Coast and feel the charm of the new capital and the old. Participate in in-depth activities and feel the majestic momentum of the great falls! Take a visit the world-top school—Harvard University! Enjoy the authentic Boston lobster in the famous Quincy Market!

6-Day Boston to Harvard University, Corning, Niagara Falls, New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC Tour (Free Airport Pickup) Tour code : GOL-BOS-213A

Available Days : Wed & Sat

Highlights : Take a ride to the top of One World Trade Center while observing a stunning panoramic view of NYC! Walk around "The Crossroads of the World" at Times Square and take a Liberty Cruise to the icon of freedom. Take a trip to Washington D.C. and Niagara Falls for an unforgettable trip! We prioritize your safety by traveling with thoroughly disinfected sightseeing coaches and our professional well-trained tour escort. Visit the nation’s capital at Washington, D.C., and check out its most iconic sites including the White House, Lincoln Memorial and so much more. Visit the Corning Glass Center and watch the exquisite glass craftsmanship. Explore the power of nature and take an in-depth tour to Niagara Falls! Walk into two of the world top ranked universities -- Havard University and MIT.

6-Day New York to Philadelphia, Washington DC, Boston, Corning, NYC and Niagara Falls Tour (Free Airport Pickup) Tour code : GOL-NYC-211A

Departure City : Newark NJ

Highlights : 【Safety First】Travel with thoroughly disinfected sightseeing coach and our professional well-trained tour escort. 【The Big Apple】Visit iconic sites, buildings, and parks in New York, one of the most prestigious cities. 【Eastern US】Pack an array of top landmarks and attractions on the east coast, learning more about local culture and history. 【Wonder of Nature】Take an in-depth visit to Niagara Falls, getting astonished by the power of nature and spectacular view! 【World Top University】Walk into two of the world top ranked universities -- Havard University and MIT. 【Foodie’s Choice】Grab a bite of authentic local taste, check out the fresh products at Quincy Market and enjoy a real Boston lobster meal.

• The Maid of the Mist Niagara Falls Boat is usually closed in winter season. It will not be visited based on attraction closure.

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Harvard University Walking Tour

This post covers how to tour Harvard University and the surrounding Cambridge area, including our pay-what-you-wish tour and our audio tour which you can take any time.

There is also a tour guided by students, as well as a self-guided option.

Harvard University is the oldest college in the United States (1636).

Eight U.S. presidents attended Harvard University and the name is known worldwide.

WHERE IS HARVARD?

Harvard University is located in the City of Cambridge, just across the Charles River from Boston.

It's located approximately 4 miles (6.5 km) away from the Boston Commons (or 15 min on the subway).

Regardless of how you decide to get here, we recommend using this Google Maps link for directions to Harvard Square .

Be sure to read our how-to guide on riding the Boston T (subway).

TIP: If you are considering purchasing a hop-on-hop-off trolley ticket, be aware that Old Town Trolley has a stop for Harvard University.

GUIDED HARVARD WALKING TOURS

To start with, our 2-hour, pay-what-you-like tour not only covers Harvard University but also the surrounding area of Cambridge.

Below us, you can read about a shorter tour led by current Harvard students.

FREE TOURS BY FOOT

Reservations:  REQUIRED.  Click here to reserve . Groups of 6 or more must  contact us  before booking.

Where:  At the Cambridge Tourism Information Booth in Harvard Square ( map ).

Cost:  This tour is free to take, and you get to decide what, if anything, the tour was worth when it's done. A  name-your-own-price tour  is a tour for anyone's budget.

Duration:  Approximately 2 hours. Tour distance is approximately 1 mile (1.6K)

When: 

• Jan. to Feb. : No Tours
• March to April:   Saturdays and Sundays 10 am
• May to June 20:   Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays 10 am
• June 20th to Labor Day : Everyday 10 am
• Sept. to Oct:   Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays 10 am
• Nov. to Dec .  Saturdays and Sundays 10 am

You can also take this tour as a self-guided GPS enabled audio tour .

Here is how it works:

• Purchase an  audio tour from our Booking Page .
• You'll receive a confirmation email with a .pdf, Google Map link, and audio tour.
• Enjoy the tour(s).

Listen to a sample of the Harvard and Cambridge audio tour.

Hahvahad Tours (that's phonetically spelled) 

This company offers 70-min tours several times each day that are led by current Harvard students, enthusiastic ambassadors of the university.

Tours are inexpensive, light-hearted, but are limited to the university grounds, so you won't see much of Cambridge. 

Tours run daily at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 1 pm.  

$19.50/adults | $18.50/students, seniors and children (Free with the Go Boston tourist discount card )

Book your tour here .

SELF-GUIDED TOUR OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY AND CAMBRIDGE

You can also take this tour as a self-guided GPS-enabled audio tour .

How to Get to Harvard University

Reaching the start of this tour is easy.

The best way to access the area is by mass transit. You can take the red line T to Harvard Square MBTA Station.  

Use this Google map for directions to Harvard Square .  

Click on the map for a larger version.

Out of Town Newsstand

Your tour starts outside the Harvard Sq. MBTA (subway) Station.

Notice the Out of Town Newsstand which is a Cambridge landmark. 

The newsstand since it opened in 1955, has been providing Harvard professors, students, and Cambridge Residence with newspapers and magazines from all over the world.

The building is a national historic landmark.

From Out of Town News walk up JFK Street (to your right if you are facing Out of Town News).

Follow JFK St. to Mt. Auburn St. and take a left down Mt. Auburn St. to the Harvard Lampoon Building at 44 Bow St.

1. Lampoon Building

The Lampoon Building is also known as the Lampoon Castle.

The best place to view this building is by standing on the island where Bow St. and Mt. Auburn St. meet.

This building houses Harvard's comedy magazine The Lampoon, where students like Cohan O'Brien and John Updike wrote while undergraduates at the university.

John Updike also served as president of The Lampoon at his time there.

This is one of the most unique buildings on Campus.

Opened in 1909 the building is designed in the form of a human face wearing a Prussian helmet. The front door looks like a bow tie turned sideways.

Notice the Ibis on top. This is made of copper and weighs about 70 pounds. The Ibis was stolen a few times by members of Harvard University's newspaper The Crimson as a prank.

The bird is now said to have an electrified wire attached to it to prevent future thefts.

Costing $40,000 to construct in 1909, at the time the building was the most expensive headquarters for a student publication in the nation. Look to your right you will see Lowell House, the structure with the white bell tower.

This undergraduate dorm is where Matt Damon stayed while a student at the university.

Notice the bell tower of Lowell House. The tower houses 18 bells ranging in size from 22 pounds (the smallest bell) to 27,000 pounds (the Mother Earth bell).

After what is known as The Game, the annual Harvard vs. Yale football game, the Harvard team score is rung out on the Mother Earth Bell.

The Yale score is chimed on what is known as the bells of Pestilence, Famine, and Despair.

As you walk around the Lampoon Building you will notice two dates, 1909 and 1876. 1909 is when the building opened and 1876 is when the Harvard Lampoon Magazine was first published

Continue walking up Mt. Auburn St following the Lampoon Building and take a left onto Plympton St. At 26 Plympton St. you will see the undergraduate dorm of the Adams House.

2. Adams House

Opened in 1900 the dorm is named in honor of the United State's 2nd President John Adams and his son, America's 6th President John Quincy Adams, who both graduated from the university.

There is a suite inside Adam's House called the FDR Suite where the United States' 32nd president Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) lived while a student at Harvard.

It is restored to the 1904 appearance to honor the president who stayed there as a student.

The FDR Suite inside Adams House is the only memorial to FDR on campus.

Including FDR, John Adams, and John Quincy Adams, Harvard University has had 5 other US Presidents who attended: Barack Obama, George W. Bush, John F. Kennedy, Theodore Roosevelt, and Rutherford B. Hayes for a total of 8 U.S. Presidents who attended the university.

Continue up Plympton St. to 14 Plympton St. to the student newspaper The Harvard Crimson.

3. Harvard Crimson

Founded in 1873 it was called The Magenta for its first two years, and in 1875 the paper changed its name to The Crimson when the University changed its color to crimson.

The Harvard Crimson is the only daily newspaper in the City of Cambridge and is run entirely by the university's undergraduate students.

It is also the only college newspaper in the United States that has its own printing press.

Some of the famous folks who wrote for the Crimson include US Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt (who served as the newspaper president) and John F. Kennedy (a business editor).

Look up to the second-floor glass door and you may be able to see the big chair inside.

This chair has small brass makers attached to the chair with the names of the former presidents of the newspaper.

Like the Ibis on top of the Lampoon Building, members of the Harvard Lampoon sometimes steal this chair as a prank and revenge for the Crimson's members' theft of their Ibis.

The chair is now chained to the floor to help thwart future thefts.

Continue up Plympton St. and cross Massachusetts Ave. and enter Old Harvard Yard through Dextor Gate.

Notice the carved inscription above the entrance and the words "enter to grow in wisdom" and on the exit/inside of the gate the words "depart to serve better this country and thy kind."

4. Wigglesworth Hall

After you enter Harvard Yard, take a left and will see the dorm, Wigglesworth Hall.

All freshmen who enter Harvard are required to stay in the Halls of Old Harvard Yard. All the freshman dorms are called Halls and the upper-class dorms are called Houses.

Some of the famous students who lived in Wigglesworth Hall include Leonard Bernstein, Senator Edward Kennedy, and Bill Gates.

Follow the path to the Henry Elkins Widener Memorial Library.

5. Henry Elkins Widener Memorial Library

This is the largest college library in the United States and is the nation's 3rd largest library. The library has 57 miles (92 km) of shelves along five miles of aisles on ten floors.

Only the US Library of Congress and the New York Public Library hold more volumes of books.

The Library is six floors high and four floors below and was built in honor of 1907 Harvard graduate Henry Elkins Widener who was killed in April 1912 at the age of 27 during the sinking of the Titanic.

The library was built with funds donated by Widener's mother Eleanor to honor her son's memory.

Look directly across the Old Yard and you will see Memorial Church. This church was built in 1932.

Inside these walls engraved alongside a sculptor named “The Sacrifice” are 373 names of alumni who were killed during WWI.

Since then other memorials have been established inside the church for Harvard Students and Alumni who were killed in WWII, The Korean War, and Vietnam.

Walk around the Widener Library and follow the path to the Dragon Statue.

6. Dragon Statue

This statue was donated to the university in 1936 by Chinese Alumni in honor of the university's 300 anniversary.

The statue is made of marble and weighs 27 tons. It was carved between 1796 and1820 in Beijing and formally resided in the Winter Palace before being donated and shipped to the university.

As you continue down the path look to your right and you will see Weld Hall where President John F. Kennedy lived during his freshman year at Harvard.

Follow the path around University Hall and you will see the most famous site on campus, the John Harvard Statue.

7. John Harvard Statue

This is also known as the Statue of "three lies".

The first one is on the statue's base and states Harvard was formed in 1638. Wrong, as we know Harvard was formed in 1636.

It says that John Harvard was the founder of Harvard. Wrong, Harvard was founded in 1636 by the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. John Harvard endowed Harvard with books and money in 1638.

And the third and probably the biggest lie on the statue is that the man in the chair; not John Harvard.

When the statue was designed in 1884 by Daniel Chester French there was not any likeness of John Harvard.

French used a Harvard Student by the name of Sherman Hoar as the inspiration for John Harvard's face. Sherman Hoar was a descendant of the brother of Harvard's fourth president Leonard Hoar.

The statue is one of the most photographed statues in the United States, and you will notice the worn-out bronze of the statue's left foot where millions of visitors have rubbed for good luck.

There is also the legend that if you rub/touch the foot of the statue you will acquire some of the knowledge of Harvard.

Take the path away from the John Harvard Statue and towards the street. On the left, you will see Massachusetts Hall.

8. Massachusetts Hall

Opened in 1720, Massachusetts Hall is the second oldest college dorm in the United States.

Some of their legendary student residents include John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and America's second president John Adams.

During the siege of Boston in 1775, 640 members of the Continental Army led by George Washington were housed there.

Currently, Massachusetts Hall houses the office of Harvard's President, Treasurer, and Vice President, all of which have their offices on the first two floors and part of the third floor.

On the fourth floor are freshman dorms.

Exit the Old Yard through Johnston Gate.

9. Johnson Gate

Opened in 1890, Johnston Gate was the first gate constructed around Old Harvard Yard.

Johnston Gate cost $10,000 to construct in 1889-90 and was a gift to the university by 1855 Harvard Graduate Samuel Johnston.

For several hundred years, on Harvard's commencement day, sheriffs from Middlesex and Suffolk Country have entered Harvard Yard on horseback before the Middlesex Sheriff's call to order.

It has become a tradition that they enter through Johnston Gate. Another tradition at Harvard regarding Johnston Gate is that after the commencement ceremony, graduates exit Harvard Yard using only Johnston Gate.

As you exit Harvard Yard through Johnston Gate you can now consider yourself an honorary graduate of Harvard University.

After exiting Johnston Gate, cross Massachusetts Ave. to the island in the middle and you will be at the sculpture of Charles Sumner (1811-1874).

10. Charles Sumner Statue

He was a lawyer, abolitionist, orator, and US Senator from Massachusetts.

One of the many things he is known for is while a US Senator he was an incident that took place on the Senate floor when he was arguing against the Kansas/Nebraska Act.

This was an 1854 legislative act that would allow the expansion of slavery in the new states of Kansas and Nebraska.

On May 20th, 1856, Sumner was auguring against the Act, and during his diatribe, Sumner called US Senator Andrew Butler from South Carolina a slave pimp and went on a tirade against the senator and his state of South Carolina.

During the tirade, he mocked Butler's manner of speech and physical mannerisms as Butler previously suffered a stroke which left him physically impaired.

Two days later, US Congressman Preston Brooks, the cousin of Senator Butler walked on the Senate floor and approached Sumner.

As Sumner rose to meet the Representative, Preston beat Sumner nearly to death with a cane until the cane finally broke.

The beating rendered Sumner unconscious on the Senate floor. It took almost two years before Senator Sumner recovered from the beating.

The event showed how divided the United States was at that time over the issue of slavery.

Continue across Massachusetts Ave. , take a right and follow Massachusetts Ave. and you will be outside the Cambridge Burial Ground (1635).

11. Old Burial Ground

This burial ground was the only burial ground in Cambridge for nearly 200 years and includes a cross-section of Cambridge residents from paupers to Harvard presidents.

Like all the old burial grounds, there are many more bodies beneath than the 1218 headstones above, as many of the headstones did not survive the centuries and some of the earliest burials were unmarked.

The oldest headstone in the burial ground is that of Anne Eriton which dates to 1653.

The tomb of John Vassel is the most elaborate in the burial ground and contains 25 caskets and including the body of Andrew Craigie who was the first Apothecary General of the Continental Army. He was also a former owner of the Longfellow House on Tory Row.

Craigie also developed much of what is known as East Cambridge and also organized the construction of the Canal Bridge which connected East Cambridge to Boston.

The bridge was later rebuilt as the Charles River Dam but is also known as Carigie's Bridge.

The Old Burial Ground also contains the remains of 8 Harvard presidents including Harvard's first president Henry Dunster.

It's also home to the remains of 19 Revolutionary War Soldiers including John Hicks, William Macy, and Moses Richardson who were buried there after the first Battles of the American Revolution on April 19th, 1775 in Lexington and Concord.

The burial ground also houses the tomb of the Dana Family. Richard Henry Dana, Jr. was an abolitionist who worked with Charles Sumner.

Continue up Massachusetts Ave. and once you cross Garden St. look down on the sidewalk and you will see a series of horseshoes embedded along the sidewalk of Massachusetts Ave.

These show the route that William Dawes, the second rider with Paul Revere on his midnight ride took on his way up to Lexington, MA on the night of April 18, 1775.

The ride to "Midnight Ride" by Paul Revere, William Dawes, and others which warned the towns along the way that the British Troops were on the move resulted in the start of the American Revolution in Lexington/Concord on the morning of April 19, 1775.

Cross at the crosswalk ahead and you are at the gates of Cambridge Common. Rather than walk through the gates, take the sidewalk to the left along Garden Street.

12. Cambridge Common

This 16-acre park was where George Washington and the Continental Army camped in 1775 while British Troops occupied Boston until March 1776.

The first site you will see when entering the Common is a memorial for the Irish Famine which was dedicated on July 23, 1997, by then-Irish President Mary Robinson.

The sculpture was created by Maurice Harron a resident of Derry, Northern Ireland who has sculptures in Ireland, The UK, and The United States.

Continue walking through the Common keeping Garden Street on your left and you will come to a series of cannons.

These cannons were abandoned at Fort Independence (also known as Castle William) on March 17, 1776, when the British Troops evacuated from Boston.

There is also a plaque to Henry Knox, a Boston and bookseller before the American Revolution, he would become the first Secretary of War under President George Washington.

Henry Knox in January of 1776, dragged cannons and other military supplies from the captured British Forts Ticonderoga and Crown Point in Upstate New York and led the mission to carry the 60 tons of cannons and other arms on ox-drawn sleds 300 miles across snowy and frozen ground to Boston.

What was expected to take two weeks, took six weeks as the caravan of men where faced storms and delays as the cannons broke through the ice and got stuck in the mud and snow, but in the end, they were able to deliver the munitions to Boston.

The cannons were placed on Dorchester Heights, (the hills surrounding Boston) on the night of March 16, 1776.

When the Occupying British Troops woke the next morning on March 17th, they realized they were surrounded by artillery and withdrew their ships to Halifax and retreated out of Boston.

The siege of Boston was ended as a result. March 17th is a holiday in Boston called Evacuation Day as a result of the efforts of Henry Knox and his men.

Henry Knox went on to be in charge of improving the defenses in Rhode Island and New York during the American Revolution where in New York he met Alexander Hamilton who was the commander of the local artillery.

They would remain close friends until Hamilton died in 1804.

Knox would later become the first Secretary of War under George Washington.

Henry Knox died in 1806 at the age of 56 after swallowing a chicken bone which caused an infection that killed him three days later on Oct. 25th.

Also located in the area of the cannons and marked with a plaque is the Washington Elm.

Legend has it (although is disputed) that under this tree on July 3, 1775, General George Washington took control of the Continental Army.

The army struck camp there and stayed until March 1776 when British Troops evacuated Boston.

The original tree lived about 210 years and finally fell in 1923. The tree was cut up into 100 pieces and sent to all the US States and their legislatures.

Other pieces were sent to fraternal organizations throughout the US and root shoots were also sent throughout the nation, and some still live today.

The cross-section of the tree was sent to Mt. Vernon, George Washington's plantation in the state of Virginia.

Turn around and head back down the sidewalk, you'll see a white church to your right across the street.

13. Christ Church

This 1759 church was formed by the members of King's Chapel in Boston who lived in Cambridge.

This church provided church of England Services to students attending Harvard and was designed by Peter Harrison who also was the architect of Boston's King's Chapel.

During the American Revolution, the church which sits across the street from the Cambridge Common where the Continental Army was camped out at the start of the war, soldiers camp there fired shots at the then Loyalist Church.

If you walk into the front doors of the church and look above the inside door frame a musket hole is visible from that time.

Later George and Martha Washington would attend a prayer service there and as the war wore on the church was closed and the organ of the church was melted down for bullets for the Continental Army.

In April 1967, the church hosted speeches from Dr. Benjamin Spock and Martin Luther King, Jr. who were denied access to a building on Harvard's Campus.

They planned to hold a press conference against the Vietnam War. They were welcomed by the Reverend Murray Kenney. Jesse Jackson also spoke at the church in 2004 celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Continue walking towards Massachusetts Ave. and back to the Cambridge Burial Ground. At the burial ground, take a right down Massachusetts Ave. and cross Church Street. Follow Massachusetts Ave. and you will come to the Harvard Coop.

14. The Harvard Coop

The Harvard Coop was opened in 1882 to supply books and school supplies for the students at Harvard.

In 1916 after MIT moved from Boston to Cambridge, MIT opened a branch of the Coop to serve its students and is still present on MIT's campus today.

This Coop is one of the largest college bookstores in the United States. The store is run by Barnes and Noble today and the public is welcome to come in the shop and browse Harvard Swag and books.

However, membership to the Coop is limited only to students, faculty, alumni, and employees as well as personnel of hospitals affiliated with Harvard Medical School.

In 1882 membership cost $1.00 and that cost is the same today.

Cross Massachusetts Ave. to the Harvard MBTA Station and you will be where the tour started outside the Harvard Sq. MBTA Station and Out-of-Town Newsstand.

We hope you enjoyed your Self-Guided Tour of Harvard!

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10 a.m. Sunday Ceramics Program, Office for the Arts at Harvard, 74 Mt. Auburn St. , Cambridge

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Campus Photography

Instruments of change

Harvard’s female musicians claim their place onstage

Herbert Chanoch Kelman, 94

Everett irwin mendelsohn, 91.

A molecular ‘warhead’ against disease

Asking the internet about birth control.

Why AI fairness conversations must include disabled people

How did you get that frog to float.

Courtney B. Vance, Angela Bassett honored as Artists of the Year

Storytelling through body language.

Lending a hand to a former student — Boston’s mayor 

Where money isn’t cheap, misery follows, larger lesson about tariffs in a move that helped trump but not the country.