Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard

At a glance

Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard is a 3h 30m guided experience in Cambridge, USA, operated by Boston Hidden Gems. Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 149 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $57 per person, and free cancellation is available. Included: Tour Guide Services, Subway ticket from MIT to Harvard.

Quick facts

Duration

3h 30m

Group

Small group, up to 30 travellers

Languages

English

Pickup

Meet at the start point

Confirmation

Instant confirmation

Ticket

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Cancellation

Free cancellation (see policy)

Overview

Itinerary

1. Stop 1 · 15m

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

2. Stop 2 · 10m

   See the Green Building, designed by I.M.Pei. Learn about the famous "Tetris" student prank.

3. Stop 3 · 15m

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

4. Stop 4 · 10m

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

5. Stop 5 · 15m

   Learn about the hilarious story behind the Banana Lounge.

6. Stop 6 · 10m

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

7. Stop 7 · 20m

   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.

8. Stop 8 · 10m

   Enter Harvard Yard through the main entrance - Johnson Gate.

9. Stop 9 · 15m

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

10. Stop 10 · 10m

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

11. Stop 11 · 15m

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

12. Stop 12 · 10m

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

13. Stop 13 · 10m

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

14. Stop 14 · 10m

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

15. Stop 15 · 20m

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

16. Stop 16 · 10m

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

Meeting point

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.

Cancellation policy

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

Frequently asked questions