Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT and Harvard
free_cancellation Free Cancellation up to 1 week before
shield Trip Protection available for more flexibility
star Tour Highlights
- check_circle Explore both MIT and Harvard campuses in one comprehensive tour
- check_circle Learn about famous MIT pranks ("hacks") including the police car on the Great Dome
- check_circle See buildings designed by world-famous architects including I.M. Pei and Frank Gehry
- check_circle Discover the "Statue of Three Lies" and Harvard's oldest buildings in Harvard Yard
- check_circle Ride the historic MBTA subway between campuses with fare included
- check_circle Small group experience (max 30) with a professional local guide
routeTour Itinerary (19 stops)
10 min
MIT Sign
Start the tour at the MIT Sign and map outside Ripple Cafe, where you will meet your guide and see your walking route!
5 min
MIT Media Lab
See the MIT Media Lab, home to some of the most innovative cross-discipline creations stemming from MIT.
10 min
MIT Gray House
Stop by the Gray House, one of the first buildings MIT built in Cambridge!
10 min
Green Building
See the Green Building, designed by the famous architect I.M.Pei, and learn about a famous prank that used its windows!
15 min
Great Dome
See the iconic MIT Dome and learn about some of the most famous MIT "hacks," including the police car placed on top of the dome to protest parking tickets.
15 min
Harvard/Mass Ave Bridge
See the Smoot markers on the Harvard Bridge, connecting Cambridge and Boston. Make sure to snap a photo of the Boston skyline!
reviewsReviews
descriptionTour Description
A Boston Hidden Gems exclusive! Start with a tour of MIT's 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 (both good and bad) designed by world-famous architects, locations of some hilarious MIT pranks (or "hacks"), and stunning views of Boston from across the river! Learn the history of how MIT was founded and hear about famous alumni to grace the school, astronomical phenomenon which occur in its halls, and quirky student hangout locations!
After your MIT tour, your guide will take you to two stops to Harvard using the subway system. 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 reaching Harvard, tour Harvard Yard and the surrounding campus area during the second part of the day. Learn the history of the oldest college in the United States. 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 while in Boston during the American Revolution and learn about Harvard's part in the war. End the Harvard tour at Kirkland House and learn about the beautiful housing the upperclass students live in.
Note that this is not a prospective student tour. This Harvard & MIT tour covers the history, architecture, and legends of these two illustrious schools.
checklist What's Included
Included
- check_circle Professional local tour guide
- check_circle Subway fare between MIT and Harvard
- check_circle Small group experience (maximum 30 guests)
Not Included
- cancel Food and beverages
- cancel Gratuities (optional)
- cancel Hotel pickup and drop-off
infoDetails & Pricing
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Start Times:
- Daily, 10:00 AM
- Seasonally, Monday - Saturday, 1:00 PM
- This tour is also available as a Private Tour. Contact us!
- 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. On the days that we do not go inside MIT, the tour price is $5 less.
- Harvard does not allow any public tours inside any buildings.
- Our booking platform adds a 6% service fee for online bookings. Call us to book with no service fees!
| Low Season | High Season | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | $45 | $50 |
| Youth (13-17) | $40 | $45 |
| Child (12-) | $35 | $40 |
Prices vary seasonally.
See dates.
All prices are discounted by $5 on weekends and major holidays due to
MIT campus buildings being closed to the public.
help Frequently Asked Questions
Do we go inside any buildings?
On weekdays, we enter some MIT buildings to see the campus from the inside. On weekends and major holidays, MIT buildings are closed to the public, so the tour remains outside. Harvard does not allow public tours inside any buildings. Both portions focus on the architecture, history, and campus stories you'll experience while walking the grounds.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes! Children of all ages are welcome on this tour. The walking portion is about 3 hours with a break between campuses, and we include a subway ride which many kids enjoy. We recommend comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
Please note: We cannot guarantee wheelchair or stroller accessibility of any buildings, and we do not recommend this tour if such access is required.
What if it rains?
Tours run rain or shine. We recommend bringing an umbrella and wearing comfortable, weather-appropriate walking shoes. The tour includes a break between campuses where you can warm up or grab a snack if needed.
Can I book a private tour instead?
Absolutely! This tour is available as a private experience. Contact us through our website to customize the tour to your group's interests and schedule.
What's the difference between weekday and weekend tours?
The main difference is building access. On weekdays, we can enter some MIT buildings to see the campus from the inside. On weekends and major holidays, MIT buildings are closed, so the tour remains entirely outside. There's also a $5 price difference. Both experiences include the subway ride and cover the architecture, history, and legends of these two illustrious schools.