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Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard

152 Reviews 4.91 out of 5 stars Based on 152 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 97% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Cambridge, USA
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 39 (26) days in advance.

3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

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!

What's Included

  • Subway ticket from MIT to Harvard
  • Tour Guide Services
  • Gratuities
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

314 Main Street
Cambridge, MA 02142, USA

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138, USA

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

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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MIT Media Lab

See the MIT Media Lab, home to some of the most innovative cross-discipline creations stemming from MIT.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Green Building

See the Green Building, designed by I.M.Pei. Learn about the famous "Tetris" student prank.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

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

Harvard Bridge

See the Smoot markers on the Harvard Bridge, connecting Cambridge and Boston. Take a picture of the Boston skyline.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

MIT Banana Lounge

Learn about the hilarious story behind the Banana Lounge.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Stata Center

See the quirky State Center, both an architectural marvel and a design nightmare.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Kendall/MIT

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.
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Massachusetts Ave @ Johnston Gate

Enter Harvard Yard through the main entrance - Johnson Gate.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

John Harvard Statue

Learn why the famous Harvard Yard statue is called the "Statue of the Three Lies".
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Harvard Yard

Learn about the various dormitories located around the historical Harvard Yard and who lived there while at Harvard.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Memorial Hall

See Memorial Hall, a multifunctional building inside an old church.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Harvard Memorial Church

See the Memorial Church, standing in the middle of Harvard Yard.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library

See the main library of Harvard University and hear the tragic story behind it.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Wadsworth House

See one of the oldest buildings in Harvard Yard, where George Washington stayed during the American Revolution.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Lowell House

See a few of the Upper Classmen housing of Harvard University and learn about the tradition of "Housing Day".
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Harvard Square

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

Show 15 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-400049P13

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.91
152 reviews

Average 4.91 out of 5 stars based on 152 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
144
4 stars
4
3 stars
3
2 stars
0
1 star
1
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 39 (26) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Subway ticket from MIT to Harvard
  • Tour Guide Services
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • 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.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

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