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Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard
4.8
31 Ratings
Cambridge
Explore MIT and Harvard on a guided tour. Discover history, pranks, and traditions. See iconic sites and stunning views. Subway fare included.
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- MIT Media Lab - Explore the MIT Media Lab, a hub for groundbreaking interdisciplinary innovations from MIT.
- Green Building - Visit the Green Building, designed by I.M. Pei, and discover the legendary “Tetris” student prank.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Check out the iconic MIT Dome and hear the story of the police car placed atop it in protest of parking tickets.
- Harvard Bridge - Observe the Smoot markers on the Harvard Bridge, which links Cambridge and Boston, and capture a photo of the Boston skyline.
- MIT Banana Lounge - Uncover the amusing tale behind the Banana Lounge.
- Stata Center - Marvel at the quirky Stata Center, known for its architectural brilliance and design flaws.
- Kendall/MIT - Ride the Red Line subway for two stops to the Harvard University Area. The subway fare is included in the tour, and your guide will assist you with the subway.
- Massachusetts Ave @ Johnston Gate - Enter Harvard Yard through its main entrance, Johnston Gate.
- John Harvard Statue - Discover why the renowned statue in Harvard Yard is dubbed the “Statue of the Three Lies”.
- Harvard Yard - Learn about the various dormitories around historic Harvard Yard and the notable individuals who lived there during their time at Harvard.
- Memorial Hall Harvard University - Visit Memorial Hall, a versatile building housed in a historic church.
- Harvard Memorial Church - See the Memorial Church, centrally located in Harvard Yard.
- The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library - Tour the main library of Harvard University and hear the poignant story behind its establishment.
- Wadsworth House - View one of the oldest buildings in Harvard Yard, where George Washington stayed during the American Revolution.
- Lowell House - Explore some of the upperclassmen housing at Harvard University and learn about the “Housing Day” tradition.
- Harvard Square - Conclude the tour at the lively Harvard Square, where your guide can recommend spots for souvenir shopping and dining.
What's Included
- Tour Guide Services
- Subway ticket from MIT to Harvard
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Additional Information
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 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!
- Please note that the tour does not go inside any buildings in MIT or Harvard. We tour the outside portion of the campuses only. 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.
- 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 $38 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.
Location
Ripple Cafe
Main Street
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(31 Ratings)
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Elizabethpo7933iy
Sep 14, 2024
Tour - Thumbs Up Alexandria! Great tour. Históricas inputs ARE interesting. Great walk.I recommand It. I have tô put 100 words minimum...
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Huiminj2017
Sep 8, 2024
Fun tour - John had a very clear voice, i liked the focus on the history of the exclusion of women at these universities, very pleasant man. Would recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ellen_f
Sep 8, 2024
A Tour Worth Doing - Our tour guide was very interesting, informative and had a nice personality. We enjoyed her tour very much and would recommend to anyone.
Review provided by Viator
E7073okps
Aug 31, 2024
Will the real John Harvard please stand up… - Alex was an absolutely terrific guide!
Pleasant demeanor and most importantly, provided insightful history of MIT and Harvard. Bonus for the food recommendation!
Thanks Alex!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marco
Aug 27, 2024
Guided tour by fairy tale - Guide Jenny really interested us with her exhibition! The 3 hours together really flew by! Brava!! Highly Recommendation
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eneily
Aug 24, 2024
Great experience! - The tour guide Alexandria was very knowledgeable of the history and area. She made the tour very interesting and entertaining. We enjoyed the tour and highly recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q7951tudylanm
Aug 15, 2024
Great tour of MIT & Harvard! - John was fantastic! He shared so much relevant information and funny stories, engaging our entire family (including 11 year old twins). We loved spending the day touring these prestigious schools with John!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roosvy
Aug 11, 2024
John mit and harvard - John was fantastic, perfect English for strangers, kind nice and exhaustive.he showed us all the story about building and rules
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeanmichelg518
Aug 11, 2024
Good guided tour - This guided tour is good for those who wants to know more of the history of both universities … and some fun facts, stories too !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Voyage59590187623
Aug 9, 2024
A Must Do Tour… especially if you are considering both schools for a student or for the history fans in your household - John is an excellent tour guide. He shared pertinent Information at both locations and walked in such a way that kept the group together. He answered all questions asked and made sure we knew where to go after the tour as we ended at Harvard after a short metro trip from MIT to there.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
