Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 141 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard worth booking?
Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard is a 3.5-hour experience in Cambridge, United States, from $57 per person. It scores 79 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 141 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 79 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (141)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $57 per person
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 architec
What you get
About this experience
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
Included
- Tour Guide Services
- Subway ticket from MIT to Harvard
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
See the MIT Media Lab, home to some of the most innovative cross-discipline creations stemming from MIT.
15 minutes here
See the Green Building, designed by I.M.Pei. Learn about the famous "Tetris" student prank.
10 minutes here
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.
15 minutes here
Harvard Bridge
See the Smoot markers on the Harvard Bridge, connecting Cambridge and Boston. Take a picture of the Boston skyline.
10 minutes here
Learn about the hilarious story behind the Banana Lounge.
15 minutes here
Stata Center
See the quirky State Center, both an architectural marvel and a design nightmare.
10 minutes here
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.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Enter Harvard Yard through the main entrance - Johnson Gate.
10 minutes here
John Harvard Statue
Learn why the famous Harvard Yard statue is called the "Statue of the Three Lies".
15 minutes here
Learn about the various dormitories located around the historical Harvard Yard and who lived there while at Harvard.
10 minutes here
See Memorial Hall, a multifunctional building inside an old church.
15 minutes here
Harvard Memorial Church
See the Memorial Church, standing in the middle of Harvard Yard.
10 minutes here
See the main library of Harvard University and hear the tragic story behind it.
10 minutes here
See one of the oldest buildings in Harvard Yard, where George Washington stayed during the American Revolution.
10 minutes here
See a few of the Upper Classmen housing of Harvard University and learn about the tradition of "Housing Day".
20 minutes here
Harvard Square
End the tour at the bustling Harvard Square. Your tour guide can suggest places for souvenir shopping and/or lunch.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Cambridge
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.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Tour will end in Harvard Square, next to the Red Line subway stop with the same name.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Boston Hidden Gems
Know before you go
- 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.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 138 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
138 verified traveler reviews for Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Nice tour
Intresting tour and Very good guide!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your positive feedback! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour and appreciated Rocky's professionalism. We hope to welcome you again for another interesting experience!
via Tripadvisor
Good guided walking tour of MIT and Harvard.
Chris was an excellent guide- informative, approachable, humorous and managed the group very well throughout.
Response from the operator: Thanks for appreciating Chris’s efforts! We're glad you enjoyed the tour of MIT and Harvard and found it entertaining and informative.
via Tripadvisor
Great tour
Fantastic experience and guide . It is worth
Response from the operator: We're glad you had a great tour of MIT and Harvard! Thanks for your review!
via Tripadvisor
Almost 4 hours long but...
Almost 4 hours long but worth it Chris was amazing. Didn’t get rattled when the T was out and we had to wait for shuttle. Took the time to give us more information
Response from the operator: Thanks for your review! We're happy to hear you had an amazing tour with Chris and that he was able to handle the T. When there are delays, we do have to make a choice between sharing the entirety of the planned content and sticking to the original time, and we do apologize if the tour ran long as a result, but we are glad it was worth 5 stars anyway!
via Viator
Highly recommended
BJ was great. He was an experienced guide and we learned a lot about both schools. He also checked in with us periodically to make sure that we were OK. It was a rainy day, but it was still a good day. Now one kid is interested in attending MIT and one kid is interested in attending Harvard!
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're so glad to hear BJ made the day informative and enjoyable. Best wishes to your kids on their academic journeys!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $57 to $62
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 49
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 79
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cambridge.
How much does Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard cost?
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Prices start at $57 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cambridge usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard take?
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Plan for about 3.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cambridge is not rushed.
Is Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 79 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 141 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cambridge, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard?
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Around 49 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cambridge can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cambridge and add a light layer if any part of the 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Illustrious Schools: Group Tour of MIT And Harvard start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cambridge within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cambridge?
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Cambridge runs student-led Harvard and MIT campus tours, revolutionary history walks, Charles River cruises and food tours through Harvard Square and Central Square. On Outty we rank every Cambridge experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Harvard University Campus Guided Walking Tour, Boston to New Hampshire Fall Foliage White Mountains Day Trip, Martha's Vineyard Day Trip with Optional Island Tour from Boston. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cambridge?
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April to June and September to October. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cambridge?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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