Enjoy a Five Star Public
Tour of Harvard Yard with a
Harvard-approved tour provider

Enhance your Harvard visit with a student led tour

Three simple steps to enjoy the tour.

1. Choose your date and time on our website and book risk free (cancel or change at any time).

2. Your tour guide will greet you at the starting location in Harvard Square.

3. Enjoy your student-led campus tour ending at The Harvard Shop, a student-run gift shop.

What you get and what it costs.

  • Tour Themes

    Your tour covers 3 main themes:
    Harvard History, Harvard Culture, and Famous Harvardians.

  • Tour Time and Distance

    Our tour lasts about 75 minutes. The tour route is about one mile. We walk at a leisurely pace and the route is accessible.

  • Rates

    Adult (21+): $19.50 Senior (60+): $18.50
    Child/Student (4-20): $17.50
    Plus $2.50/pp Harvard Yard Maintenance Fee
    Ages 3 and under: no charge

Just a few of the sites you’ll get to see on your tour of Harvard:

Harvard Square

Harvard Square

Science Center

Science Center

Lampoon Castle

The Harvard Lampoon

Johnston Gate

Johnston Gate

Memorial Hall

Memorial Hall

Lowell Bell Tower

Lowell Bell Tower

Harvard Yard

Harvard Yard

New College Theatre

New College Theater

John Harvard Statue

John Harvard Statue

How to get to us

Our starting location is Harvard Square.

You’ll find us outside the Harvard Red Line Subway Station next to The Harvard Shop.

The closest street address is 1380 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge MA 02138

 
Harvard Guides at Out of Town News

Why should you trust our tour guides?

  • Our student guides were once visitors themselves. They understand what you want to see and learn

  • Our Harvard student guides undergo a rigorous semester long training

  • Our guides are current students who have their finger on the pulse of what’s going on today at Harvard.

Public Tour FAQs

  • The Hahvahd Tour is the most popular walking tour of Harvard University. Guided by current Harvard undergrads, the tour is a 75-minute historic tour of Harvard Yard and the surrounding neighborhood of Harvard Square. The Tour receives consistent praise from guests and major media outlets. Trip Advisor rates the tour one of the top attractions in Cambridge.

    Trademark Tours is an authorized tour provider of Harvard University that adheres to the institution's visitor policies. We are a Harvard student-run business that is part of Harvard Student Agencies.

    Your generous support provides financial aid for Harvard and MIT students. Thank you!

  • Our walking tour of Harvard is a 75 minute adventure around Harvard Square. The tour is partly-scripted to be a theatrical, entertaining performance! Tour themes include Harvard History, Insider Information & Famous Harvardians. The tour covers major Harvard landmarks including Johnston Gate, Cambridge Common, Memorial Hall, Science Center, The Harvard Crimson, Harvard Lampoon, and the historic River Dorms. The tour is given in English but you can find multiple language translation options here.

  • Our tour guides are current Harvard or MIT students and recent alumni, providing an insider's perspective on the respective campuses. Our tours offer a comprehensive blend of historical, cultural, and personal narratives and insights, ensuring a rich and engaging experience for all participants.

  • The tour route is about one mile long. We walk at a leisurely pace through campus and surrounding neighborhood.

    Our tours are approximately 70 minutes. We kindly ask all participants to arrive a few minutes early to complete the check-in process before the tour commences.

  • Yes, the terrain of our tour routes are accessible at nearly every stop. If someone in your party has a disability, please contact us before the tour and we will do our best to serve you. We cannot provide wheelchairs on site. Listening devices are also available for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.

  • According to Harvard University safety and liability regulations, tours cannot enter university-owned buildings.
    All Harvard tours are conducted entirely outdoors. We show our guests key highlights of the Harvard campus all throughout Harvard Square, leaving time to absorb the rich history and lore given at each stop.

  • Yes! Our tours are scripted to entertain both adults and children. AAA Magazine called us “great for families!” We strive to serve guests of all ages, and families really enjoy our friendly, interactive tour guides!

  • Yes, in fact, National Public Radio has called the Hahvahd Tour “the real deal” for prospective students. However, it is important to note that we are not the Harvard Admissions tour. We encourage all prospective students to visit the admissions office at some point on their visit to Harvard. While our tours are geared toward guests of all ages from across the globe, prospective students can gain a lot of insight about the University and its culture.

  • Important: we highly suggest allowing for extra time beyond Google Maps' estimated travel time to account for potential traffic or unforeseen circumstances when coming to meet for our tour.

    The tour of Harvard starts at 1380 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge. This is next to the Harvard Red Line Station, directly across the street from Starbucks.

    Coordinates: 42.37328° N, 71.11913° W

  • We might have options to accommodate your situation if you anticipate arriving late for your scheduled tour launch.

    If your tour launch is not the last of the day, you might be able to join another tour, depending on availability.

    Alternatively, our tour managers will try to assist you in rejoining the group from your original tour time. If you anticipate missing your tour launch entirely or are unavailable on the scheduled day, you can join a tour on a subsequent day that aligns with your availability.

    Should you have any concerns or require further assistance, please text or call 617-275-2320.

  • We understand parking can be challenging in urban areas, so we’ve compiled a list of nearby suggested parking options to make your visit as convenient as possible. Please note that we are not affiliated with any of these operators. Parking rates vary, and availability is not guaranteed.

    Harvard Square Parking Garage: This garage is located at 70 Eliot Street, about a 5-8 minute walk from the tour starting location.

    T-Stop: The nearest T stop station to our meeting point is the Harvard Square Station, located right next to our tour starting location. It is served by the Red Line, providing easy access to downtown Boston and other parts of the city.

    Bus: Several bus routes pass through the vicinity of 1380 Massachusetts Avenue. The most relevant bus routes include the #69 bus, which runs along Massachusetts Avenue, and the #72 bus, which operates along Mount Auburn Street. These buses connect to various destinations in Cambridge and Boston.

    Bicycle: Cambridge is known for its bicycle-friendly infrastructure. If you prefer cycling, you can reach our meeting point by bike using the city’s extensive network of bike lanes and paths.

    Ridesharing and Taxis: Services like Uber and Lyft are widely available in Cambridge. Traditional taxi services are also an option.

    We encourage you to check each of these options, as rates and availability may vary. Additionally, please be mindful of any parking restrictions and follow all posted regulations to avoid any inconvenience during your visit.

    We highly recommend utilizing public transportation when coming to the Harvard Tour. The area is well-served by bus routes and subway stations, providing a convenient and eco-friendly way to reach our location.

  • We operate rain or shine year-round. Please review the weather beforehand and consider bringing an umbrella, jacket, and proper shoes.
    In extreme weather conditions, we may pause or reschedule the tour to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests. Don’t worry - storms never last long in New England!

  • Customers can easily book a tour either in person or online. To book in advance, please visit our website (https://trademarktours.com/) and follow the prompts to book your desired tour. If you would like to book in person, please visit the Harvard Shop, located at 1380 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, which is also our tour launch for the tour of Harvard.

  • Booking in advance is recommended. When you reserve online you guarantee your spot on the tour and you receive advance tour instructions, and gain peace of mind in your planning. It is possible time slots will sell out ahead of time for many tours.

  • If you are a Go City Card holder, using your card to book a tour is a straightforward process. Simply follow the steps below:

    Make a reservation: To secure your spot on the tour, please give us a text at 855.455.8747. Our friendly customer service team will assist you in making the reservation.

    Confirmation and ticket: After you have successfully made your reservation over the phone, you will receive an email confirmation of your booking.

    Arrival at the tour start: When you arrive at the tour start location, please present your go-card to the manager or representative on-site and they will scan it to grant you access to the tour.

    It's important to note that the Go City Card acts as your ticket to the tour, so it's essential to have it with you when you check-in.

  • We understand that plans can change.

    To reschedule, please contact us by texting or calling 617-275-2320 or emailing tourops@hsa.net.

    Please provide the following information:

    • The name under which the reservation was made

    • The date and time of the reservation

    • The number of guests in your party

      We will do our best to accommodate your request promptly.

  • Should you need to cancel your booking, please contact us at 617-275-2320 at least 24 hours before your scheduled tour. We'll promptly process a full refund for your tickets and cancel your booking accordingly. If your cancellation request is within 24 hours of your booking, please contact us via text, a phone call at 617-275-2320, or email at 'tourops@hsa.net' to discuss the situation further. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we're here to assist you with any concerns you may have.

  • The tour is primarily given in English. However, for non-English speakers, we offer digital and printed translation documents in French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Mandarin. We strive to make our tours accessible and enjoyable for visitors from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

  • For Harvard visitors, public restrooms are located in the Harvard Smith Campus Center 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, next to the tour launch site. They are on the first floor near the entrance facing Massachusetts Avenue and on the second floor above Pavement Coffee. You can also use the restrooms at the Harvard COOP or the Harvard Science Center basement if these are unavailable.

    For MIT visitors, public restrooms are available at the MIT Visitor's Center at 292 Main Street, Cambridge.

  • Founded in 2006 by Harvard Alumni, we are owned by Harvard Student Agencies, a student business organization. We are an official partner of The Harvard Museum of Natural History and The Harvard Art Museums. We provide tours for nearly every Harvard graduate school. Our founder and Chief of Staff is a Board Member with the Harvard Square Business Association and former President of Boston Attractions Group.