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.

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

  • The Hahvahd Tour does not tour the interior of the buildings. 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.

  • Our tour guides are current Harvard students and Cambridge locals! When you join a Hahvahd Tour, you’re getting the inside scoop from someone who knows the ins and outs of Harvard University and Harvard Square. Our guides are a resource to guests who want to learn more about the Cambridge experience.

  • 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!

  • The Hahvahd tour starts directly outside the main Harvard Red Line Subway Station. The closest street address is 1380 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge MA 02138. Our managers and signs are easy to spot next to the Cambridge Information Kiosk and the Harvard Shop.

  • 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.

  • We operate rain or shine year-round. During severe thunderstorms with lightning our public walking tours do close for the safety and comfort of our guests. Don’t worry - storms never last long in New England!

  • 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.

  • In Harvard Square there is limited street parking in the area, we recommend parking at the Harvard Square Parking Garage (20 Eliot Street, Cambridge MA 02138). Bring your parking ticket to the tour and we can offer a $2 validation discount.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.