Tours

The Harvard University Visitor Center offers several different types of tours. For our in person tour offerings on campus, we provide the Historical Tour of Harvard. Our virtual tour offerings include the virtual Historical Tour of Harvard and the Harvard Women’s History Tour. All tours are provided to the public for free and to private groups for a fee. Our tours typically run 45-60 minutes.

To view the schedule and register for our free public tours (virtual and in person), please visit our Eventbrite page. To request a virtual or in person private tour, visit this link.

We also offer a free self-guided historical tour through the Visit Harvard mobile app, which you can download on iOS and Android devices. You can take this self-guided tour on campus or from the comfort of your own home.

The in person Historical Tour of Harvard explores Harvard Yard. Tours depart from the Visitor Center which is located at the front desk in the Smith Campus Center. Our address is 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138.

Registration for our in person tours must be made in advance. Registration is made available starting the Friday before your tour week. Parties of up to 14 persons can register for a free in person tour. Parties of 15-60 are encouraged to submit a request for a private tour.

Registered tour goers should arrive at the Visitor Center at least 15 minutes before your tour to check-in. Tours depart from the Smith Campus Center and end in Harvard Yard.

Visit Harvard is a free mobile app by the Harvard Visitor Center that features a collection of self-guided tours centered around the Harvard University experience. The Visit Harvard mobile app can be downloaded by anyone with a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, to be enjoyed from wherever you might be visiting, whether it’s in-person at Harvard or from the comfort of your own home.

What tours are being offered in the mobile app?
Currently on the app, visitors can take a mobile version of our popular in-person and virtual tour, the Historical Tour of Harvard.

How long is the mobile tour?
This self-guided tour takes place across 14 mapped stops through Harvard’s campus. At a standard walking pace, it will take between 45-60 minutes to complete the 1 mile long tour.

Can I take the mobile tour in-person or virtually?
The mobile tour is designed to be accessed in-person on Harvard University’s campus, starting at the Harvard Visitor Center, located at the Smith Campus Center in Harvard Square (1350 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA). It can also be viewed from the comfort of your own home. Simply download Visit Harvard in the app store, select the Historical Tour of Harvard, and begin your journey!

Where can I download the Visit Harvard mobile app?
You can download the Visit Harvard mobile app on the Apple App Store and Google Play. There is also a desktop version of the app you can access here.

General Overview:
The Historical Tour of Harvard and the Harvard Women’s History Tour are also available in a virtual format. Register in advance for your free virtual tour by visiting our Eventbrite page. Registration is made available starting the Friday before your tour week. After registering, you will be sent a secure link to access the tour via Zoom, a video conferencing platform. If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, please access Zoom’s website to learn more.

Please note: The virtual Historical Tour of Harvard is offered daily. The virtual Harvard Women’s History tour is offered bi-weekly.

About the Virtual Historical Tour of Harvard:
This free virtual student-led tour provides a history of the University, general information, and a unique view on the student’s individual experience. It also showcases never-before-seen images of Harvard and its legacy in modern and historical times.

About the Virtual Harvard Women’s History Tour:
This free virtual student-led tour illustrates women’s challenges and triumphs over the past three centuries at Harvard, as well as the history of Radcliffe. You’ll encounter stories and sights of the many women and their accomplishments that contributed greatly to Harvard’s esteemed legacy.

What types of private tours are offered?
The Visitor Center currently offers both in person and virtual private tours. There are differences between the in person and virtual tour offerings, so please read below for more information.

About In Person Private Tours:
Current Harvard students provide the in person Historical Tour of Harvard to private groups. The tour lasts approximately 45-60 minutes. If you have a group of 15-60 people, you are more than welcome to submit a request for a private walking tour.

Audiences of all ages will enjoy the private Historical Tour of Harvard. Tours are offered to K-12 students, college students, the Harvard community, professional groups, and more.

All tour requests must go through our online booking system. The request will ask for a form of payment, however your card will not be charged unless your tour is approved. Please note that your tour is not finalized until you receive an email from us confirming your reservation.

Once your private tour request has been confirmed, the week before your tour you will receive an email from the Visitor Center with further details about the tour, such as where to meet your tour guide, and more.

About Virtual Private Tours:
Our student-led virtual private tours include the Historical Tour of Harvard and the Harvard Women’s History Tour. Private tours offer features and special content that enhance the overall Harvard experience for private tour groups. Virtual private tours are conducted via Zoom meetings and run approximately 45-60 minutes. There are no limits for the tour group size on virtual private tours.

Audiences of all ages will enjoy virtual private tours of Harvard. Tours are offered to K-12 students, college students, the Harvard community, professional groups, and more.

All tour requests must go through our online booking system. The request will ask for a form of payment, however your card will not be charged unless your tour is approved. Please note that your tour is not finalized until you receive an email from us confirming your reservation.

For more information about Harvard College Admissions, please visit their official website. Their contact information can be found here.