Harvard University

Harvard University sits in Cambridge, across the Charles River from Boston, and its historic campus is open to visitors in parts. Walk through Harvard Yard to see brick buildings, green spaces and the John Harvard statue, then continue to landmarks such as Widener Library and Memorial Hall. Student-led historical tours cover the university’s history and notable sites; you can also explore on your own. Harvard Square adds bookstores, shops, cafes and places to eat, so there’s room to make the campus walk part of a longer visit.

Harvard Yard and its landmarks

Harvard University was founded in 1636 and is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Its campus is in Cambridge, just across the Charles River from Boston. Harvard Yard forms the historic center, with notable buildings clustered around its open spaces.

The John Harvard statue is a familiar stop for photographs. Nearby landmarks include Widener Library and Memorial Hall. Massachusetts Hall is another historic building in the Yard. The university’s varied architecture and green spaces make a campus walk worthwhile even if you are not taking a tour.

Tours and museums

Student-led historical walking tours introduce the university’s history and take in famous campus landmarks. Free tours are available regularly; check Harvard’s website for current details and registration. Self-guided options are also available, and the university app includes an interactive tour with walking directions.

Harvard’s museums add another reason to spend time in Cambridge. The Harvard Art Museums bring together the Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum and Arthur M. Sackler Museum. The Harvard Museum of Natural History and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology are also on campus. The Peabody’s collections include Maya and Mesoamerican artifacts and a large photographic archive documenting world cultures.