Harvard Campus: Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour
3.5
30 Ratings
Cambridge
Explore the heart of Harvard University's campus in Cambridge with this self-guided audio tour. Discover must-see sights and famous alumni dorms. Maximum flexibility and lifetime validity!
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Harvard University - Harvard Yard, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is the oldest part of the Harvard University campus, its historic center, and modern crossroads.
  • John Harvard Statue - The centerpiece of Harvard’s Yard is the statue of John Harvard… who actually didn’t found the university! As we dive into the university’s early years, we’ll also learn about when and how the all-male college integrated women.
  • Boston Transit Harvard Square Station - Welcome to Harvard! Our tour begins at the iconic Johnson Gate, where Harvard freshmen also begin their college experience. We’ll make our way into the Yard, which represents the heart of Harvard’s campus. Along the way, we’ll learn about how Harvard came to be.
  • Science Center - Our tour continues past two picturesque student dorms - Mower and Holworthy. We’ll learn about their significance and then continue to the famed Harvard Science Center.
  • Memorial Hall - Next up: the imposing High Victorian Gothic Memorial Hall. This is the most beautiful building on campus, without contest.
  • Memorial Church - Our Harvard tour continues to Memorial Church and into the New Yard. We’ll discover some significant Harvard history and sights along the way.
  • The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library - Here we’ll admire the gorgeous Widener Library and learn all about the eclectic Wideners.
  • Weld Hall - Our tour continues beyond the Library and towards more dorms. First up: Weld Hall, once home to President JFK. As we check out the beautiful architecture, we’ll also learn about the dorm’s other famous residents.
  • Wigglesworth Hall - Then we continue to Wigglesworth Hall, Bill Gates’ once-domain. We’ll learn about Gates and other notable alumni who lived in this dorm.
  • Grays Hall - Prefer someone more recent? Gray’s Hall was home to Malia Obama…. and a couple other names you’re sure to recognize.
  • Matthews Hall - That brings us to Matthews Hall, where Matt Damon once lived!
  • Straus Hall - And we can’t forget Straus Hall, once home to Mark Zuckerberg. And so many others too! Our tour continues through campus, exploring traditions and anecdotes until we’re almost back to where we started: Johnson Gate.
What's Included
  • GPS-guided stories play automatically, ensuring hands-free operation with full support through Call, Chat, or Email.
  • Full itinerary includes travel tips, professional narration, videos, text, and hidden gems to ensure you don’t miss a thing.
  • Offline functionality with GPS Map and step-by-step directions, no cell signal or wifi needed.
  • Convenient Tour Guide App downloadable via a provided link with a password to access your tours.
  • Flexible scheduling allows use on any day and time, over multiple days, or on subsequent trips with no expiration.
What's Not Included
  • Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Additional Information

Embark on a self-led audio journey through the core of Harvard University in Cambridge: Harvard Square! This do-it-yourself campus walk takes you to signature sights such as the John Harvard Statue, Widener Library, and the old dorms of renowned alumni like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Natalie Portman, among others. Discover Harvard at your own pace and convenience.

After your booking, remember to check your email to download the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your personalized password, and commence your tour. Please note that you will require stable internet/wifi connectivity for the above steps. Simply adhere to the audio directives and the specified route from thereon.

Kindly note, this does not serve as an admission ticket. Please verify opening times prior to your visit.

Anytime Access — The tour offers validity for a lifetime!

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and an instructions email. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular
  • How to start the tour: Once onsite, open the Action’s Tour Guide App: • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If there are multiple tour versions, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Amazing savings: Walking Tours: While each person typically needs their tour, couples or small groups can share one using split headphones.
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
Location
18 Brattle St
Brattle Street
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.5
(30 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Catherine
Apr 12, 2024
Visit Harvard - Very pleasant visit to the middle of the Harvard campus. History and anecdotes told by a student. I recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lorraine_s
Oct 23, 2023
Harvard Self guided tour - Great information on the audio and walking around the beautiful campus. It was a little confusing to determine where the specific site was so we got out of sync with the tour a couple of times, but overall great option.
Review provided by Viator
Sunshine172
Oct 18, 2023
Easy to follow tour - Good narrative. Easy to follow. Automatically starts when you arrive at the next location. Campus is much larger than the self tour narrative. I would recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Izzy
Oct 13, 2023
Facts, history and fun stories about the campus - Gave us a complete tour and thoroughly dove into each building with fun facts. Explaining who all lived there as well as findings about the building and it’s history all in the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A9035znlorraines
Nov 4, 2023
Good experience - learned a lot - The tour was great but it was difficult to know which direction to go for each stop. There should be better signage.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicki_f
Oct 5, 2023
See Harvard in your own time - Interesting tour of Harvard with some good bits of historical background. Neat the way each bit started playing as you got to the right place but the map could have been clearer as it was sometimes a bit hard to figure out where to go next. Overall though a good way to do a "private" tour of Harvard
Review provided by Viator
146debbier146
Oct 3, 2023
Good walk around the yard! - Enjoyed the guided walking tour. We were able to go at our own pace. Only drawback was there were a few spots where audio did not match up with location. Overall, well worth the money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kelly_g
Oct 11, 2023
Viator app not as user friendly as hoped - Pros: Information given was ample & interesting. Viator staff were helpful By phone to get us email with link & password to phone app. Cons: App was difficult to download and map with stops wasn’t clear. Didn’t show pins as it said it would. Didn’t enjoy the experience as much as the Freedom Trail self guided walking tour we did day before.
Review provided by Viator
Dina_s
Apr 21, 2024
Definitely do not recommend this app - Did not correlate with, or track our location well at all. Ended up turning it off. Feel like it was a waste of money. Especially since Harvard has a free app to guide visitors.
Review provided by Viator
Brad_s
Dec 23, 2023
Pretty por - The app is average and content is only on a very small part of the uni. Turned it off after 5 mins as it was constantly restarting not recognising you have already listened.
Review provided by Viator
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