# Explore Harvard

**Source**: https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/explore-harvard
**Parent**: https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply

## Overview

See Yourself at Harvard

Harvard may be the oldest college in the country, but it's certainly not a museum (though we have a few incredible ones to check out on campus!). Our community's spirit and exuberance are alive in every corner of the campus, and we can't wait to show you what makes Harvard a school like no other.

Regardless of whether you can visit, there are many ways to explore beautiful Harvard Yard, learn from enthusiastic students, and discover life in historic Cambridge, Massachusetts. Check out the options below.

## Visiting Campus

**Admissions Visits:** We have two types of visits hosted by the Admissions Office. Both include an information session, and one includes a campus tour led by a current undergraduate student. Click the link below to learn more about the visits and to register. In general, visiting parties are limited to groups of 5.

[Sign up for an on-campus visit](https://apply.college.harvard.edu/portal/explore_harvard?tab=campus-visit)

**Special Group Visits/Tours:** We are able to host groups from college access programs and select high schools on a limited basis. To submit a request, please complete the Group Visit Request Form below. For all other group tour requests, contact the [Harvard University Visitor Center](https://www.harvard.edu/visit/), which offers historical campus tours led by current students. Please note that Visitor Center tour guides are happy to answer questions about their individual experiences at Harvard, but they cannot comment on or answer any questions related to admissions.

[Special Group Visit Request Form](https://apply.college.harvard.edu/register/?id=2ae546e4-c692-4a26-9a6b-232420f024a8)

**SEAS Tours:**Supplemental tours of our School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) are available directly through the school. Click on the link in the section below to learn more and register. These tours take place in the Science and Engineering Complex at 150 Western Avenue, Allston, MA 02134.

[Sign up for an engineering (SEAS) tour](https://seas.harvard.edu/prospective-students/prospective-undergraduate-students/seas-tours-undergraduate-only)

Self-guided visit/tour: If you visit campus without registering for an admissions-led session/tour, you can download a self-guided map below to navigate campus and learn about Harvard's landmarks.

[Download a self-guided map](https://college.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/2026-03/Admissions%20Office%20Map%202026.pdf)

## Transportation & Accommodations

- #### Driving and Parking

  Traffic in and around Harvard Square can be heavy, and parking is limited so plan accordingly.

  **On-street / metered parking:**

  On-street parking in Cambridge is available, but scarce. Parking meters run from one to two hours, and will take quarters only. The Admissions Office cannot make change and does not maintain a supply of coins, so please bring quarters with you. A further advisory: Cambridge parking violations start at $25.00, and meters are monitored closely by transportation officers. We do not reimburse visitors for parking tickets you may acquire.

  Please call ahead to the parking venue you’re considering, because parking spots fill up quickly during peak season.

  **Commercial garages offering daily parking:**

  - Pilgrim Parking, 41 Church Street, Cambridge, MA, 617-661-5614
  - University Place Garage, 124 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 617-491-0801
  - The Charles Hotel Garage, 1 Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA 617-864-1200

  **Campus parking options:**

  You may [purchase a pass online](https://hopps.vpcs.harvard.edu/) for Harvard garages on Oxford Street and Broadway (7 Felton Street in Cambridge). You will need a printer to complete this transaction. When prompted, select:

  - Department: Admin. & Financial Aid
  - Department Code: 3003

  **For visitors with disabilities:**

  For parking requests based on disability or medical conditions, please contact the University Disability Coordinator at **617-495-1859 or email**[**disabilityservices@harvard.edu**](https://web.archive.org/web/20200416153140/mailto:disabilityservices@harvard.edu)7-10 days before your planned visit.
- #### Public Transit (MBTA)

  From**Logan Airport**

  - For travel by subway, take the SILVER LINE to South Station. Then switch to the RED LINE (inbound toward Alewife). Travel six stops to HARVARD SQUARE. The subway ride from Logan Airport takes about 45 minutes and the fare is $2.40.
  - By taxi, the ride will take about 20 to 30 minutes to reach Harvard Square, depending on traffic, and will cost about $35-45.

  From **South Station** (bus/train)

  - Take the RED LINE (inbound toward Alewife) and travel six stops to HARVARD SQUARE.
- #### Hotels around Harvard Square

  We have compiled a list of local hotels below that may be helpful to you as you make plans for your visit.

  **Within walking distance**

  - The Charles Hotel ($$$; ask for the special campus visit rate) 617-864-1200/800-882-1818
  - Sheraton Commander Hotel ($$) 617-547-4800/800-535-5007
  - Harvard Square Hotel ($-$$$) 617-864-5200/800-458-5886
  - Irving House ($) 617-547-4699/877-547-4600
  - Hotel Veritas ($$$) 617-520-5000
  - Harvard Faculty Club ($$$) 617-495-5758

  **Within three miles of Harvard**

  - Double Tree Guest Suites ($$) 617-783-0090/800-754-7515
  - Freepoint Hotel ($; ask for Harvard admissions rate) 617-491-8000/855-752-2005
  - Hyatt Regency Cambridge ($$) 617-492-1234/800-233-1234
  - Cambridge Marriott ($$) 617-494-6600/800-228-9290
  - Courtyard By Marriott Boston/Cambridge ($$) 617-492-7777
  - The Kendall Hotel ($-$$) 617-577-1300
  - The Mary Prentiss Inn ($-$$) 617-661-2929
  - Studio Allston Hotel ($-$$; ask for Harvard admissions rate) 617-440-3274/617-206-1848
  - Sheraton Boston Hotel ($) 617-236-2000/866-716-8120
  - Le Meridien Cambridge ($) 617-577-0200/866-716-8119
  - Holiday Inn Boston-Bunker Hill ($) 617-628-1000/877-840-7557
  - Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville ($$) 617-341-9040

  ($)=$100-$200\
  ($$)=$200-$300\
  ($$$)=$300+

## Online Information Sessions

We invite you to learn more about Harvard College by attending one of our [online information sessions](https://apply.college.harvard.edu/portal/explore_harvard?tab=online-events). In our online information sessions, an admission officer and an undergraduate student will present information and answer questions about academics, student life, admissions and financial aid at Harvard College.

[Sign up for an online information session](https://apply.college.harvard.edu/portal/explore_harvard?tab=online-events)

## In Your Area

Harvard partners with other colleges and universities to host combined information sessions so prospective students can learn about multiple institutions in one event. These sessions are hosted across the United States, and are typically held each fall and spring. Click below for more information.

### An Evening with Harvard, Duke, Georgetown, Howard, and Stanford

No sessions are currently scheduled. Check back each spring and fall for updated listings.

### Harvard, Princeton, UVA, Wellesley, Yale

[Register here for a Harvard, Princeton, UVA, Wellesley, Yale combined session.](https://admission.virginia.edu/hpuwy)

### STORY Information Sessions

STORY (Small Town Outreach Recruitment and Yield) is a consortium of colleges and universities across the United States committed to increasing access and support for students who identify as rural or from a small town. The consortium travels to smaller towns to offer a general presentation on college admissions terminology and processes as well as to offer a college fair with the 25-30 participating colleges each fall and spring. Colleges and Universities participating in STORY include private and public institutions that vary in size. Harvard looks forward to meeting students where they are and sharing more about our admissions and financial aid programs from a unique perspective and what a transition might be like for a student from a small town to Harvard College.

## Virtual Tour

Student guides lead you through the places they live and learn, including dorm rooms, classrooms, Widener Library, the first-year dining hall and more.

[Take the virtual tour](/admissions/explore-harvard/virtual-tour)

## Student Stories

- [### Hidden Jewels: My Favorite Study Spots (Part 1)

  Author: 

  Choetsow
  Class of 
  '23
  Alumni](/student-life/student-stories/hidden-jewels-my-favorite-study-spots-part-1)
- [### Leaving the "Harvard Bubble"

  Author: 

  Marilynn
  Class of 
  '23
  Alumni](/student-life/student-stories/leaving-harvard-bubble)

[View all student stories](/student-life/student-stories)

## Learn More About Harvard

Join our email list to download our brochure and stay in touch.

[Sign Up](https://apply.college.harvard.edu/register/?id=1b4499e4-8fd0-47f0-bb86-f17cd0fc8b32)