Skip to main content

Experience the ideas, artifacts, people, and places that have shaped our history for nearly 400 years.

The Harvard University Visitor Center offers in-person and virtual tours daily. At this time, only registered Harvard tours are permitted in Harvard Yard. For information about Harvard College Admissions tours for prospective students, visit their website.

Please note: A self-guided historical tour is offered on the Visit Harvard mobile app, available to download on iOS and Android devices.

Harvard Visitor Center tours

All tours are 45 to 60 minutes long. Registration is required in advance for both in-person and virtual tours. Weekly tour registration is available every Friday. You can download the Visit Harvard mobile app on iOS and Android devices.


People on a tour of Harvard Yard

On campus

Historical Tour of Harvard

The free, student-led public walking tour through Harvard Yard provides a history of the University, general information, and a unique view on the students’ individual experience. 

Register for the in-person tour

A closeup of the Veritas shield in gold

On campus and Online

Private tours

Private tours of Harvard are available on campus and virtually. Please make your reservation at least two weeks in advance. In-person private tours are for groups of 15-60 people. There are no group size limits for virtual private tours.

Request a tour

A person holding a cell phone

On campus

Visit Harvard mobile app

You can download the Visit Harvard mobile app on iOS and Android devices.

A sepia photo of the yard

Online

Virtual Historical Tour of Harvard

This free virtual student-led tour provides a history of the University, general information, and insight into the student experience.

Register for the virtual tour

A collage of women who worked at Harvard as "Computers".

Online

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.

Register for the virtual tour

Discover more Harvard tours

From nature walks to art galleries, these tour offerings include virtual options, in-person experiences, student and staff-led excursions, and more.


A drawing of Harvard Yard in the 1700s

Tour spotlight

Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery

The Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery Walking Tour Experience explores Harvard University’s entanglements with the institution of slavery through a 10-stop tour around Harvard’s campus.

Learn more about the tour

Prospective students people taking photos of the John Harvard statue

Harvard College In-Person Campus Visit
Options: in-person, student-led

Harvard College Virtual Tour
Options: virtual

SEAS Tours
Options: in-person, student-led

Harvard Business School
Options: in-person, virtual, student-led, mobile

Harvard Law School Virtual Tour Video
Options: virtual

Arts and culture people looking at paintings on a wall

Nature a guide giving a tour in the arboretum

Harvard Forest Field Trips & Tours
Options: virtual, in-person, staff-led, self-guided

Arnold Arboretum: All Tours
Options: in-person, virtual, staff-led, self-guided

Museums and libraries a person looking at colorful plant pressings

Peabody Museum: All Tours
Options: in-person, virtual, self-guided, staff-led

Houghton & Widener In-Person Tours
Options: in-person, staff-led

Widener 360-Degree Virtual Tour
Options: virtual, self-guided

Houghton Library Virtual Tour
Options: virtual

Harvard Art Museums: Gallery Tours
Options: in-person, self-guided, staff-led

Harvard Museums of Science & Culture: Virtual Tours
Options: virtual, self-guided

Frequently asked questions

0:00
0:00