Review #1133 & Last review of 2020 I have always enjoyed walking through Harvard Yard, and I miss it even more so now! I miss sitting at the Tercentenary Theatre (center of the Yard) for convocations and other events! I also miss seeing tourists taking photos in front of the Widener Library or Memorial Church. I miss visiting Houghton, Lamont, or walking by Wigglesworth or Bolyston! While I personally haven't been here since March, I cannot wait for the day when Harvard Yard returns to some level of pre-covid (or post-covid?) normalcy! read more

What an amazing place. Located in the heart of Harvard Square. It is a gorgeous park featuring the dorms, library and even a church. The whole area is enclosed by a fence separating it from the hussle and bustle of activity at Harvard Square. read more

What's not to like about this place !? A book at hand with a coffee and a blanket when it gets chilly! It's one of those places where you can feel comfortable and safe! Sometimes if you feel like you need to unplugs yourself from all the things that are happening in the world or just technology and just kind of bast in this semi tranquil of a spot. This place would be it ! read more

See all

Did you pahk your cah out in Hahvahd Yahd? The oldest college Quad in America, Harvard Yard is a full of history and has that ivy league grandeur. Take a tour, or just pay $3 for the self-guided tour map. We learned that the first "Yard" used to be the smaller rectangle to the side of the now famous Yard- and freshmen still get assigned to the top floor of one of the buildings. And that the cracks in the sidewalk below the dorm windows, were from the "heaters" (cannonballs) that were used to heat beds in the winters. Students just tossed them out of their windows when spring arrived. We did the self-guided tour and learned a lot! The tour took us around campus, a bit, and we popped into the Carpenter Center for the Arts- the only Le Corbusier building in North America. The Yard is a great place to hang and relax, get pictures, get in some tourists' pictures, and take in that Harvard Feel. read more

Harvard Yard - Parks Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Visited Boston last weekend and checked out Harvard while I was there. Harvard Yard is basically a park-like area of the campus surrounded by trees with class hall buildings serving as a border for this area. Even though it is winter and the trees had no leaves, the beauty of the Harvard campus still comes through. It has the quintessential look of what a college campus should look like. Earlier today, I checked out the University of Washington campus to see their cherry blossom trees at the UW Quad. While the building architecture is different between these two campuses, it does seem to have kind of the same feel in drawing students and visitors alike. Plus the common theme of both being populated by trees. I give the edge to UW in regards to the trees as the cherry blossoms are more beautiful, but I give the nod to Harvard in building architecture for the many red brick buildings that it has. While both Harvard and MIT have campuses in Cambridge, if you can choose only one to visit it has to be Harvard. I tried visiting MIT, but it was a bit difficult to find the campus based off its architecture. Harvard is easy to get to and find with Harvard Yard being one of the highlights of its campus. read more

See all

Heavy foot traffic, lots of tourists, but beautiful campus. I walked around and took pictures of the campus--it's very big and there's a lot to explore. You can easily spend a whole day just walking around Harvard yard, Harvard Square, and the campus. read more

Harvard Yard - Parks Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

This place is just beautiful. Between the tall trees and the old buildings, you almost get a sense of reverence for something so pretty. I spent a lot of time here this weekend, it was graduation and the BIG ceremony is held in the yard. We had to go through security - there were limits on the size bag you could bring it and the tickets expressly stated NO BACKPACKS. Maybe some people thought they were too good to follow that rule, but I saw a few conversations with upset people who tried to bring in a backpack and it wasn't pretty. This is open to the public almost all the time, but for graduation and the night/day following admission required a ticket or student id. Once again, there were people who didn't think the rules applied to them and then when they weren't allowed in, there was an unpleasant conversation. The train, or T, has a stop right across the street from here on the Red Line. There are a few shops in the area and an "official" tour given by students is offered. There is a charge for that, but I don't know what it is. If I worked/lived near this area, I would visit pretty frequently as I saw this place as a great spot to meditate, enjoy a cup of coffee and/or have a great conversation. I actually did all that when I was waiting for the graduation to begin! read more

See all

It was a pretty fun time playing the typical tourist in Boston. Harvard Yard is a fun place with a LOT of history. One of my favorite memories of this place was walking around by the dorms and walking on the uneven pavement. The general population wouldn't know that the pavement is uneven for a reason - in 1836 the soldiers who used to live in the dorms used to toss the old cannon balls out their windows to the streets below after they used it to warm their rooms. Now how fun is that?! This place oozes history and honor! I was glad that I had a chance to visit and experience it! read more

I didn't want to do this. I wanted to be conservative and not plaster stars all over Harvard Yard. I wanted to say that this was just any old campus that I strolled through. That this didn't really instill any significance on me nor fill me with anything anew. That it really didn't affect me much that all the fall leaves were all over the floor and it was rainy and dreary so I had wet fall leaves instead of pretty fall leaves that rise up and stick to your hair while you're all bundled up with a scarf. But I couldn't. This place took me by storm. I've always been one to make the claim that it isn't the college which makes you, but who you are which makes how you do out of college. It's not what the letters spell on your resume but how you act upon them once you've succeeded landing your first job. However, even my usual common sense fell to the wayside when I stepped foot in this prestigious, historical and awe-inspiring institution. Yes there are other parts of Harvard, in fact ... Harvard is quite large and this is by no means an adequate or correct representation of the university but it really does make you feel .... oddly academic with a renewed sense of pursuit and the drive to do anything. What a place. Maybe now I'll go to grad school. lol. read more

Harvard Yard is where I go to take a break when I am shopping in Harvard Square. It is beautiful there in the summer and there are plenty of trees to sit under to get some shade. They have colored chairs scattered about on the lawn where you can sit, read a good book or just people watch. If you come here around the end of August you will get to see all of the freshmen moving in. It is a nice quiet place away from all of the hustle and bustle in Harvard Square but still very adjacent to great stores, bars and many great restaurants. It is also a good place to just sit on the lawn and have lunch or an early dinner. The Widener library, located in the yard, is not open to the public but it's always nice to just sit on the stairs and look out at the beautiful architecture and the grassy areas and the trees. If you want you can even go on a tour of the yard that is done by actual Harvard students. You will get to know more about Harvard that way and I have seen some tours walking by as I've been sitting in the yard and from what I saw it looks to be a very nice tour. Occasionally you will even see a professor with his class, holding the class outdoors. If you are ever in the area definitely come and take a walk through the yard and you will like what you see. read more

SO PRETTY IN THE FALL. Harvard yard is absolutely beautiful with all the trees, the different colored fall leaves, buildings, and monuments. The yard starts close by the metro and you can walk through the park, or around it to see Memorial Hall and library. The Memorial Hall is old and gorgeous. The philharmonic was playing and we got to listen from the hallway. You cannot go into the library or the buildings without a Harvard ID but Memorial Hall is open to the public. [understandably so] read more

See all

Loooove JP Licks! Very location is wonderful. This one is really small but still serves up lots of delicious flavors, just good luck finding seating in the cold months. read more

Yes! Harvard Yard is very impressive. Twenty acres of early 18th Century buildings covered in ivy. Green lawns and commons supporting aged trees that predate the structures around them. Libraries, chapels, dormitories, theaters, and predominantly freshmen with backpacks and intense cranial activities, scurrying along its pathways on the way to and from classes, study sessions and labs. If you have fond memories of your college days, you must feel nostalgia for those wonder years of learning and discovery. Even as someone who studied at Penn and had an office in Princeton, I was feeling emotional while walking this hallowed ground tonight. This is the heart of American education. The mind is over at MIT. read more

Damn nostalgia. Gets me every time. It's beautiful, historic and a great place to relax and read a good book in the summer time. And in the winter? A gorgeous little snow-covered center of genius. Sometimes I stand there and hope that I will become smarter by osmosis. I guess when you really think about it, it's just a yard of grass with some pretty buildings around it, just like the Washington Monument is just a tall pointed stack of marble, granite and sandstone. It's not the structure, literally, but what it symbolizes. Enjoy it for what it is, take some pictures and be on your merry little way. read more

Harvard Yard - Parks Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard Yard...I like walking through here in the summer and fall seasons. It's pretty, airy, and breezy. It's a perfect spot to spread a blanket and just relax. I was lucky to get a job at the Harvard Law Coop one summer, and I enjoyed it a lot. I'm from Boston, and didn't get to spend too much time in Cambridge, but when I chose to hang out in Cambridge, I'd hang out in the Harvard Yard area. It's very touristy, and this place is always busy! Don't get jostled or feel bombarded by tourists...people just wanna see what the hype is about. A walk in Harvard Yard is a nice thing to do if you're in the area :) For the record, I didn't pahk my cah in Hahvahd Yahd or forgot my khakis... read more

Excellent. 1) It is a very impressive area. It is the oldest part of Harvard. 2) The must do is to take a picture of John Harvard statue. Apparently, it is the 3rd most photographed statue in the US. 3) I came in the winter, so it was extra nice. read more

Harvard Yard is lying to you people! Ok, well at least the statue of John Harvard is. It's a big lying statue..."John Harvard, Founder, 1638" - that's apparently wrong.. Mr. Harvard did not found the university, and the founding was actually in 1636. Worst of all it's not a statue of John Harvard at all but of a Swedish student. WTF? Am I ruining the fun you had when your friends and family came and posed for a photograph touching the statue's shoe? No yet? Ok, well how about the rumour that naughty students often urinate on that shoe as a prank at night. Urghh gross. Do they have no class?! Apart from the statue the rest of the Yard is a bit dull but pretty with some buildings that look old-ish for the USA (late 18th century) but look like modern copies of European buildings. The grass isn't very inviting as there are all these roped off parts. Shame as it would be a nice place for Frisbee. Maybe I'm being to down on Harvard Yard... but none of my visitors that I've shown it to have really cared. Sorry Harvard. read more

Due to poor planning we weren't able to get an official tour, but did enjoy walking around to take in all of the history. There were a lot of tourists during the summer so be prepared for a tourist-y vibe versus collegiate vibe. Harvard makes a great self tour app! read more

See all

Harvard Yard is gorgeous and green in the . . .ARGH! Some dude just cut me off! Why would you WALK right there? Anyway, it's just beautiful in the warm weather months. A great place to lay down with a book and a blanket . . . seriously, are you taking my picture? Are you gonna frame it? Whatever, tourist dude. As I was saying, Harvard Yard is one of the prettier spots in Boston. The buildings here are also among the most historical OH MY GOD WHEN WILL TOURISTS REALIZE THAT STATUE GETS A DAILY PEE BATH AND STOP TOUCHING IT? Inexplicably, about the only time Harvard Yard is not teeming with tourists is during Primal Scream, the undergrads' nude midnight run before finals start. That would make a great addition to the vacation pics. read more

Now that there is solid evidence that Neanderthals and humans did some productive canoodling while they were inventing language and tools, it explains a lot of things. I am convinced that despite my appearance, I have must have inherited my IQ from the Neanderthal side of the family tree. I only got into one of my college choices and it sure wasn't Harvard. Harvard Yard is one of the spots out of town tourists seem to gravitate to. At all hours of the day and night, cars pull up and unload camera toting out of towners who leave the car running while they snap photos at the gate. I've seen stretch limos pull up at 8 a.m and the occupants leap out for some snap shots. They leap back in again and tear off to who knows where for the next shot. Fascinating. Freshman dorms, some lovely trees and relaxing places to sit are all here. You can watch people play croquet and frisbee, listen to music or even join a protest. Go check out the misinformed statue - John Harvard. (Do not rub the foot, please, unless you have serious hand sanitizer with you and don't mind knowing it's frequently used as a urinal.) If you are in the area, I highly recommend walking through. Even if you have done it before. There's always something to check out. When I wander through Harvard Yard, I definitely feel smarter. And that's an excellent feeling for me with my Neanderthal brain. read more

"Is that it?" Is the general response from all the out-of-towners that have ever asked.. no no.. begged.. for me to take them to Harvard. Sorry friends.. without the sweeping music and complicated dolly shots.. it's just another field in MA with construction around it. Yes yes.. there's that feeling of.. wow.. I feel smart here.. and Kristin is right.. in the fall it's lovely.. but so is the rest of Boston/Cambridge/Somerville. Iunno. Am I a jerk? Don't answer that. read more

Harvard Yard is a very park like center of campus. Cool spot for a walk with someone special. When we strolled through, they were holding some welcome event for summer students in which they were giving out free ice cream. We walked right up and were offered a large helping with no one caring to ask if we were actually students or just a couple of randos. Of course, no free ice cream event is complete without a giant bowl of sprinkles on hand, so we loaded that bad boy up with a rainbow of sugary goodness and continued on our walk through the Yard. read more

What a beautiful campus, and especially lovely in the Fall with all of the leaves changing colors and signaling that this Florida boy better get his happy butt back to the deep south before it starts snowing! The "Yard" is located through historic archways all around the central section of the famed University, and the courtyard is ringed by dorms, the library, and the big church. The place was packed with tourists, posing for photos, and touching the toe of a statue in the middle of the Yard. Harvard Yard is one of the nicer-looking parts of the campus, and worth a visit if you happen to be in the Boston area. read more

Harvard Yard is definitely a very pretty space, especially in the fall. But its filled with clueless tourists and that annoys me. I understand you're very excited to be here at Harvard- we're excited to have you! I understand that you want to stop and take pictures of everything but please know that for some of us this is not a tourist attraction and is actually where we work. When I'm trying to get to the office I don't want to have to stop and wait while each of the 100 of you take individual pictures with the damn statue. If you aren't dealing with the tourists then you are trying to dodge out of the way of bikers who clearly cannot read the signs that say Walk Your Bike. (I don't understand why I can read them and they can't...oh wait, I know why, because you can't read something as you zip past it on your bike.....) Overall for me the Yard is a hurdle to jump through between my office and the Square. read more

Of course Harvard Yard is filled with history and majesty, but it's also an oasis from the bustling Harvard Square, with chairs that welcome visitors under the trees providing lots of shade for weary sightseers. It almost feels like a park. You'll see many a person taking a break to read a book, eat lunch, or just rest for a while. Beautiful. read more

Oh man, I miss this place. Widener Library. Memorial church. Matthews dorm. John Harvard (don't touch the foot). It sucks being one of those lame tourists now though. They added random chairs and tables to the grassy areas. Speak, memory. read more

I can't help it, I just really really LOVE Harvard Yard. It's peacefully quiet even when it totally isn't, and always gives me a sense of inner calm when I walk through those gates. And I adore the chairs scattered all over the lawn. It's a perfect place to study, bask in the sun, read a book, eat your lunch, or chat with a friend. It's a perfect place to just be. read more

John Harvard's shoe. Rub it for good luck. I've also heard that freshmen pee on this shoe... gross. Coming from California, I think I thought all brick buildings were new and shiny... I forget Harvard's been around forever. Walk through for a feel of how it may feel like to go to school here... maybe even rub the shoe for good luck while you apply to school here... but this is DEFINITELY a tourist attraction... me being a prime example of this! read more

The hot waterpump and cannonball action is difficult to beat. All the tourists trying to pahk their cahs and being turned away by the Johnston Gate security are even better. The Yard proper is a fabulous place to sit and work or read during the summer. And the cross section of student and non-student life (and openness of this part of campus) is remarkable and thrilling. As both Yards and Cambridge attractions go, this is in the top three. (sorry Pooh Treestump, I still love you too) read more

Very cool - very historic. I would recommend getting a tour from the square to take you in. The tour guides can explain the history of the area and the buildings. Otherwise, you are just guessing as to what buildings did/do what. Alot of historic things and people passed through here! read more

Take one of the tours, you can walk around the yard all you want- but there isn't much information about what is what and most buildings you need to be a student to go into. read more

Who doesn't get excited to visit Harvard? Well, as a first timer, I was charmed by the Harvard Yard. Although you can't walk on the grass, you can take in the different buildings, monuments and overall vibe of this old establishment. The colorful chairs were a pop of color and it was overall very picturesque, especially on a sunny day. With that said, I cannot claim that Harvard is THE most beautiful campus in the world or that this 'yard' has something more special to offer than other patches of grass. I do think, however, that the yard exudes a feeling of understated exclusivity. read more

Observe the beautiful seasons in Harvard Yard and learn more about the history of the oldest college in America. I highly recommend taking one of the tours held by Crimson Key which are run by actual undergraduate students. Make sure to also check out Annenberg And Memorial Church. Check out the steps of Widener Library and take tons of pictures. Best times to visit are the Spring, summer and Fall. read more

school ties. the social network. the town. dead poets society. legally blonde. good will hunting. old school. okay, i have no idea if these movies took place at harvard. now it's just a random list of movies. nice yard. big yard. not huge. john harvard's shoe is there - j-harvs wearing it. and so are a bunch of asians taking pictures with it. read more

I have to agree with the other reviews, unless your a history buff, I wouldn't visit. Being a history buff myself I enjoyed walking the grounds and taking pictures of the grounds. read more

Anytime you feel your neurons need a lil buzz and rejuvenation, head on over to Harvard Yard. I swear to m'God I felt smarter the instant I entered through the gates. It is a nice area with well-manicured lawn space (where students generally lounge and study). read more

Harvard....THE most prestigious college in all of the United States. Had to see the renowned Harvard Yard. Yes it was nice, but I was expecting so much more. I've been to other campuses that have historic value like this and they were so much more impressive. Still Harvard Yard is a must see. Perhaps I will revisit sometime later in the fall when the leaves are showing their colors. read more

a beautiful open area of grass and trees in the middle of libraries and churches and other harvard buildings. buttt thats about it... not gonna lie, i've seen more beautiful school campuses (like have you SEEN UCLA?!! now THATS beautiful.) maybe because its winter and theres no leaves on the trees here... but theres photo opps in front of big buildings (libraries), in the middle of the quad, at the gates, and with the golden toe of "Mr. Harvard" rumored to give you good luck:) read more

very cool to see where they film all the movies at. It was nice to stroll around and check out all of the buildings and people. The performing arts building was beautiful on the inside with stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings - it reminded me of a cathedral read more

A wonderful bit of landscape, and the buildings are really nice to see and visit. It was disturbing when they closed it to non-students (and had police at all entrances) when the Occupy Movement was going on, but aside from that I am a huge fan. read more