Hey there! Are you visiting Harvard with some time to spare? 

As one of the most historic cities in the United States, Boston has a plethora of fun activities. Are you feeling overwhelmed by the amount of locations waiting to be explored? Look no further, as my friends and I have compiled a list of our top recommendations as students.

On and near Harvard campus

As the oldest university of America, Harvard's campus is full of incredible sights to see! From a walk along the nearby Charles River to exploring large collections in the museums on campus, there are plenty of activities to fill your day just a few blocks apart from one another! Here are our top recommendations for activities on and near Harvard campus:

• "Before any exam, my friend and I have this ritual of taking a walk around the Charles River and settling our thoughts before heading into our exam. Three years in and it’s never failed to make me feel a little more calm as I walk into the exam room." - Jane, Class of 2027 
• "The Harvard Natural History Museum is such a hidden gem! I would definitely recommend that and the Harvard Art Museum!" - Mememsha, Class of 2026 
• "I love to explore the endless rows of books in Widener Library, searching for some niche book to engulf my interest; I love to meet up with friends in Annenberg, just to eat and catch up; I love going on a short walk and getting some midnight pie from Noch's; I love taking detours while walking to places on campus, just to see how gorgeous the nature and architecture is; I love riding the T, and the fact that it's so cheap; I love to go into boston to learn more, either by walking the Freedom Trail, going to the MFA, ISGM, or any other museum; I love taking a short walk to the Cambridge Library to get a quiet place to study that's not too far from campus." - Alex, Class of 2029 
• "I love the Memory Shop in Harvard Square, reading out on the Radcliffe Lawn, driving through the city at night and looking at the lights, and getting matcha at one of the many Dunkins in the square!" - Faith, Class of 2027 
• "I love to try new restaurants with my friends, love going to snowport/seaport in the winter for the winter market, love sitting in Lowell Courtyard during the summer to do work with my friends, love going to club events to meet new people and eat delicious food." – NanaYaa, Class of 2027 
• "I’ve really loved the Harvard Business School chapel. It was a nice green space with water, plants, and koi fish. It’s a good humid and warm space to chill at when it’s cold outside." - Adriana, Class of 2026 

Restaurants and Cafes in Harvard Square

Harvard students pride ourselves in the wide array of cuisines available right in Harvard Square. From plenty of boba shops to historic pizza places, there is a cuisine for anyone in any mood. Oftentimes, you'll find Harvard students hanging out and studying at these places! Here are our top food-related recommendations to check out:

• "My friends and I love going to our favorite Boba place called Kung-Fu Tea after nights of studying in Lamont Library.  It’s a great break to move around, grab a sweet treat, and chit-chat with friends!" - Rahma, Class of 2027 
• "I love to go to TenOne for boba and take walks along the Charles River." - Britney, Class of 2027 
• "On campus, I love to get coffee at Tatte and do work there. You will also find me in the dining hall of Eliot House late at night studying and hanging out with friends." - Emily, Class of 2026 
• "I love good eats! My favorite places in the square are Zinneken's, Achilito's, and Saloniki's! On campus, I love to sit and read in the upper level of my house (Pforzheimer) dining hall." - Riley, Class of 2028 
• "You’ll often find me at Joe's Pizza, the Harvard Book Shop, going to student performances, or walking by the river with friends." – Anika, Class of 2029 
• "I love to go to Daily Provisions & other cafes around the square, but Daily Provisions is definitely my favorite." - Sarah, Class of 2028 
• "Flour has great pastries! I also recommend taking a walk along the Charles and getting ice cream at Lizzy's." - Aurora, Class of 2026 

Greater Boston

Beyond the classroom, Harvard students love to explore the nearby city of Boston. With its unique blend of historical monuments and modern shopping districts, Boston is filled with fun activities too many to be listed here! That being said, here are the top spots that come to mind for us:

• "My favorite place in Boston is the Boston Common, it is so beautiful, especially in the fall when the leaves are just changing color. In winter, everyone ends up at Frog Pond for ice skating, and you’re only a short walk from Downtown Crossing with its shops, Chinatown and the Theater District!" - Eliana, Class of 2027 
• "My friends and I start every semester by eating at Shojo in Chinatown. While the kimchi friend rice isn’t authentic, it’s the best thing on the menu. The vibes are also cute and they play really good music" - Tioluwalase, Class of 2026 
• "I absolutely love just biking across the Charles River Esplanade, going on a shopping spree at Newbury and taking a nice walk along the Boston Commons every other week alongside my friends" – Faseeh, Class of 2027 
• "There are so many things I love to do in the area, including get boba with my friends, go to Trader Joe's, got to the Charles, Prudential Center, the Arnold Arboretum, explore Boston, go on walks around Cambridge, get ice cream at Lizzie's or JP licks, or get pizza at Joe's!" - Veronica, Class of 2026 
• "Thrift stores! Any goodwills, The Attic in Harvard square, buffalo exchange in Davis Square.  I also enjoy going to the aquarium or the Museum of Fine Arts!" - Eli, Class of 2028 
• "I love to visit the Boston Public Library in the spring time, it's so beautiful!" - Lizbeth, Class of 2026 
• "My favorite things to do is try the cafes around the Square; go to Red Sox/Celtics games; play spikeball with friends in the Yard; take walks by the Charles River" – Iman, Class of 2026 

We hope that this guide was helpful! Whether you are visiting Harvard for Visitas or simply looking to further explore the area, we hope you have a wonderful time in the city we call home!