Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT
A world-leading technology university, where the Great Dome, Killian Court, Frank Gehry’s Stata Center and the Boston skyline across the river are must-sees.
MIT was founded in 1861 and moved in 1916 to its current site on the north bank of the Charles River in Cambridge, about 3 km from Harvard. Campus visits are open and free. The most classic view is Killian Court, with the Great Dome (Building 10) rising behind it. The court faces the Charles River and the Back Bay skyline of Boston, making it a great photo spot. Walking the Infinite Corridor, which is 251 m long and runs through several main buildings, gives you a feel for campus life. Every November and January, the sun lines up perfectly with the corridor (known as MIThenge). On the east side of campus, the Stata Center, designed by Frank Gehry with its twisted, tilted exterior, is a campus landmark. On the west side are the Kresge Auditorium designed by Saarinen and the MIT Chapel. The MIT Museum, which moved to a new building in Kendall Square in 2022, showcases robotics, holography and AI research. Adult admission is about $18. Student-led tours (about 1 hour, two sessions on weekdays) are booked on the official website and are free. The surrounding Kendall Square is home to biotech and startup companies, with many specialty coffee shops and restaurants. Take the Red Line to Kendall/MIT station, or walk about 30 minutes from Harvard Square along Massachusetts Avenue, or take bus 1. For the best evening view, walk along the Memorial Drive riverside path toward Harvard Bridge to catch the most beautiful reflection of the Boston skyline.
Opening hours
Campus open all day; MIT Museum 10:00–17:00 (closed Mon)
Nearby sights
- Newbury Street
- Fenway Park
- View Boston (Prudential Tower)
- Charles River Esplanade
- Boston Public Library, Central Library
- Trinity Church, Boston
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
- Museum of Science, Boston