Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

When visiting Cambridge, Massachusetts, one not-to-miss attraction is the well-respected Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This private research university set on 168-acres (68 hectares), is home to five schools and 34 academic departments, research laboratories and innovative programs, and has a strong focus on technology, science and engineering. Although it’s an urban campus, you’ll see a mixture of interesting buildings and peaceful green spaces for an aesthetically-pleasing experience.

One reason many people enjoy touring the MIT campus is to take in the beautiful architecture. The Maclaurin Buildings refer to buildings 3, 4 and 10, which are typically shown in media and postcard shots, forming a U-shape around Killian Court. Building 10 is particularly interesting, with a colonnade facade and massive dome reminiscent of Rome’s Pantheon. The Kresge Auditorium is another building beloved for its architecture, touted along with the nearby Chapel as a prime example of mid-Century modern architecture in the United States. And don’t miss the Stata Center, with its peculiar and striking angular design, and the avant-garde Simmons Hall. Fore sourvenirs and MIT logo gear, stop by the MIT Coop Shop and peruse its wide selection.

Practical Info

Visitors can take a 75- to 90-minute tour of the campus with a student guide from Monday through Friday at 11am and 3pm. The excursion covers interesting campus sites like the Stata Center, the MIT Chapel, the Zesiger Athletic Center, Kresge Auditorium, the Infinite Corridor and the Student Center.  Tours leave from the Building 7 Lobby at 77 Massachusetts Avenue.

As MIT is located on the Charles River, it’s also a great place to enjoy a picnic, see pretty sailboards drifting by, go for a run or just take photographs of the peaceful scenery.