Among Tourists in the Yard

Across Harvard Yard, the sounds of French, Spanish, and Mandarin echo from Memorial Church as tour guides lead groups of visitors past students buried in their Stat 110 notes. On a sunny Sunday morning, a faint odor lingers in the air as tourists queue to touch the polished foot of John Harvard’s statue, seeking good luck and the perfect photo.

Turning past University Hall, the steps of Widener Library bustle with students sipping expensive oatmilk matcha lattes and paging through vintage copies of “Hamlet,” hoping not to end up in someone’s social media post. For many students, the flood of tourists is simply a minor inconvenience — a daily obstacle course on the way to class.

Tourists’ Views of Harvard

Among the crowd, two reporters spoke with a tourist named Thomas, who was relaxing near University Hall. When asked how she perceived Harvard, she called it:

“Iconic,” citing the “massive old trees canvassing the campus.”

Thomas last visited the university twenty years earlier for a wedding at Memorial Church. Another visitor, Quintana, who has lived in Cambridge for eight years, recalled warm memories of Harvard and described the sense of calm she feels while walking through the Yard.

She cherishes the “peace” of the environment and the feeling of being part of a “loved” institution.

Shared Admiration

The admiration and awe tourists bring to their Harvard visits transcend the physical beauty of the campus. Through their eyes, even the most ordinary student moments gain a quiet sense of wonder.

Author’s summary: Tourists wandering through Harvard Yard reveal a deep appreciation for the university’s beauty and spirit, enriching how students see their daily campus life.

The Harvard Crimson — 2025-11-04