The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts home to approximately 11,300 undergraduate and graduate students. The university comprises 186 acres in the Kendall square neighborhood and extends for over a mile along the Cambridge side of the Charles River, just across the Harvard Bridge from downtown Boston. Recognized as one of the world’s top universities, MIT’s aim is to “educate students in science and technology in addition to other areas of scholarship."
Visitor Information: Tour MIT
Transportation: The closest airport is Boston Logan International, approximately a 25-minute drive to campus. Take a taxi, uber or public transit to your destination. Harvard Square is the closest subway station to campus, located on the Red Line of the MBTA. (Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority). Traveling by train; Amtrak arrives and departs from South Station in downtown Boston, with additional stops at Back Bay and North Station
Stay: The closest hotels to campus, all within walking distance include: Le Meridien Cambridge, the Hyatt Regency Cambridge, and the Boston Marriott Cambridge. For a more unique stay, The Kendall is a small boutique property housed in a 19th century building on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hotel Marlowe is a quick 5-10 minute drive from campus, overlooking the Charles River and downtown Boston. The Marlowe provides complimentary kayaks and bikes--an added plus for exploring Cambridge by land or sea. Other options a short drive away include the Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express.
Coffee: Right on campus at the Stratton Student Center grab a quick coffee at Dunkin Donuts. Close to campus; wake up at Beantown Coffee House and Café.
Breakfast: Tatte’s Bakery and Cafe, an extremely popular Boston breakfast and lunch spot from Israeli chef Tzurit Or, has three locations in East Cambridge and a brand new location in Harvard Square. If you’re in a rush grab one of Tatte's delicious croissants or muffins, or even better a chocolate hazelnut twist, but try and carve out time for shakshuka, a Middle Eastern dish of eggs poached in a spiced tomato sauce. Flour Bakery and Cafe, is a smart choice at any time of the day—either at 7 am for a morning coffee or at lunchtime with an array of excellent sandwiches, salads and stuffed breads. We’re big fans of Flour’s breakfast sandwich, a mix of eggs with bacon, cheddar and arugula topped with dijonaise. The Friendly Toast, in Kendall Square is a fun retro, diner for homey, comfort food. The wacky, kitschy décor looks like it was bought at front lawn tag sales and small town flea markets. This is a popular place for weekend brunch so be prepared for long lines.
Lunch: Clover Food Lab has four locations in Cambridge, three in east Cambridge and one on Harvard Square. Clover is a high quality, fast food vegetarian chain that boasts an average speed time per order of 3.5 minutes. Founded by Ayr Muir, An MIT grad with a Harvard MBA, the focus is on speed, flavor, and consistency in a constantly changing menu. The friendly staff guides you in your selection, and we love the whole concept down to the delicious food. Café Luna is always crowded with students and locals, a go-to for sandwiches and salads. Area Four is a trendy café and bakery known for their gourmet pizzas. Mamaleh’s, a new addition in Cambridge, is a modern Jewish Delicatessen, also serving breakfast and dinner.
Dinner:
Casual: You don’t need to cross the river; some of the area’s hottest tables are located right in Cambridge and nearby Somerville. At Little Donkey, the new sibling to hot Boston restaurants Toro and Coppa, has a global tapas menu that's been getting rave reviews. (Also a good choice for breakfast or lunch.) Modern, spacious Mead Hall is a gastropub with a large selection of craft beers. Get your brisket fix at new The Smoke Shop. With a diverse wine list and a cool urban vibe, Puritan & Company features a farm to table American menu, close by in Inman Square. Over in Somerville, an area that couldn’t be any hotter food wise, head to Sarma. Many Bostonians claim it’s their favorite night out for delicious, modern Mediterranean small plates from chef Ana Sortun and Cassie Piuma . Other Somerville hot spots include: Foundry on Elm, Highland Kitchen, Spoke, Bronwyn and La Brasa.
A Step Up: Catalyst is a new American restaurant in a large, airy space. On every foodie’s list, Alden & Harlow is a Harvard Square hot spot for adventurous new American fare served in a rustic, chic subterranean room. The decor might read casual, but this is food for a sophisticated palette. Oleana, chef Ana Sortun’s original Middle Eastern restaurant is still going strong after 16 years, specializing in inventive Mediterranean cuisine sourced from her husband, Chris Kurth’s, Siena Farms. In warm weather the patio is a lovely place to spend an evening. Loyal Nine’s menu highlights New England’s culinary traditions sourcing ingredients from local farmers and artisans. Book a seat at Craigie on Main for a memorable meal. Across the bridge in Boston, have a grand night in true supper club style at Yvonne’s, experience sushi heaven at O-Ya or indulge in upscale French fare at Mistral, Menton or No. 9 Park.
Sweets: Toscanini’s, a longtime neighborhood favorite, serves some of Boston’s best ice cream, open till 11pm.
Local Attractions: Allow some time to explore the MIT campus with remarkable landmarks by architects such as Frank Gehry, I.M. Pei and Eero Saarinean. Walk around world famous Harvard Square and visit the Harvard University Art Museums or the Harvard Museum of Natural History. Boston is just minutes away by cab, uber or subway and has countless worthy attractions if you have more time. Walk the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail from Boston Commons to Bunker Hill. Visit Quincy Market, Top of the Hub, Newbury Street, Boston Commons, and the New England Aquarium. A short drive from downtown, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library is a must for history buffs. Baseball fans can tour one of America’s most famous stadiums, Fenway Park, home to the Green Monster.
BEST RESTAURANTS IN BOSTON
— Quotes From Campus —
“MIT is a global institution, and as a student I’ve have the most interesting and diverse group of peers. I love the location right on the Charles River, which has a beautiful view of the city and is a great place to walk, run or bike.”
“At MIT there is many opportunities for students and faculty to work together on many groundbreaking projects. There is lots of collaboration between the undergrads, grad students and faculty”
“I love being on an urban campus. There are great restaurants in the Kendall square area. And the city of Boston is just across the bridge.”
DONT MISS THE BEST RESTAURANTS
IN BOSTON
MIT FAST FACTS
Established
1861
Mascot
Tim the Beaver
School Colors
Red & Grey
Acceptance Rate
7.1%
Common Application
No
Supplement Essays
N/A
Early Action/Decision
Early Action
SAT
Average - 1550
ACT
Average - 34
Type
Private
Size
Small - 4,499 Undergraduates
Website
Region
Admissions Office
77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room #10-100
Cambridge, MA 02139
(p) (617)253-3400
admissions@mit.edu
Sports Divisions
NCAA Division 3
Greek Life
Yes
Noteworthy Alumni
Jon Sununu
Benjamin Netanyahu
IM Pei
SHOP
MIT
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