Your Visitas Home Base, Revealed

Visitas is almost upon us, which means the Yard will soon be swarming with prefrosh pretending to be Elle Woods, Mark Zuckerberg, or whichever main-character fantasy they associate with Harvard. But you may well find yourself with a home base beyond the gates of the Yard. If you’re wondering whether the Visitas gods have cursed you or blessed you with a halfway decent floor to crash on. don’t worry — we’ve got you. Here’s our very official, extremely accurate, and absolutely unbiased round-up of the upperclassman dorms you might stay in during Visitas weekend.

Adams

Adams House is a bit… unpredictable. You might end up in the Inn, Claverly Hall, or honestly, who knows where. The one thing we do know is that the dhall is at the Inn (for now, at least). The location is great — right in the heart of the Square — but you might find yourself dodging a horde of tourists (and other prefrosh) on your way out the door.

Cabot

Cabot is a place that can only be defined with slang like “aura” and “vibes,” despite being in the Quad. Their dhall not only overlooks the gorgeous, gorgeous Quad lawn through giant windows, but also has outside tables if you’d rather smell the roses while enjoying the first of many HUDS meals. With plenty of single rooms to go around, you’re sure to get a sense of the spacious living conditions enjoyed by But the best of Cabot is also the real hidden gem of the entire Quad: Cabot Cafe. Grab your AP study materials — or whatever it is that high schoolers do these days — and lock in with a good matcha and lo-fi music like a proper Harvard student.

Currier

Currier House is the chillest House in the Quad (sorry, Pfoho). If you’re staying here for Visitas, consider that a win. You’ve been placed in a luxurious (retirement) home. Currier features a modern aesthetic, good vibes, and a great dhall (with a fountain?!). Yes, you’re in the Quad, but only a shuttle away from the chaos of the Square (and tourists who think Widener is a public library). Their rooms? Huge. Windows? Massive. Vibes? Immaculate. They have amazing living (and floor) space, lounges that people actually use, and more Mario Kart tournaments than they might care to admit. So settle in, enjoy the fresh Quad air, and know that Currier might not be in the center of the action, but it is in the heart of the Quad.

Dunster

With its charming amenities and gorgeous dhall, this dorm seems like something out of your wildest dreams, and honestly, there’s not a lot to complain about. You’re right by the Charles River, which means prime views and plenty of opportunities to daydream about some suitably try-hard future undergraduate pastimes, like running by the river every morning (even though deep down you know you won’t). Also, Dunster has elevators, which is (unfortunately) a luxury on campus, so five points to Gryffindor Dunster!

Eliot

Staying in Eliot? Congratulations, you’re one of the lucky few who’ll get to experience it before the renovations. That’s right. You’re stepping into Harvard (soon-to-be) history! Eliot is elegant with old-school charm, very tall ceilings, an even more gorgeous central courtyard, and one of the most stunning dhalls on campus. I (Daisy) stayed in Eliot when I visited as a prefrosh, and let me tell you — the floor space? Unreal. My suitcase did not have to be wedged between the bed and the desk. I stretched. I thrived. And I considered not leaving. Here, you’ll be in for a treat. With great views of the Charles River, make sure to enjoy the quiet luxury, the architecture, and your brief moment of Eliot glory before dust and hard hats move in. Because someday you’ll say I knew Eliot when…

Kirkland

Oh, Kirkland, our first love. It may not be the most renovated dorm, and yes, you might end up with some interesting roommates, but it definitely gives you all the classic college vibes. People hang out in the courtyard, lounge on hammocks, and embrace the weird. Plus, Kirkland is all about community <3. Kirklanders are proud of their House and its quirky traditions, so you’ll definitely feel that tight-knit vibe that will make you want to stay. Oh, and make sure to swing by their weekly cult meeting gathering on Sunday evening. It’s called The Choosening.

Leverett

Students staying in Leverett can find comfort in the fact that this is among the most pleasant housing wins for Visitas. With its dhall’s iconic checkered floors, it’s hard to not immediately be enamoured with the aesthetic of the House. If you’re not in the building that houses the dhall (McKinlock Hall), you’ll stay in one of the two towers, enjoying the second tallest views offered by the Houses. Their two courtyards sit right along the riverside, so be on the lookout for the cutest little bunnies scurrying around the block.

Lowell

Lowell feels like the Ritz-Carlton disguised as a dorm, with colorful modern furniture, generously sized windows, and spaces so pretty, you’ll forget you're on a college campus. The dining hall (dhall) is always buzzing with friend groups chatting, laughing, and not psetting (okay, maybe just a little). If you’re lucky, you might stumble into one of their weekend tea seminars — not the Boston Tea Party kind. Pretend that the Sunday afternoon bells aren’t making you go crazy, and you’ll be fine… trust.

Mather

The term “concrete jungle” perfectly defines Mather. Though you may not get Harvard’s iconic red brick walls, the brutalist details kind of perfectly reflect the feeling of hauling it from the Yard to the very edge of campus. The House’s high-rise is the tallest of all the dorms (cope, Leverett), with truly goated views of the river and of Boston across the water. Yes, spaces are a bit tight here, but their network of suites gives you a replacement family for a weekend! Although the dhall and the main House pathways are extremely reminiscent of the confusing “Squid Game” stairs, it really only adds to the uniqueness of the House. But sadly, its location knocks it down more than a few pegs, so we suggest making friends with other Visitas Matherites and judging the other (shorter) Houses on your trek back.

Pforzheimer

There’s a reason Pfoho is called the Palace of the Quad. With an extremely sunny double-decker dhall and an extremely laid back atmosphere, no meal goes wrong here. Plus, they have fun little hidden havens like an in-House spa room and a newly-upgraded arcade. This House likes to flex with their ridiculous number of singles and very spacious common rooms, so you’ll likely get a makeshift room with your very own couch, which is more than any of the River Houses can say. Although you’re not directly in the Square, the walk between the Yard and the Quad will give you a chance to feel Cambridge spring in full bloom.

Quincy

The People’s House. Where the suites are sweet and the dhall sunlight hits different. If you’re crashing here for Visitas, you lucked out. Quincy has comfort and convenience that makes you think, Yeah, I could do four years here. As a temporary resident, you have easy access to hot breakfast, and it’s likely that your host will have a spacious common room; we’re thinking that you might get to sleep on a couch instead of the (beautiful) floor. Quincy’s location is never too far from the action, so hopefully you’ll only get lost, like, twice this weekend.

Winthrop

You can’t go wrong with a renovated House, which is exactly what awaits you at Winthrop. The hallway singles that make up most of your accommodations are decent enough to be a pleasant home away from home for the weekend, and with five courtyards (yes, five), you’ll have ample opportunity to go out and touch some grass. And late at night, when you’re tired after a full day of programming, Winthrop Grille is always there to welcome you with open arms and a warm plate of deep-fried goodness. If you really want to flex on your hometown friends, be sure to visit the JFK Suite and pretend (manifest) that you’ll be president one day.

An Honorable Mention: Cronkhite

If you’re staying in Cronkhite this weekend, congrats! You’ve officially unlocked the secret bonus level of campus housing. Where is it? Great question! So glad you asked. These dorm rooms are located on the second and third floors of the admissions office, which is poetic if you think about it. You got into the best college ever, and now you’re sleeping above the people who chose you. A true full circle moment. No, it’s not near the Yard, the river, nor the Quad. It’s hard to find but weirdly peaceful, with AC in the hallways and endless juices and sodas in the dhall (stock up, seriously). We must warn you, though, that the rooms are small. Like, “should-I-not-host-or-just-hope-they-like-crowded-spaces” small. If you’re staying here for the weekend, definitely leave for events early, ask your hosts for snacks, and say hello to the building’s lovely cleaning staff. Just know, if you can survive Cronk, you can survive Harvard.

Read the rest of our Visitas 2025 feature here!