Kendall Square is where science happens, and innovation is born. The long list of pioneering approaches begun here includes flexible fire hoses, synthetic penicillin, the Apollo 11 navigation system, microwave, Human Genome Project, Roomba, COVID vaccines, and more. Problem-solving innovation is our past, present, and future.
Visiting with a delegation or looking to build your own innovation district? KSA can help! From guided tours of Kendall, to meeting leaders of our community, we can help curate an itinerary for your time here. Fill out the delegation form and a member of our team will be in touch about next steps.
Discover Kendall Square
Art Walk Project
Experience the incredible collection of public art pieces–murals, installations, sculptures, and more across Kendall Square. Access a map and list of 21 artworks to take a self-guided tour, or contact the ArtWalk Project’s creator and expert guide Julia Swanson for a private tour.
Broad Discovery Center
Thursdays – Saturdays, from 10 am – 5 pm
Learn how researchers at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard are uncovering the causes of cancer, infectious diseases, psychiatric conditions, and more at the free Broad Discovery Center museum. Featuring videos and interactive displays, you can explore the museum on your own or book a tour.
Draper Museum
Thursdays, from 12 – 4:30 pm
Visit the Draper Museum to explore artifacts and displays celebrating Draper’s role in biomedical technology, national security, and lunar explorations, including the Apollo missions. Founded at MIT in 1933, Draper became an independent nonprofit innovation organization some fifty years ago and today engineers solutions to the nation’s toughest problems for government, industry, and academia.
Innovation Trail
Explore the past, present, and future of innovation in Kendall Square on the Innovation Trail. World-changing breakthroughs ranging from the development of the Stilson wrench to the Human Genome Project, and so much more happened here. Walk the Trail on your own, use a downloadable audio guide, or take a guided tour. See scheduled tours on the Innovation Trail website, or contact either the Innovation Trail or Boston History Company to schedule your own tour.
Kendall Green Spaces
Catch your breath, enjoy the view, or even take in a concert in one of Kendall Square’s array of green spaces. These privately owned public spaces (POPS) are for everyone to enjoy. You can see them on our Member Map, simply filter for “Recreation” and take your pick.
Kendall Restaurants
Dining in Kendall Square means choosing from a variety of delicious options. Enjoy a meal, light bite, or beverage–American, Chinese, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, and coffee shops galore, take your pick. To explore what we have to offer navigate to our Member Map and filter for “Restaurants.”
Koch Institute Gallery
Monday – Friday, from 8 am – 6 pm
The Koch Institute Public Galleries offer an exceptional opportunity to view award-winning images from current research projects, striking biomedical images, and personal reflections on disease from researchers throughout the MIT network. The Galleries are housed in the first floor lobby of the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, a National Cancer Institute accelerating the discovery of new ways to detect, treat, and prevent cancer.
LabCentral Tours
LabCentral offers tours that give you a peek inside this renowned nonprofit launch pad for high-potential startup life science and biotech startups. With fully permitted lab and office space and the programming and networking that startups need to grow and thrive, LabCentral is essential to the Kendall Square ecosystem. Sign up for a public tour on a Tuesday or Thursday, or reach out to LabCentral to chat about the possibility of a private tour.
MIT Museum
Open Daily, from 10 am – 5 pm
At the MIT Museum you can explore diverse exhibits, or attend engaging programming to connect with MIT’s unique culture of problem-solving and playful creativity. The museum
brings together science, technology, art, and design in surprising ways, and is free for Cambridge residents.
Museum of Science
Open Daily, from 9 am – 5 pm
Enjoy interactive events, exciting exhibitions, and more at one of the world’s largest science centers and New England’s most attended cultural institution, the Museum of Science. The museum makes science accessible to all, and strives to equip and inspire everyone to use science for the global good.