Harvard Science Center, Boston

Looming proudly near Harvard Yard and the New Yard, Harvard's Science Center is a bold declaration that knowledge sometimes prefers steel, concrete, glass, and a very serious facial expression. This colossal behemoth of academia houses the hallowed halls where Harvard's most esteemed professors hold court and where generations of students have gone to wrestle with physics, mathematics, biology, and that very specific Harvard anxiety caused by assignments due tomorrow.

Legend has it that even the great evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould graced these classrooms with his presence. As for its design, a whimsical myth persists that it was fashioned to resemble a camera, perhaps a nod to its association with the inventor and Polaroid tycoon, Edwin Land, one of its primary benefactors. But let's be clear, any resemblance to photography equipment is purely accidental, so no need to smile as you pass by. Harvard may observe many things, but this building is not secretly taking your picture.

Inside, science fans will find the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, a compact but fascinating display drawn from Harvard’s much larger collection of more than 20,000 objects. Some pieces date back to the 15th century, proving that humans have been making clever devices—and probably misplacing the instructions—for a very long time. Notable pieces include Galileo’s geometric sector and clocks that trace the long, patient evolution of modern timekeeping. Interestingly, Benjamin Franklin also played an important role in the early history of Harvard’s scientific collections, because apparently discovering electricity, printing newspapers, charming France, and helping found a country still left him with spare time...

The plaza between the Science Center and Harvard Yard is often one of the livelier open spaces on campus. Depending on the season, you may find food trucks, outdoor events, a concert, or even an ice-skating rink. And yes, for practical explorers, the Science Center also offers that most underrated of academic resources: basement restrooms. After all, not every Harvard discovery needs to win a Nobel Prize...