Just back from Boston trip with D (HS senior) - who is primarily interested in MechE. Thoughts below a mixture of my views and my D’s.
Harvard - moved down, somewhat. Was not all that pretty. New engineering building far from main campus. Hordes of tourists and others around main campus. Harvard Square itself, adjacent to campus, was nice but a bit grunge-y at the edges. Student tour guide didn’t seem all that happy there. Some green space, but not a ton. Museums (natural history, archaeology, art) were nice, though.
MIT - moved down, somewhat. It wasn’t especially pretty (though arguably a bit above our low expectations on that front). Setting was kinda meh. Lots of construction and just kind of junk and noisy stuff around.
In general, D’s reaction to both schools was “far, cold, not very pretty”. Has her appreciating hometown Wash U more - ED application to Wash U more likely now.