Student Leadership & Activities

Boston Orientation Tours

During Fall Orientation, you will have the opportunity to go on a tour of Boston with your Orientation Group.  Organized orientation tours allow students to get to know Boston while spending time with Orientation Leaders and fellow students.  These tours will include visits to various historical, cultural and academic landmarks.  We suggest that each student brings $15 - $20 to cover the cost of transportation and other incidentals on the Orientation tours.

When filling out the survey on our main page, which will help to assign you an academic advisor, you will also be asked to indicate your top five tour choices so that we can assign you an Orientation Group over the summer.  Please read the tour descriptions below so that you can make your choices. 

An Afternoon in the Park

This tour will include significant walking, along with the bus and use of the "T" to allow students the opportunity to become familiar with green spaces (Boston Garden, Boston Common), shopping districts (Downtown Crossing, Garment District), and the many cultural opportunities (Theater District, Museum of Fine Arts, Symphony Hall) accessible from the College. This tour is a great way to become familiar with how to navigate downtown and find various points of interest. Please note that the tour will not include shopping but will point out shopping areas for future reference.

Back Bay Scavenger Hunt

Join your orientation tour group as you embark on a scavenger hunt within the Back Bay community. This hunt will provide each team clues regarding sites or activities that are free or low-cost, easily accessible within the community and are notable places for students to explore and gather. Come prepared for an in-depth look into what the Fenway/Back Bay area has to offer!

Beacon Hill /African American Freedom Trail

Located within the Beacon Hill community of downtown Boston, the African American Freedom Trail traces the strong abolitionist community within Boston during the Revolutionary War period. Along the trail visit notable abolitionist meeting houses, memorials and schools, such as the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, the George Middleton House, Abiel Smith School, and the Smith Street Residences. Learn about influential abolitionists, such as Lewis Hayden, and Boston's abolitionist community as you are led through historical downtown Boston.

Boston Waterfront

The Harbor Islands of Boston provide opportunities for recreation, boating, and wide open spaces. Travel from Simmons to downtown, then walk out to the waterfront and take a Harbor Taxi across the Boston Harbor. This tour provides great opportunities to learn about various transportation and recreation options throughout the city.
Please bring $5 for the cost of  the Harbor Taxi

Chinatown/Theatre District

This tour will take you through Boston's Theatre District and through Chinatown to see the many theaters such as Wang Theater and the Colonial Theater, while also taking you through the many markets and restaurants located within Chinatown. Stop and eat some dim sum, check out the upcoming shows in Boston and see some of the many historical landmarks located within the area.

Coolidge Corner and Harvard Street

Learn about this diverse historic neighborhood in adjacent Brookline. You will be able to take a tour of the birthplace of President John F. Kennedy in addition to exploring the Brookline communities of Coolidge Corner and Harvard Street. Coolidge Corner has many synagogues, kosher restaurants, bakeries, stores and studios that are an easy walk from Simmons. Over on Harvard Street, you will be able to see what the streets of Boston looked like during colonial times. These cobblestone, gas-lit streets are a small glimpse into the historical significance of the Boston area, and its elite.
Please bring $5 to cover the cost of admission to the President John F. Kennedy Childhood home.

Faneuil Hall/ Quincy Market

Come join your tour guide as you walk in and around Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. One of the most well-known tourist area in Boston, this downtown locale is filled with shops, restaurants and performers that truly bring the area to life year-round. Your tour guide will also walk you through the nearby historic North End of Boston, sharing with you some of the history as well as pointing out favorite food and entertainment destinations.  The North End has many community activities/events that are great to see such as, art fairs, parades and holiday festivities. This tour is a great way to further your awareness of the diversity of the Boston neighborhoods.

Fenway Local History and Action

Come join active community members from the Fenway area to learn about the local history behind many of the landmarks within the Back Bay Fens. The Fenway area has a long tradition of community organizing and activism that students can join through their work with the Scott/Ross Center for Community Service and other outside organizations. This tour will allow you a glance into the history of the area and also allow you the opportunity to learn about ways to get involved within the community.

Freedom Trail

An historic tour of Boston, this walking tour will provide you insight into much of the history of Boston, the state, and the country. While the 2.5 mile trail can be followed from Beacon Hill, through downtown Boston, the North End, and Charlestown, today's tour will include the Boston Common, the New State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King's Chapel, the first public school site, the Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Boston Massacre Site, and Faneuil Hall. You will also learn about the diversity of the neighborhoods throughout Boston and have history at your fingertips as you walk.  Two tours will depart to explore the Freedom Trail along the red brick path through Boston.

Harvard Square

You will be led through various favorite student spots in Harvard Square, including unique bookstores, cafes, libraries, and beautiful green spaces at Harvard University. Cambridge is a wonderful spot to go and see student performances, plays and participate in community activities. Come prepared for significant walking!

Jamaica Plain

This tour will introduce you to the Jamaica Plain community located outside of downtown Boston. Jamaica Plain is a culturally diverse neighborhood that originally housed many breweries, but now stands as an active community dedicated to organizing, activism and community action. Jamaica Plain has various bookstores, galleries, restaurants, shops and entertainment for students to explore, such as candlepin bowling at Bellaluna/Milky Way. Centre Street in Jamaica Plain is the main stretch of the community and provides students with an opportunity to eat ice cream at the original J.P. Licks, an independently-owned ice cream shop open since 1981, while also getting to know the diversity within the greater Boston community.

Museum of Fine Arts

Your guide will share with you a wonderful place for tranquility in the city within easy walking distance of the College. This tour will include time in the MFA and an insider's perspective into taking advantage of all the surrounding community has to offer. Learn about other opportunities to explore museums, galleries and exhibits within the Boston community for free/reduced price.

Photo Tour of the City

Boston is known for its many neighborhoods, historic sites, unique landmarks and character. Join others new or returning to the city as you scout out picturesque sites and monuments. Such sites include the Back Bay Fens Victory Gardens, the Museum of Fine Arts' Japanese Tranquility Garden, and the Christian Science Center Reflecting Pool and Gardens. Experienced and novice photographers are welcome. Please bring your own camera to take with you on this tour. We will provide an opportunity to share your pictures to create a slideshow for display later during Orientation. 

Service Beyond Simmons

This will be a hands on service project, and you should come prepared to by fully immersed in service (comfortable, durable clothing). This is a fantastic opportunity to meet some community partners of Simmons and to get to know some of the members of the Scott/Ross Center for Community Service at Simmons. The Scott/Ross Center for Community Service provides the Simmons community, and the community at large, with programming that allows all students regardless of major to become involved in meaningful, life-fulfilling service experiences that bring the materials taught in the classroom into real-life. This is a great opportunity for students interested in jumping right into service activities while at Simmons.

South End

This tour will bring students into the South End historical district of Boston. The South End offers visitors a chance to visit various galleries, cafes, coffee shops and specialty stores that are located along Tremont and Washington Streets. This nearby locale is filled with original brick and brownstone buildings that boast of the historical and artistic significance of the South End community. Come join the tour and explore the cobblestone streets and walkways of the South End, a site of artistic and historical significance.

Trinity Church and the Mary Baker Eddy Library

This tour will provide you a historic tour and view of diversity of religious and spiritual influences throughout the city of Boston. You will gain insight into the city's history and know various spiritual and religious sites throughout the city, including synagogues, churches, and the famous Mary Baker Eddy Library (Mary Baker Eddy was an influential American author, teacher and religious leader, noted for her groundbreaking ideas about spirituality and health, which she named Christian Science). Students will also be seeing Trinity Church located in Copley Square. Founded in 1773, Trinity Church is a Boston landmark that attributes its fame from the detailed architecture, mural and stained glass artwork within its sanctuary and adjoining rooms. This tour will add to your understanding of the diversity of the communities surrounding Simmons.
Please bring $10 with you to cover the cost of admissions to Trinity Church and the Mary Baker Eddy Library.

Urban Outdoors

Grab your sneakers and join in an urban walk that will show you nearby green spaces that may offer a welcome change of pace from city life. The tour will include significant walking, so wear appropriate shoes and clothing. You will find parks including those of the famed Emerald Necklace designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and bodies of water, along with learning great areas to walk, run, bike, roller blade, or simply sit down and relax.

Exploring Nursing at Simmons and in the Community

The Longwood Medical area is known around the world for its hospitals, research, and academic facilities. On this tour, students interested in the health professions will visit the nursing labs at Simmons, hear from a member of the Simmons faculty, walk through the medical area and talk about careers in nursing. This tour will also allow students to learn about ways in which they can volunteer their time serving within hospitals such as Children's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess and Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Write! Right in Boston

This tour will provide you with the opportunity to learn free and/or inexpensive places to read, reflect, and write in Boston, right in proximity to Simmons. Locations will include cafes, bookstores, and museums within walking distance. This is a great tour not only for aspiring writers but also those interested in finding great study sites and places for quiet reflection.