By Ali Parisi
MS Public Relations ’16
BU College of Communication
By now, most of us grad students have had our fair share of parents weekends. Like most schools, BU has plenty of scheduled events and seminars throughout the weekend; but in general, they cater to the undergraduate crowd – such as the “Parenting Panel: Parenting During the College Years. However, there will be an art exhibition at the College of Fine Arts’ Stone Gallery, a Movie Walking Tour of campus, and several other free events fit for graduate students and their parents. See the full schedule of events here.
Looking for a little more action? See our Men’s Hockey team take on the U.S. National Under-18 team on Saturday at 7 p.m. in an exhibition match. Just be sure to get your tickets in advance here.
Once you’ve had your fill of activities around campus, be sure to give your parents a solid snapshot of your new Boston home.
Fenway is both close to home and a Boston classic. Just across the bridge from Kenmore, Fenway offers a glimpse at one of America’s most famous baseball institutions. Not to mention the surrounding bars and restaurants. My recommendations include Bar Louie for amazing appetizers, Landsdowne Pub for the atmosphere and Sweet Cheeks for barbecue.
Newbury Street is an absolute must if your family is even slightly interested in shopping and good food. Newbury has stores for everyone, starting at Massachusetts Avenue with stores like Urban Outfitters and Forever 21, stretching all the way down to the Commons with high-end retailers such as Diane von Furstenberg. Peppered along the way are all types of restaurants, including Joe’s American Bar and Grill, Stephanie’s and The Cafeteria. You really can’t go wrong. Once you reach the end of Newbury, be sure to enjoy the scenery at the Boston Commons and Public Gardens. This is the best time of year to do so, while the leaves are turning and it’s not too terribly cold yet.
Want to take the tourist route? Walk your parents along the Freedom Trail and see the historical Faneuil Hall to get a taste of the rich history Boston has to offer. If you get hungry, grab a lobster roll from Quincy Market and check out even more shops and restaurants along the way. And, if there’s time, get in line at Giacomo’s in the famous North End before 4 p.m. to experience some of the best authentic Italian food that Boston has to offer. And don’t forget to stop by Modern Pastry for dessert.
What are your plans for Parents Weekend? Have any other recommendations or questions on how to entertain your out-of-town guests? Let us know in the comments section!