This year Family Weekend at UNH is September 30th to October 2nd! Whether you’ve got family coming from near or far be sure to show them the best of what Durham has to offer. UNH has fun events scattered all over campus and there’s lots of awesome things to do in neighboring towns for anyone using this weekend to spend some time with your rents and get away from the hustle and bustle campus. Here’s how i’ll be spending my Family Weekend:
1. Dining dash
It’s a definite possibility that my parents are more excited to see the dining hall than they are to see me. It could be because of the endless options or the fact that they can indulge in a 3-course meal for one flat rate! regardless, visiting the d-hall is at the top of my Family Weekend to-do list. Take your parents to your favorite hall and let them enjoy the delicious options you might take for granted every day. If you have a meal plan with guest swipes you can use those to get them in for “free” or you can pay $9.00 per person at the door!
2. Christmas card photo op! (Moms will love this one)
If you’re whole fam is coming for a visit take advantage of the beautiful scenery that UNH presents. Thompson Hall is an awesome spot for a family photo shoot or Wild E Cat and Gnarlz will be available for photos in front of the Whittemore Center from 11-12 on Saturday! If you don’t go home a lot during the school year this family photo might be one of few that your parents can snap of you before you’re all grown up! Tear tear!
(This could be you!)
3. Go Wildcats!
Dress your parents up in blue and white and show some school pride as the UNH football team faces Holy Cross in the season opener! Here’s the link to buy tickets online: http://unhwildcats.com/tickets/Family_Weekend_11but students get in free as long as you show your student ID at the gate! This is a great opportunity for your parents to meet some of your new friends and see first hand one of my personal favorite aspects of UNH- our school spirit!
4. Dinner in Portsmouth
Sit down to a delicious dinner in the beautiful town of Portsmouth! Just twenty minutes away from campus, Portsmouth is home to some of New Hampshire’s best restaurants! Looking for something fancy? Check out the menu at the Black Trumpet and be sure to try their Angus serloin Yum! Not in the mood for fine dining? Try Flatbread’s for some of the best pizza in town made from all local ingredients and cooked right in front of you on the brick oven stove! Portsmouth Brewery is another awesome place for burgers and sandwiches!
5. Be pampered at Solari Salon Spa
While in Portsmouth make an appointment at my favorite salon in New Hampshire! It was even featured in Elle Magazine a few moths ago! Solari Salon Spa offers every service from hot stone massages to paraffin manicures! One of my favorite mother-daughter activities since I was little has been being pampered in the pedicure chair and checking out whats going on in celebrity gossip mags! Even better, treat your mom to a pedicure for traveling so far to visit you! Here’s the website with directions and phone numbers so you can make an appointment in advance! http://www.solarispa.com/default.asp
6. Open Skate
UNH is offering free student-parent ice skating as a special for family weekend! I can’t think of too many activities as funny than watching my Dad bundled up in his winter jacket on a slippery ice rink trying to skate! Even if your parents can work the rink better than Kevin Goumas and Jeff Wyer (check out or campus cutie section!) family bonding at the Whitt is sure to be a blast! Get there early, open skate is being offered from 10-1 on Sunday, October 2nd and skate sizes will only be available on a first come first serve basis!
7. Coffee Break
My parents drink more coffee on a daily basis than I do when I’m studying for a Chemistry exam and if your parents are anything like mine, they’ll love making a trip to Breaking New Grounds! Let them check out the endless drink options or grab a giant chocolate chip cookie at Durham’s favorite coffee shop before they hit the road and head back home!
Here is the link for all UNH-sponsored events on Family Weekend: http://www.unh.edu/parents/family–weekend