Activities To Do During Parents Weekend in Boston
Its Parents Weekend time for colleges in Boston and they span all through the month of October. It’s hard to believe you just dropped your kids off and are already back for a visit! You might have seen our list of activities to do during college move-in weekend in Boston, and if so, you might have not been able to get to everything since you were likely a liiiiiittle bit busy doing the whole moving thing. But now that things are all settled and you no longer have to help your kids get oriented to a new city or semester, you can actually come and spend quality family time together and get out of the dorm rooms. Hit some of the things on our other list or try something new from this one, especially something outside or fall-themed since tis’ the season for any- and everything pumpkin. We’re very excited about it.
See a Broadway Show in Boston
Photo Credit: Hamilton
Broadway has come to Beantown and right now it’s a show you definitely want to see! Hamilton, currently Broadway’s most sought after musical, has come to Boston for a couple of months. Get tickets for the whole family and see Lin-Manuel Miranda’s critically-acclaimed show at the Boston Opera House while you’re visiting for Parents Weekend.
Take a Walking Neighborhood Food Tour
Photo Credit: Bites of Boston
Photo Credit: Bites of Boston
The perfect activity to get a taste of Boston over Parents Weekend is to take one of Bites of Boston’s walking neighborhood food tours. They offer tours of three unique neighborhoods—Allston, Chinatown, and the South End. You will learn about the rich history in each neighborhood as well as tasting some of the best bites they have to offer. They work closely with the restaurant owners to pick dishes that help to tell their story.
Attend the Boston Book Festival in Copley
Photo Credit: @ms.aayesha via Instagram
The Boston Book Festival offers a wonderful schedule of events to attend over Parents Weekend if yours happens to fall at the same time. This year the festival will be held on October 13th in Copley Square, a great place to spend an afternoon exploring. According to their site: “The Boston Book Festival celebrates the power of words to stimulate, agitate, unite, delight, and inspire by holding year-round events culminating in an annual, free Festival that promotes a culture of reading and ideas and enhances the vibrancy of our city.” Enjoy the festival and then take a stroll down Newbury Street or to the Public Garden.
Watch Head of the Charles Regatta
Photo Credit: Head of the Charles Regatta
Every year family, friends, and other excited spectators surround the Charles River to watch the Head of the Charles Regatta. This rowing event is a huge part of Boston culture each fall. If your Parents Weekend happens to fall during it you should definitely head over to catch some of the action. This year’s event will be held over the weekend of October 20th.
Visit SoWa Open Market
Photo Credit: SoWa
For another great outdoor activity for Parents Weekend, visit the South End’s SoWa open market. Check out all of the local artists, farmers, and vendors and the amazing goods they are selling. It’s never too early for a little holiday shopping and this is the best place to do it. Be sure to leave some room in the car because it’s hard not to buy everything at SoWa! Enjoy lunch too at one of the awesome food trucks serving there.
Walk the Freedom Trail
Photo Credit: @bretclancy via Instagram
Boston is a city chock full of history; so why not take a walk through the history and follow the Freedom Trail while you’re here for Parents Weekend? The 2.5-mile, red-lined route takes you through 16 historically significant sites. Make a pit stop on the way for a bite at a classic Boston spot such as Union Oyster House while you’re at it!
Visit a Museum
Photo Credit: @nicole_katherine_ via Instagram
Boston has tons of museums to visit, from science to art to history, to ones that are interactive. Taking a museum trip with your family for Parents Weekend is a great way to explore the city for an afternoon. Some of our favorite museums include: the Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Museum of Science, Boston Children’s Museum, Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, and the Mapparium. Fun fact—on the Boston Tea Party ship you get to commit some treason and toss a block of tea overboard!
Boston Common Frog Pond Pumpkin Float
Photo Credit: @kkinahan via Instagram
The 5th annual Pumpkin Float at the Boston Frog Pond is a great free evening event to go to for Parents Weekend if it falls when yours is. The date has yet to be announced so keep checking the site. Whether you participate by brining your own carved pumpkin (which you can do and they will illuminate and float it for you) or are just there to enjoy the ambiance, it’s an ideal way to spend a fall night in Boston Common. Refreshments will be served and music will be playing, so join the party!
Fall Foliage Brunch Cruise
Photo Credit: @danabeth78 via Instagram
Fall foliage in New England is stunning and Classic Harbor Line has come up with a brilliant way to help you take it all in. Their Fall Foliage Brunch Cruise takes you on a two and a half hour trip through the Boston Harbor Islands while serving you a three-course brunch menu and mixing up whatever drinks you’d like. Whether brunch is at sea or on land, the mimosa glasses better be overflowing. Pop the Champagne!
Jack O’ Lantern Journey
For an especially unique fall event head to the Franklin Park Zoo and check out the Jack O’ Lantern Journey. Walk through the path of pumpkin scenes and see some of the most fantastical carvings you have ever seen. It’s a magical evening experience and perfect for Parents Weekend with the family. After walking the trail you can watch a live pumpkin carving demonstration and have some food and drinks. It’s pumpkin season so do all the pumpkin things you can before the season is over!
Photo Credit: Jack O’ Lantern Journey
Photo Credit: Jack O’ Lantern Journey
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