Family Weekend. No matter your grade, you are likely looking forward to spending some time with family after being away at school for a few weeks. However, rounding up all of your family members and finding enough activities to keep them entertained is a huge undertaking.
Whether you are a freshman who is new to the area or a senior who has run out of things to do on the Main Line with your parents, The Villanovan has you covered.
To kick off the events, Villanova is hosting a Family Weekend Information Table on Friday, Sept. 22 from 12p.m. to 5p.m. The Information Table will be open for families to get information on local restaurants, learn about Villanova Family Weekend events and have other questions answered.
The Office of the Bursar and Office of Financial Assistance will be holding drop-in hours throughout working hours on Friday for any questions.
Tired of showing your parents the same sights on Villanova’s campus? Opt in for the campus tree tour on Friday at 4p.m. at the Corr Hall arch. Led by campus horticulturist Hugh Weldon, the tour will showcase the biodiversity right on campus.
If fall allergies count you out for the campus tree tour, head to the iconic Finneran Pavilion from 4p.m. to 6p.m. for an exclusive tour and the chance to meet Villanova basketball players.
Other activities taking place on Friday include an Art Gallery Open House, the NROTC fall parade, OFSL open house, inclusion week festival, food trucks, the Junior Ring blessing and a Wade in the Water film screening hosted by Villanova University Black Alumni, among other events. For the full list visit https://www1.villanova.edu/content/university/student-life/family/events/weekend.html.
Saturday begins with a welcome from University President Reverend Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A, PhD at 10a.m. in the Villanova Room.
While there are a variety of information sessions and open houses on Saturday, the main event is Villanova’s Tailgate on the Green. This is the chance for every Villanova student and family to pretend like this is a large SEC school.
Following the tailgate is the Villanova football game against University of Rhode Island at 2p.m. If the day’s activities were not enough, Villanova is hosting a night at the Philadelphia Zoo from 6p.m. to 10p.m.
“I am very excited to go to the zoo this family weekend,” junior Jane Maleady said. “My dad has been looking forward to it for a while now because he loves animals.”
Family weekend concludes on Sunday at 11a.m., with Mass held in the Finneran Pavilion. Mass, led by Father Peter, provides a chance to reflect on the weekend, family and the magic of being on Villanova’s campus.
Aside from Villanova’s own Family Weekend activities, there are plenty of places to explore on the Main Line with your family. Stoneleigh, located behind West Campus, is a natural garden with scenic walking paths. Valley Forge National Park and Chanticleer Gardens are also known for picturesque trails.
“I went to Chanticleer with my dad a few years ago when he visited campus,” senior Maggie Winston said. “It is such a pretty garden and a great place to spend time with family when you exhaust some of the on-campus activities.”
Although a bit farther off campus, Family Weekend can also be a great opportunity to head to local shopping areas such as Suburban Square and King of Prussia, two places that tend to be favorites of many Villanova students.
Need to take a break from all of the social activities? Take your family down to the Bryn Mawr Film Institute and catch a movie in the old-fashioned theatre.
“Family weekend can be tiring,” Zoe Kim said. “The Bryn Mawr Film Institute is a really cool theater and also a great break from socializing and being on your feet all weekend.”
While finding a reservation at this time may be a challenge, there is an abundance of great restaurants to visit while your family is in town. Located in Bryn Mawr and known for being BYOB, Otto By Polpo, website linked here, is a fantastic Italian restaurant in the heart of town. Veekoo, another BYOB option in Bryn Mawr, is a Chinese and Japanese restaurant that many Villanovans love.
Rosalie, The Goats Beard, White Dog, Autograph Brasserie, Estia Taverna and DanDan, which are all located next door in Wayne, are popular restaurants around Villanova.
“Whenever my parents are in town we always head to Rosalie and The Goat’s Beard,” senior Carlie Pollice said. “Both are great options for family dinners. The hummus at The Goat’s Beard is the absolute best.”
No matter what you do this family weekend, all that matters is spending some time with those you love. Along with the value of not having to pay for dinner.
