They're coming. You thought you could leave them at home, but they followed you. Your safe haven is now no longer your own. For three days, you're going to have to wine them, dine them, and prove to them that you're doing more than just... well, you know. We here at Weekender realize that Parents' Weekend can be a very stressful and traumatic couple of days. But have no fear, we have come up with plenty of ways for you to entertain your parents and make them think that you actually know Beantown backwards and forwards. Take advantage of their credit cards and their empty-nest syndrome and with a little creativity, you can use the weekend to your advantage.
Breakfast: We know that Dewick will give your parents free grub. But we don't care. Come on, you have to get the day off to a good start with a power breakfast. Go to Soundbites, located in Ball Square, for a meal that will knock your parents off their feet. And it won't be too hard on their wallets (you do have to ease them into the spending spree). Most likely, you'll have to wait on line for about fifteen minutes to get into this small, cramped but cozy space. It is well worth the wait. Once inside, treat yourself to Belgian waffles, their famous homefries, creative omelettes, and daily specials such as French toast stuffed with cream cheese and strawberries. Coffee is self-serve but yummy. Soundbites has won the Best of Boston breakfast award numerous times. Bring your parents here on Saturday, and they'll want to come back for more on Sunday.
Food Shopping: While you're in the area and thinking about food, why not continue the trend. Stock up on snacks, ramen noodles, pop tarts, and microwave dinners at Star Market in Porter Square or Wild Oats on Route 16. This may be your one chance to gather berries before hibernating for the winter, so choose your items carefully - may we recommend the non-perishables? Star Market offers competitive prices and lots of selection, but do we really care about competitive prices when our parents are footing the bill? They do offer, however, an interesting section of international foods and fresh produce. But like we said, stick with the non-perishables. Nobody likes to see what happens to a banana after a semester in a micro-fridge. Wild Oats is a bit more upscale and caters to a trendy whole-wheat, health-nut crowd. It may be difficult to find Chef Boyardee, but they do have whole wheat pasta and energy bars up the wazoo. You and your parents can grab a frappucino after shopping to refuel for the next round of activities.
Picnic Lunch: It's no coincidence that Parents' Weekend is scheduled around one of the last chances you'll have to see New England in it's autumn splendor. The Arnold Arboretum, located in Jamaica Plains and accessible by T, is a must-see. With 15,000 trees on picturesque grounds, you can watch the fall colors while lounging next to fragrant waterlily ponds or under bonsai and lilac trees. Wait a second, are we still in Boston? Yes, you are, though you may feel more like you're in a Monet landscape. This will be a good chance for you and your parents to catch up on the past few months and bond. The best part of this adventure is that it's free. Take a picnic along for a good, low-cost afternoon. After all, they do need to save money for a nice dinner.
Dinner: Head to the North End for some authentic Italian food and culture. Walking up and down Salem Street, you'll find a plethora of cafes, restaurants, bakeries, and stores to peruse. On a busy Saturday night, you'll hear the din of lively conversations with Pavarotti singing away in the background. Try to stay away from chain Italian restaurants such as La Famiglia and aim for a smaller, more intimate place off the beaten path such as Al Dente or Assagio. You'll be well rewarded with unique dishes and friendly service. Top off the evening with a trip to Mike's Pastries for one of their famous cannolis and a cappuccino. With their tummies full and their wallets empty, by the end of the weekend your parents will be as happy to get rid of you as you will be to get rid of them.
