<p>Can anyone share some insight about the activities at Family Weekend? I've read everything about it on the website and all the literature that was distributed at CTOPS, but would love the lowdown from those who have actually attended in the past. Frankly, many of the scheduled activities don't look terribly inviting, and registration seems pretty pricey. I don't want to cheat the system, but I'm wondering if I'd have a better time just visiting with my kid and forego the $30/person registration fee, which doesn't seem to get me much other than a tote bag.</p>
<p>It’s so funny you so that. I was thinking the same exact thing. I got a plane ticket for myself and my other son but I am hesitating to actually register with UNC. The only thing I’m really concerned about is parking. Will I be able to park anywhere on campus if I don’t register?</p>
<p>We paid the registration fee one time and honestly had nothing to show for it other than a button to wear for the weekend. We didn’t register for any of the “workshops” and had already found places to eat rather than partaking in the continental breakfast/brunch at the Friday Center. </p>
<p>My advice is to spend the time with your kids. Make reservations for Saturday dinner as soon as you can because places fill up quickly; Friday doesn’t have the hordes in town for the football game yet but the more popular places tend to fill up quickly especially for early time slots.</p>
<p>Here’s a review we found helpful in the past before finding our own favorites(many of which are on this list):</p>
<p>I don’t believe that you need to register to park at the Friday Center in the past though this may have changed. If you want to park in CH you need to get into town early both Friday and Saturday. We always had good luck with the pay lot at the corner of Columbia and Rosemary (behind Spanky’s)</p>
<p>You might also check to see if your hotel provides shuttle service. Many restaurants have valet or their own lots as well, just not Top Of the Hill or those others near the intersection of Columbia and Franklin.</p>
<p>We did not participate in any Family Weekend events last year and enjoyed seeing our son. This year we bought football tickets. Other than that, we expect to have a nice weekend with our son, just like we did last year.</p>