<p>My son is starting his freshman year at Brown, and since Dad gets to go for the move-in process, I would like to go to Parents Weekend. I’ll be flying in from San Diego. </p>
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<li><p>Any suggestions on a reasonably cheap place to stay? </p></li>
<li><p>Ideally, it would be nice to stay really close to the university. If that doesn’t work, and I need to stay farther away and rent a car, I understand that parking near Brown is nearly impossible, so can anyone suggest a good place to park the car and walk or take a short bus ride? Maybe at the mall?</p></li>
<li><p>Online I saw a place called the Gothic Guesthouse on Wesleyan Avenue in North Elmwood/Upper South Providence. It looked basic, cheap and friendly. Does anyone know the place or the area? Is it a safe area? Would it be practical for getting back and forth to Brown activities?</p></li>
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<li><p>No. It’s the East Side, they are GOING to exploit you $$$. </p></li>
<li><p>The closest place to stay is actually on campus, the Saunders Inn, which is located amidst dorms, but its nice, has all your basic amenities, etc. Your student can’t make a reservation for you, you parent must do it and if this is your plan, you should have made your reservation like yesterday. Here’s the link: [Saunders</a> Inn at Brown University](<a href=“http://www.brown.edu/Facilities/Saunders_Inn/]Saunders”>http://www.brown.edu/Facilities/Saunders_Inn/)</p></li>
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<p>The next closest on is the Old Court Bed & Breakfast, which I’ve heard good things about, but honestly, I’d be more worried about distance than service. Any other hotel that tells you they are “close” to Brown is blatantly lying because they’ve never trudged across downtown and then up the hill. So you can get an idea of hotel locations and distance type this into the google search box: “hotels near 75 Waterman St. 02912”</p>
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<li>See above. These two I mentioned are the closest (and everything else is far.) Renting a car and then finding parking - good luck. Many have tried few have prevailed since good ole PVD doesnt have overnight parking. </li>
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<p>Your other option is to stay in your kid’s dorm. I don’t know how you feel about it, I don’t know he feels about. This is what I’ve done in the past - I love my parents, I don’t mind having them cramped with me for a few days, its the cheapest, and I can make sure they don’t get lost.</p>
<p>Good Luck! And get on those reservations ASAP, they fill up quickly.</p>
<p>We stay in Seekonk, Massachusetts-about 5-8 min away. There is a Comfort Inn, Ramada Inn and Hampton Inn all next door to one another. You would have to rent a car and agreeably, the parking is hard. About 2-3 min closer is a Radisson which offers free shuttle service to the University. They even pick you up and bring you back to the hotel. One of these should work out for you.</p>
<p>My parents have always stayed in Warwick or Seekonk to save money (in PVD they jack up the prices for Family Weekend like you wouldn’t believe).</p>
<p>Parking is hard, but not impossible. Yes, you’ll drive around for 5-10 mins, but eventually you’ll find a spot, so long as you’re confident parallel parking.</p>
<p>We visited our son on Parents’ Weekend for all four of his years at Brown.</p>
<p>We stayed at the Edgewood Manor B&B all four years. It is in about 3 miles south and a little west of the campus - a very easy drive. I wouldn’t call it cheap, but it is a wonderful spot. It’s more of an Inn than a B&B. Here’s the link: [Providence</a> Bed and Breakfast, Providence Rhode Island Bed and Breakfast](<a href=“http://www.providence-lodging.com/index.html]Providence”>http://www.providence-lodging.com/index.html). The Parents’ Weekend crowd was almost always fellow Brown parents. </p>
<p>We flew to Boston and rented a car each time. The drive to campus from Boston is less than an hour and it’s 15 minutes or so from the Providence airport. The direct flights to Boston were always cheaper. We parked free all day each day we were on campus on the rooftop lot at the corner of Thayer and Power in the Southeast (I think) corner of campus (I never did get a good feel for N-S-E-W in Providence). They leave the gate open on Parents’ Weekend</p>
<p>Parents’ Weekend has it all over move-in weekend (Move-in is two days of stress followed by 30 seconds of hugs). Brown really knows how to make the parents of its students feel like they made the right decision. Don’t miss it!</p>
<p>I will say that both of my parents visited all four years and I wouldn’t be surprised if they came this year even though I’m a graduate student. They came once and loved it so much they’ve brought a different family member back each year. Granted, we’re only a 3hr drive from Brown, but they definitely felt like DarthV-- Family Weekend made them feel like a part of the larger Brown community and they fell more and more in love with Brown each year they came.</p>
<p>We always come too to Parent Weekend (and Commencement Weekend too). Son is going to be a senior this year (Wow! Where did the time go??). There are things to do, lectures, games, concerts and other activities. Plus, it is just the right time to get a hug in since it’s about 6 weeks after he has left for school. I believe the date this year is Oct 17-18. You get info in the mail about some of the activities since some cost some money to participate. There are plenty of people whose parents cannot come, so if your parents can’t, dont worry. Son’s roommate’s parents could not come-we just invited him along to a dinner or lunch. But, it is a fun weekend for all those contemplating it.</p>
<p>There are some B&Bs near Brown – the one I stayed at a couple years ago closed, but I believe there is another one close by. I remember that one got horrible reviews, so I wouldn’t stay there. You might want to look at tripadvisor.com for reviews.</p>
<p>I’ve stayed at hotels downtown and walked up the hill. If you are in good shape it’s doable. There are buses to take, too. Unfortunately, there are really very limited options right near the campus, other than the Brown Inn (which is wonderful – but yes, you have to make reservations really really early). </p>
<p>Is there still parking out by the athletic facilities? There’s a big lot there that is used during Commencement. Also, is the Power Street lot open? Again, it is for Commencement, but I don’t remember what happens parents weekend. </p>
<p>Parking will be bad on Friday, when you are competing with Brown employees, but I’ve never had problems finding spots on the weekend.</p>
<p>I once stayed at a B&B as I needed to be back on campus two days before they allowed us to re-enter the dorms for Spring semester. It was called C. C. Ledbetter B&B on Benefit St. near Power St., amazing location. Most folks on TripAdvisor say it was one of the worst experiences of their lives (quote: “As we were led to our attic room I kept thinking that Norman Bates was about to appear.”) I was fortunate as the much dreaded owner was away and a pleasant housesitter tended to guests during that time. You may not want to take such chances.</p>
<p>I recall there’s another B&B that I looked into on Angell St. a couple blocks away from campus (Annie Brownell House B&B) that you might also investigate.</p>