<p>My D will be starting Wake in August. I got information on the website regarding family weekend, Sept 26-28, but there isn't a shedule up yet. I reserved a hotel already (already booking up fast), but wanted to get an idea what goes on during the weekend so I can get our flight arrangements (coming from SoCal). Does anyone, maybe from past years, know the general schedule? Should we bring 4 year old sibling or stash her at grandma's? I assume Saturday revolves around the footbal game, but what about Friday and Sunday? Can we plan to leave Sunday afternoon, or are there things going on and we should wait until Monday? Any info is appreciated.</p>
<p>D just finished sophomore year at WFU. Good thing you have a hotel room -- we now know to book ours as soon as the dates are set in the spring. We've also learned to stay within walking distance of the stadium since the traffic is CRAZY on game day. </p>
<p>Based on our 2 Family Weekends, there will be an entertainer on Friday night -- a mind reader guy D's freshman year (fabulous!) and a singer this past fall (pretty good, but geared more for the students, I thought). There will also probably be a reception just for freshman parents -- maybe starting around 5:00 PM?</p>
<p>Saturday is all about the football game. There are other things on the schedule, like a talk in the morning about the history of WFU, which we found to be very interesting. (Only did that the first year, though.) There's a tailgate lunch offered at the stadium before the game. An additional hint is to get dinner reservations in advance, too. Winston-Salem restaurants are full of parents taking their kids out, and it's best to plan ahead. Have your D ask around when she gets to school -- plus you should receive info on the W-S area at freshman orientation.</p>
<p>Sunday morning is a brunch -- in the past there have been 3 shifts. There are on-campus church services, too. Freshman year we did the brunch, but this past fall D had made reservations for a local place. H & I fly out Sunday afternoon -- there's really nothing going on in the late afternoon. Of course we're only in CT, so the flights are much shorter!</p>
<p>As much as our D enjoys seeing us (& vv), she also appreciates our rental car so we can take her to Target, etc. since she doesn't have a car at school.</p>
<p>In your shoes, I would leave a 4 year old w/ grandma. The activities probably wouldn't be all that exciting for that age, to say nothing of 2 long flights.</p>
<p>Welcome to Wake Forest! Go Deacs!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info CB. I just went online and got tickets for the game. What hotels are within walking distance of the stadium? I didnt see any.</p>
<p>The closest hotels are the Graylyn Conference Center owned by Wake and the Marriott Courtyard on University Ave. But both are already booked. I would check the Marriott and Embassy Suites downtown (next to each other on Cherry Street). That is about two miles from the stadium but leave early and traffic will be ok.</p>
<p>EarthWake -- I'm confused; I don't see that football tickets are even for sale yet! (I just checked on the website.) At some point during the summer the detailed info re: Family Weekend will be on the website, which will include procedures for ordering tickets for various Family Weekend events. D's freshman year we had to order game tickets directly from the Demon Deacon Athletics website. Last year there was a huge block of tickets reserved for Family Weekend that we could order along w/ the other event tickets on the Family Weekend website. (All tickets are first come, first serve, and things do sell out.)</p>
<p>Re: hotels -- we stay at the Marriott Courtyard, and yes, it is full. (D was on Exec. Board for Student Union this past year, so we had some advance warning about the dates. I then passed on the info to some friends w/ Wake students, and when they called, the Marriott was full.) Both of them are staying across the street (University Parkway) at the Sundance. I think it's a Clarion. Not quite as nice as the Marriott, but still clean and about half the price. This according to my H, who just stayed there for 2 nights last week when he went down to help D pack her room and get squared away after her appendectomy on the last day of classes. Graylyn isn't really w/in walking distance, and as far as I can tell it's booked forever in advance of any Wake event. D's freshman year (before we got so "smart" about location) we stayed at the Holiday Inn further past campus on University Parkway. But, as I said, we found the traffic to be a nightmare. Of course it didn't help that we had no idea where we we trying to get to near the stadium for the Tailgate lunch -- there were no maps included w/ any Family Weekend material. Last year, happily, maps were included in the registration packet. (I'd like to think it was in response to my suggestion on the evaluation form, thank you very much!)</p>
<p>Thanks ff and CB. I ordered the football tickets on a site called StubHub. I think that some season ticket holders sell some of their seats on this site. I didnt know that there was going to be a block set aside for the family weekend and figured that Id better hurry up and get some. I guess I got over-excited to see a Wake football game and jumped the gun. Oh well, live and learn.
Thanks for the info on the Sundance hotel. I was able to get a room but theyre going fast. Looks nice.</p>
<p>OK EarthWake, I understand. D told me to also tell everyone that you also have to buy a football ticket for your student, if you want him/her to sit with you. (The student section is separate.) Go Deacs!</p>
<p>Congratulations on your D going to Wake Forest! Mine just graduated a week ago, and I am so sad to see these four years come to an end. She loved the school, we loved the school, and I loved going to visit! I would definitely leave your young one at home. I remember my D's first parent weekend, and it was nice to just be able to focus on her without the worry and distraction of a younger sibling. We went out to dinner on Saturday night with her friends and their parents - it was fun - nice to meet and spend time with her new friends.
FYI, Marriott Courtyard is the closest. I love Graylyn and stayed there many times. We have also stayed at the downtown Marriott, the Embassy Suites (a particularly nice Embassy Suites, too - stayed there last week for graduation,) and the Residence Inn on North Point Blvd. All are nice. I don't like staying out by Hanes Mall - prefer the above-mentioned places instead if you can book them. Be sure to dine at the Village Tavern in Reynolda Village, they have a great brunch - lunch and dinner good as well. Very nice place - we always ate there at least once/visit. Hope you and your D will love it as much as we do!</p>
<p>Make dinner reservations or you'll end up waiting for atleast an hour at the popular places. </p>
<p>Popular places:
The Tavern
River Birch Lodge
4th Street Filling Station
Foothills (my favorite)
Rose's (you don't need reservations and its very cheap)
Ishi/Sakura</p>
<p>Thank you so much saketm and 4mom! We stayed at Marriott Courtyard in April during accepted students day, and will be there again when we drop her off in August. Went to The Tavern and 4th Street Filling Station in April and really loved them. I will keep the other recommendations for in August. Is anyone familiar with a restaurant that is across the street from Mariott Courtyard, but slightly back, on an intersecting street? It had a one-word name, looked kind of casual, had a front enclosed patio, and was known for steaks, I believe??</p>
<p>Putters maybe?</p>
<p>I know exactly to which restaurant you refer - we had dinner there graduation weekend, too. It's called Ryan's. On Coliseum Drive just west of University Pkwy, a block or so south and west of the Courtyard. We also ate at Foothill's over that weekend, and that was good, too. If weather permits and you can sit outside, try 6th and Vine downtown - it is really a neat place with good and interesting food, and a nice selection of wines. They have a website, check it out: 6th</a> & Vine - Restaurant and Wine Bar</p>
<p>Thanks so much again!</p>
<p>Milner's on Stratford is by far my favorite restaurant in Winston. It's not as casual as most of the restaurants in the area (collared shirts, khakis) and has amazing entrees with a southern flare. Overall I think it's one of the best restaurants in "the Dash." </p>
<p>Also, if you want a truly unique and upscale experience, definitely go to Fabien's. It was by far my parent's favorite part of parents weekend. It's a single-seating restaurant (7:30PM) and is only open on the weekends. The five course meal is presented by the chef himself in the very cozy restaurant that completely transforms you out of Winston-Salem and into fine dining you'd expect in a major city. Absolutely amazing food and an experience you can't beat.</p>
<p>This first time I think I'd like to eat in the cafiteria (or the pit) to find out what my kids will be complaining about. I read everything available, but what are my D choices in food on a daily basis? I'd really like to know and experience what her options are when trolling for food. Will they let parents go thru a real student experience over this weekend?</p>
<p>Great idea!! Has to be better than when I went to school (not Wake). </p>
<p>SouthernWake - I have a stupid question - is "the dash" all of Winston-Salem, or a section??</p>
<p>The Pit food is considerably better over parents' weekend, IMO...they pull out the fancy desserts and everything. I wouldn't go expecting the everyday menu.</p>
<p>The Dash is the nickname for the city of Winston-Salem (it comes from the hyphenated name). I guess The Hyphen would really be more grammatically correct, but it doesn't sound as good...</p>
<p>If you want authentic Pit food, come on a weekend that is not Parent's Weekend. The Pit always tries harder when there are parents or prospective students around.</p>
<p>Thats o.k. - I have made it a habit to avoid dorm food since 1984!</p>
<p>so do most parents and students sit together for that particular game? and do you guys know about when the tickets will be available and how fast theyll sell out?</p>