<p>We recently learned that the Hyatt in Medford books up for Parents' Weekend one year in advance, meaning there are no rooms for Parents' Weekend 2012. </p>
<p>So, I started doing some research and decided to try to get a room in Lexington-Concord (12 miles away). Although we love staying in Boston proper, the rates are sky-high and parking is ridiculously expensive, not to mention traffic to/from Medford. </p>
<p>Wanted to share that I just snagged a room at Element Lexington for $65/night via Priceline's name your own price. </p>
<p>There is a nice Homewood Suites in Arlington, just over the Cambridge/Somerville line which is about 5-10 minutes from Tufts, not sure if they have openings for parents weekend</p>
<p>Folks, Parents’ Weekend this fall is also the weekend of Head of the Charles, the world’s largest 2-day regatta (crew). It attracts some 300,000 spectators! Cambridge/Boston will be packed to the gills.</p>
<p>A question to all the Tufts parents that have already been though the parents weekend. I’m trying to book a hotel so need some more info. Do I need 2 nights or 1? I looked at the site and there is “an opening statement by the dean” on a Friday night. Not sure if it’s something important or not. On Saturday does everything start early? Do you spend time with your kid or go to lectures all day? Also, how important is it to stay as close to campus as possible? Do we get to Tufts in the morning and stay all day, or go back and forth to our hotel? Do we stay there for dinner or take our kid out?
I know that’s a lot of question. Appreciate any input.</p>
<p>You don’t have to do anything. We went to one thing on Saturday morning where one of our son’s professor’s was presenting, and another one about study abroad. Our son was busy studying. We took him out to lunch on Saturday and that was all he had time for. That was freshman year. Last year we didn’t go at all. This year he’ll be in Jordan.</p>
<p>We went to parent weekend last year (daughter was a sophomore). We are from out of state and did not rent a car so chose a hotel with shuttle service. There is a complete schedule of activities on the Tufts Parent Weekend website. We spent a lot of time on campus and got together with our daughter for lunches/dinners when possible. It was fun to hear the speakers and feel like a student again.</p>
<p>Just a note of warning - with Head of the Charles and leaf-peeping season restaurants will fill up too. Make a reservation now - particularly if you have a large group.</p>