You finally moved away from home and have enjoyed living on your own for the past month. For many, this is the first time your parents will see you since they dropped you off. Your parents want to know about your life here at school, so it is your job to show them why you chose TCU and why you love it. You can do this by showing them why TCU is your home away from home.

If there is one thing to do, it is to explore as much of Fort Worth as you can. There are so many fantastic places to see and visit. Fort Worth is massive and it's so much fun to adventure throughout downtown, around TCU, and in the stockyards. No matter what you do over the course of the 2-3 days, there are few places that are essential to quality weekend in Hell's Half Acre.

1. Go to the Football Game

In Texas, football is king. People have gone to college games before, but to be honest, there is nothing like watching the Horned Frogs. The tradition, the student section, and the re-amped program make watching TCU at the Amon G. Carter stadium absolutely unreal. It is necessary to see a game there as a part of the Horned Frog Family. Also, if you head to Commons about 30 minutes prior to game time, the parade of the band, cheerleaders, and Showgirls down through Frog Alley is definitely something you shouldn't miss. We are playing Minnesota, so it should be a fun game to go 2-0.

2. Visit the Stockyards

The Stockyards is definitely one place to visit and show the family. The Stockyards are famous for their cattle exchanges, which happen once a week to do this day. It is a great place to walk around, visit the shops, and experience the culture of Texas. If you are up for some dancing, go to Billy Bob's. It is the home of the world's largest honky tonk and is a great place to two-step to country music and have family fun. 

3. Eat, Eat Out, and Eat More 

This is your chance to NOT eat the BLUU. There are so many great places around Fort Worth to eat, so take advantage of having your family in town. Some places that are absolutely necessary to visit are Fireside Pies, Torchy's Tacos, Rodeo Goat, Joe T. Garcia's, Canes, Sweet Sammy's, Blue Sushi, and Woodshed. Some pricier options are Reata, Silver Fox, Pappadeaux, and Cane Russo. These are just some favorites around Fort Worth, but all I can say for sure is that if they have queso, order it. It is life changing. 

4. Touristy Fort Worth

There are so many things to do around TCU that sometimes Fort Worth itself is overlooked. It is one my favorite places to adventure around and find unique things specific to the Fort. Some great places to visit include Sundance Square, the Water Gardens, Botanical Gardens, and Fort Worth Zoo. There is so much to do, so save some ideas if you can't get to them all and visit them another time.

5. Things to do around campus

Family Weekend is always a busy time around TCU. There is so much going on, especially around campus. In halls and academic departments there are receptions to welcome families. On Sunday, Kappa Alpha Theta hosts a 5K run to benefit CASA and the Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation. It is a great way to help the community and get some exercise during the jam-packed weekend. 

6.Take a trip to Dallas

Just like the Fort, Dallas is packed with things to do. If you have time, a day in Dallas is a blast. Some ideas of places to go are the Bush Library, JFK's 6th Floor Museum, Top Golf, and American Airlines Center (Home of the Mavericks and Stars). On the way, you can even stop in Arlington to see Cowboy's Stadium, which is extremely impressive because of how massive it is. Honestly, watching the LSU vs. TCU game last year there was one of my favorite college memories. You definitely need to check it out at some point.

Regardless of what you do, really cherish the time you have with your parents. While you're out on your own, keep in mind that they miss you terribly and have given up so much for you to be at the best school in the country. Show them your life because as we continue to grow at TCU, we grow away from home and our lives there. Quality time with family is something to never take for granted, so make the most of it!