Activities
Saturday, September 16, and Sunday, September 17, 2023, Family Weekend will be here before we know it!
The Sping and Summer months find us busy working on activities and student group entertainment to enhance the excitement of visiting with your student!
Feel free to browse the activities from our 2022 Family Weekend event to provide you an idea of what to expect:
Choose your own Scranton adventure!
If you happen to be in town on Friday, September 23rd, or are looking for additional activities throughout the weekend, we invited you to "choose your own Scranton adventure" from the ideas below.
Our downtown community and the surrounding area has so much to offer. From hiking in Nay Aug Park to dining at one of our fabulous establishments, there’s something for everyone in your family!
On-Campus Activitiesplus or minus
Saturday, September 24, 2022
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Family Weekend Hospitality Center
A warm welcome awaits you at the Family Weekend Hospitality Center. Staff will be on hand to answer questions about the weekend and offer suggestions about the surrounding area.
The DeNaples Center, 1st FloorBasket Raffle - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (and Friday 9/23 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
This annual raffle serves to support our students with their experiential travel and service events
Sponsored by The Center for Service and Social Justice9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Women's Rugby vs. ESU - 11:00 a.m.Men's Rugby vs. Bucknell - 1:00 p.m.
Fitzpatrick Field1:00 p.m. Saturday Women's Volleyball vs. Rowan 1:00 p.m.; vs. Messiah 5:00 p.m.
John Long Center (*Friday 9/23 vs. Franklin & Marshall 3:00 p.m.; Friday 9/23 vs. RIT 7:00 p.m.)1:00 p.m. Women's Field Hockey vs. Catholic
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Food Truck Fare
Area food trucks will be parked along Linden Street for this lunch-on-your-own experience:
2Wayz One Passion Food Truck
Bella Rose Food Truck & Catering LLC
FonDippity
Manning's Mobile Ice Cream Shoppe
Big D's Curbside Crave
(Food trucks subject to change)
Commons Flag Terrace11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Student Group Performances
Scrantones (Men/Women for Octives)
Liva Arts (Musical Theater)
Royal Expressions (Contemporary Dance)
Urban Beats
University of Scranton Cheer Team
University of Scranton Dance Team
Founder's Green (*Rain Location - The Moscovitz Theater, 4th Floor of The DeNaples Center)12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Penn State Master Gardeners
The University of Scranton is fortunate to have The Penn State Master Gardeners on campus, conducting a pruning project of our Conifer plants around The Estate, and the Christmas tree on The Dionne Green. The Penn State Master Gardeners assist Cooperative Extension to provide horticultural knowledge and skills to local communities and the gardening public. Through their local outreach, Penn State Master Gardeners educate both youth and adults in communities throughout Pennsylvania.12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library Book Sale
The Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library at the University of Scranton are sponsoring a book sale, including used non-fiction and fiction hardcover and paperback books. The event takes place outside on the Monroe Avenue side of the Weinberg Memorial Library or inside the building in case of rain, with all proceeds benefiting The Weinberg Memorial Library Endowment.
Weinberg Memorial Library
4:00 p.m.
Family Weekend Mass
Join our community at Mass as we celebrate Scranton families coming together in fellowship. Families of all religious affiliations are warmly welcome.
The William J. Byron, S.J. Recreation Complex
7:30 p.m.
Family Weekend Concert
Joseph Boga and the Scranton Ramblers with an appearance by The University of Scranton Concert Choir
Houlihan-McLean Center - More Information
8:30 p.m.
USPB After Dark: Family Weekend Edition
Join the University of Scranton Programming Board (USPB) as they transform the DeNaples Center into a family entertainment complex! Featuring multiple attractions, including a live, interactive game show, Scranton bingo, photo booths, and more, this is an exciting family event that is not to be missed. Sponsored by the USPB.
The DeNaples Center
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Sunday, September 25, 20229:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Brunch on Your Own
You will have the option to pay at the door or use your student's flex spending account. The cost of brunch is $10.52 per person.
The DeNaples Center, Fresh Food Company, 3rd FloorNoon - 4:00 p.m.
Hope Horn Art Gallery - "Time and Lace" - A history of The Scranton Lace Company
For over a century, the Scranton Lace Company was recognized for its quality products, innovative management, and skilled workforce. Guest curated by University of Scranton graduate Roman Golebiowski, this show and catalog celebrate its history as represented in artifacts from the Lackawanna Historical Society and Anthracite Heritage Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania.Gallery Hours: Sunday through Friday 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Museums & Cultural Attractionsplus or minus
Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den
Electric City Trolley Museum
Everhart Museum of Natural History
Lackawanna County Coal Mine Tour
Mural Art
PA Anthracite Heritage Museum
Scranton Iron Furnaces
Steamtown National Historic Site
Scranton Cultural Center - Blue Man Group September 22 & 23. Save 25% Off select seats to BLUE MAN GROUP, September 22 & 23 at the Scranton Cultural Center! Use code FAMILY - Get tickets online here: https://bit.ly/BlueManGroupScranton *Offer valid now thru 7:30PM Fri., Sept. 23. Available online and in person. Select seats only. Subject to ticket availability and does not apply to previously purchased tickets.
Steamtown National Historic Site
St. Peter’s CathedralIf you are interested in visiting one of these attractions, please visit their websites, linked above, for updated hours.
For more information about things to do in Scranton, visit:
Lackawanna County Visitors Bureau
Discover NEPAClick here for a pdf printable copy of Museums and Cultural Events
Outdoor & Other Family Activitiesplus or minus
Bee’s Backyard
DEFY Scranton Trampoline Park
Lackawanna River Heritage Trail
Lahey Family Fun Park
Lake Scranton Walking Trail
Lakeland Orchard & Cidery Apple Harvest Festival
Nay Aug Park
Ritter's Farm Markets
Roba Family Farms
Special EventsApple Harvest Festival: Friday, September 23-Sunday, September 25, 2022, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Lakeland Orchard & Cidery Halloween Light Show
Friday, September 23 - Sunday, September 25, 2022, 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
The Largest Halloween Light Show in Pennsylvania!
Our Halloween light show is back and bigger than last year! We've added a half-mile of trail and another 50,000 lights! Spooky scenes include ghosts, goblins, a haunted castle, trick-or-treaters, and a few new surprises! But don’t be too scared, the Halloween Light Show is sure to please all ages. After the show, stop in our retail tent for some classic fall goodies or the Cider Garden for a glass of hard cider and a fresh burger. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind show!
More Information
Tour de Scranton
Sunday, September 25, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.)
Benefits the Erin Jessica Moreken Drug & Alcohol Treatment Fund.
More InformationIf you are interested in visiting one of these attractions, please visit their websites, linked above, for updated hours.
Sportsplus or minus
Royal Athletics
Saturday, September 24, 2022
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m. - Women's Rugby vs. ESU1:00 p.m. - Men's Rugby vs. Bucknell
Fitzpatrick Field1:00 p.m. Saturday Women's Volleyball vs. Rowan 1:00 p.m.; vs. Messiah 5:00 p.m.
John Long Center (*Friday 9/23 vs. Franklin & Marshall 3:00 p.m.; Friday 9/23 vs. RIT 7:00 p.m.)1:00 p.m. Women's Field Hockey vs. Catholic
For directions to on-campus athletics facilities, please visit The University of Scranton Athletics website.
Dining & Coffee Shopsplus or minus
Select restaurants, indicated with two asterisks (**) after their names, are providing discounts and specials during Family Weekend. Visit the Community Relations website for details. Click to view Scranton Family Table Program.
Breakfast, Coffee Shops, Light Fare, Lunch
Abe’s Kosher Delicatessen
Kosher deli, sandwiches
326 N. Washington Ave.
Adezzo
Coffee shop, breakfast, & lunch
515 Center St.
Blackwatch Café
Coffee, tea, sandwiches, & pastries
Nay Aug Park
239 Arthur Ave.
Commonwealth Coffeehouse**
Coffee, pastries, sandwiches, grab & go
101 Penn Ave.
Coney Island Lunch**
Hot dogs, Texas wieners, hamburgers
515 Lackawanna Ave.
Crocus Cafe**
Light fare including authentic Turkish pastries
323 N. Washington Ave.
Downtown Deli & Eatery**
Deli & eatery serving breakfast and lunch
300 Spruce St.
Eden - a Vegan Cafe
Cafe featuring all-vegan menu
344 Adams Ave.
Heaven & Earth Cafe
Coffee, tea, light fare
400 Wyoming Ave.
Mansour’s Market Cafe & Eatery
Breakfast, lunch, coffee shop
969 Prescott Ave.
Northern Light Espresso Bar**
Coffee, tea, baked goods, light fare
536 Spruce St.
Paradise Soulfood & Sweets**
Soul food restaurant with Southern menu & desserts
350 Adams Ave.
The Salad Shop**
Salads, wraps
316 Penn Ave.
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Backyard Ale House
Lunch/Dinner
Bar & restaurant featuring American pub fare
523 Linden St.
Bar Pazzo
Rustic Italian-style restaurant
131 N. Washington Ave.
Bartari
Bar, Restaurant, Arcade
101 Adams Ave.
Cooper's Seafood House**
Seafood & Stead/American Cuisine
701 N. Washington Ave.
The Garden Mediterranean Cafe
Mediterranean restaurant
109 N. Washington Ave.
Osaka Hibachi & Sushi Bar
Japanese restaurant
244 Adams Ave.
Pizza by Pappas**
American restaurant serving pizza & sandwiches
303 N. Washington Ave.
The Railyard Restaurant & Bar**
American cuisine
119 Jefferson Ave.
Thai Rak Thai**
Thai cuisine
349 Adams Ave.
Trax Bar + Kitchen (Inside the Radisson)
American restaurant, bar & lounge
700 Lackawanna Ave.
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DinnerThe 16th Ward
American restaurant serving pub fare
306 Penn Ave.
Ale Mary's at the Bittenbender
Bar & restaurant, pub cuisine
126 Franklin Ave.
AV Restaurant & Lounge
Upscale, Italian-influenced restaurant & lounge
320 Penn Ave.
Catch 21 Seafood & Steak
Upscale seafood & steak restaurant
301 N. Washington Ave.
Peculiar Kitchen
New American comfort food with an Asian flare
307 Penn Ave.
P.J.’s 1910 Pub at the Hilton
Cocktails & American pub fare
100 Adams Ave.
The Railyard Restaurant & Bar
American Restaurant
119 Jefferson Ave.
Sambuca Italian Grille & Bar
Italian cuisine
234 Penn Ave.
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Breakfast, Lunch, & DinnerCarmen’s 2.0 Restaurant at the Radisson
Fine dining serving breakfast, brunch, & lunch
700 Lackawanna Ave.
Visit www.scrantontomorrow.org for the most up-to-date list of dining establishments in our downtown community.
If you are interested in visiting one of these establishments, please visit their websites, linked above, for updated hours.
(Top)Downtown Shoppingplus or minus
Alexander’s Spa & Salon
Hair Care, Cosmetics, Gifts
431 Lackawanna Ave.
Amendolaro
Gift Boutique
412 Spruce St.
Boden Outlet
Clothing & Accessories for Women & Children
542 Spruce St.
Burlap & Bourbon
Clothing, Accessories, Gifts
530 Spruce St.
Comics on the Green
Comic Book Shop
307 N. Washington Ave.
The Daisy Collective
Women’s Clothing Boutique
328 Penn Ave.
Embassy Vinyl
Vintage Music Shop
352 Adams Ave.
Freedlove
Women’s Clothing Boutique
532 Spruce St.
The Giving Tree Wellness Center
Wellness Boutique
311 Penn Ave.
Heaven & Earth Gift Shop
Gift Boutique
400 Wyoming Ave. #100
Lavish Body & Home
Hair Care, Cosmetics, Women’s Apparel, & Home Goods
200 Adams Ave.
Noteology
Custom Fragrances, Beauty & Cosmetics, Gifts
401 Spruce St.
The Pink Pedal
Women’s Clothing & Accessories
222 Wyoming Ave.
Veloce Bikeworks
Bicycles, Cycling Accessories, Apparel
120 Franklin Ave.
Visit www.scrantontomorrow.org for the most up-to-date list of shops in our downtown community.
If you are interested in visiting one of these establishments, please visit their websites, linked above, for updated hours.