Phillips Exeter Academy Family Weekend is one of the busiest times of fall in Exeter. Parents and families come to campus for classes, adviser meetings, athletics, performances, and time with their students, turning what is normally a compact New Hampshire town into an active destination for a few days.

Where you stay can make a significant difference. Phillips Exeter Academy sits right beside historic downtown Exeter, so families who stay nearby can walk between campus, restaurants, shops, and their accommodations for a convenient, fun weekend away.

Our lodging, Inn By the Bandstand, is approximately 0.4 miles from Phillips Exeter Academy, making it one of the most conveniently located Exeter hotels for Family Weekend. With just eight individually designed guest rooms and suites, you’ll want to reserve your dates early to secure your boutique stay.

When Phillips Exeter Academy Family Weekend Happens

Phillips Exeter Academy Family Weekend dates vary each year. In 2026, programming begins Friday morning, October 23, and continues through noon Saturday, October 24, followed by athletic events Saturday afternoon. No official Family Weekend programming is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, and no classes or requirements apply on Monday, October 26, so you can enjoy a long weekend as a family.

If you’re planning to attend Phillips Exeter Academy Family Weekend, book your accommodations as soon as the dates are confirmed. Inn By the Bandstand has a limited number of guest rooms and suites, so we can provide more personalized attention throughout your stay.

Why Staying Close to Phillips Exeter Academy Matters

Family Weekend isn’t a single event in one location. Your schedule can include classroom visits, meetings, information sessions, performances, athletics, meals, and free time with your student. That makes location important.

Inn By the Bandstand is in the center of historic downtown Exeter, a short walk from Phillips Exeter Academy. Instead of treating your hotel as somewhere you return to only at the end of the day, you can easily come back between campus commitments. That can help when you have an hour between events, want to change before dinner, need to pick something up from your room, or simply want somewhere comfortable to take a break.

Downtown also puts many Exeter, NH restaurants and shops within walking distance, so much of your Family Weekend can take place within a relatively small area.

Where to Stay Near Phillips Exeter Academy

For families wondering where to stay near Phillips Exeter Academy, our boutique hotel puts you close to campus and in the middle of downtown Exeter. That walkable location is certainly an advantage during a busy Family Weekend, but it’s only part of what distinguishes our lodging from other Exeter hotels.

The property occupies a Federal-style mansion built in 1809 overlooking Exeter’s historic Bandstand. Inside are eight individually decorated guest rooms and suites designed for comfort. Accommodations vary in size, layout, and design, giving returning PEA families the opportunity to choose the room that works best for each visit.

For parents who expect to return to Exeter throughout their student’s time at Phillips Exeter Academy, we would love to welcome you to a familiar home base for future visits, performances, athletic events, move-in weekends, and other Exeter, NH events.

Book your stay today and begin planning the best family weekend!

Breakfast and Dinner at Inn By the Bandstand

Staying at Inn By the Bandstand also means you don’t have to leave the property for every meal.

Breakfast is served à la carte by advance reservation. The menu includes Greek yogurt with house-made granola, local honey, and seasonal fruit; French rolled omelets; smoked salmon on toast; and Frangelico French toast. Breakfast is not included in the room rate, and room service is available for an additional charge.

Downstairs, Ambrose gives families an on-site dinner option after a full day at Phillips Exeter Academy. The restaurant serves contemporary cuisine made with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, with a menu designed around creative plates for sharing.

That convenience is especially welcome during Family Weekend. After spending most of the day moving between campus activities, you can return to your room, get ready for dinner, and simply head downstairs rather than driving somewhere else.

Reservations at Ambrose are highly recommended.

A Sample Phillips Exeter Academy Family Weekend

Friday: Arrive in Exeter in time for the day’s Phillips Exeter Academy programming. From Inn By the Bandstand, walk to campus for classes, meetings, and other scheduled activities. If you have a break during the day, downtown Exeter and your room are close enough to return to without much disruption. Finish the evening with dinner at Ambrose or another downtown restaurant.

Saturday: Walk back to Phillips Exeter Academy for the remainder of Family Weekend programming. Saturday afternoon athletic events provide another opportunity to spend time on campus and watch Big Red compete. Afterward, return downtown for the evening.

Sunday: There is no official Family Weekend programming Sunday in 2026, which gives families who stay Saturday night additional time together. Students need an approved Orah Pass to leave campus. Have breakfast, explore downtown, or choose from the many things to do in Exeter, NH, for families before heading home.

Make Time to Explore Exeter

Phillips Exeter Academy may be the reason for your visit, but staying downtown makes it easy to see more of Exeter while you’re here.

Historic downtown begins just outside Inn By the Bandstand. Water Street follows the Squamscott River and is lined with independent shops, restaurants, historic buildings, and places to stop for coffee or lunch. The American Independence Museum is also downtown and preserves the Ladd-Gilman House, a National Historic Landmark with connections to New Hampshire’s Revolutionary-era history.

You don’t need to build a complicated itinerary around Family Weekend. Even an hour between campus commitments is enough time for a walk through downtown or along the river.

If you’re staying longer, Exeter also provides a convenient starting point for exploring New Hampshire’s Seacoast. During this time of year, you’ll be able to experience the best of New Hampshire fall foliage.

Frequently Asked Questions About PEA Family Weekend

When is Phillips Exeter Academy Family Weekend?
Dates vary by year. In 2026, Phillips Exeter Academy Family Weekend programming runs from Friday morning, October 23, through noon Saturday, October 24, followed by Saturday afternoon athletics. Always confirm current dates with Phillips Exeter Academy before booking your trip.

Where should I stay for Phillips Exeter Academy Family Weekend?
If walkability is important, downtown Exeter is especially convenient. Inn By the Bandstand is approximately 0.4 miles from Phillips Exeter Academy and puts you within walking distance of campus as well as downtown shops and Exeter, NH restaurants.

How early should I make a PEA Family Weekend hotel booking?
Since our boutique hotel only has eight guest rooms, we recommend booking your lodging as soon as possible. During this busy weekend in Exeter, our rooms fill quickly, and we would love to welcome you for a stay.

Does Inn By the Bandstand serve breakfast?
Yes. Breakfast is available à la carte by advance reservation. It is not included in the room rate. Guests can also request room service for an additional charge.

Are there restaurants near Phillips Exeter Academy?
Yes. Downtown Exeter has numerous restaurants within walking distance of the Academy. Inn By the Bandstand also has its own restaurant, Ambrose, so guests have a dinner option in the same building as their accommodations.

What are some things to do in Exeter NH for families between campus events?
Downtown Exeter is easy to explore on foot. Families can walk along Water Street and the Squamscott River, browse downtown shops, visit the American Independence Museum when it is open, or simply spend time downtown with their student between Phillips Exeter Academy commitments.

Book Your Family Weekend Stay

Family Weekend schedules can get complicated quickly. Where you stay doesn’t have to.

Inn By the Bandstand puts you approximately 0.4 miles from Phillips Exeter Academy in the heart of historic downtown Exeter. You can walk to campus, return to your room between events, explore downtown with your student, have breakfast at the Inn, and finish the day with dinner at Ambrose downstairs.

With only eight individually designed guest rooms and suites, this PEA Family Weekend hotel booking is worth making early.

Book your stay today for the Phillips Exeter Academy Family Weekend.