As a student who attends one of the largest schools in Pennsylvania, it is not uncommon to have visitors on the weekends who want to experience the 7th best party school in the nation.

Whether you’re a freshman looking for a party or a senior exploring the bars, there’s a lot to consider when you welcome friends and relatives into your college home for a PSU weekend. Here’s some advice on how to prepare and what to do:

Guest Football Tickets

Even though there are only two home games left, I’m sure many people will have guests who want to see “the greatest show in college football” from the student section. Inform your guests about the cost so they are not caught off guard. Ticket prices vary because you have to pay for the list price of the ticket (what the student posted it for) in addition to $29 to “validate the ticket for use by a non-Penn State student,” according to GoPSUsports.com. Oh, and just to kick you when you’re down: an extra $1.95 for who knows what. I bought a guest ticket for the Iowa game ($60) and the Purdue game ($65), but I think I got lucky.

Be prepared to spend some cash.

Parking

This one can be challenging at first, but not impossible. The best thing to do is ask upperclassmen because they’ve had to deal with it. When in doubt, use a parking garage downtown. It may be a bit costly, but it could save you from a very expensive tow.

Onward State’s Tyler Hoy covered this in more detail yesterday.

Festivities

Do I really have to write about this, or do you get the idea? Basically, you’re going to do what you normally do on a weekend except now you have a guest with you. No big deal, right? Well, maybe. If you’re 21 and your guest is 21 then the bars are the obvious choice (Monkey Boy… enough said). Make sure they’re ready to wait in line and pay covers though.

If cash flow is a problem, then go find a party. Believe me, the possibilities are endless.

Munchies

We’re spoiled with multiple food options here at Penn State. Depending on your guest, you may want to give them the Are U Hungry experience (if they don’t mind feeling worthless for a couple of hours) or load up on calories when you’re out on the town with some pizza from Canyon, Gumby’s, or College Pizza. You know you’re going to do it no matter what.

Places to See

If your guest doesn’t want to be in a drunken stupor for the entire weekend, you can take them to see some sights: the Lion Shrine, the HUB, Old Main, the BJC, and the library (jokes).

Try to take them for a ride on the White Loop if you’re downtown late at night. That’s always a spectacle.

Sharing the PSU experience is fun, but it can be a lot of work. So don’t be stingy with your LionCash, clean off your couch, and grab an extra towel because on the weekend, everyone’s a Nittany Lion in State College.

What else should you do with your guests? Leave some comments below.