Celebrate Dad's Day WITH Dad

Dad’s Day! It’s not so easy to shop for fathers. There are only so many grilling and golf accessories a dad can own. I’m here to help. Here are some fresh ideas to celebrate dad WITH dad this Father’s Day.

GO WITH DAD TO A Family Sundays Mets Game

Take dad to a Family Sundays Mets game for Father’s Day. Each Family Sunday game features a promo giveaway for families in attendance. Even better -  on Family Sunday afternoon games, kids age 12 and under can run around the bases during the popular Mr. Met Dash!

And don’t forget to show up early! For the two hours prior to the first pitch, kids can play games, jump on inflatables, get their face painted and dance to the music on Mets Plaza.  Citi Field also features some pretty great family friendly and dad-approved eats, like Shake Shack, Blue Smoke, Fuku and Emmy Squared. Plus last year, beloved San Diego craft brewer, Mikkeller opened up a 10,000 square foot brewery, bar and restaurant right outside Citi Field. The Yankees probably have something similar but, sorry, this LI girl is a Mets fan.

Don’t Make Dad BBQ. Take Him OUT FOR BBQ

At some point society decided that dads are required to BBQ on Father’s Day. While that’s fine by me, maybe it’s not the best way to celebrate fathers? If you’re getting the sense that dad doesn’t want to work this Father’s Day, why not take him out for some Texas-style BBQ instead?

In Ridgefield, CT, Hoodoo Brown BBQ has been making dads happy since 2015. The space is large and casual and welcoming to everyone, especially kids. The BBQ game is legit and the cocktails flow. In Irvington, NY, folks are raving about Revenge BBQ, a small counter service BBQ joint that seems to pack a real punch. Revenge is only open Thursdays to Sundays from noon until 7pm or when they sell out. Consider pre-ordering a same day pick up order or if you’re local, Revenge offers delivery via GrubHub.

CHECK OUT Bass Pro Shop WITH DAD

Stereotypically speaking, men do not like to shop. Yes there are exceptions but if I had a dollar for every dude I’ve spotted sitting on a random store couch while his family shops, I’d be at least a $100 dollar-onaire.

Bass Pro Shop in Bridgeport, CT is different. Men generally dig this massive mecca to the great outdoors. The store’s tag-line is that it’s “your trusted source for quality fishing, hunting, boating and outdoor sporting goods.” Even if your dad isn’t super outdoorsy, it’s a crazy store to walk around and explore.

Plus there’s more than just merch at Bass. There’s also fishbowl bowling!! As soon as you arrive at Bass, put your name down for a lane at Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl & Grill. Then while you wait, walk around the store or grab a bite at Uncle Buck’s. No matter how you do it, dad and the whole family will have a blast bowling in what feels like an underwater fishbowl.

Take Flight or Take to the Trees With Dad

Does your dad love adventure? Or does your dad fear heights and desperately want to get over that fear? Either way, I have some solutions!

Head to iFLY Westchester in Yonkers’ Ridge Hill, where folks of any and all abilities can spread their wings and soar in a vertical wind tunnel. Specially trained flight instructors are on hand to assist participants, and all guests are required to take a training session before their first flight or if they haven’t flown in awhile. iFLY offers a few extras, too, such as “VR” flights for guests aged 6 to 70, as well as High Flight, where guests can fly higher and faster with an instructor than they would have flown on their own.

In Purchase, NY, Boundless Adventures is an aerial adventure park for ages 7 and up. There are 9 courses that collectively include over 90 bridges, 17 zip lines and 3 “leaps of faith.” The courses fall into four different levels of difficulty to suit different abilities from beginner to expert. Children age 14 and over can access all courses, while younger children are limited to certain courses or may only access certain courses with supervision.

DRINK CRAFT BEER TOGETHER

Dads usually love beer. And it may sound weird, but visiting a local brewery in warm weather can be a great family activity. So many of them have large outdoor spaces with lawn games and food offerings and the crowd is usually filled with dogs and happy, laid back folks day-drinking and enjoying life.

In Elmsford, NY,  Captain Lawrence has recently expanded its presence to include a huge Beer Hall with a 30 foot long bar and two 12 tap towers. There is a large outdoor patio complete with bocce ball and corn hole and a kitchen is on site offering a full menu of food to accompany dad’s beer.

In Kent, CT, Kent Falls Brewing Co., an “American farm brewery” is making some delicious, easy drinking beers on a beautiful working farm. Visit on a Saturday and you can join the brewery’s complimentary brewery and farm tour. The entire space and farm are beautiful and while dad gets his drink on, his kids will enjoy the brewery’s climbing play structure. Note it’s closed on Sunday so don’t head up ON Father’s Day itself - plan a future visit together.

The Hudson Valley is killing the Northeast hazies game right now and there’s a lot of great stuff really not far from home. Sloop Brewing Co. at the Factory is about an hour from Greenwich and features a huge, industrial space offering brews, eats (including a kids menu!) and free arcade games. Drive just about 15 minutes from there to the A++ Hudson Valley Brewery. It’s not as kid friendly as Sloop but it’s hella good.

Hope these ideas help! Happy Father’s Day!