Photo by Natalie Hall
This year, do something extra special with your dad to show how much you love and appreciate him. One of the best ways to do this is to spend quality time together. With our busy schedules, it’s more important than ever to take a day to give gratitude for our fathers.
There are plenty of things to do with your dad on Father’s Day; some activities are even free. Every dad is different, so below is a guide to help you plan the perfect Father’s Day, even for the most difficult of dads.
Red Cow, hamburger restaurant in North Loop
Photo by TJ TURNER
To Eat
Getting a sweet treat is a simple and easy way to spend some quality time together. Stop by Izzy’s Ice Cream for homemade scoops, Bogart’s Doughnut Co. for delicious doughnuts, or Sota Hot and Cold for Thai rolled ice cream bowls.
Take your dad out for a nice dinner. He’ll notice the thoughtfulness of this gesture, especially if you make the reservation yourself. For the burger lover, try Red Cow. If you’re looking for something fancier, a modern Italian restaurant like Zelo is a great option. Looking for something in-between—not too causal but not too fancy? A brewpub like The Freehouse is the place to go.
Never underestimate the power of a home-cooked meal. Even if you’re not a fantastic chef, your dad will definitely appreciate the effort (and the fact that he doesn’t have to cook and or do the dishes). Head over to the Food & Drinks section of Minnesota Monthly for recipe ideas.
The Freehouse, a brewpub in the Warehouse District
Courtesy of The Freehouse
To Do
Keep an eye out for special dad deals, like free admission for fathers at the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Minnesota Zoo on June 17. Don’t forget the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, which is always free and always a great place to spend an afternoon. Is your dad the outdoorsy type? Take a hike together and enjoy the summer weather at Minnehaha Falls.
There are plenty of other events happening over Father’s Day weekend, like the Stone Arch Bridge Festival, which includes over 200 artist, food, live music, family activities, and a car show. Check out our events calendar for more ideas.
Photo by Todd Buchanan
To See
Is your dad a sports fan? Take him to see a game. The Minnesota Twins are home to play the Boston Red Sox two days after Father’s Day. Spend the night cheering on the best baseball team with the best dad. After the game, grab a drink at a nearby brewery, like Fulton Brewing Taproom or Modest Brewing Co.
If there’s bad weather or you feeling like kicking back and relaxing, take your dad to see a movie.There are tons of great films out for the summer, like The Incredibles 2, Solo: A Star Wars Story, or one of the many recent Marvel movies.
See a show together such as a concert, like indie rocker Snail Mail at First Avenue, or a comedy act, like Jim Zimmerman, whose stand-up act at ACME Comedy Co. is Father’s Day weekend. You also have your pick of plays, like the suspenseful comedy Postmortem at Theatre in the Round or Baskerville at Park Square Theatre, which are both nail biting mysteries with a Sherlock Holmes flare. Want to see something on the big stage? Check out West Side Story at the Guthrie Theater, which premieres the night before Father’s Day.
Whatever you decide on doing with your dad, make sure you tell him how much you love and appreciate him, because that’s what Father’s Day is all about.
