11 Ideas to Celebrate Dad on Father's Day This Year

After the year we've had since last Father's Day, the standard dad gifts—such as a tie or a watch—seem somehow inadequate and some family members may still be uncomfortable with those multi-generational brunches or barbecues. That’s why we came up with some alternative ways to celebrate Father's Day in the NYC area—including unique gifts, subscription services, special meals, and experiences the whole family can share. Here's to you, Dads! 

Unique Gifts and Gadgets

Personalize this Dear Daddy Book ($30) by adding Dad’s and kids’ names, plus some of Dad’s unique characteristics. This picture book will then become one about your family celebrating the lessons a father teaches his child, and the lessons children teach their father.

For the guy that’s always losing his keys: a handsome dresser-top wooden docking station ($29.60) for glasses, watches, phone, etc. comes personalized with his initials, and your favorite color or design.

Perfect for our new germophobic world, this Smartphone Sanitizer ($80)—which is also a charge—uses UV light to clean and sanitize a smartphone. The case even has built-in acoustic amplifiers, so he can keep listening to music or use an alarm while the phone is getting its spa treatment.

Because most of us are going to be spending a lot of time outdoors this summer (and more likely in our own outdoor space than a restaurant or bar), these LED ambient outdoor Bluetooth speakers ($38.95) can make the scene festive: They give off a flame-like light while also producing great sound. Plus they’re water-resistant and rechargeable.

Get Dad a Subscription

Here’s something he can look forward to every month: the best pizza from all over the country. This 3- or 6-month pizza subscription ($79) features New York’s legendary Prince Street pizza, Chicago’s iconic deep dish, Detroit’s pan pizza, Nebraska’s Rocket Inn pizza and Brooklyn’s coal oven pizza from Table 87. All you need are some napkins, and maybe a plate or two.

During the quarantine, many of us let our appearances go but as the world starts to open up, it’s time to get groomed. Each month, Birchbox will send a $10 box of products ranging from skincare and haircare to oral products and fragrances—all specifically chosen according to the preferences you set up in the profile.

Maybe Dad wants to learn a new skill? Say poker, chess, or making a movie? These master classes ($15 per month) taught by the pros will set him up for success. Sign him up for a specific class or email him a gift-card so he can choose his own from more than 80 topics.

Now that we’ve weened ourselves from the daily Starbucks run, it’s time to invest in some of the best grounds around. Blue Bottle’s blends, single origins, and espressos are sourced by hand from sustainable coffee farms, and are always small batch and hand-roasted. Get him his caffeine fix via mail every month with this coffee subscription (starting at $8).

Send him a box full of deliciousness with Mouth’s curated Father's Day gift box ($99), packed with addictive man-cave munchies like crispy bagel chips, smoky beef jerky, single-malt scotch caramels, jaw-dropping cookies, and cheesy mustache crackers. Trust us, he won’t want to share.

Create a Memorable Meal

Goldbelly delivers some spectacular meals from well-known American restaurants. For example Sinatra’s favorite sandwich from New Jersey’s famous White House Subs—a delicious Italian classic stuffed with Genoa salami, provolone cheese, and imported ham on freshly baked bread. Make it your own with lettuce, tomato, chopped peppers, and oil and vinegar. Or maybe dad would prefer some Tennessee barbecue? Named “The Best Barbecue Joint in Tennessee” by Southern Living magazine, Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous’s Memphis ribs dinner includes 12-14 ribs, plus sides, and will feed a family of four.

If you haven’t planned ahead, try making one of these restaurant recipes from famous regional eateries. If all else fails, there’s always Seamless or Grubhub ready to deliver from your local favorites. Either way, Dad will be well-fed and grateful for your effort.

Attend Special Father's Day Activity with Your Kids

• Manhattan
• Queens
• Rockland
• Westchester
• Long Island

Father's Day Events in Manhattan

Daddy & Me Yoga on Zoom!
WHEN: June 19, 11am-12pm
WHERE: Karma Kids Yoga, Online
WHAT: This fun and playful class is an opportunity for kids to share the yoga fun with their dads! Do partner poses, partner acrobatics and flying partner yoga, too! Play some favorite yoga games and wind down with relaxation time where dads MIGHT just get a foot rub! This is sure to be great fun with your Dad!
WANT TO GO? $20 per household. Advanced Registration Required.

Rad Dad Portraits
WHEN: June 20, 10am-12pm, 12:30-2:30pm, or 3-5pm
WHERE: Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side
WHAT: Visit Inside Art (1st floor) for the Rad Dad Portraits program. Dads can kick back and relax while kids paint a one-of-a-kind portrait for Father’s Day!
WANT TO GO? $15; $12 seniors 65 and older and visitors with disabilities; free for children younger than 1. Advanced Registration Required. 

Father's Day Brunch Cruise 2021
WHEN: June 20, 12-2pm
WHERE: Event Cruises NYC, 299 South St, New York
WHAT: Bring the whole family to celebrate Dad on a Father’s Day Brunch Cruise! Indulge in bottomless mimosas and a delicious brunch spread as you sail around the harbor. Want to upgrade your experience to make Father’s Day extra special? Sky Deck admission includes outdoor seating with the best views of the city.
WANT TO GO? Prices start at $99. Advanced Registration Required.

The Amazing Father's Day Scavenger Hunt
WHEN: June 20,  2-4pm (1:30pm registration)
WHERE: The Red Steps, Broadway and 47th Street, Times Square
WHAT: POGO Events presents The Amazing Father's Day Scavenger Hunt. A series of clues leads you around Times Square performing physical and mental challenges along the way. This hunt celebrates Dad's and all they do in a fun, interactive way! 
WANT TO GO? $25 per person; free for children younger than 5. The hunt takes two hours. One member of the team should have a smartphone (either Android or I-Phone). The hunt is run through an app called ScanQuest. Please download that before you come to the event.

Laurie Berkner Father's Day Concert
WHEN: June 20, 12pm and 5pm
WHERE: Laurie Berkner, Online
WHAT: Legendary children's musician Laurie Berkner invites everyone to join her at two LIVE Virtual Family Concerts on Father's Day. The Laurie Berkner Band's keyboard player, Susie Lampert, will be a special guest at this show, and other band members will also pop by. Kids and grownups alike are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas with Laurie in a live chat throughout each show. Laurie will perform songs about the joys of family, and  songs from her new album, Let's Go!. A fun-filled virtual lobby will feature pre-show music and videos, assorted games, and a star-decorating activity.
WANT TO GO? $10-$20. Admission grants you access to both shows. Advanced registration required.  For those who'd like to spend a few minutes chatting one-on-one in a video call with Laurie after the show, special Meet-and-Greet tickets are available.

Father's Day Events in Queens

Father's Day Kids Night
WHEN: June 18, 5-8:30pm
WHERE: Mud Genius, 212-91 26th Ave., Bayside
AGES: 5-10
WHAT: Get ready for Father's Day with dancing, canvas painting, perfume or cologne creating for a loved one, plus pizza and juice!
WANT TO GO? $40 per child. Advanced registration required. 

Father's Day Events in Rockland

Father's Day at American Dream
WHEN: June 19-20, Saturday, 11am-10pm; Sunday, 11am-9pm
WHERE: American Dream, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ
WHAT: Celebrate dad's special day at American Dream with a nice game of mini golf! The first 50 golfers at American Dream's courses Blacklight Mini Golf or Angry Birds Mini Golf will receive an American Dream mini backpack.
WANT TO GO? $20.

New York Boulders Father's Day Game
WHEN: June 20, 1:30-4:30pm
WHERE: Palisades Credit Union Park, 1 Palisades Credit Union Park Drive, Pomona
WHAT: See the New York Boulders take on the New Jersey Jackals this Father's Day! Your Father's Day ticket pack includes: 4 tickets for Father's Day, $20 Concessions Credit ($5 per ticket), 4 additional tickets for a Tuesday/Wednesday home game, and Post-game catch on the field. Plus - the first 50 packs ordered receive a bonus Boulders grill apron!
WANT TO GO? $49. Avoid online fees by calling to order through an Account Executive

Father’s Day Walk
WHEN: June 20, 1-3pm
WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ
WHAT: Celebrate Father's Day with a guided walk outdoors. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or just hoping to spend some quality time with Dad, a walk might be the perfect activity to celebrate this special family day.
WANT TO GO? $8; $5 members; free for dad's and children younger than 2. Advanced registration required. 

Father's Day Events in Westchester

Family Fun Hike
WHEN: June 20, 2-4pm
WHERE: Woodlawn Playground at Van Cortlandt Park East, 4370 Van Cortlandt Park E., Bronx
AGES: 2-6 with an adult
WHAT: Grab your magnifying glass and hiking shoes and venture out for a fun-filled bug hunt with dad! After listening to the heartwarming story, “I Love You Daddy,” by Melanie Joyce, set off to explore the buggy world hidden under rocks and logs! Create a bug themed Father’s Day card for dad using natural materials collected during the walk. 
WANT TO GO? $10 per person. Advanced registration required. 

Father's Day Concert: Tribute to Jimmy Buffet
WHEN: June 20, 7-9pm
WHERE: Turnure Park, Lake Street and Canfield Avenue, White Plains
WHAT: Bring a blanket for The Tribute to Jimmy Buffet Show! They'll cover many years of great favorites- a great way to spend Father's Day!
WANT TO GO? Free. 

Feathers for Fathers
WHEN: June 20, 7:30-9am
WHERE: Tom Burke Memorial Preserve, 401 McLain St., Bedford
WHAT: Join Tait Johansson of Bedford Audubon for a Father's Day bird walk and document what you find along the way. The preserve provides meadow, forest canopy and wetland habitat for lots of local bird life.
WANT TO GO? Free. Advanced registration required. 

Father's Day Hike and Craft
WHEN: June 20, 11am-12pm
WHERE: Crotona Park, 1700 Crotona Ave., Bronx
WHAT: Join the Urban Park Rangers and be inspired to go on a hike and build a dad-themed nature craft.
WANT TO GO? Free.

Father's Day Events on Long Island

Father's Day Seashell Paperweight Craft
WHEN: June 19, 10am-4pm, on the 1/2 hour
WHERE: Garvies Point Museum, 50 Barry Drive, Glen Cove
WHAT: Make a cool paperweight for Dad, Grandpa, Uncle or any special person in your life!
WANT TO GO? $5 plus admission: $5; $3 children 5-12 yrs

Father's Day Brunch Buffet
WHEN: June 20, 11am-6pm
WHERE: The Milleridge Inn, 585 N Broadway, Jericho
WHAT: Treat dad to a Father's Day Buffet featuring lobster, crab legs, prime rib and more! Plus, see beautiful cars!
WANT TO GO? $59.95; $29.95 children 2-12, Advanced Registration Required. 

Father's Day at the Cradle
WHEN: June 20, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Garden City
WHAT: Join the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Father's Day and celebrate with over 75 air and spacecraft, a planetarium show, a retro video game arcade session, and a visit to the museum store!
WANT TO GO? $16; $14 children 2-12 and seniors 62 and older. Additional fee for Planetarium Show and The Arcade Age Exhibit.  

2021 Father's Day Car Show
WHEN: June 20, 9am-4pm
WHERE: LIRR Station at Sunrise Highway (Route 27) and Jackson Avenue, Seaford
WHAT: Celebrate Father's Day, see some cool cars, and shop local vendors! Money raised to benefit The Nassau County Sheriff’s COBA Widow’s & Children’s Fund. Make sure to check out the First Responder Touch-A-Truck area! People of all ages will enjoy this hands-on experience to explore and play on emergency response vehicles and learn about the equipment that first responders use. 
WANT TO GO? Admission is free for spectators. 

Harbes Father's Day Festival
WHEN: June 19-20, 10am-6pm
WHERE: Harbes Family Farm, 715 Sound Ave, Mattituck
WHAT: Take Dad out to Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck this Father's Day Weekend and he'll have adventures to remember! As a special gift for Dad, Harbes Family Farm is offering FREE admission for Dads to Harbes Barnyard Adventure all weekend long! The Barnyard Adventure is an 8-acre, family-friendly experience for all ages and a great place for quality time with both Dad and Grandpa! FREE LIVE MUSIC will be available in our courtyard/picnic area from 1-5pm on both days. Saturday, the popular Mike Ryan will be performing. Mike always entertains with his smooth voice, expert guitar playing, and decades worth of musical hits. Sunday, singer-songwriter Glenn Jochum takes the stage. Glenn easily transitions from folk to soul to rock to blues to country, delivering lyrics that come straight from the heart. 
WANT TO GO? Free admission to the farm; $21.95 for Barnyard Adventure; Dads are FREE on Father's Day Weekend. Advanced Registration Required.

Happy Father’s Day
WHEN: June 20, 12-4pm
WHERE: The Whaling Museum and Education Center, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor
WHAT: Bring Dad to the museum to enjoy self-serve crafts in the workshop and explore the new exhibit, Shinnecock Artists and Long Island’s First Whalers.
WANT TO GO? Father’s enjoy free admission this Father’s Day with the purchase of a regularly-priced child ticket. Admission is $6 adults; $5 seniors 62 and older and children 4-18; free for children 3 and younger and those with ?Active Military with ID

Dads Climb Free on Father's Day!
WHEN: June 20, 9am-8pm
WHERE: The Adventure Park at Long Island, 75 Colonial Springs Road , Wheatley Heights
WHAT: Start making those plans for Father's Day and treat your dad to an adventure. Join The Adventure Park at Long Island on Father's Day and get a free ticket for dad to climb when you purchase a Father's Day BOGO. He'll love spending time with the family in the trees! 
WANT TO GO? $64. Valid only on Sunday June 20, 2021. Not combinable with any other offers or events. No refunds. Can be exchanged for The Adventure Park Account Credit for the amount paid only.

Father's Day
WHEN: June 20, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
WHAT: It’s your day! Celebrate with your children!  Free admission for Dads when accompanied by their children.
WANT TO GO? $7; $6 seniors 65 and older; $5 ages 3-12; Free for members, children younger than 2, and for dad with paid child admission.