Heads up: Father’s Day is on its way. Looking for a gift idea that goes beyond a tie or some whisky stones? Taking a page from our Mother’s Day Gift Guide, we’re recommending experiences over things for Father’s Day in NYC. (Which is also Juneteenth this year.) From activities to do as a family to fun or adventurous outings for dad and partner or friend, here are ways to let the dad in your life know he’s the main man. For more fun this month see our favorite June events for families (many are free and consider heading out to pick some cherries, because now is the time to do it!
Picnic & Make a Tree Sculpture at Wave Hill
Enjoy the very rare opportunity to picnic on the Wave Hill House Lawn (bring your own blanket and/or folding chairs), or, if you purchase a picnic from Great Performances, in Armor Hall. (Limited space is available in Armor Hall, on a first-come, first-served basis.) You can also bring your own feast or buy a salmon lunch from Great Performances. (There’s a special meal for kids seven and under.) Reservations are required by end-of-day Tuesday, June 14. The weekend’s family art project is a tree sculpture to celebrate a father figure in your life, which you can personalize as a special gift to hold photographs or drawings. (Art project is free with admission.)
Sun. June 19, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Tickets: $12/adults; $6/kids six and older. free/kids under 6
4900 Independence Ave.
Bronx
718-549-3200
Online: wavehill.org
Gift Dad Some Glamping at the New Huttopia Adirondacks
Located just outside of Lake George on 275 acres of serene woodlands, Huttopia Adirondacks hits that sweet spot between roughing it and over-the-top glamping. Fully-outfitted campsites feature wood-and-canvas tents with a deck for lounging, a firepit and picnic table. Head to the main Lodge to take a dip in the heated swimming pool, see some live music, take part in activities such as yoga and candle-making, or play some ping pong or foosball. The on-site bistro serves fresh bites like crepes (Huttopia’s founders are French), pizza, smoothies and more, and there’s even a kid’s club to keep the kids entertained if you want some downtime. For more fun, options include hitting the hiking trails of Adirondack Park, white-water rafting and visiting nearby Saratoga Springs and Lake George.
Rates start at $120/night
1571 Lake Ave.
Lake Luzerne, NY
518-223-8666
Online: huttopia.com
Celebrate with a Free Celebrate Brooklyn! Concert
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! presents a free concert on June 19, Juneteenth Unityfest, with performances by some of the world’s leading gospel artists, including Tye Tribbett, Deborah Cox, Israel Houghton, Mali Music and others. The event will celebrate themes of inspiration, faith, and fatherhood in Black culture and beyond.
Sun., June 19, 6:30 p.m.
Lena Horne Bandshell
Prospect Park
Online: bricartsmedia.org
Give Him a City Brew Tour
City Brew Tours offers an Underground Brooklyn Brewery Walking Tour or a Brewing in Queens Walking Tour. Each tour lasts about 3.5 hours and includes VIP access to three breweries, beer sampling, a snack, brewery swag and a knowledgable local guide to boost his beer IQ. Book a date or get him a gift card to choose his own.
Tickets: $79/person and up
Online: citybrewtours.com
Visit the Children’s Museum of Manhattan to See Inside Art & Make Pop-Up Cards for Dad
A brand new edition of Inside Art: Create, Climb, Collaborate opens June 18. The show encourages children to discover powerful tools of self-expression and new ways of seeing everyday spaces. Immersive site-specific installations by Isidro Blasco, Aya Rodriguez-Izumi, and BARarchitekten, and dynamic activations by CMOM’s inaugural roster of New York-based artists-in-residence, help early learners to build critical social, emotional, and motor skills as they explore, touch, and even contribute to museum-quality works of contemporary art.
On Father’s Day, kids can create a rad card that really pops for a Pop, Papa, Dad, Dada or someone special.
Sun., June 19
Tickets: $15/kids and adults; $12/seniors, free/infants and members
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
212 W. 83rd St.
Upper West Side
212-721-1223
Online: cmom.org
Do Father’s Day the CAMP Way
Head to CAMP in Hudson Yards or Columbus Circle for some cool crafting, a Father’s Day photo, a sweet treat (and some really cool gift items, too). Reserve tickets in advance.
Tickets: $40/kid; $2/adult
CAMP Columbus Circle
10 Columbus Circle
Online: camp.com
CAMP Hudson Yards
20 Hudson Yards
Online: camp.com
Jam at Brooklyn Bowl’s Rock And Roll Playhouse
This popular series bringing cool tunes to kids plays Bob Marley to celebrate Father’s Day and Juneteenth. Then stick around for Family Bowl!
Tickets: $15/person for Rock & Roll Playhouse
Sun., June 19
61 Whythe Ave.
Williamsburg
Brooklyn Bowl
Online: brooklynbowl.com
Help Dad Relive His Indie Cool Days
We loved this for moms, too. Take dad to one of the nicest concert venues in the city, Forest Hills Stadium. Tucked into this leafy neighborhood of Queens (shows end early because of a noise ordinance), there’s not a bad seat in the house, and they consistently book great acts. An indie-splosion is coming to Forest Hills, including artists such as Phoebe Bridgers, Fleet Foxes, The Lumineers and the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs. Also: the amusingly irascible Bill Burr. Take his experience up a notch and add the “Golden Apple Premium Experience” to his ticket for $99. Benefits include exclusive access to the backstage lounge at Forest Hills Stadium, two complimentary beverages, access to a private cash bar in the backstage lounge, private restrooms and early entry into the backstage lounge one hour before doors open to the general public. If that’s not fancy enough for you, consider booking a “Speakeasy Suite.”
Online: foresthillsstadium.com
See Onward at the Queens Botanical Garden (On Saturday)
Celebrate the night before at QBG with a dad film from Disney, and crafting a paper mushroom house and Father’s Day card.
Sat., June 19, 7 p.m.
Tickets: $17/adults; $15/kids; free/kids under 3, $55/family of four
43-50 Main St.
Flushing
718-886-3800
Online: queensbotanical.org
Climb at The Adventure Park at Long Island
Take dad to The Adventure Park at Long Island, where through a “Buy One Get One Free” promotion, he can climb for free on Father’s Day. You’ll have three hours to tackle your choice of 14 trails and 49 ziplines. To book, head to the park’s website and enter code “Father’s Day BOGO” or call 631-983-3844.
Tickets: $64/14 and up, $54/seven to 13
Fri.-Sun, April 1-June 16; Daily, June 20-Sept. 5
Adventure Park at Long Island
75 Colonial Springs Rd.
Wheatley Heights, NY
613-983-3844
Online: myadventurepark.com
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