Create Memories This Father’s Day With These Activities

With Father’s Day on June 20, it isn’t too soon to start thinking about how you’re going to celebrate the father-figure in your life. We got a jumpstart on planning by putting together a few suggestions of things you can do in your town. A few extra suggestions: treat him to a shave and a haircut, finally help him tackle that home improvement project, or try cooking something new together.

Go For a Hike

Get out into nature with a scenic hike near you. From New York, head to the 3.2 mile Breakneck Ridge trail overlooking the Hudson River. Harold Parker State Forest, an hour from Boston, has 35 miles of trails among the Central Hardwood-Hemlock-White Pine forest. Washington D.C.’s Rock Creek offers a network of trails weaving around natural and historic landmarks. About an hour’s drive from Chicago, Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve has 11 scenic miles of mapped trails. Los Angeles’s Switzer Falls is a 3.6 mile trail with a scenic payoff. Near San Francisco, the Mount Sutro to Twin Peaks hike covers 3.8 miles and is dotted with wildlife.

Grill In a Park

Treat dad to a cookout in a city park, where barbecues await. (Don’t forget to bring your own briquettes and grill gear, though.) In New York, Manhattan’s Randall’s Island Park offers grills on the Flagpole Lawns, Harlem River Picnic Area, and at the waterfront at the south end of the park. Washington D.C.’s Rock Creek Park isn’t only great for hiking, it also has grills scattered throughout its acreage. No parks in mainland Boston have grills, but many of Boston Harbor’s islands—including Georges, Spectacle, and Bumpkin—do. In Chicago, it’s BYO grill in the Park District though places like Montrose Beach offer designated areas. In Los Angeles, Echo Park Lake offers grills on a first-come, first-served basis. San Francisco’s Crissy Field in the Presidio has picnic tables and grills.

Play a Game

You’re never too old to play a game with the father-figure in your life. Head to a game store in your town to find one that suits your shared interests. The Compleat Strategist in New York sells all manner of board games, card games, and puzzles. Washington D.C.’s Labyrinth Games & Puzzles is the town’s go-to. Head to Boston’s Pandemonium Books & Games for everything from Catan to locally based Monopoly. Cat & Mouse Games in Chicago stocks party games like Exploding Kittens and Uno. Try Los Angeles’s Turn Zero Games for niche board games. San Francisco’s Versus Games wins praise for its knowledgeable staff who can help you choose the best game for you.

The Related Life is written and produced by the Related Life Editorial Team. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest events, news and announcements in your area, and tag us for a chance to be featured @therelatedlife and #therelatedlife.