Boston Weekend. Father’s Day.

While I never need a special reason to celebrate the weekend, calendar holidays offer wonderful excuses to spend time with the people we love.

Here are 10+ ideas on where to take a special Dad (or Grandad) in Boston to celebrate Father’s Day.

Father’s Day 2017 update: Heritage Museums and Garden in Sandwich on the Cape offers free admission for all Dads today, June 18, 2017.

1. Let him Choose a Peaceful Target

Until I was invited to a media event at Ace Archers in Foxboro, I have not given arrow shooting a thought. But having hit some targets with my arrow, I  think it could be a great date night or family adventure for a Father’s Day celebration (kids must be 8+ to participate). Open Shooting is $14/hour with equipment included, no experience is necessary.

2. Invite him to a Sunday Jazz Brunch

The Beehive in South End serves their Sunday brunch 10am-3pm with live music (it is family-friendly); there is also Father’s Day Sunday Blues 8pm-12am if you have a night out in mind.  In fact, Beehive is my current favorite for any celebration on a town.

3. Take Him on a Boat Ride

Charles River Canoe has 4 rental locations- in Boston, Cambridge, Newton and Waltham (they have paddles for kids starting at age 4; check website for specific location hours). They also have scheduled 3-hour harbor guided tours.

But if he does not want to do any steering himself, a day trip via Harbor Cruise to Provincetown may just be what he needs for relaxing day at sea and on land. June through Labor Day, the boats depart Long Wharf in Boston at 9, 2 and 6:30 (P-town departures are 11, 4 and 8:30pm – be sure to check the schedule on the website before you go).

You could also take him to explore a USS Constitution Ship in Charleston.  He is surely to be impressed by this world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat (and America’s ship of state). Open Saturday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

4. Take him to Class

Whether he is interested in glass blowing, photography, drawing or welding, you can find a weekly class or 1-day workshop for him at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston; weekend photography classes are also offered at Boston Center for Adult Education.

(It is even more fun if a family member could take a class with Dad. Here is Vit at the still life drawing class we took together at the Museum of Fine Arts.)

5. Let him Stare at Some Old Cars (all day, if he wants!)

At Lars Andersen Auto Museum (with its oldest car collection in the US) in Brookline (open Tues-Sun 10-4).

6. Take him Biking

My favorite bike trail has been a Cape Cod Rail Trail on the Cape, but this weekend (weather permitting)  I plan to explore some new trails in nearby Rhode Island; for example the 14-mile East Bay Bike Path along the shore of Narraganset Bay seems relaxing and scenic.

Another local (in state) option is Minuteman Bikeway (connecting Cambridge and Bedford, via Arlington and Lexington).

7. Take him Camping.

While some of my favorite  campgrounds are on Cape Cod (Nickerson State Park and Sweet Water in Brewster), you are never too far from the campground in Massachusetts and many offer water views, such as Myles Standish State Forest in South Carver.

8. Build some Legos (he would actually HAVE to bring the kids to this one).

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston may even have a couple of updates for you since your last visit.

9. Take him for a walk on Greenway (This one is FREE!)

Well, this aerial sculpture is no longer displayed but the 1.5 walk along Boston Greenway with its 7 water works and plenty of greenery is still both entertaining and relaxing for the entire family (could these two things co-exist? you will be surprised!)

10. Take him Wine Tasting

There are a couple of options in Boston, including your local grocery store.   Whole Foods’ culinary art center in Dedham offers affordable tasting class on June 24^th, for a more high-end experience, check out City Wine Tour.

If you are willing to drive out of town, you could also check out the Greenvale Vineyards near Newport, RI.

And- as you are having summer fun on Father’s day and beyond, don’t forget about Free fun Friday project which allows 70 Museums throughout Massachusetts to open its door for free on Fridays during 10 weeks of summer.

 

While we enjoyed a free archery lesson during media event at Ace Archers, I received no compensation for recommending any of the above activities and places and I am doing so because I believe they are great choices for you to take  Dad on Father’s Day in Boston.