Sometimes it’s nice to skip the gifts and opt for a local experience to celebrate Father’s Day instead. After all, quality time is the best gift of all! So here are eight ways to celebrate Father’s Day the local way.
Plan a Cookout with Local Ingredients
Spend the morning at the Southside Farmer’s Market for fresh produce and baked goods, head to Italian Cowboy in Rockport for cheese, wine and specialty foods and finally, Boarri Craft for some meats to throw on the grill. Now you have all the ingredients for a locally sourced, Father’s Day outdoor cookout from a day of perusing Coastal Bend goods.
Experience Water Sports at Bird Island
The serene waters at Bird Island Basin are great for kayaking, windsurfing and paddle boarding. Rent gear from Worldwinds Windsurfing and maybe even take a windsurfing lesson with dad!
Go Fishing Together
Fishing just might be the perfect Father’s Day activity for the family. Whether from a pier or on a guided charter, there are plenty of fish in the sea (to catch of course). There’s no shortage of fishing locations in the Coastal Bend; here is a guide to get you started. Fishing with littles this Father’s Day? Check out these tips for fishing with kids. Then, head to Doc’s afterward and have them cook your catch!
Take Him Golfing
Chances are, your dad enjoys golfing. Take him out to Palmilla Beach for an afternoon on the only True Links in Texas! Even if golfing isn’t for you, there’s enough downtime in the game for nice quality time and conversation; and riding in the golf cart on this breezy coastal course isn’t a bad way to spend the day either.
Fly Kites in Port Aransas
Port Aransas is full of hidden gems like Fly It! Port A. Rent a golf cart, purchase a kite the kids will love and spend the day flying kites on the beach. Stop by Island Market on the way for a frozen treat and some sandwiches to enjoy a beach picnic too!
Take Him Go-Karting
Dad’s got a need for speed? Take him go-karting at In the Game Funtrackers where you can race, but make sure you let him win (at least once…it is Father’s Day afterall). You can also throw axes, play arcade games or laser tag, or even hit a few knockouts in the batting cages.
Experience a Pedal Pub Downtown
Gather up all the siblings and dad for a pedal pub experience downtown with Blue Shore Pedal Lounge. Start with a bite and some games at Retro before your driver picks you up for a pub tour of the sparkling city. Pick some stops ahead of time and don’t forget your playlist to jam while you pedal!
Book an Escape Room at The USS Lexington
For the problem-solving dad who excels at group work, take him and a few others to Lockdown on the Lex! Hop aboard the USS Lexington and work together to defuse a nuclear bomb, explore the haunted ship to find a group of ghost hunters or complete an SOS rescue mission in the Lexington’s series of escape room experiences.
