10 Ways to Celebrate Father’s Day Across the Mitten State
| 3 min read
It may seem like far away, but June 18th will be here before you know it. And that means it’s time to ask yourself a very important question: Have you decided how you’ll celebrate Father’s Day yet? If not, rest assured: Whether you love the great outdoors or are a fan of more low-key celebrations, there are tons of ways to honor the dad in your life and celebrate all across Michigan. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
- Spend a day on the water in Port Austin: Feeling outdoorsy? Take a coastal drive up to the thumb to enjoy the quaint beach town of Port Austin. There are lots of fun activities on the water, from kayaking or paddle-boarding to Turnip Rock to just hanging out on the lakefront.
- Take in classic cruisers in Lansing: The Friday before Father’s Day is a chance to go “car-gazing” with the Annual Oldsmobile Cruise Dimondale. Share an evening of dining, toe-tapping and automobile-appreciation with your dad in the state’s capital.
- Go wild at the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek: Experience feeding a giraffe together and get your daily steps in while enjoying the majesty of wild animals. If you’ve worked up an appetite after your day, head into the city for barbeque at Hogzilla or Clara’s on the River.
- Get your block party on in Grand Rapids: The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and Grand Rapids Pride Festival are teaming up for the second annual Pride Block Party/Family Day during Father’s Day weekend. Enjoy food, fun and a trip to the hands-on museum at this upbeat event.
- Enjoy a Tigers game in Detroit: Nothing beats catching a ball game together! The Tigers are home the whole weekend, including Father’s Day itself (when little ones can run the bases after the game).
- Cook a farmer’s market meal: There are dozens of great farmer’s markets around the Metro-Detroit area. Take dad on a Sunday stroll and bring some goods back home to grill and cook together.
- Embrace Dad’s inner cowboy at the Great Lake’s Rodeo: Each year on Father’s Day weekend, you can check out the Great Lakes Rodeo in Marquette. Take in bucking broncos and other traditional rodeo events, and enjoy a bite in the historic downtown area afterward.
- Hike the Lake Superior Trail or the East and West River Trails in the Porcupine Mountains: If you and your dad love getting a breath of fresh air, there’s nothing quite like a hike in the U.P. There are tons of great trails to choose from, but our favorites for a Father’s Day snapshot are through the infamous “Porkies.”
- Sink into the sand at Sleeping Bear Dunes: If your dad’s as classic as this Michigan landmark, celebrate his special day dune-side. A run down the sandy hills, a ride on a dune buggy or the spectacular view of the night sky here will make his Father’s Day one to remember.
- Search for stones in Petoskey: Spend the day beachside in Petoskey sifting through the sand and searching for Petoskey stones. When you wear out, take a stroll through town or a ride through the historic M-119’s tunnel of trees.
How are you planning on spending Father’s Day? Tell us in the comments!
Photo credit: Mateus Lunardi Dutra
