10 last-minute Father’s Day getaway ideas for the best weekend adventure.
Photo by Derek Owens on Unsplash
We show dad how much we care and love him on Father’s Day. This holiday is celebrated every year on the third Sunday of June in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries. A woman named Sonora Smart Dodd started this celebration of Father’s Day a few years after the first Mother’s Day. She did it by trying to “establish an official equivalent to Mother’s Day for male parents.” (History.com, 2021)
Since then, how we commemorate dad, grandpa, and the other men who have formed us into who we have changed through the years. At first, young women gave their fathers red roses during church services on Father’s Day. Then, a decade after this holiday began, families liked to get tobacco, socks, neckties, and hats as gifts.
Nowadays, gift ideas for dad include pajamas, slippers, electric razors, grooming products, sports gear, and shirts. But there has been a significant change in the last ten years. A 2011 survey found that more than 60 percent of people planned to buy dad a gift related to electronics, clothing, or sports goods, while only 6 percent planned to get dad something related to an experience. In recent years, millennials have chosen to spend more on experiences than on things for Father’s Day.
Fortune.com said that in 2017, the amount people planned to spend on a memorable excursion with dad (like golf, a concert, or a road trip) placed it at the top of the list of Father’s Day gifts.
Don’t fool yourself. Dad doesn’t want another tie or tool for Father’s Day. Plan a trip with dad this year. You all deserve it. Travel is great because it brings people together in a fun and unexpected ways. Traveling brings people closer, especially when we go on amazing trips with our loved ones, like our families.
Whether dad will enjoy a vacation with fun activities that will get the adrenaline pumping or a relaxing weekend enjoying breathtaking ocean views, here is a list of destinations based on shared interests to make family memories in incredible places.
Hilton Head Island, SC
If dad is a golf enthusiast, Hilton Head Island is an authentic paradise with over 30 world-class courses, making it an ideal destination to celebrate dad on a golf getaway. Golfers can choose from more than 33 world-class golf courses in the Lowcountry area, including Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Daufuskie Island.
Since your dad loves sports, you might try a new activity such as pickleball, rent a kayak, or play miniature golf to improve your putting abilities. And if you want to go on a new adventure, you can take your Father’s Day trip to new heights by zip-lining or taking a helicopter ride over Hilton Head Island. Finally, book a ride on a pirate cruise, where kids complete the fun adventure with a treasure hunt and water cannons.
Family vacations frequently have different accommodation requirements. For instance, a vacation rental with breathtaking beach views may be ideal for dads seeking peace and space. Furthermore, a hotel or resort may be the best option for convenient access to exclusive recreational activities and fantastic restaurants.
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas is located south of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. A family vacation to Cabo is an opportunity to enjoy an authentic paradise where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. Taking a Father’s Day weekend trip to Cabo San Lucas lets you experience exciting activities like sailing trips to the sea, swimming with dolphins, zip-lining in the mountains, riding camels on the beach, and jumping into resort pools.
If you want to give dad a little time to himself, you can treat him to a round of golf, a sportfishing adventure, or a day at the spa. And when you plan to pamper dad with a luxurious getaway, Cabo San Lucas is the perfect destination where you can enjoy stunning ocean views from a luxury accommodation that may even include a breakfast cooked by your private chef. So, Cabo San Lucas is the ideal place to surprise dad and give him a gift that he will remember forever.
Cape Coral, FL
Because its 400 miles of canals allow access to the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico, Cape Coral is also known as the Venice of Florida. This delightful town is a simple and blissful option when you want a little getaway to the beach without crowds and traffic for your Father’s Day celebration. As this is a paradise for water enthusiasts, vacation homes on the Caloosahatchee River with a private dock are available, allowing dad to bring his boat and set sail for the Gulf.
You can explore the Rotary Park Environmental Center with dad, then shop at the farmers’ market together to end your day with a delicious dinner from various food truck vendors offering unique street food. Finally, stop by the Southwest Florida Military Museum, dedicated to honoring the military and educating the public through displaying and preserving military memorabilia. In addition, Cape Coral is a laid-back beach town where your foodie dad can visit a vast and diverse collection of independent restaurants because of its proximity to the world-famous beaches of Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel.
Aruba
With its stunning beaches, quiet shallow seas, and a broad range of fun activities, Aruba provides all-inclusive family fun experiences for adults and kids of all ages on your Father’s Day vacation! Aruba is known as the “One Happy Island.” So when you spend your Father’s Day getaway here, visit Baby Beach, with the softest sands and shallow waters. This beach is perfect for the little ones. But if you are traveling with teenagers, you must go to Palm Island, which offers snorkeling, banana boat rides, and zip-lining to have fun with dad.
Complete your adventure in Aruba by enjoying Aruban attractions like The Aruba Aloe Museum and Factory or The Archaeological Museum of Aruba, where you can learn about the history of this beautiful destination. Aruba offers all kinds of vacation escapes, from family-friendly luxury boutique hotels, all-inclusive resorts, or budget-focused vacation homes to having that Caribbean vacation you always dreamed of.
Destin, FL
The warm summer breezes and stunning Gulf views make Destin, Florida, the perfect place to spend your next getaway for Father’s Day. Famous for its sugar-white sands and emerald-hued waters. There are tons of fun activities for families to do, and you won’t want to miss out on any of them. You can decide to go fishing with your dad. Destin isn’t known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” for nothing. Choose from one of the country’s largest charter fishing fleets for dad’s near-shore and deep-sea fishing adventures.
Destin Harbor is another excellent place to take dad; there are plenty of activities for the entire family, from rock climbing and zip lining to simply enjoying delicious local food. Destin is a tourist spot with everything you need to enjoy your Father’s Day stay. Here you can find a private vacation home for the entire family, a resort condo, or even an RV camping.
Park City, UT
Summer vacations to Park City may differ from winter ones, but the enjoyment you can have on Father’s Day won’t pale in comparison. This could be the destination that a dad who loves sports would love. First, take dad to Utah Olympic Park and let him explore museums to learn about the 2002 Olympics and the chance of spotting an aspiring athlete practicing for a future event. Then explore more history of the area with a visit to the No Name Saloon, where the beer and whiskey menus are practically limitless. Finally, finish your exciting adventures with a visit to the Butcher’s Chop House and Bar. Offering dad’s favorite meal with an elegant atmosphere, a dinner at the Butcher’s promises highlights his visit!
And if dad is a weekend cycling fan, whether he is a beginner looking for some fun activity or a professional rider seeking to join teammates for support while enjoying some scenic location cannot find a better place than Park City. The atmosphere and cycling experience here will thrill him—what a great gift to celebrate a dad who loves cycling.
Winter Park, CO
Winter Park, Colorado, is the ideal place to spend your Father’s Day weekend this year. Unique family-friendly activities and spectacular views will make your summer getaway with dad one your family will remember forever.
If you visit Winter Park, you may select from the most thrilling and enjoyable activities, such as fly fishing and white water rafting excursions. These activities allow you to spend quality time with dad while connecting with nature. To begin, schedule a hiking morning to enjoy beautiful valley views of the Continental Divide and more. And if your dad loves mountain biking, Winter Park is the mountain bike capital of the USA, with over 600 miles of biking trails.
Spend quality time together while fly fishing, as Fraser River and the Upper Colorado River, are full of rainbow trout, cutthroat, and brook trout. You can get the equipment you need for a day at the river with dad at local fishing shops. These beautiful rivers are not only suitable for fishing. You can also go white water rafting, one of the most fun things for dad to try at the Colorado River, with twists and turns perfect for all experience levels. Many local rafting companies will take you out on the water for fun and excitement.
If you visit Winter Park for Father’s Day, especially with children, choosing the place to stay is vital to enjoying your trip. Winter Park has a wide variety of family rentals, from condos, rustic cabins, and luxurious townhouses perfect for providing you with the ideal summer getaway.
Jackson Hole, WY
Father’s Day at Jackson Hole is an excellent idea for dads who want to live like a cowboy for the weekend since you can book one of the ranches in the more remote reaches of the Jackson Hole. Start your cowboy-style trip with a horse-drawn covered wagon adventure for an evening dinner with Double H Bar, Inc. In addition, you can ride with real cowboys at the Mill Iron Ranch, located in the Horse Creek Valley, followed by an authentic Western tradition, the Jackson Hole Rodeo. And last but not least, spend a morning at the Aerial Tram for a 360-degree view of the Tetons, Jackson Hole valley, and surrounding mountain ranges. Complete your ride with a brunch with the world-famous gourmet waffles in Corbet’s Cabin.
You can add to your Jackson Hole cowboy experience many things to do, such as mountain biking, fly-fishing, or going on a wildlife safari. Also, you can attend fun events, tons of summer activities, and eat at excellent restaurants.
Big Bear, CA
A Big Bear Lake vacation is a fantastic way to celebrate dad and can be personalized based on what he wants to do. Around Father’s Day, the temperatures in Big Bear are extraordinary, making for ideal conditions for taking him out on the lake.
If your dad likes to try things out of the ordinary and loves to test his fitness, this is the perfect occasion to rent a paddleboat or kayak in Big Bear. These are lesser-known things to do on the lake and great options for those looking for more of an adventurous activity rather than a leisurely boat trip. Although this requires a little more physical effort, this is a fantastic way to see the lake.
A lake trip to Big Bear can also include some great fishing. Families can rent a boat and spend the weekend on the lake in California. Big Bear Lake is stocked with plenty of varieties of fish for your dad to try and catch. These fish include sunfish, crappie, catfish, and bluegill. You can stay at a luxurious lakefront cabin with a dock to fish and swim and enjoy stunning views of the lake. You and your Dad are sure to enjoy this excellent time together.
Estes Park, CO
Estes Park is a beautiful Father’s Day trip for outdoor enthusiast families. Estes Park, Colorado, has easy access to the trails of Rocky Mountain National Park and Roosevelt National Forest, alpine lakes, wildlife sightings, and a plethora of recreational opportunities. In addition, Estes Park features the accommodations and activities to make the ideal Father’s Day getaway while making memories with your family.
This lovely town is the scene of a mountain angler’s dream. First, you can have the most exciting and memorable fly fishing trip with dad. Then, go for a hike together to see, hear, feel and experience nature. First, check the Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park for suggested hikes at every skill level. Also, you can plunge into the Poudre River for an afternoon of thrilling whitewater raft trip with Wanderlust Adventure. They will provide you with the necessary gear and safety equipment.