Father's Day is this Sunday. It's time to bond with pops, laugh at all his corny jokes, and maybe let him take you on a walk down memory lane with all his stories of when he was cool. You know, waaaay back in the day.
Growing up, handmade cards with macaroni letters were cute and all, but if you're still handing dad a DIY card and calling it a day, then you ought to be ashamed of yourself. Now that you're older, why not treat the old man to an entire day of his favorite activities?
Everyone's dad is different, which is why we put together seven different ways to celebrate the father figures in your life this Father's Day weekend.
7. Big Trucks & Fast Cars Day at Miami Science Museum
Dad likes big trucks and he cannot lie. For the dad's with younger offspring, head over to Miami Science Museum for Big Truck and Fast Cars Day. Sponsored by Ryder, Big Truck Day includes a slew of activities for the kiddos, raffles, giveaways, and oh, yeah, trucks galore. Ryder Trucks, Miami-Dade County's hybrid trucks, and even food trucks are taking over the museum's parking lot.
The Dad: The hot rod fanatic
Price: Dads get in free with a paid child's admission. Admission is $14.95 for adults and $10.95 for seniors (62+), students (with valid ID), and children 3 to12.
Sunday, June 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Miami Science Museum, 3280 South Miami Ave., Miami. Call 305-646-4234 or visit miamisci.org.
6. Cars and Cigars at The Barnacle Historic State Park
Classic cars will be gracing the grounds of The Barnacle Historic State Park this weekend. Check out some hot rods with dad, munch on some burgers and hotdogs, and enjoy a freshly-rolled cigar while listening to live music by Cool Ol' Dudes.
The Dad: The cigar aficionado who can tell a Romeo y Julietta from a Cohiba.
Price: Free with $2 park admission; children under 6 free.
Dads in free with full paying General Admission ticket. Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.
Sunday, June 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Barnacle Historic State Park, 3485 Main Highway, Coconut Grove. Call 305-442-6866 or visit floridastateparks.org.
5. Miami Marlins vs. St. Louis Cardinals
With six straight wins and counting, it's now safe to go to a Marlins game and not come out being disappointed. Why not take dad to the Miami Marlins vs. St. Louis Cardinals game this Sunday? Whether they win or lose, there's still plenty to do at the stadium for some quality one-on-one time with padre. You can both grab a drink at the Clevelander, fill up on BBQ pulled pork sammies from Brother Jimmy's, stroll past the gently jiggling bobblehead museum, and read up on the Orange Bowl's history. Having to actually sit through an entire inning is only an option.
The Dad: The sports fanatic who glues himself to the recliner every evening
Price: Prices vary
Sunday, June 16, starting at 1:10 p.m. Marlins Park, 501 NW 16th Ave., Miami. Call 305-480-1300 or visit Marlins.com.
4. Old School Grooming at Churchill's Barber Shop
Manicures and pedicures are mom's thing, but dad's idea of grooming is next to, well, non-existent. Get dad to discover the lost art of a traditional wet shave at Churchill's Barber Shop, where they've returned to an era when a man's barber was key to his success. Churchill's offers classic cuts, old fashioned shave, beard and mustache trim, manicures, pedicures, deep pore cleansing facials, waxing, and shoe shines. Dad will feel like a king in a leather barber chair watching a game on a flat screen TV, while sipping on an espresso from the in-house coffee bar.
The Dad: The white collar dad who could use some spiffying up
Price: For $25, the "Churchill's Deluxe Shave" includes hot towels, hot shave lather, straight razor shave & cold towels for $25.
*9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Churchill's Barber Shop, 12 SE 1st St., Miami. Call 305-379-8615 or visit churchillsbarbershop.com.
*Note: Churchill's is closed on Sundays, so you'll have to treat your pops a day early.
3. Father's Day Bash at Jungle Island
With Sam Adams beers pouring throughout the day, a BBQ tasting from a variety of food trucks, the Dezer Collection classic cars, and the Mad World Orchestra performing classic hits from dad's era, Jungle Island is knows what's up this Father's Day. There's also plenty for the kids to do at the built-in playground and petting zoo.
The Dad: For the conservative beer fan with a bit of a wild streak
Price: $26.95-$34.95
Sunday, June 16, from 12p.m. to 6 p.m. Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami. Call 305-400-7000 or visit jungleisland.com.
2. BBQ Brunch at The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
The way to any man's heart is through his stomach. Skip the crowded restaurants and treat the father figure in your life to a Louisiana-style Father's Day BBQ at The Fairchild. Award-winning caterer Creative Tastes has composed a menu sure to satisfy the heartiest of appetites. Dad can go to town on Southern waffles, grits, Cajun-style braised beef, New Orleans-style eggs Benedict, Creole frittata, Cajun braised beef brisket, puuled pork, pecan sticky buns, shrimp jambalaya, and banana bread pudding with Bourbon Street sauce, and all the fixin's. Just make sure he wears pants with an elastic waistband.
The Dad: For the gourmand who would rather leave his apron hanging at home on his special day
Price: $45 per person. Children 5 to 12 eat for half-price, and children 4 and younger eat free.
Sunday, June 16 from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables. Call 305-256-8399 or visit fairchildgarden.org.
1. Grilling 101 at FIU Biscayne Bay Campus
It's grilling season, so there's no better time to give dad the gift of a lifetime free of charcoaled T-bones and extra-blackened chicken. FIU's Biscayne Bay Campus is offering a lesson in the art of grilling taught by Chef Mike Moran. Get dad to learn how to grill (not incinerate) a variety of food items -- from ribs to veggies -- plus learn the secrets for great rubs and sauces, temperature control, and grilling equipment. Dads will have time to relax as a local brew-master discusses the perfect beer pairings for every type of grilled dish.
The Dad: For the dad who loves grilling, but whose good steaks are rare
Price: $89 per person; $139 for two
Friday, June 14, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Florida International University Biscayne Bay Campus, 3000 NE 151st St., North Miami. Call 305-919-5500 or visit fiu.edu.
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