You plan on letting Dad sleep in, have all the ingredients on hand for breakfast in bed, and the gift the kids made is wrapped. Congratulations — you have successfully planned the first 15 minutes of Father’s Day. Now what? Fear not, there are plenty of family activities in the area to keep you busy until it’s time to light the coals.
LeMay — America’s Car Museum
Tacoma’s new four-story museum, totaling 165,000 square feet on a nine-acre campus, celebrates America’s love affair with the automobile. Featuring a collector car center, a 3.5-acre show field, galleries, a café, and meeting and banquet rooms, the ACM opened June 2, 2012. Up to 350 cars, trucks and motorcycles from private collections and corporations will join the famous LeMay collection, comprised of more than 3,500 vehicles. Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Father's Day Celebration with NASA Super Guppy at the Museum of Flight
Dads enjoy free admission, with access to family activities throughout the Museum. NASA Super Guppy cargo aircraft will be on display in the parking lot, with crew members on hand to answer questions. Astronaut and Super Guppy pilot Greg Johnson will give a lecture Dad is sure to find fascinating.
Washington Brewers Festival at Marymoor Park
Dad’s eyes will go buggy when he sees the 200 beer varieties presented by 64 different breweries. Gourmet food trucks, a live music stage, brewer’s keg toss, root beer garden, kids area, craft booths, and wine and cider tasting only sweeten the deal. Mom, you get to drive home!
Run and Walk with Pride at Seward Park
The 35th annual run, presented by Seattle Frontrunners, combines a 4K run or walk and a 10K run. All abilities are welcome, so don’t be shy. Chip timing, awards for top finishers, and raffle prizes add a little competition to get Dad motivated. This year the It Gets Better Project is the beneficiary, with proceeds going to the Washington chapter of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Register online.
Father's Day is Cap Day at Emerald Downs
The first 7,500 fans receive a new Emerald Downs cap and you know Dad wants one. Sunday Family Fun Days begin on Father’s Day and continue through Labor Day. The free entertainment and activities for kids start at 1 p.m.
Father's Day Barbecue Train on the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad
What is more synonymous than BBQ and Dad? But here's a twist: Treat the big guy to a two-hour, 15-mile train excursion that includes a barbecue lunch, an engineer's hat for Dad to take home, and a chance to blow the train's horn. The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad is located in Mineral. Trains depart at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., but be sure to make reservations — these seats sell out fast.
Ride the Rails at the Northwest Railway Museum
Take a 75-minute train excursion in an antique railway coach through the Upper Snoqualmie Valley. Dads ride free with a paying child of any age Father's Day weekend!
ZooPalooza Family Music Festival
Woodland Park Zoo and Carter Subaru introduce a music festival for kids. Local kindie rockers, including Caspar Babypants, Recess Monkey and The Not-Its!, perform outdoors in the North Meadow. Festivities will also include family activities, giveaways, a root beer garden and lots of fun for the whole family. This event is free with regular zoo admission or membership. It's also Warty PIgs Mohawk Day, which means if you sport a mohawk to the zoo (or get one at the gate), you can get in FREE.
Cast off! Free public sail at the Center for Wooden Boats
The Center for Wooden Boats offers free rides in classic wooden boats on Lake Union every Sunday afternoon from 2–3 p.m. They sail rain or shine, but wind conditions may keep them at the dock. Reservations are taken day-of-sail only at the CWB front desk. This is a popular activity so please arrive early to reserve a spot. The center opens at 10 a.m. Father’s Day.
Seattle Mariners vs. San Francisco Giants
What could be a more perfect multi-generational option for the sports-lovin’ family than a day watching baseball? The first 10,000 men in attendance will net a Mariners fishing cap; fans 60 and over receive $5 off select view-level seats or $10 off select main-level seats for Senior Special Day; and all kids 14 and under will take home an Ichiro poster. Youth baseball teams can participate in a special pre-game parade on field.
Members-only Father’s Day party at KidsQuest Children’s Museum
Dads and Granddads enjoy free admission all day. Have fun with shaving cream mustaches, DIY neckties and more!
Dads and Daughters Night — Seattle Storm vs. Minnesota Lynx
The Storm will host its annual Dads and Daughters game with a 6 p.m. tipoff against the defending WNBA champions, the Minnesota Lynx.
Father’s Day Car Show in downtown Burien
More than 200 cars will keep Dad’s wheels spinning as he wanders downtown Burien, listening to the soundtrack of the ′50s and ′60s. If that’s not perfect enough, stop by to see what’s cookin’ at the a chili cook-off.
Father’s Day Car Show at Country Village
Convince Dad to pull the sheet off his vintage auto and let her shine. Of course, just looking is fun too. Fathers can enter a drawing for a $50 gift certificate courtesy of Country Village merchants.
Emily Metcalfe Smith is an aspiring writer, wannabe supermom and ParentMap’s Out & About intern.
