Fun Things to Do With Dad in Paradise

When it's time to do something special for your dad, break out of the gift card rut and take your pops out for a day filled with the things he enjoys most. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, experience these father-approved activities in The Palm Beaches, plus some unique packages and gifts to make his day extra-special.

Paddle with Pops

What better way to connect than with a day on the water? The Palm Beaches have 125 miles of tropical waterways, so treating him to a paddleboard, canoe or kayak trip is a surefire hit. There are many places to paddle here, including the Jupiter Inlet, Lake Worth Lagoon and sections of the Intracoastal Waterway, with popular paddling parks including Riverbend Park, John D. Macarthur Beach State Park and Snook Islands Natural Area. You can rent gear at places like Jupiter Outdoor Center, Blueline Surf and Paddle Co. or Visit Palm Beach. Odds are that there’s an outfitter near you, no matter where you’re staying in The Palm Beaches.

Travel Back in Time

Historic places and stories about pioneers and adventurers abound in The Palm Beaches. Consider embarking on a historic tour of the region’s great landmarks. Don’t miss compelling attractions like Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, Morikami Museum, and Japanese Gardens, and the Boca Express Train Station. Interested in even more historical places? The Palm Beaches have many to choose from.

Explore Lush Parks

A day at the park with family is a laid-back, low-key way to show how much you care. Explore trails by foot, listen to the sound of the waves or cook up Dad’s favorites on a sizzling grill. A selection of 85 parks is just a drive away from anywhere in The Palm Beaches, from inland favorites like Okeeheelee Park, Lake Ida West Park, and John Prince Park to the beachfront gems of Carlin Park, Ocean Ridge Hammock Park, and Oceanfront Beach Park.

Deep-Sea Fishing

Watch Dad’s face light up when he hears that you’re taking him deep-sea fishing. For the Atlantic Ocean fisherman, the Gulf Stream is closest to land just off The Palm Beaches’ coastline, and that means clear turquoise waters teeming with hungry sport fish. You can set up a private outing with an experienced charter, or you can join a larger group aboard a deep-sea fishing boat like those on the Blue Heron Fleet. 

Sample Some Suds

With a growing list of more than 20 local craft beer breweries, The Palm Beaches offer a variety of brewery experiences to show Dad a good time. Check out the Ale Trail of The Palm Beaches to see the breweries closest to you and map out a fun tasting route, or sign up for a tour with the Damn Good Beer Bus.

Play Some Classic Pinball

For those seeking the nostalgia of youthful pastimes combined with modern delights, the Silverball Retro Arcade in Delray Beach is a museum, restaurant and entertainment center in one super-cool location. Tickets include free play on an array of classic pinball machines and arcade games, and the venue also features a full menu of bar food favorites. Add in a stage for live music and TVs for watching sports, and it’s basically Dad’s new favorite place.

Savor Local Flavors

For the father that’s also a foodie, The Palm Beaches’ food halls are festive culinary playgrounds, perfect for treating Dad to a variety of tempting dishes complete with coffee and cocktails. Whether you choose the Grandview Public Market in West Palm Beach or the Delray Beach Market, you’ll be in awe of the range of available cuisines in these trendy spaces. If sampling menu items from multiple restaurants while also sightseeing is more the right speed, sign up for a West Palm Beach Food Tour.

Special Deals & Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

Reconnect with Dad and your artistic sides at The Boca Raton Museum of Art in Mizner Park. The museum is offering free admission on Father’s Day, courtesy of PNC Bank. The museum will be open to the public free of charge from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, June 20, 2021.

Combine a custom gift with a delicious meal at Proper Grit at The Ben hotel in West Palm Beach. Sign up for a complimentary engraving on new-to-market Greenbriar Tennessee Whiskey bottles with the purchase of a bottle (Greenbriar retails at between $80-$100). The engraving will take place Saturday, June 19, and will be free for the first 50 purchasers. Guests that purchase the bottles and return to the restaurant on Father’s Day will also receive a free Greenbriar whiskey drink for Dad with a meal on Father’s Day.

The Brazilian Court Salon, nestled inside the legendary Brazilian Court Hotel in Palm Beach, invites dads and father figures to take some time for themselves and relax within the lushly cloaked courtyards of this historic enclave. This special offer includes a men’s mani/pedi combo and invigorating facial, starting at $309. Add a customized Royal Brazilian Shave in the salon’s new private men’s longue. Based on availability at time of booking.

Make it a full Father’s Day weekend at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan. Starting June 1, the beach resort is offering a third night free when you book two nights. And on Father’s Day weekend, overnight guests can add a Provence Picnic Package (starting at $132) to their stay. The package includes a tote bag from Chateau d’Esclans, which includes a bottle of Whispering Angel; a bottle of The Palm by Whispering Angel; a bottle of the super-deluxe Rock Angel; an order of house-made macarons; and a complimentary sea turtle adoption from Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Father’s Day weekend events include a cocktail class at Stir Bar & Lounge from 4 – 6 p.m. on Friday, June 18; a beer tasting class from 4 – 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 19; and a Burgers and Blues BrewBQ at Breeze Ocean Kitchen, featuring signature burgers, specialty flights, pints and growlers, along with live music, from noon – 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 19. On Sunday, June 20, savor Father’s Day A La Carte Brunch at Temple Orange, featuring an unlimited selection of small plates (they bring the buffet to you!) for $125 per person. For an additional $25 per person, enjoy bottomless Bloody Mary’s, beer and bourbon cocktails.

The Museum Store at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach is brimming with one-of-a-kind gifts that pops is sure to prize. Take your chichi's ("father" in Japanese) taste buds and his green thumb to the Land of the Rising Sun with Japanese Herb Seed Kits ($12). Stocked with seedlings, potting mix and gardening instructions, each kit arrives in sealed, plastic-lined paper bags to preserve freshness. Available herb selections include Hawk Claw, Shiso and Wasabina. Help Dad bump up his bar cart game with a bottle of good sake and dapper drinking essentials. The elegant, handcrafted Japanese Sake Set ($45) features a calligraphed flask, or tokkuri, and four ceramic cups called o-choko. Or set Pops up with a Tabletop Zen Garden ($35), which helps inspire the calming effects of raking by creating delicate patterns using sand and rocks. Features include an 11”x7” wooden tray, a garden rake and meditation book.