This year, Father’s Day lands on June 16th. If you’re still looking for gift inspiration, why not surprise the father figure in your life with a vacation to one of the destinations below? The family-friendly excursions below have something for everyone.
For the outdoorsy dad
A man and child overlooking mountains by Derek Owens – Unsplash
Head to New York for an epic hiking trip. The Northville-Placid Trail was developed in 1922 as one of the Adirondack Mountain Club’s first projects. Completed in 1924, this 138-mile route traverses the Adirondack Park, from the town of Northville to Lake Placid. This year, the Northville-Placid Trail (NPT) continues its 100th anniversary celebration with a series of hikes, exhibitions, community celebrations, and other events throughout the summer. Adirondack Hamlets to Huts and ADKX, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, are offering guided hikes, exhibits and information sessions for community members and visitors.
Adirondack Hamlets to Huts, a nonprofit organization that has created a series of guided and self-guided community-based hut-to-hut hiking and paddling routes throughout the Adirondacks that link the region’s communities with daytime adventure and nighttime comfort, is offering a guided, supported hike of the Northville-Placid Trail the latter half of July for those interested in an immersive experience. This unique offering is designed to commemorate the milestone anniversary.
According to Joe Dadey, executive director of Adirondack Hamlets to Huts, participants can choose to hike the entire length of the trail or may opt to do one or two of the four-day sections. “These hikes include the opportunity to hike with knowledgeable guides while enjoying shuttle services, traditional lodging at select locations, glamping, luggage transfer and other excursion logistics managed by our organization,” he said. “Essentially we are acting as trail angels for those who take part in these hikes.”
Dadey also explained that the Northville-Placid Trail provides for one of the most remote wilderness treks in the Adirondack Park, offering an incredible experience. “This trail traverses the most central part of the Adirondack Park – it takes hikers to areas that they would never otherwise see,” he said. “The NPT 100 hikes that we are offering align perfectly with our mission, allowing us to guide people through the wilderness, while also allowing them to experience the region’s small communities. It’s the perfect blend of a true wilderness experience with local Adirondack comfort.”
Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake is hosting a special two-year exhibit, featuring information about the history of the NPT, the team that developed it, residents along the trail’s route and information about how the trail is used today. It will also be offering guided outings along the trail throughout the summer, along with a series of “Tuesday Trail Talks” featuring Northville-Placid Trail experts.
The museum is also planning a celebration on July 9, coinciding with the initial Tuesday Trail Talk – NPT Centennial Celebration: Half Way in Hamilton County. The event, taking place about 10 miles from the Northville-Placid Trail’s halfway point, will feature nature walks, a scavenger hunt, tour of the trail markers exhibit, campfire with s’more-making supplies and an opportunity to be part of a commemorative photo featuring 138 NPT hikers, each representing one mile of the route.
Additional celebrations are being planned by celebration organizers, local towns, county officials and other organizations such as the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism and the Adirondack Mountain Club, in conjunction with various Adirondack organizations and local attractions. Celebration organizers have also planned a number of community celebrations along the route and at the trail’s end in Lake Placid. Hamilton County will host a community-based celebration on August 24 at The Inn on Piseco Lake, featuring live music, vendors, exhibits and activities. Lake Placid is also planning to host an event on September 14 at the Lake Placid-North Elba Historical Society in Lake Placid; the official terminus of the NPT, where those completing the trail are able to sign the official register.
Earlier this year, the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) created a new website, NPT100.com, to share trail information, upcoming events, trail maintenance projects, hiker stories and nearby community information about the hiking route with those planning to hike the trail. Additional information about the trail, along with upcoming events can be found at NPT100.com. Those who wish to take part in the Adirondack Hamlets to Huts hike should contact Joe Dadey at 315-657-1320.
For the captain of the RV
A family plays next to their RV by Roadpass – Unsplash
Great Escapes RV Resorts in Branson, Missouri and Bryan-College Station, Texas are helping kids give their dads the special recognition they deserve this Father’s Day. Both locations have created full schedules of engaging activities that will make for a truly memorable experience.
With the recent completion of a multi-year expansion and makeover, Great Escapes Branson is the best Father’s Day family RV and camping destination in the area. A root beer chugging contest and log rolling are just two of the exciting activities planned. Kids will have the opportunity to express their gratitude by creating a one-of-a-kind token of appreciation for their fathers.
The reimagined resort features a new resort-style pool. Lodging options abound with new luxury glamping cabins, covered wagons and a spacious vacation home. From the jumping pillow and Wibit floating obstacle course to scheduled activities, the fun is virtually endless. Visit www.greatescapesbranson.com for information and reservations. Day passes are available. Buy them at the resort.
The Brazos Valley’s newest luxury camping, glamping and RV destination is putting on a Texas-sized celebration, “King of the Park: Celebrating Super Dads,” guaranteed to make all dads feel appreciated. Special surprises, thrilling activities, and unique tokens of appreciation made by kids will highlight the event. Along with two resort-style pools, Great Escapes Bryan-College Station features a lake with a Wibit floating water obstacle course, a sand volleyball court and a sports court with basketball, pickleball and tennis, and a fitness center. The Hangout is the perfect spot for dads and kids to cool down and play pool, table shuffleboard, and ping pong. Visit www.greatescapesbcs.com for information and reservations.
For the cowboy at heart
A cowboy and his gear by Taylor Brandon – Unsplash
In June, the Mustang Heritage Foundation sponsors the Mustang Heritage Spectacular, a 4-day, 3 show event at the Williamson County Agricultural Exposition Park in Franklin, Tennessee. This is a week celebrating an American Icon, the wild Mustang and their impact on not only Tennessee, but the world. In the 2024 Session, the Tennessee State Legislature, in a joint resolution co-sponsored by State Senator Jack Johnson and State Representative Jake McCalmon, in a unanimous vote it was declared June 17-23, 2024, as Mustang Heritage Week in Tennessee.
While the arena floor will shine with The Extreme Mustang Makeover, a Celebrity Freestyle Challenge, and an Open Show featuring Mustangs that range from 120 days in training doing amazing things, to Mustangs and wild burros who have been in training and ownership for years, and Celebrity Mustangs who are used by professionals in the horse world in clinics and entertainment around the country.
Along with wild horses doing incredible things, the shopping is top tier with over 100 vendor spaces of a huge variety of apparel, art, health products, jewelry, boots, hats, and more. Food vendors with supreme roasted coffee, freeze dried candy, BBQ, ice cream, roasted nuts, unique beverages and concessions operated by local Williamson County non-profits as fund-raisers.
Kicking off on Friday, June 14th, the Equestrian Legacy Radio All American Mustang will host a Trail Ride to True West Campground in Jamestown, TN. Then on Tuesday, June 18th, Music for Mustangs, headlined by legendary songwriter artist, Skip Ewing and Horsepower 307 will take place at the Texas Troubadour Theatre on Music Valley Drive. Other acts lending their music voice to saving the Mustang include William Lee Golden and the Goldens, Ira Dean, John Berry, Twitty and Lynn, Rick Monroe and the Hitmen, Stephanie Quayle, Garrett Bradford, Ryan Larkins, CJ Field, Sarah Beth Terry, Brady Seals, and some special drop-in special guests. The show starts at 6:30pm.
On Wednesday, June 19th, Stable Reserve Distillery in Franklin, TN hosts Wild Horses and Whiskey which is an art, whiskey-tasting, and musical reception free to the public which highlights Mustang and Western Art from local artists. A portion of the proceeds for the sales of this evening benefit the Mustang Heritage Foundation.
The Silent Auction is an online event during the week leading up to and during Mustang Heritage Week and includes rare collectibles and luxury items like a signed Jimmy Buffett guitar, Charlie Daniels’ signed fiddle, a signed Taylor Swift photo collage, Lainey Wilson’s signed guitar and items from Garth Brooks, the Beatles, Johnny Cash and literally things you cannot find anywhere else.
All fundraising events benefit Mustang Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, that “Brings the Mustangs Home”. Working with trainers and creating events, Mustangs formerly in holding across the country can now find forever homes and jobs with programs to benefit veterans, youth, trauma victims, inmates, and in the private sector focusing on our trail riding program, family horse events, and ranch work.
Admission is $10/Thursday, $20/Fri-Sat-Sun, Weekend Pass $50 and Kids 10-under FREE. For more information, please visit www.mustangheritagefoundation.org.
For the king of “dad jokes”
A mic on stage by Matthias Wagner – Unsplash
Head to Daytona Beach, Florida for a fun beachside vacation as well as great comedic entertainment. There will be plenty of laughter coming from the Ocean Center on Sunday, June 16th with Bert “The Machine” Kreischer’s third annual Fully Loaded Comedy Festival. One of the top comedy events of the year will feature a comedy line-up that includes Kreischer, Big Jay Oakerson, Dan Soder, Bobby Lee, Chad Daniels, Cipha Sounds, Kelsey Cook, and Kyle Kinane.
Later in the summer, comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias will be performing at Peabody Auditorium on Thursday, July 11th as part of his Gabriel Iglesias: Don’t Worry Be Fluffy Tour. Iglesias is one of the world’s most successful stand-up comedians. He recently became the second highest-grossing touring comedian and is one of the most-watched comedians on YouTube, with over 1.1 billion views and over 25 million fans on social media.
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