Father’s Day is on June 21st and will be here before you know it! While we think dads should definitely be celebrated year-round, we aren’t going to pass up an opportunity to show him a little extra love.
If you need a little help coming up with the perfect Father’s Day plan, below are some great things to do with dad in Ann Arbor along with a few local gift ideas. No matter how you decide to celebrate, we hope your dad feels special. And if you yourself are a dad, in any form or fashion, thank you for all that you do. Happy Father’s Day!

Events + Activities

See Vintage Cars at the Monthly Ann Arbor Cars & Coffee

Photo courtesy of Ann Arbor Cars & Coffee

Coffee, pastries and classic cars? Count us in! Head to Zingerman’s Roadhouse on the third Saturday of the month (June 20th) for a morning of car enthusiast fun. The parking lot, serving coffee and pastries, is open from 7:30–9 a.m. After 9, you can continue the Father’s Day weekend fun at their restaurant.
 

Play a Round of Golf

Ann Arbor’s terrain makes it a perfect destination for golfers, and thankfully, we have a number of lush, championship golf courses in the area. No matter what your dad’s skill level is, you’re sure to have a blast. Stonebridge Golf Club is a high-quality course that offers 18 holes and a driving range. Another one of our favorites, Leslie Park, is one of the top municipal golf courses in Michigan featuring a variety of holes at all levels of difficulty.
 

Go for a Bike Ride

Ann Arbor is a bike-friendly city with more than 87 miles of bike lanes, over 900 bike parking spaces downtown and, of course, plenty of incredible bike trails to explore! One of our favorites is the Border-to-Border trail, which currently consists of 40 miles of trails perfect for biking, walking, jogging and more throughout Washtenaw County. Click here for more information about B2B from Washtenaw County’s website, including a map, a destination list and information on future construction.
 

Sign Him Up for an Online Class

Many people are using the extra time at home to learn a new skill–from knitting to breadmaking and even learning a new language. Right now, there’s no shortage of online learning courses to help your dad learn how to do anything and everything. Check out Zingerman’s Bakehouse’s Instagram, where they’ve been teaching their followers how to bake bread. The Studio Centre is now offering Zoom virtual dance classes, where you can learn how to dance jazz, ballet, tap and more. No matter what your dad has been dying to learn, there is a local online class he can take from the comfort of his own home.
 

Celebrate at the 2020 Quarantine Cat Film Festival

Does your dad need a good laugh? This “ameowsing” virtual event from the Michigan Theater will definitely do the trick! Cat videos have been a phenomenon ever since the Internet was created. So it’s no surprise to us that the Michigan Theater is capitalizing on that fact with a festival for the whole family. This event on June 19th will feature a compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos sourced from submissions, animations, music videos and classic internet powerhouses. 50% of the proceeds will go to support your local independent theater. Click here to watch the trailer and to get your tickets!
 

Go Fishing

The state of Michigan is made up of more than 40 percent water. Here in Southeast Michigan, much of that acreage is the Huron River, a designated National Water Trail that winds through the entire region and has been developed into one of the best, most beautiful, and most accessible recreation opportunities in Michigan. And where there’s water, there’s fishing!
Because we are a region that loves fishing, we have an entire guide that includes information on how to get your fishing license, the best fishing spots in the area, and places where you can learn how to cast a line! Check out Your Guide to Fishing in the Ann Arbor Area.
 

Watch a Movie Together

No matter how old you get, you just can’t beat watching a movie with your dad. Whether it’s a trip down memory lane or a brand new release, we recommend pulling up Netflix, popping some popcorn and sitting down to watch a film together this Father’s Day. The Michigan Theater is currently selling curbside concessions if you want to keep your movie snacks local!
 

Gift Ideas

Some New Books For His Collection

Is your father a certified bibliophile? Then we can’t think of a better Father’s Day gift than a few brand new books! Luckily, Ann Arbor is practically bursting with amazing independent bookstores where you can shop for the perfect stack. Plus, many of them are currently offering free shipping, same-day delivery, or curbside pickup including Literati, The Dawn Treader Book Shop, Nicola’s Books and more. Looking for some reading recommendations? Check out our list of books by Michigan authors to put on your reading list!
 

A Jar of Cherry Republic BBQ Sauce

Photo courtesy of Cherry Republic

Cherry Republic is a Michigan business dedicated to Michigan’s Montmorency Tart Cherry and all the delectable products it can help to create. Their inventory boasts more than 200 cherry-based products—including a famous cherry sauce your barbecue-loving dad is sure to be obsessed with. It may be too late to shop online, but you can still stop by the retail shops in Glen Arbor, Traverse City, Holland, Frankenmuth, Charlevoix and right here in Ann Arbor.
 

A New Puzzle from Rock Paper Scissors

Located on Main Street in Ann Arbor, Rock Paper Scissors is a paper goods and gift store. In addition to their huge selection of personalized stationery and cards, they carry a variety of fun and funny gifts: mugs, glasses, books, candles, balms, cocktail mixers, keychains, decor and, of course, puzzles! If you’re looking to get your dad something entertaining, challenging and fun, a puzzle may just be the perfect gift.
 

Some Michigan Merch from the M Den

The M Den is the official retailer of Michigan Athletics, which means you can find branded clothing, Michigan Nike products, hats, furniture and home decor, autographed memorabilia, toys, jewelry, pet accessories and more. You can shop for your dad online here or stop by one of five Ann Arbor locations to shop in person.
 

Sign Him Up for a Local Coffee Subscription Service

Photo courtesy of Stovetop Roasters

Some people just can’t live without their signature cup of Joe in the morning (and we don’t blame them). If your dad has a particular love of local coffee, we have some good news for you. Many local coffee shops and roasters are now offering subscription services—so your dad can have a bag of coffee delivered right to his door every week, two weeks or month depending on the subscription. Just check out 7 Coffee Subscriptions in the Ann Arbor Area for some ideas!
 

Some Jerky from True North

If you’ve got a snack-loving father, check out True North, a locally owned and operated specialty meat shop in Chelsea. In store, you can shop smoked meats and fish, handmade sausages, bratwurst, burger patties, hand cut steaks and more. And their jerky, award-winning snack sticks, hot sauces and specialty cheeses are perfect small gifts to show your dad how much you love him.
 

A Growler From His Favorite Brewery

If your dad just can’t get enough of local beer, a growler from a local brewery might be the perfect gift for him this Father’s Day. Click here for a list of the best breweries in the Ann Arbor area where you can pick up a growler, a six-pack, a gift certificate and more for your pop.
 

Happy Father’s Day!

Let us know how you’re planning to celebrate in the comments!