Dads are the best – they’ve taught us how to pitch our first tents, get a grill going, drive our first cars, and maybe even chaperoned your first R-rated movie. So this Father’s Day, give Dad a gift he’ll always remember by tapping into his favorite hobbies, whether he’s an outdoorsman, a foodie, or a movie buff.
Greenbrier State Park, located in Maryland’s Appalachian Mountains, provides the perfect mix of camping, hiking, and beaching that outdoorsy Dads will love. Centered by a man-made lake adept for fishing, boating, swimming, and sunbathing, the park makes the perfect Father’s Day weekend camping destination. Pick up all your gear – from the tent and cooking utensils to boots and solar-powered generators – at camper’s paradise, REI. Stock the cooler with Dad’s favorite foods – The Fresh Market’s prepared foods include easy, portable options like Roasted Chicken Salad and Broccoli Cranberry Slaw, and their meat counter features made-in-store gourmet burger patties. Before you hit the road (the drive is 1.5 hours from the District), grab some sandwiches from the newly opened deli at Beer and Wine Cellar in Congressional Plaza, and pick up Dad’s favorite new summer reads (or spooky stories for fireside) from Barnes & Noble at Montrose Crossing.
If your Dad goes crazy for any time behind the grill, throw him a Backyard Cookout Throw Down in the spirit of Food Network’s “Chopped”. Start by picking up giftable grill goodies and utensils (from the grill itself to metal trays and spatulas) at Williams-Sonoma. Next you’ll need to stock your “mystery basket” with all the gourmet spices, sauces, meats, and veggies. Sur La Table’s selection of BBQ rubs, burger starter sauces, infused marinades, and spices are great additions that will keep showing up in Dad’s summer recipes. Then you’ll need to grab the real goods from your favorite grocer (Giant, Trader Joe’s or The Fresh Market are some of our picks) – think steaks, salmon, ground beef, shrimp, zucchini, baby tomatoes, mushrooms, potatoes, and anything else Dad loves to eat. Then let him get to work preparing his perfect meal on the grill (that you’ll get to enjoy, too)!
An afternoon meal and movie more of Dad’s scene? Try treating him to brunch and a flick at Pike & Rose. Enjoy a bite at Julii (we love the Bagel Service and Shakshuka) or get the weekend brunch buffet from Stella Barra (that Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding, though!), then head over to IPIC North Bethesda for the latest Marvel box office hit, Avengers: Endgame. You can even skip brunch beforehand and enjoy lunch, cocktails, desserts and more from your reclining movie seats. If Dad doesn’t know the difference between Iron Man and Ant-Man, Bethesda Row is the move. Catch Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema’s new Elton John musical biopic, RocketMan, and enjoy a farm-to-table spread at Terrain Café, Spanish tapas galore at Jaleo by Jose Andrés, or a classic French brunch from Mon Ami Gabi. Voila! The perfect afternoon.
