By Sarah Sussman
With Father’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to plan out how you’re going to spoil the important man in your life. Whether you’re looking to pick up the perfect gift, need a dining recommendation or want some activity ideas, here are five things you can do for dad in Calgary on Father’s Day this year. [Photo credit: istockphoto.com/KucherAV]
A can't-miss Father’s Day idea is to treat dad to a meal fit for a king and the best way to do that is by kicking things off with brunch. Heritage Park offers a generous brunch spread of breakfast noshes and gourmet Canadian fare until 2 p.m. on the mezzanine of Gasoline Alley Museum.
The Calgary Zoo’s Sunday Safari Brunch kicks things up a few notches on Father's Day with the addition of a 24-hour house-smoked Alberta brisket carving station. The buffet also features salads, seafood, antipasto, breakfast dishes and – most importantly – a massive chocolate fountain.
If you’re looking to lock in dinner plans, head over to Model Milk for the restaurant’s popular family-style Sunday Supper. For $40 per person you can enjoy a fully prepared feast of appetizers, entrees and desserts. Each week the Sunday Supper menu changes, which means you’ll get to dig into the most exclusive, decadent Model Milk offerings.
For a hands-on dinner, head to Raw Canvas in Kensington for a Father’s Day pizza-making class, featuring seasonal ingredients from local suppliers. Start off by learning how to make and knead dough, as well as how to roll out the dough and make a classic Margherita pizza pie. When the class finishes, take your prepared pizzas to the nearby Riley Park and have a picnic dinner in one of the most scenic spots in the city.
Dads are notoriously difficult to shop for. Thankfully, Calgary is home to several boutiques stocked with goodies your father will love (and actually use). Located in Inglewood, Espy is a must if your dad is looking to reinvent his look. The boutique offers a personalized shopping experience with some of the most stylish people in the city, who are all pros at helping Calgarians find their signature looks. Whether dad is looking for his new signature kicks or seeking a new pair of dad jeans that don’t actually fit like dad jeans, take him in to Espy.
For the hard-to-shop-for dad who has everything, Stuff on 11th Avenue is a boutique with an immaculately curated collection of, well, stuff. The shop features a diverse selection of clothing, accessories, grooming products, house ware and other stylish finds for the modern man.
Sometimes the best way to show dad you love him is by spending some quality time catching up and chatting. Whether pops is more into coffee or suds, take him to one of Calgary’s locally owned and operated breweries or coffee shops.
One of Calgary’s newest hidden gems, Cold Garden Beverage Company is the type of laid-back, non-pretentious microbrewery every beer-loving dad will enjoy. Located in the heart of Inglewood, the brewery’s tasting room features an adventurous line-up of beers such as the Red Smashed in Buffalo Jump ale and the cake-flavoured Cakeface lager. The tasting room is B.Y.O.F. (bring your own food) and boasts a cozy living room-style layout.
If dad is more of a coffee connoisseur, take him to 17th Avenue and drop in to Analog Coffee to enjoy a great cup of coffee in the heart of the inner city. Another hot-spot for cold brew on the avenue, Philosafy Coffee has a decadent line-up on iced coffee, lattes, chais and Americanos.
One of the most overlooked gifts is the gift of service. Instead of spending the day out on the town, commit to helping dad start (or finish) that project he’s been putting off, whether it’s cleaning out the garage, detailing the car or painting and decluttering the house. You may even be able to help dad schedule those doctor and dentist appointments he’s been putting off for years.
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You don’t need to spend a lot of money to make Father’s Day a special occasion. If you can’t afford a fancy day of gifts, dining and luxury, take a simpler route by inviting dad to take a walk or cycle with you in one of Calgary’s stunning public parks. Or, for a slightly more adventurous trip, consider heading out on one of these 6 stunning hikes near Calgary.
If you want to try something more active, the Calgary Canoe Club offers canoe rentals on the Glenmore Reservoir. Rentals cost $35 for the day or $25 for a half day and include lifejackets (which are mandatory) and paddles.
Whether you’re spending Father’s Day out on the town, catching up and conversing, or lending a hand on one of dad’s DIY projects, make sure you take the time to show dad your appreciation. Regardless of how you decide to celebrate, the most important thing you can do is let your father know how much he means to you.
