Patch Picks for Father's Day

Patch Pick’s for Father’s Day

No matter what your dad — or husband — is interested in, there are plenty of fun ways to spend Father’s Day with your favorite guy, from museums to art to golf to beer. One of these options is sure to please him!

1. Is dad interested in museums or aviation? Look no further than the Museum of Flight—and admission is FREE for dads on Father’s Day.  There are tons of activities at the museum that will please every age group. The Aviation Learning Center, is a hands-on place to learn what it is like to pilot a plane, and the Challenger Mission Center—gives young people the knowledge on being an astronaut on a trip to Mars. Be sure to check out the permanent exhibit of Air Force One—the presidents plane—and see what it was like to travel in the days of President’s Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon. Dad gets in free, mom pays $16/adult admission, and kids ages 5-17, pay $9. The Museum opens at 10 a.m. on Father’s Day.
2. You could take dad out to the ballpark for his special day. The Seattle Mariners are in town on Father’s Day, and they play the Philadelphia Phillies. The first 10,000 dad’s in attendance will receive a 2011 Mariners 4-coaster set. It is also Youth Baseball Day and Little League Day at Safeco field. Kids 14 and under will receive a Franklin Gutierrez poster. Little Leaguers can participate in a parade on the field, starting at 11:30 a.m. The game starts at 1:10 p.m. Tickets range in price. For complete details see the Seattle Mariners  or Ticketmaster.
3. If dad is into art — the Edmonds Art Festival is consistently one of the best in the region. Located in the picturesque setting near the water, it features a juried exhibit of more than 450 exhibitors—with truly top-notch work. And, best of all the festival is free. Artists exhibit works in every medium that you can imagine — oils, watercolors, sculpture, yard art, jewelry, clothing, furniture, ceramics, and music. There are plenty of food vendors on site, or you can wander around the delightful town of Edmonds for a bite to eat and to shop as well.
4. Is dad a golfer? Spring for a round or two. There are a plethora of options to choose from less expensive to a more pricey round according to my golf-guru extraordinaire, Jason  Parker.  Those in the know say that Druids Glen Golf Club is the crème-da-la-crème.  It has amazing views, challenging bunkers, and nine lakes. Green Fees with carts on Saturday/Sunday is $72. While the course is listed as one of the top ten challenging courses, by Access Golf, LLC, it is appropriate for all skill levels.

Our own public course in Renton, Maplewood Golf Course, is a 72 par course, and is less pricey than Druids Glen, but a fine and challenging 18 hole course. The green fees for 18 holes on  the weekend are $37, and $26 for cart fees, but the course is very walkable. Maplewood is offering a special for Father's Day. Take 50% merchandise in the Pro Shop. Spring for a new golf shirt for dad or let him stock up on golf balls, tees, or accessories.

And, for a less expensive round, try Jade Greens in Auburn:  18 holes is only $30. Add a cart for a mere $12.50.

5. Dads and beer seem to go together, so you might consider taking dad to for a pint (or two) of  one of their 28 beers on tap and some of their tasty fish-and-chips, or a thick Ruben Sandwich piled high with their cooked in house corned beef and piled on kraut. The dad in this household can’t turn down the Shepherd’s Pie with a pint of Stout.