S. Florida Guide To Father's Day
People around the world are celebrating Fathers on June 19, 2011! Whether you would like to take your father or grandfather out for a special celebration with brunch, sightseeing or something that last longer down the road, there's lots to do in South Florida for that special person in your life.
Dining Out
A way to dad's heart is through his belly. Dad loves food as much as mom, and deserves a nice, relaxing meal as well. Make this Father's Day about the food and memorable food for dad all day long.
Head to BLT Steak on South Beach and dad will enjoy a complimentary "Straw Fedora" tequila cocktail with brunch. Enjoy their Steak n' Eggs on the brunch menu for $24 - an unforgettable meal for Dad, crafted by Chef Gorenstein.
The National Hotel Miami Beach will treat Dad to a hand-rolled stogie, all-he-can-drink beer bar (Dads only!) and specialty grill station. Also featuring a traditional brunch menu for $39 per adult and $19.50 per child (add $10 for unlimited Mimosas and Bloody Marys; $10 for Dad's beer bar), National Hotel's Father's Day celebration will satisfy all of Dad's temptations. The brunch is from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For reservations and more information, call 305-532-2311 or visit their Web site.
If Italian's the way to go, then visit Fratelli La Bufala in Miami Beach. Dad will get a complimentary bottle of house wine with a reservation from Open Table.
Join Big City Tavern in Las Olas this Father's Day and kids under 10 eat for free off the children's menu. Dad's can enjoy half-priced bottle and draft beer all day and all night.
For a list of other restaurants hosting Father's Day specials, visit Open Table by clicking here.
Local Attractions
The Gold Coast Railroad Museum offers dads free admission on Father's Day! The museum is a premier railroad museum in the state of Florida and one of the finer rail museums in the United States with various exhibits and rides.
Dads get free admission to the Miami Science Museumon Father's Day.
Why not join in on the fun for Big Truck Days and Ryder System, Inc. for some big truck fun? Come see Ryder Trucks, Miami-Dade County's new hybrid bus and garbage truck, and enjoy special activities for the whole family.Special activities include:
-Mousetrap Car: Students from the Museum's Upward Bound program will show visitors how to build a 'Mousetrap Car'. Visitors can build their own, and then race them, with the best design winning a prize
-For very young children: Use building blocks to create different size ramps and test how fast and how far your toy car can roll.
-Lego Car Prototyping space: Use Legos to build and test your own solar powered or air powered car, take a picture of your creation and post it to our gallery screens to make it part of the exhibit
-Kid in a Candy Box: Visitors can try their hand at packing and stacking different size candy boxes into a case, to see how much they can fit.
Click here for more information.
Dads can also enjoy a free day package at Billie Swamp Safari for the Father's Day weekend. The day package includes a swamp buggy eco-tour and shows, valued at $50.
Billie Swamp Safari is located on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in Clewiston. Explore 2,200 acres of untamed Florida Everglades preserved in its pristine state by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
Glide effortlessly along the Airboat Trail through cypress domes, see alligators, turtles, fish, birds, racoons and other animals in their natural environment, listen to traditional stories around a campfire. Splash through the swamp and view native and exotic wildlife such as bison, water buffalo, wild pigs, and ostriches up close while riding through the wetlands on a Swamp Buggy Eco-Tour, or sit back and relax at our covered Animal and Reptile Shows, held daily at Fort Critter and Billie Swamp Theater.
For more information, visit their Web site.
By Land, By Sea, By Seaplane?
Fishing
We're living in a state that has some of the best fishing spots in the world, and if you don't have a boat or fishing gear rest assured that there are many fishing fleets in South Florida that will be happy to assist.
Step aboard the Kelley Fleet for a half or full day of fishing with dad or the entire family. The boat departs everyday at 9 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. for a half-day of fishing for $40 for adults; $30 for children, plus visit their Web site and get a 10% off coupon. Want a full-day of fishing? Kelley Fleet, at the Haulover Marina in Miami Beach, offers the entire of fishing (8 hours) for $60 on Sundays for adults. All trips include bait, fishing equipment and license.
On The Water
If your dad loves boating, take him to the Father's Day Bay Cruise at Deering Estate at Cutler. Bay Cruises are offered from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the "Pelican Island Skipper," a 45-foot Corinthian Catamaran. The boat will depart from the Deering Estate and will explore the waters of Biscayne Bay. A Deering Education and Interpretive Staff Member will educate passengers on birds, sea mammals, Native Americans, and early pioneers. The vessel complies with Coast Guard regulations and is ADA accessible. Tickets are $35 per person and all ages are welcome.
On another note, if dad enjoys boats, and looking at them, he can have his chance up close and personal at the South Florida Boat Sale, which runs from June 17 to June19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
The show features 100's of bargains on boats and Personal Watercraft from dozens of internationally recognized manufacturers. Plus, a variety of exhibitors providing a wide range of marine products and more.
For more information and hours, click here.
If having a boat of his own that he can depart from after a few hours is something he may enjoy then why not provide him with a boat rental opportunity. Dad can enjoy a multitude of exhilarating waterbound escapes with full and half-day boat rentals.
Carefree Boat Club has two South Florida locations to choose from, including one in Aventura and another in Pompano Beach. They offer a membership package where dad can enjoy boating all year round.
Whether you want to rent a powerboat or luxury yacht for a day or take a boat tour, South Beach Boat Rentals is your place. Private tours are available seven days a week. Rent an 18' Sea Ray for four hours at a price of $359, rent that same boat for 8 hours for $469. The boat can fit five or fewer people.
In the Sky
Give dad a gift to remember, with a view he'll talk about forever. Take him on a seaplane ride as he soars through the clouds overlooking beautiful Miami.
Miami Seaplane tours extended their May special into the month of June. Enjoy a 15 minute seaplane tour over South Beach and Ocean Drive for $99.16, per passenger when you book two or more.
This sightseeing sensation gives you the opportunity of a life time to enjoy an unparalleled Miami tour experience from the sky in their Cessna 172 Seahawk Seaplane.
Other tours are available, including the Miami Skyline tour, Miami and Fort Lauderdale Coastline tour and the Everglades Seaplane tour.
If you catch the Groupon deal in time, you can get a 30-minute tour for $75. If not, enjoy the Skyline Seaplane tour at regular rate of $150, per passenger for 30 minutes.
Key West Seaplane Tours offers sightseeing flights to Dry Tortugas National Park, which lies in the blue and green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and is the true end of the Keys. The flight is narrated throughout, and with your pilot as your personal tour guide, it is a low altitude sight-seeing flight you will never forget.
The tour takes you through the historic downtown and harbor area, followed by a look at Fort Jefferson and the final destination at the Dry Tortugas. Check out their rates by clicking here.
If that doesn't fit the bill, there are multiple other air attractions across South Florida dad would have a blast with.
Sporting It Up For Dad
Although there are no sports games in South Florida dad will be able to attend on Father's Day, you can always present dad with tickets to an upcoming game.
If he loves baseball, the Florida Marlins have a number of upcoming games dad can cheer on for. There are six home games scheduled for the month of June alone.
Visit the Marlin's Web site, and check out their full schedule.
Not a baseball fan? Dad may enjoy season tickets for the Miami Dolphins or Miami Heat. It's a gift that will last a very long time, and dad will have a lot of memories along the way.
Season ticket prices vary so visit the Miami Dolphin's Web site .
Enjoy premium seating in the Dewar's Clubhouse for a great view of the Miami Heat game with a unique dining experience. Visit the Miami Heat's Web site for more information.
