Finding the perfect way to celebrate dad in Atlanta this Father’s Day has a dilemma all its own. Like a closet full of ties of different stripes, there’s no shortage of options.
Narrowing down the list the best we can, we have several ideas for dedicating a day to dad.
Zoo Atlanta
Dad may go ape over an afternoon at Zoo Atlanta. Patriarchs will score free admission on Father’s Day with the purchase of any full-price child’s or adult’s ticket. If pop hasn’t been to the zoo in a while, make sure he sees the latest residents of the new Amphibian and Reptile Experience. A quartet of American alligators just moved into the new digs, which feature a 30-foot waterfall.
9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. June 21. $22.99; $17.99 ages 3-11; free ages 2 and younger; $18.99 college students and ages 65 and older. 800 Cherokee Ave., S.E., Atlanta. 404-624-9453, zooatlanta.org.
Georgia Aquarium
Take your dad on an on-the-house tour of this aquatic haven. More than 10 million gallons of fresh and marine water are home to a variety of denizens, from cutesy beluga whales to mammoth whale sharks. Peruse the underwater galleries, the Sea Monsters Revealed: Aquatic Bodies exhibit, the “Dolphin Tales” show and more. Buy one regular-priced adult, senior or child’s ticket, and dad gets a freebie. All other admissions must be purchased in advance online. When your group arrives, dad will get a Father’s Day card from the aquarium with surprise gifts and offers inside.
9 a.m.-6 p.m. June 21. $35.95; $29.95 ages 3-12; $31.95 ages 65 and older. 225 Baker St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-581-4000, georgiaaquarium.org.
Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty
You can call this WNBA event the ultimate daddy-daughter sports date. In fact, the Atlanta Dream is dubbing it Dads & Daughters Day. Pop can get his sports fix at a basketball game and his daughter can revel in a heavy dose of girl power cheering on the Dream’s Angel McCoughtry, Tiffany Hayes and Sancho Lyttle as they take the court.
3 p.m. June 21. $12-$232 plus Ticketmaster fees. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. 1-800-653-8000, ticketmaster.com.
Father’s Day car show
Stone Mountain Park cranks up a special car show in honor of dads. Simply pay parking admission to the park, and the show is free. Among the cars on view will be 1950s-era rides, including Mustangs and Chevys. Fathers also get a free Adventure Pass — allowing access to a slew of attractions — with the purchase of another Adventure Pass.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 21. $15 daily parking. Adventure Pass: $24.95-$29.95 with discounts available online. Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Drive, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690, stonemountainpark.com.
Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets
Father’s Day sees an early evening game. It’s Alumni Sunday, which means past players will sign autographs in Braves Fan Plaza beginning at 3 p.m. After the game, kids 14 and younger can run the bases. Those who’d like to celebrate a day early can watch the Braves battle the Mets June 20 and take advantage of a free postgame Boyz II Men concert.
5:05 p.m. June 21. $10-$88 plus Ticketmaster fees. Turner Field, 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta. 1-800-653-8000, ticketmaster.com.
Pre-Father’s Day BBQ and Blues Fest
For dads who love the blues, the day before Father’s Day will see Muscle Shoals soul legend Clarence Carter (“Patches,” “Slip Away”) alongside blues vocalists Sir Charles Jones and Bobby Rush at this outdoor venue. Sadly, Southern soul singer Mel Waiters, who was scheduled to appear, died late last month. Fans can raise a glass to Waiters with a variety of libations available, and expect food vendors aplenty, with an emphasis on smoked ’cue. If you’d rather bring your own spread for dad, Wolf Creek allows picnic baskets and both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.
7 p.m. June 20. VIP table seats $80-$85; reserved seats $47-$52; general admission lawn seating $25-$30. Wolf Creek Amphitheater, 3025 Merk Road S.W., Atlanta. 404-613-9653, wolfcreekamphitheater.com.
Shula’s 347 Grill
The upscale sports bar and steakhouse in the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead has a game plan for Father’s Day. In addition to its regular menu, Shula’s will offer a special prix fixe menu. For $46, guests get a choice of salad; either a 12-ounce ribeye, fish and lump crab, or crab cake and scallops; and a choice of dessert. Named after former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula, Shula’s restaurants take pride in their Black Angus beef, which they breed and age themselves.
11 a.m.-midnight June 21. Shula’s 347 Grill, 3405 Lenox Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-848-7345, shulas347atlanta.com.
Medieval Times
To many, dad remains a knight in shining armor. They can honor him in royal fashion at Medieval Times with dinner and a show. The latter features knights battling it out by jousting on horseback. Diners nosh on roasted chicken with their hands while cheering on their favorite knight. The pageantry also includes birds of prey and trained horses. Now through June 21, dads get a free ticket with the purchase of one full-priced adult ticket. Give pop a little extra by springing for the Father’s Day Package. For $25, fathers gets a 25-ounce beer stein filled with either beer or soda pop; a photo in a souvenir frame; and a Super Dad cape.
Check the website for show times. $54.95; $36.95 ages 12 and younger; free for lap children ages 3 and younger. 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 770-225-0230, medievaltimes.com.
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