Father's Day 2018: 6 places in metro Atlanta to take dad

It’s time to do something for the guy who helped bring you into this world, you know, dear old dad.

If you’re like most people, you’ll probably just give him a quick phone call, buy him a card or maybe even run out to the store to grab him yet another tie (if you didn’t effortlessly order it from the internet). But if you can put in a little effort, you may want to spend the day with him to remind him why all those years changing your diapers and guiding you through your teens were worth it.

Z. Brown Distillery — Dahlonega

If pops is a fan of the mountains, music and whiskey, it's worth taking a drive to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to check out Z. Brown Distillery. The distillery now offers free tastings of spirits made on-site and a shop with Zac Brown Band gear and knives from Brown's Georgia-based knife company. It's open from noon to 5 p.m. every Sunday. It was previously known as Stillhouse Creek Distillery until country music star Zac Brown formed a strategic alliance with Stillhouse Creek and rebranded it in September.

Free. 2148 Town Creek Church Road, Dahlonega. 706-348-2019, Facebook: Z. Brown Distillery.

Braves Game — SunTrust Park

What’s more American than taking dad to a ballgame on Father’s Day? Not much. The Atlanta Braves will face the San Diego Padres at 1:35 p.m. June 17. The Braves are giving away a pair of Braves socks to the first 10,000 men. The club had a ticket package offer for a 20-minute game of catch on the field for dads and their kids, but it sold out. For the dads with little sluggers, kids can run the bases after the game (like every Sunday).

$7 and up. 755 Battery Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-614-2300, mlb.com/braves.

National Auto Sport Association — Road Atlanta

If your dad has a hankering for speed, Road Atlanta may be your bet. The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) is in town, and tickets are $10 for nonmembers with kids 12 and younger getting in free when accompanied by an adult. The two-day semi-pro racing event (which starts June 16) includes race and high-performance street cars from American Iron to Spec Miata.

$10 at the gates; free for NASA members. 5300 Winder Highway, Braselton. 770-967-6143, roadatlanta.com/nasa2.

Chattahoochee Nature Center — Roswell

If you’re looking for some time with Mother Nature, dad and granddad can visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center for free on Father’s Day to enjoy picnicking, wildlife walks, hiking trails, animal demonstrations and an inflatable planetarium. The center also offers a Father’s Day Canoe Trip for $35 to Riverside Park. Fathers, beware: The nature center supplies water squirters on the trip to cool things off.

$10; senior citizens (ages 65 and older) and students ages 13-18, $7; children ages 3-12, $6; free for children 2 and younger. 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055, chattnaturecenter.org.

Festivals of Speed — Alpharetta

Is dad a motorhead? The second annual free car show at Avalon in Alpharetta runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 17. The event features vintage and contemporary models from Lamborghini, Porsche, Ferrari, McLaren, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Food, drinks and music will also be available. A $125 VIP ticket is available for those seeking premium food options and a premium open bar.

Free (must register online). Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta. 352-385-9450, festivalsofspeed.com.

Zoo Atlanta — Grant Park

Does dad like to monkey around? Then give him a day at the zoo and see the world-famous twin panda cubs Ya Lun and Xi Lun. Papa bear gets free admission with the purchase of a regularly priced child’s or adult’s general admission ticket. Daddy-o also gets in free if he is joined by a Zoo Atlanta member (up to two dads per membership).

$22.99 ($25.99 at gate); college students, $21.99 (only at gate); senior citizens (ages 65 and older), $18.99 ($21.99 at gate); children ages 3-11, $16.99 ($17.99 at gate); free for children ages 2 and younger; free for military. 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-624-9453, zooatlanta.org.