Dear old Dad.
Does he really need another tie? Or a backyard barbecue in his honor that basically ends up with him having to do most of the cooking anyway?
Nope. The best father (give or take a few “Get a haircut!” and “Clean the garage, now!”-ish tics) really deserves the best gift on Father’s Day.
That doesn't mean letting him lie around on the couch all afternoon in front of the big screen TV (or as it's known in a lot of households: Every other Sunday of the year). It does mean getting him up and out of the house to do something special and right up his alley. Especially if said alley runs through places offering food, beer and football. Plus, super cool and/or pricey sneakers that he doesn't have to listen to you whine about how all the other kids have them, so why can't you…
We've compiled the perfect Father's Day itinerary in and around Atlanta, with something new to do almost every hour between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Pick one or more stops and take Dad there, since all he really wants is to spend more time with you (well, really, he wants you to plan everything and pay for it, but that's between you and him). Don't try to take him to every stop, though, or there's a good chance neither one of you will make it to next Father's Day.
8 a.m. Start the day out bright and early — and speedy — at the WERA Cycle Jam at Road Atlanta in Braselton The three-day motorcycle racing event in categories ranging from vintage to sprints culminates in Sunday's 600cc Pro Superbike and Michelin/WERA Superbike Class races (trust us, the chopper-head in your family will know what that means). There'll also be displays, including one of historic machines. Technically, things start up around 8 a.m. with practice runs, but the gates are open 'round the clock, so you could show up even earlier and get Father's Day started while other dads are still enjoying their "surprise" breakfast in bed. Tickets available at the gate. 5300 Winder Highway, Braselton. $20 - $40. 1-800-849-RACE or 770-967-6143, www.roadatlanta.com
10 a.m. Next up: wheels and whale sharks for Pop. The Georgia Aquarium's Oceans & Autos Car and Bike Show showcases over 50 rare and exotic autos in the Oceans Ballroom — everything from a 1909 Thomas Flyer to a 1988 Lamborghini Countach 5000 S (check out the full list of cars, plus some photos, here.) Admission is $20; add it onto an aquarium general admission ticket for just $10 more and dad can also see penguins, sea lions and, yes, whale sharks, as well. 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. 225 Baker Street NW Atlanta. 404-581-4000, www.georgiaaquarium.org
11 a.m. Here in the South, dads love them some college football. They also love getting free stuff. So what could make for a better Fathers Day gift than free admission for fathers on Sunday at the College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience in downtown Atlanta? And a special gift? It's all available Sunday, along with purchase of a regular price admission ticket. Which means that, oh darn, you've gotta go along with Dad. Open Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. $19.99; $17.99 students, military and seniors (65 and over); $16.99 age 3-12. 250 Marietta St., N.W., Atlanta. 404.880.4800, www.cfbhall.com
Noon. You've spent years getting your hands into Dad's dough — now it's his turn, courtesy of Cibo E Beve's "Make Pizza with Dad" special Father's Day event. The Italian restaurant's package includes a hands-on pizza lesson, your own personal pizza and beverages. Noon - 3 p.m. $39.99 for ages 21 and over, which includes two glasses of Italian beer or wine; $29.99 under age 21. 4969 Roswell Rd., Atlanta. 404-250-8988, www.ciboatlanta.com
1 p.m. A few fathers we know would consider a Fathers Day museum visit less gift than endurance test. But what redblooded American dad wouldn't love taking in "The Rise of Sneaker Culture" at the High Museum of Art? The touring exhibition includes some 150 pairs of the de rigeur dad footwear, tracing the sneaker's roots in the rubber plantations of Brazil all the way up to Rihanna's suede Puma "creepers." Pop will get a particular kick (see what we did there?) out of an ancient pair of Chuck Taylors kicks, the high-tops no guy growing up wanted to be without. Bonus to this stop: Your party can take in all the other fascinating art and exhibts at the High. Sunday hours: Noon - 5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission: $19.50; $16.60 students and seniors; $12 children ages 6-17. 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-4444, www.high.org
3 p.m. Does the dad in your life enjoy cooking? Or just watching others cook (and getting to enjoy the um, fruits, of their labors)? Then bring him down to the Georgia Freight Depot for Family Food Fest Atlanta. The three-hour, multicultural event will feature more than 100 chefs cooking in a goodnatured competition that's also a fundraiser for the nonprofit Visions, Inc. Includes a special BBQ Grilling Competition, plus amateur and professional categories for appetizer, main dish and dessert. And yes, you get to taste lots of good food. Kids zone and free health screenings also on-site. $15 -$25. Advance tickets available online and at numerous locations (check web site). Tickets also available Sunday at the door. 65 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Atlanta. www.familyfoodfestatlanta.com
5 p.m. It's Hops with Pop! Historic Oakland Cemetery is offering the chance to soak up some fascinating history and suds during "Father's Day Malts & Vaults: Where Beer Meets History." A special guided walking tour through the East Atlanta cemetery where everyone from Margaret Mitchell and Maynard Jackson to Bobby Jones rests in peace will also cover beer as a common thread through many seemingly unrelated topics and events. Followed by a post-tour sampling of local brews courtesy of My Friend's Growler Shop for those 21 and over. Tickets also get you money off at nearby restaurants. Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.ticketalternative.com. $16, $10 for seniors and students with valid ID's. 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta. 404-688-2107, www.oaklandcemetery.com
7:30 p.m. You know how your dad is always trying to sing popular songs and accidentally — hilariously — getting the lyrics wrong? How better to cap off his Father's Day than with show tickets for the guy who does all that on purpose? That would be "Weird Al" Yankovic, of course. It's been nearly 40 years since the musical parodist first found fame with "My Bologna" (sung to the tune of The Knack's "My Sharona") and he's gone on to sell 12 million albums (and still counting). He'll be at the Fox Theatre for one show only. $46 - $76. 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-881-2100 (tickets: 855-285-8499), www.foxtheatre.org
8 p.m. But maybe Dad's musical tastes run more to the bearded one than the weird-ed one … If that's the case, then take him to Chastain Park Amphitheatre to see Kenny Rogers in concert. This could be your last chance to see the sometime Georgia resident perform live, as he announced plans last year to retire from the road and open a Kenny-themed entertainment park near Atlanta (read AJC music writer Melissa Ruggieri's story about all of that right here). $45 - $75. VIP ticket pages also available (see www.kennyrogers.com). 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta. 404-733-5012, www.chastainseries.com
9 p.m. on. Spring for dinner at Dad's favorite drive-thru. Eating fast food in the car all the way home. Could there be a more perfect ending to his perfect Father's Day?
