Let Dad know just how much he’s loved with a day of family fun creating great memories doing something he enjoys with the people he loves most.
Begin with Breakfast
For many families, Father’s Day starts with a breakfast tradition. Whether it’s breakfast in bed, something fresh from the kitchen or a visit to a favorite restaurant, start the day right with a delicious and nutritious family meal.
- The Berry Best. June happens to be berry picking season, so our family started the tradition of picking blueberries on the Saturday before Father’s Day and kicking off Father’s Day with some made-from-scratch blueberry pancakes. There are many terrific berry patches in KC, but our favorite is the Berry Patch (816.618.3771). Be sure to call ahead for the picking report before you head out, and read our guide to Berry Picking in Kansas City to discover the perfect patch for your crew.
- Perfect Pancakes. We surveyed our readers to discover the best pancakes in KC. From the fastest flapjacks (Chris Cakes’ world-record setting pancakes), to the tastiest, discover the best of the best in our article, Pancakes in Kansas City.
Start Your Engines
Men love machines… fast machines, clean machines, new machines and famous machines.
- NASCAR races at the Kansas Speedway. (1.866.460.RACE (7223). Spend the day cheering for your favorite driver at the NASCAR Races at the Kansas Speedway, where they are now offering single-race tickets for the first time ever! Also in 2011, you can enjoy two NASCAR Sprint Cup races.
- Put the pedal to the metal and race dear old Dad. Want to get behind the wheel? Race go-karts outdoors at Cool Crest (816.358.0088) or Paradise Park (816.246.5224), where you can also enjoy miniature golf, arcades and more. Or head inside where you can enjoy state-of-the-art European go-karts at Sadlers (913.768.7700).
- Wash Dad’s car…well. Whether you break out the hose and suds up his car yourself, or take it to the local carwash for a wash and wax, you can’t go wrong with a top notch car wash inside and out.
- Tour the Harley Davidson plant. (816.270.8023). Unleash dad’s inner motorcycle enthusiast with a free behind-the-scenes tour of the Harley Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain Operations Plant, where visitors 12 and up can watch the assembly of a V-Rod from start to finish on weekdays.
Laugh Out Loud
It’s been said that the family that laughs together stays together. Spend Father’s Day participating in interactive comedy with the entire family!
- Comedy City in Westport (816.842.2744) is a live family-friendly improv comedy show where every show is clean (bad language isn’t allowed), funny and one-of-kind. Two comedy teams take suggestions from the audience to create laugh-out-loud sketches as they compete to earn your laughs. The shows are great for older kids, teens and adults.
- Martin City Melodrama is located in the Metcalf South Shopping Center (913.642.7576) and offers vaudeville style melodrama for the entire family. For old-fashioned slapstick fun, try this lighthearted, casual, one-of-a-kind show where the audience is encouraged to boo and hiss as the villain enters and cheer for the heroes.
- The Kansas City Improv Comedy Club at Zona Rosa (816.759.5433) features the funniest magicians in Kansas City during their family-friendly Comedy Magic Show on Saturdays at 1:00 in the afternoon.
Spend a Day on the Lake
Get back to nature and create memories at one of our local lakes enjoying one of dad’s favorite pastimes: boating, fishing or reminiscing about his own childhood building sandcastles.
- Spend the day at the beach. For land-locked Midwesterners craving a little sand between their toes, we can’t offer an ocean view, but we do feature several sandy swim beaches for affordable family fun in the sun: Blue Springs Lake (816.503.4870), Longview Lake (816.503.4870), Shawnee Mission Park Beach (913.312.8847), Kill Creek Park Beach (913.312.8847), Smithville Lake Beach (816.407.3400) and Watkins Woolen Mill State Park Lake (816.580.3387).
- Rent a boat. Pack a picnic and spend a day on the lake boating or fishing. Jackson County, MO, offers boat rental at Blue Springs Lake, Longview Lake and Lake Jacomo (816.503.4870). All three lakes offer pontoon, bass boat and fishing boat rental. Lake Jacomo also features pedal boat and canoe rental. Johnson County, KS, offers boat rental at Shawnee Mission Park and Kill Creek Park (913.312.8847); crafts include pedal boats, canoes, two-person sailboats and fishing boats. Clay County, MO, offers rental of pontoons and fishing boats at Smithville Lake (816.407.3420), and Wyandotte County, KS, offers fishing boat rental at Wyandotte County Lake (913.299.8488).
- Go fishing. Create summer memories fishing as a family. Both Kansas and Missouri have several lakes, streams and rivers with public access and good fishing. See our feature on "Fishing in KC" to discover the best fishing hole near you!
Ride the Rails
Screaming in the tunnels, listening to the rhythm of the tracks and waving at passersby… memories of train rides are a highlight of childhood.
- Dad’s FREE at the zoo. One of the most beloved family traditions in Kansas City is the train ride at the Kansas City Zoo. On Father’s Day, dads receive FREE admission and special treats at the Kansas City Zoo (816.513.5800). You just pay for the rest of the family and special attractions. Last year, patrons were excited to welcome Nikita, the polar bear, who captivates visitors with diving, swimming and playing. This year, the brand new African Sky Safari is the newest attraction, transporting visitors aboard a “ski lift style ride” for a bird’s eye view of your favorite African animals. Read our Review of the African Sky Safari and tips for your trip.
- More train rides across the Metro. There are many terrific trains across the Metro, from the KC Northern Railroad in the Northland to the Midland Railway in Baldwin City to the Belton, Grandview and KC Railroad in Cass County. Read "Train Rides in Kansas City," and discover great deals and special events in honor of dad.
Kristina Light and her girls celebrate Dad on Father’s Day every year with berry picking and sandcastles at the beach.
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