Father's Day is coming up on June 19: Here are 9 things to do with Dad

Nancy Olesin, MetroWest Daily News
·6 min read

Does Dad really need another power tool, coffee cup with “Best Dad” written on it or some kind of new-fangled electronic device for Father’s Day?

I don't think so.

And while some dads might appreciate “just a card,” I don’t personally know of any. One particular dad I know has a thing about “Hallmark Holidays” anyway, so don’t bother unless you made the card yourself.

Many of today's fathers are much more involved in the lives of their children than their fathers were and they may like something more than just some “stuff” from the mall or ordered from Amazon. And most fathers I know are busy people who enjoy spending time with their families.

Here are a few ideas to make this Father’s Day a day that Dad — and the whole family — will enjoy.

Let’s play games

TJ Cafe & Games employee David "Flip" Defilippo sorts football cards in front of a poster of a dragon at the Milford gaming cafe, Jan. 12, 2021.
TJ Cafe & Games employee David "Flip" Defilippo sorts football cards in front of a poster of a dragon at the Milford gaming cafe, Jan. 12, 2021.

Is your dad a bit of a geek? Bring him to Milford’s TJ Café & Games, where they have 10,000 square feet with tables for games and a sweet café with Nespresso coffee drinks, lattes, hot chocolate, tea, muffins, cookies, Cheesecake Factory desserts, Giffords ice cream and more. Dad can browse through 40 linear feet of comic books, graphic novels and manga. Stop in with your dad and play games like Magic The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer, Melissa & Doug, Fluxx, Hasbro and Asmodee, among others. TJ Cafe & Games, 146 South Main St., Milford. https://www.tjcafeandgames.com/; (508) 473-5874 or by email: tjcafeandgames@yahoo.com. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Jazz it up

Grab Dad by the hand, head over for a brew at Exhibit ‘A’ in Framingham, and listen to the traditional jazz stylings of Sack Lunch on Father’s Day from 1-3 p.m. Sit outside and enjoy the beer garden that’s now open for the season. You can also book a tour of the brewery by contacting General Manager Kelsey Roth in advance at kelsey.roth@exhibit-a-brewing.com or 508-202-9297, Ext.100. Exhibit ‘A’ is at 81 Morton St., Framingham. Visit https://www.exhibit-a-brewing.com/

Framingham comedian Paul Nardizzi is headlining a show at the Double Tree Milford on June 18.
Framingham comedian Paul Nardizzi is headlining a show at the Double Tree Milford on June 18.

Ready for dad jokes?

MetroWest comedian Paul Nardizzi is headlining a comedy show in Milford on Saturday, the day before Father's Day. It’s a perfect gift for dads with a good sense of humor and their grown-up children to enjoy together. The show at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Milford starts at 8 p.m. and also includes comedians Dave Rattigan and Jim Ruberti. Tickets are $20 in advance online and $25 at the door (cash only). Tickets available on Eventbrite at https://tinyurl.com/p5cpjcx5 .Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Milford, 11 Beaver St., Milford

Comedian Dave Rattigan
Comedian Dave Rattigan
Comedian Jim Ruberti
Comedian Jim Ruberti

Cruise into the danger zone

What Dad wouldn't love it if you all head to the movie theater for a screening of “Top Gun: Maverick”? The sequel to the iconic 1980s flyboy flick, according to our reviewer Dana Barbuto at the Patriot Ledger, “soars from the get-go, with the familiar voice of Kenny Loggins leading us on another flight into the ‘Danger Zone.’ It’s a seat-rumbling adrenaline rush, as the camera alights on a busy aircraft carrier. The sense of deja vu is palpable, the opening lifted straight from the original. The planes, though, are way sleeker, bigger, bolder, better, just like the movie. As sequels go, it’s perfect.” The movie is screening at the AMC Dine-In Framingham 16; the Regal Bellingham RPX, Regal Solomon Pond in Marlborough, the Fine Arts Theater in Maynard and others.

Go for a hole-in-one

Kara Fonseca, of Framingham, putted toward the "State House" while working her way around the golf course with her kids at Golf on the Green in Natick, Aug. 10, 2021.
Kara Fonseca, of Framingham, putted toward the "State House" while working her way around the golf course with her kids at Golf on the Green in Natick, Aug. 10, 2021.

Make it a Father’s Day golf outing for the whole family and head to a local mini-golf course. Golf on the Village Green in Natick has been around since 1964 and is like a mini-replica of the Freedom Trail with mini historical buildings and statues. Golf on the Village Green, 315 Worcester St., Natick. Cost is $9 for 13 and older; $7 for 12 and under; and replays are $5 for all ages. https://tinyurl.com/4sadxfuk ; 508-653-4671.

Thomas Pannone starts on the mound at the Worcester Red Sox home opener at Polar Park Tuesday, April 12, 2022.
Thomas Pannone starts on the mound at the Worcester Red Sox home opener at Polar Park Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

Take him out to a ballgame

The WooSox take on the Toledo Mud Hens at 1:05 p.m. Sunday at Polar Park and if you haven’t been to this new AAA ballpark in the heart of Worcester, you don’t know what you’re missing. Our colleague, Victor Infante at the Telegram & Gazette, said of the ballpark: “Much has been made of the sight lines – and honestly, there really ISN'T a bad seat in the house. Even the cheap seats are good.” Tickets for the game are very affordable, ranging from $9-$42. And there’s a lot of restaurants and bars on Green Street and the surrounding Kelly Square area to grab a bite before or after the game. June 19 will also be a celebration of Juneteenth at Polar Park. For tickets, visit https://www.milb.com/worcester/schedule/2022-06

Get in the swing

With all the excitement about the U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline this weekend, Dad might enjoy sprucing up his golf swing at the driving range. Two public ranges that offer buckets of balls, as well as lessons and memberships, are the Southborough Golf Practice, 20 Turnpike Road, Fayville, https://southboroughgolflearningcenter.com/; (508) 480-9992. Buckets of golf balls range from $10-$18, depending if you want to hit off grass or a mat. Or try the KOHR Golf in Natick, 218 Speen St. https://www.kohrgolf.com/; 888-622-5647. Buckets of balls here are $13-$22.

Larz Anderson Auto Museum
Larz Anderson Auto Museum

Go wheels watching

If your father is into cars, there’s no place better to take him on Father’s Day than the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline. Right now, the “Hidden Treasures” exhibit on display showcases rarely seen autos from private collections, and “Born of Necessity” is all about the history of the pickup truck and shows how Americans first modified vehicles so they could haul things around. The museum has special events, like “British Car Day” on June 26. Admission is $12 adults, $7 for children ages 6-12; and free for those under 6. Larz Anderson Auto Museum, 15 Newton St. Brookline. https://larzanderson.org; 617-522-6547

Go-karts race on the Speedway at the Apex Entertainment Center in Marlborough.
Go-karts race on the Speedway at the Apex Entertainment Center in Marlborough.

Fast times

Dads with teenage and older kids can experience the thrill of racing — the mini-version. At the Apex Center, 21 Apex Drive, Marlborough, those 16 and older can zoom around and navigate the hairpin turns of the multi-level indoor IC Credit Union Speedway track in an Italian electric Sodi RTX Kart. One race costs $25, three races is $60. https://www.apexentertainment.com/attraction/go-kart-racing/; 508-251-8666.

Nancy Olesin is a staff writer and editor for the Daily News. Follow @WickedLocalArts. Got a story idea? Email her at nolesin@wickedlocal.com.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Ideas for Father's Day 2022 include games, cars, golf, comedy, movies