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Father's Day in Vancouver

Top 10 Things to Do for Father's Day

By , About.com Guide

Show Dad your appreciation this Father's Day--Sunday, June 21--by making it a day to remember. Use this Top 10 list to create the perfect Father's Day for your dad, and take advantage of the unique activities only Vancouver can offer.

1. Watch the Races at the Dragon Boat Festival

Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival, VancouverImage Courtesy of Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival, Photo © Jessica Bushey 2008

For a free and exciting Father's Day activity, you can't beat a trip to the 21st annual Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival. The Festival happens June 20 - 21 at Concord Pacific Place (with the boats visible from Creekside Park and the waters of False Creek).

Family and friends can show Dad a fabulous time at the festival, where there are races, 180 Dragon Boat teams, tons of food, and free world music concerts on the World Beat Stage.

2. Buy Him a Beer (or Three)

Bartender pouring beerImage Courtesy of Tourism Vancouver

B.C. is home to a wealth of fabulous microbreweries, serving up frothy goodness that's perfect for the dad who just wants to relax with a tall, cool one. To sample the province's best hops, try one of these local breweries and pubs:

  • Steamworks Brewing Co., 375 Water Street, Gastown
  • Granville Island Brewing, 1441 Cartwright Street, Granville Island
  • Alibi Room, 157 Alexander Street, Gastown
  • Dad likes Belgian or import beer better? Try the Cascade Room on Main Street or Stella's on Commercial Drive.

    3. Party at the Greek Day Street Festival

    Greek Day on Broadway, VancouverPhoto by Ermis Catevatis

    In another happy confluence of events, this year's Father's Day falls on the annual Greek Day Street Festival, the huge, free street party on W Broadway (between MacDonald and Blenheim) that's the climax of June's Greek Month culture fest.

    The Greek Day Festival includes live, on-stage entertainment and music, a culinary tent with celebrity chefs, tons of food and street vendors, rides and crafts for kids, and roaming street performers.

    4. Treat Him to a Fabulous Restaurant

    Blue Water Cafe VancouverImage Courtesy of Tourism Vancouver

    Fine dining in Vancouver can be a bit of a splurge, but treating Dad to a decadent Father's Day meal is a great excuse to blow the budget.

    Vancouver's Best Fine Dining Restaurants

    Can't blow the budget? Don't worry! A more casual restaurant can be just as fun, especially if it's one of his favourites. My dad would be just as happy--actually, happier (he loves BBQ)--eating at Memphis Blues as he would be at West Restaurant.

    Vancouver's Best Cheap Eats

    5. BBQ on the Beach at Spanish Banks

    Spanish Banks, VancouverPhoto by Dana Lynch

    Does Dad love to barbecue? If the weather's good and going out for a meal isn't in the budget--or Dad would rather have family fun at the beach--you can barbecue on Spanish Banks.

    Spanish Banks is perfect for bigger family get-togethers or for bringing the dog along to celebrate Dad, too.

    6. Go to the Green - Tee up for Golf

    Golf at Stanley Park VancouverImage Courtesy of Tourism Vancouver

    If Dad's a golfer, there are lots of options for treating him to a day on the green. For a full course, there are the public Fraserview, Langara and McCleery courses. For a quicker game at a Par 3 course--much cheaper than the full courses and more family-friendly--try the Vancouver Pitch & Putts at Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, and Rupert Park.

    7. Geocache at Queen Elizabeth Park

    GPSPhoto © Lisa Maree Williams / Getty Images

    Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunt that uses GPS technology to help you find the hidden cache (or treasure). Vancouver's Guided Discovery--an outdoor adventure firm--has a Father's Day geocaching event in Queen Elizabeth Park. For $50 per adult (kids are free), families can learn GPS technology (GPS devices provided), compete against other teams, solve clues, and win prizes for Dad.

    8. Listen to Father's Day Jazz

    Father's Day Jazz in VancouverImage Courtesy of Tourism Vancouver
    If Dad loves jazz, take him to the Cellar Jazz Club's Father's Day event, an afternoon "tea" with live performances by The Weeds and Minemoto Quartet. The fixed-price meal ($35 per person) includes a Guinness cocktail, roast beef roulade with carmelized onions and blue cheese, mini-croissant sandwiches, and more desserts than are healthy.

    9. Spend the Day at Stanley Park

    Biking the Seawall VancouverImage Courtesy of Tourism Vancouver
    Another great idea for a sunny day: Spend the day at Stanley Park.

    The whole family can bike or walk the Seawall, visit the Children's Farmyard and ride the Miniature Train, or find the perfect spot for a Father's Day picnic.

    10. See a Play at Bard on the Beach

    A Midsummer's Night Dream, 2006, Bard on the Beach, VancouverImage Courtesy of Bard on the Beach; Photo by David Blue

    If Dad's a theatre buff, take advantage of summer's magical outdoor-theatre event, the famous Bard on the Beach. Situated in scenic Vanier Park, Bard's Mainstage tent--open in the back--uses English Bay as a backdrop for the troupe's acclaimed productions. On schedule for June 21: The Comedy of Errors.

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