It’s all about dad this month. If you need an idea or two on how to spoil the man who raised you, we’ve got you covered.
Whether your dad is primed for an adventure in the great outdoors or could use a break from the grill with a relaxing meal out with the family, there are plenty of ways to spend Father’s Day in Kansas City. Check out these ten places.
Belton, Grandview & Kansas City Railroad
Board the Belton, Grandview, and Kansas City Railroad with dad for a trip back in time. For $12 a ticket, board a vintage commuter coach or open-air flat car for a 40-minute trip on the tracks of the historic Frisco Railroad. While waiting for the train, stroll around the trainyard to check out equipment, old freight cars, steam locomotives, and more. Plus, visit the baggage car gift shop, chat with the train crew, and learn more about the history of the line.
Experience Kansas City’s classic Boulevardia festival with tickets to bottomless brunch. Tickets include general admission to the festival on June 18, plus a bottomless brunch of Kansas City barbecue and bottomless beverages—including beer. Even better? The bottomless brunch offers a great view of the main stage, and this year’s festival has its largest lineup ever.
If your dad is still bragging about KU’s impressive comeback during the NCAA championship game, the College Basketball Experience at the T-Mobile Center is the perfect way to spend time with him this Father’s Day. Tour the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame while learning the history behind the players and the game. Visit Beat the Clock to try to make your own game-winning shot before the buzzer sounds and explore other interactive activities.
Father’s Day Weekend Celebration at KC Bier Co.
At KC Bier Co., you can get dad a Welt Bester Papa (World’s Best Dad) mug, plus a glass of beer for $14. All weekend long the local brewery will be buzzing with live music and specials for your beer-loving dad. On Saturday, June 18, enjoy tunes from Polka on Steroids from 3-5 p.m., and The Cheap Dates from 6-9 p.m. On Sunday, June 19, Jazz with Bram & Co. will be on stage from 3-5 p.m.
This one is for the dads who start every morning with a run through the neighborhood. Dress up as your favorite superhero and run a 5K with dad at the Aspiria Campus at 119th and Nall. In addition to the 5K, there will be a costume contest and a superhero-themed kid’s fun run. 5K participants will receive a tee, finishers medal, and compete for awards.
Grilling with Dad! A Father’s Day Grill Fest
Is your dad constantly at the grill? Show off his skills as a grill master at the Culinary Center of Kansas City’s Father’s Day Grill Fest. At this grill fest, dads and kids can team up (ages 9+) and work alongside award-winning barbecue competitor and longtime CCKC instructor Bruce Campbell as he teaches the fundamentals of grilling and barbecue.
For the whiskey aficionado and history-buff dads, J. Rieger & Co. is the perfect place to explore this Father’s Day. Book a guided tour of the historic distillery that will take you and dad back to the company’s beginnings in 1887—plus a complimentary tasting of a J. Rieger & Co. spirit of your choice. Or if you’re just looking for some quality time with dad, enjoy an evening of cocktails and boozy snow cones at J. Rieger & Co.’s Electric Park Garden Bar.
Looking for some adventure this Father’s Day? Take dad to KC Watersports for some time on the water at Cable Wake Park. For expert wakeboarders, explore high-level courses with challenging sets of sliders, kickers, rails, and ramps. Or if you and dad are beginners, drop by from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 18, where you’ll learn wakeboarding basics during a $30 beginners’ session.
Take dad for a wild ride at the Kansas City Automotive Museum. The museum rotates vehicles on a regular basis, so every visit brings something new along with the narrative of Kansas City’s automotive history. In addition to the museum’s regular collection, there’s a special exhibit of Japanese Domestic Market vehicles on display in June—plus dad gets in free on Father’s Day.
Treat dad to the world of action-packed motorsports at Monster Jam where audiences will witness world-famous trucks tear up the dirt and compete in competitions of speed and skill. Go one step further with tickets to the Monster Jam Pit Party where you and dad can get an up-close look at the massive trucks (each truck weighs over 12,000 pounds), meet the drivers, and more before the show.