When is Father's Day?
Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June, and in 2009, the date is Sunday June 21st.
--order online - Father's Day gifts for travelin' Dads!--
Father's Day - background
Father's Day dates back to 1909 in Washington state, when a woman named Sonora Dudd listened to a Mother's Day sermon, and had the idea of a "father's day." She wanted to honor her father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran who'd raised six children by himself on the family farm, after his wife died in childbirth.
Because his birthday was in June, Sonora Dodd held the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on June 19th, 1910. President Coolidge supported the idea of a national holiday in 1924, but it wasn't until 1966 that a presidential proclamation by President Lyndon Johnson established a national Father's Day. (And only in 1972 did Richard Nixon sign it into law.)
Father's Day Getaway Ideas
Of course, every Dad is different: some crave golf; some would agree that "Golf is a good walk spoiled" (-Mark Twain.) Still, below you'll find places where the whole family can have fun, with the bonus of special activities or a package-price for Dad.
Club Med Sandpiper, Florida - Golf
Club Med Sandpiper is a Caribbean-style all-inclusive right in Florida: with terrific kids' programs, great ambiance, and several ways to enjoy golf. There's a free 9-hole par 3 pitch and putt; you'll have to pay extra for the 18-hole course, "The Sandpiper", but golf packages are available. Guests can also take one free golf lesson per day; different levels are offered, and some classes take kids. A driving range and putting green are on-property.
Father's Day Weekend - Huck Finn Jubilee in CA
Mark Twain's storybook comes alive at this 3-day festival in Victorville CA (97 miles NE of LA): families can white-wash fences, build river rafts, and other Huckleberry Finn-ish fun. Most of the 1880's-style contests are free. There's a Mark Twain Live performance, a Treasure Hunt, country and bluegrass music, hot air balloon rides, "vittles and crafts"... The Jubilee is held in the 800-acre Mojave Narrows Regional Park, along the Mojave River near Victorville. Camp or stay in nearby hotels.
Hershey PA - Golf, Spa
Hershey PA is a popular destination for families, not least because of the roller coasters and other rides at Hershey Park. Stay at the family-friendly Hershey Lodge, or the classic Hotel Hershey which has a kids' club, a terrific brunch in the Circular Dining Room, and a spa with many male guests (and many chocolate treatments) ; the Hershey Country Club is top-rated for golf. Check for golf and spa packages.
1000 Acres Ranch Resort, NY - Father's Day Package
June 13 to 15 2008, Dads get 10% off on a weekend package that includes 3 days, 2 nights lodging, three meals daily, horseback riding, pony rides for kids six and under, full use of Ranch facilities, and nightly entertainment in the Red Dog Saloon.
Activities include bonfires, hiking, row-boating, fishing, volleyball, basketball, softball, hay wagon rides, country dancing...
- read more about 1000 Acres Ranch, near Stony Creek NY
- see Father's Day Weekend details
Village Cove Inn, Maine - Father's Day Package
Family-friendly Village Cove Inn, in Kennebunkport, Maine, has
a weekend Package for Fathers Day that includes breakfasts in bed, meal certificates, champagne and a deal on the trolleys at the Trolley Museum. Check out Value Packages in June as well.
Sea Island
This award-winning resort is the kind of place where families return for generations: Sea Island's main building, The Cloister, was built in 1928. The resort has 10,000 acres of forest, lawn, and marshland, 5 miles of private beachfront, and many outdoor and indoor activities for families. Sea Island also has a Shooting School, for skeet, trap and sporting clays. Check out Golf and other Packages that may appeal to Dad.
Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa
This unique resort regularly has special promotions for Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc. Typically, dads might "ride, eat and play for free" during Father's Day Weekend, with a two-for-one deal for dinner and Sunday brunch, a trail ride and a round of golf. (i.e. Dad is free, with another paying adult.) Family activities at Hyatt Regency Tamaya include wagon and pony rides, a horseshoe tournament, dive-in movie, kids' contests, family yoga and pilates. The Hyatt Regency Tamaya is near Santa Fe NM on 500 acres of the Santa Ana Pueblo's reservation; the resort features cultural activities such as pueblo bread baking and tribal dance performances.
