7 last minute New York City gift ideas for dad
The clock is ticking for you to find the perfect gift for dad-so here are some last-minute gift ideas that break out of the typical Father's Day gift mold.
1) If your father likes to work with his hands--give him the gift of soap-making! Wave Hill House in the Riverdale section of the Bronx is holding a morning workshop on Saturday, June 14 to teach crafty participants how to make soap using lavender and other natural ingredients. Dad will come out of the 3-hour workshop with a cool skill and some great-smelling soap to boot! You can also visit the lavender garden that's part of the grounds. Tickets cost $55 and anyone 12 or older can attend.
Address: W249th St. and Independence Avenue
Register here: http://www.wavehill.org/events/cold-process-soap-making-workshop-serenity-lavender/
2) If dad's been working extra hard and feeling worn down, put some wind back in his sails with a cruise along the East River! This 2-hour long cruise (sailing from Battery Park) not only offers soothing for the spirit with beautiful views of NYC's harbor it offers actual spirits with 5 beer samples from various beer sponsors and a bar. Free cheese and charcuterie from "Stinky Brooklyn" is also provided to soak up the libations. Sunday's Father's Day cruise features beer from Keegan Ale and Lake Placid Brewery. Tickets for the Clipper City Craft Beer Tasting Sail cost $55 for adults, $50 for seniors and reduced priced tickets are available for children under 12. This is a popular cruise so if you're interested register today. Go to: Manhattanbysail.com OR http://www.newyork.com/tours-attractions/
3) Another event that will keep your dad's taste buds sated is the BIG BACKYARD BBQ taking place on Daffodil Hill at the Bronx Botanical Garden Father's Day weekend. Your dad can get all of the grilled food his heart desires without lifting a finger to do it! The BBQ will have food and drink samplings from New York-based businesses and there will be local NY craft beers on hand as well. Family-friendly entertainment will keep the kids busy. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children.
Address: 2900 Southern Blvd
Find out more: http://www.nybg.org/visit/exhibitions.php
4) What if your dad is the kind of red-meat eating man who really wants to grill? Take him to Takashi Restaurant in the Village-a unique twist on a traditional dinner. The small but popular Japanese/Korean eatery allows you to choose what kind of beef you want to eat (the only kind of meat they serve) and gives you the option to grill it yourself. You can get adventurous and have some cow intestines...or keep it tame and order rib-eye or short rib. Takashi also has raw meat options as well as appetizers and ice cream for dessert. They don't take reservations for parties smaller than 4 so go with a group or get there early! Website: www.takashinyc.com
5) If your dad loves the great outdoors why not get him to take a hike...to Hudson Valley! The Discover Outdoors 10-hour hike goes from Union Square up north to the Hudson Valley, providing gorgeous views and great exercise. The hike ends at a local brewery where he can cool off with a brew...or two! The tour has a guide with credentials from the New York State Licensed Trail Guide, Wilderness First Responders or Wilderness EMTs. Discover Outdoors rates all its hikes with an intensity level from 1 (least intense) to 10 (most intense), the Hike and Brewery Tour is a level 2-3. Tickets for adults 21 cost $89 for the Father's Day excursion. Tickets for this event sell out quickly so order today (tickets were still available at the time of this posting); for more information and to purchase tickets: http://www.discoveroutdoors.com/nyc/index.php/trips/sub/hike_brewery_tour/6991
6) Everyone likes to be pampered at least sometimes...and your dad is no exception! But if your father scoffs at the idea of going to a spa, give him a gift certificate to Truman's Gentlemen's Groomers instead-with a strapping bulldog wearing a crown as its logo, it has everything your man needs to feel like a top dog (without any froufrou spa embarrassment!) Treatments include everything from shaves and haircuts to massages and manicures (ahem, we mean handshake maintenance). Get your favorite guy "The Works" package which includes consultation, hair wash with scalp massage, hot lather straight-edge shave, haircut and style, handshake maintenance (manicure) and shoe shine for $135 or you can choose from a number of a la carte options: for example, a deep-clean facial costs $115 and a 30-minute massage costs $65. Truman's Gentlemen's Groomers is CLOSED on Sunday however, it's open on Saturdays from 10-5pm and with two locations in Midtown, Manhattan it will be easy for dads working in the city to get some pampering in during the weekday since the spa remains open until 8pm (8:30 on Thursday). For more information visit: http://www.trumans-nyc.com/index.htm
7) If the special man in your life is fashion-challenged or looks for any and every reason to avoid the shopping mall-bombfell.com is the gift for him! It provides a personal stylist and shopper at the click of a mouse. Here's how it works: The monthly subscription serves allows a guy to sign up (for free) and share what type of clothes he likes, body type he has and budget. He then picks out the type of clothing he wants in his next order (1 pair of pants, 1 blazer etc.), online stylist picks out clothing and sends him a preview email at which point the customer can cancel or change anything he doesn't like-if he does nothing the clothing will ship in 48 hours. Customer receives clothing in 2-10 business days and has an additional 10 days to try it on BEFORE his credit card gets charged. He then pays ONLY for what he wants. Shipping is free both ways-easy as pie! A typical item costs around $69. To sign up visit: www.bombfell.com
