Father's Day Travel Ideas

This Father’s Day, skip the tie and treat Dad to a travel adventure. Rock climbing in Utah, race car driving in Myrtle Beach -- check out our ideas to make this Father’s Day one he’ll remember.

For the dad who loves fly-fishing … book a rustic vacation by the bend of a river. Eastern Idaho’s <a title="Natural Retreats South Fork Lodge" href="http://www.naturalretreats.com/south-fork-lodge/vacation-rentals.php" target="_blank"> Natural Retreats South Fork Lodge</a> rests along the south fork of Snake River, the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean. It’s also one of the best places in the US for tailwater and dry fly fisheries.

For the dad who likes to live on the edge … head to Moab, UT, the adventure capital of America. Popular places include Wall Street, a sandstone cliff along the Colorado River. After a day of climbing, Dad can unwind with a “slick rock massage” at <a title="Sorrel River Ranch" href="http://www.sorrelriver.com" target="_blank"> Sorrel River Ranch</a>.

For the dad who needs a little pampering … show him you care. Treat him to a gentlemen’s facial at The Spa at Wynn Las Vegas, a scalp massaging shampoo at John Allan’s or a 60- to 90-miinute “tension reliever” massage at The Spa at Beverly Wilshire.

For the dad who likes to tee it up … treat him to a golf getaway at <a title="Hotel Terra" href=" http://hotelterrajacksonhole.com/packages/dads-day-off" target="_blank"> Hotel Terra</a> near Jackson Hole, WY. Dad will enjoy a round of golf on a Robert Trent Jones championship course. When he’s not hitting the green, he can explore Grand Teton National Park (less than 1 mile away) and Yellowstone National Park (1 hour away).

For the dad who likes to let loose … kapow! See Dad put his strategic skills to the test in the forests of West Virginia at <a title=" Ambush West Virginia’s paintball center" href="http://www.adventurewestvirginia.com/site/adventures/paintball.html" target="_blank"> Ambush West Virginia’s paintball center </a>. He’ll enjoy a real-life gaming adventure on a 4-acre paintball course, with game options such as Civil War-style battles and the ever-popular “Capture the Flag.”

For the dad who’s got skydiving on his bucket list … help him score bragging rights (and maybe a few laughs) with a tandem skydive. Dad will get his “knees in the breeze” as he ascends 18,000 feet in an aircraft courtesy of the <a title="Chicagoland Skydiving Center" href=" http://www.skydivecsc.com/firsttime/tandem-skydiving" target="_blank"> Chicagoland Skydiving Center</a>, one of the safest skydiving facilities in the US.

For the foodie dad … satisfy his gourmet taste buds with a trip to the Crescent City. Try the Hyatt Regency New Orleans’s <a title="John Besh Package" href="http://neworleans.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-neworleans/offers/details.jsp;jsessionid=BEC0B26DD5669C3ECB4C143D1AFA1233.atg05-prd-atg3?offerId=44405723&isBookable=true" target="_blank"> John Besh Package</a>. Dad will get an autographed copy of chef John Besh’s new cookbook My Family Table. Plus, Dad will enjoy a breakfast buffet at 8 Block Kitchen & Bar, with classic and local menu options such as fried-oyster eggs Benedict and New Orleans beignets.

For the diving dad … he just might love Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach. The 5.5-mile beach has received travel mag accolades as “the Caribbean’s best beach.” During his stay at the <a title="Westin Grand Cayman" href=" http://www.westingrandcayman.com/special-offers.html#29" target="_blank"> Westin Grand Cayman</a> (where the fifth night is free), Dad will enjoy diving beneath the area’s aquamarine waters -- and seeing coral reefs, colorful fish and even shipwrecks.

For the dad who can appreciate a good craft ale … take him to a major beer destination. Our top picks for Dad: Portland, OR, which has more breweries per capita than any other city in the US; and Milwaukee, home to 4 of the world’s largest breweries.

For the dad who always wished he could do something really cool … help his dreams take flight. Cover his admission to <a title="Paragon Flight" href="http://paragonflight.com" target="_blank"> Paragon Flight</a>, an FAA-approved flight training center. Dad will enjoy the scenic flights over Florida, and will be speaking pilot lingo in no time.

For the dad looking for a change in scenery … he’ll enjoy a hike through the Great Smoky Mountains. Great views include Gregory Bald, a mountain on the western edge of the Smokies. Father’s Day is an especially good time to visit; flame azaleas bloom on the summit from mid- to late June.

For the dad seeking fun in the sun … he’ll love a Caribbean getaway at the <a title="Jamaica Inn" href="http://www.jamaicainn.com/jamaica_inn_specials_packages/index.php" target="_blank"> Jamaica Inn</a> (pay for 3 nights, stay for 4). Dad can take it easy walking along the champagne-colored, soft sand of a 700-foot-long beach. Plus, he’ll enjoy nearby attractions like Dunn’s River Falls, one of Jamaica’s most famous waterfalls.

For the dad with a need for speed … treat him to short-track racing stint at the <a title="Myrtle Beach Speedway" href="http://www.myrtlebeachspeedway.com" target="_blank"> Myrtle Beach Speedway </a>. The racecourse has been the training grounds for some of NASCAR’s top names like Dale Earnhardt Jr. Now it’s Dad’s turn to shine. See Dad zoom around the half-mile racetrack in a NASCAR vehicle -- at speeds of about 100 mph.