Unique & Local Father’s Day Gifts for Your Dad

Experiences, not things are what are truly treasured. However, it’s always nice to watch dad’s eyes light up when he unwraps the perfect gift to add to his collection of widgets, tools, vinyl LP’s, rocks (whatever would cause him to detour several exits on family trips growing up). Here are some suggestions of unique, local things to do with the father-figure in your life along with suggestions for some material things for him to unwrap, too.

For the Father with Artistic Aspirations

Suggested Experiences:

Eric Sloane Museum, Kent

Visit the studio space of artist and author Eric Sloane, known for his paintings of New England landscapes and his collection of early American hand tools. Also on site are the ruins of the Kent Iron Furnace, which was in operation from 1825 to 1892. Classes at the museum include furniture restoration, log hewing, and blacksmithing.

The Glass House, New Canaan

Built by architect Philip Johnson in 1949. The property consists of 49-acres with 14 structures and a permanent collection of 20th century painting and sculpture. Advanced reservations are highly recommended.

Museum of American Art, New Britain

Explore the major artists and artistic movements in America at the New Britain Museum of American Art. The collection spans 8,274 paintings, works on paper, sculptures, and photographs and covers everything from Federalist portraiture to 20th century abstractionism and contemporary art.

Suggested Gifts:

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Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style, for $68.38

KODAK EKTAR H35 Half Frame Film 35mm Camera, for $44.99

Japanese Design Since 1945: A Complete Sourcebook, for $45.52

Author’s photograph of paintings by artist Eric Sloane at the Sloane Museum in Kent.

For the Father Who Has a Green Thumb

Suggested Experiences:

Earth Tones, Woodbury

This is a personal favorite because of their large selection of natives and the many butterflies that visit their nursery. Helping your dad select (and plant) some natives from Earth Tones, is not only a way to bond with him, but is also a gift to Mother Earth.

Elizabeth Park, Hartford

With views of Hartford, it’s a year-round delight, but springtime and summer are when Elizabeth Park is in bloom. Here is where to find what’s blooming when. Visit America’s oldest rose garden located inside the park. Father’s Day happens to be about the time that all of the roses in the 120-year old garden are in bloom. Afterwards, take dad out to lunch at the Pond House Café.

Innisfree Garden, Millbrook, NY

Situated on 185-acres of landscaped and wild spaces, the Innisfree Garden is the work of landscape design architect Lester Collins who imbued the garden with Japanese and Chinese garden design principles. Lectures, docent tours, and nature walks are offered.

Garden Planner and Log Book: Notebook Organizer for Keen Gardeners, for $9.99

HOKURU Hori Hori Knife, for $26.99

Author’s photograph of pond at the Innisfree Garden in Millbrook, New York.

For the Father Who’s a Bookworm

Suggested Experiences:

Connecticut Book Trail, state-wide

When dad’s love of reading inspired our own, make a day of it and visit some of the twenty-one independent bookstores across the state.

Mark Twain House and Museum, Hartford

If your dad is the type to remark, “when you fish for love, bait with your heart,” or whose career advice consists of telling you that “the secret to success is making your vocation your vacation,” he might enjoy an afternoon spent at the Mark Twain House & Museum (both actual quotes by Twain, by the way).

Mystic Seaport, Mystic

For the dad who relates too closely to Herman Melville’s most famous protagonist or who wears reading Melville’s tome like a badge, there is the Moby-Dick reading marathon at Mystic Seaport held on July 31st on the eve of Melville’s birthday. You can send your dad there himself (after all, he probably wouldn’t mind) or you can share a bunk with your paterfamilias as you stay overnight on the whaling ship the Charles W. Morgan. For further information and to sign dad up, click here.

HAUCOZE Decorative Modern Whale Figurine Book Ends, for $43.98

Moby-Dick: or, The Whale (Penguin Clothbound Classics Series), for $22.99

Author’s photograph of the mast of the *Charles W. Morgan* at Mystic Seaport.

For the Father Who’s a Foodie

Suggested Experiences:

Fire By Forge, Hartford

Battle your dad for “top chef” in this Iron Chef meets Chopped foodie experience.

Hoodoo Brown Bbq, Ridgefield

Send dad back to school, barbecue school, that is. This four hour class will teach dad everything from trimming and seasoning, to fire control and smoke, to carving and—most importantly, eating.

The Sushi Class, various locations

Not only can dad learn to roll sushi, but since The Sushi Class holds their events at different wineries and breweries across the state, dad can sip on a glass of rosé or a pint of IPA.

Le Creuset Signature 11’ Cast Iron Everyday Pan, for $179.95

Spicy Momofuku Starter Pack by David Chang, for $119.90

For The Father Who Loves the Great Outdoors

Suggested Experiences:

Housatonic River Outfitters, Sharon

Housatonic River Outfitters is a full-service outfitter and fly-shop. Guided fishing trips by boat or wading are offered at various levels.

Litchfield Hills Rowing Club, Bantam

Set dad afloat on Bantam Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in Connecticut, with the Litchfield Hills Rowing Club. The club has adult classes and competitive row programs for beginner, intermediate, and master levels.

Powder Ridge, Southington

Show dad you love him by taking him downhill mountain biking at Powder Ridge. Advertising the only lift-service biking in southern New England, your dad will be able to get up the trail. The question is whether he’ll be able to make it down. Luckily, Powder Ridge offers lessons and professionally designed trails to help him get down in one piece.

New Balance Men's Fresh Foam Hierro V6 Trail Running Shoe, for $139.95

GoPro HERO12 Black - Waterproof Action Camera, for $299.99

For the Father that Loves Music

Suggested Experiences:

Music Mountain, Falls Village

Someone once said that “music soothes the savage beast.” If that expression can be easily applied to your dad, tickets to Music Mountain—an outdoors 100-acre music venue featuring chamber concerts and Saturday jazz—might be right up his alley.

Infinity Music Hall, Norfolk & Hartford

Originally built in 1883 in Norfolk as a combination opera house, barbershop, and saloon, both Infinity Music Hall locations offer intimate entertainment experiences.

Hartford Health Care Amphitheater, Bridgeport

The Hartford Health Care Amphitheather overlooks Long Island Sound and hosts a variety of music genres and artists, many of whom are already on the playlist you made dad ten years ago. Past acts that have performed at the Amphitheater include Foo Fighters, Tenacious D, Jackson Brown, Steve Miller Band, Elvis Costello, Sting, Earth Wind & Fire, Ringo Starr, Van Morrison, the Doobie Brothers, James Taylor, Neil Young, The Temptations, The Pixies, Weezer, The Goo Goo Dolls. The list goes on and on.

Suggested Gifts:

The Beatles - Abbey Road LP, for $39.16

Victrola Eastwood 3-Speed Bluetooth Turntable with Built-in Speakers, for $75.90

Beats Fit Pro - True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds, for $159.99

Article Sources:

Experiences Make People Happier Than Material Goods, Science Daily

Becoming Eric Sloane, Mortise & Tenon Magazine

Eric Sloane, Sea & Sky, Squall Line Oil, ca. 1950, Antiques Road Show

Philip Johnson Biography, The Glass House Visitor Center

What’s Blooming When, Elizabeth Park Conservancy

50 Mark Twain Quotes About Life, Love, Books, and Everything In Between, Parade Magazine

The Road to Melville, Vanity Fair