Take Dad To Brunch 
Dad deserves brunch too! No matter which activity you choose, you'll certainly want to start out on a full stomach. Treat Dad to any of the following super-size buffets, and you'll get the day off to a flying start.

Ayhan's Shish-Kebab
550 Sunrise Hwy.
Baldwin, NY 11510
516-223-1414

379 S. Oyster Bay Rd.
Plainview, NY 11803
516-827-5300

283 Main St.
Port Washington, NY 11050
516-883-9309

477 Old Country Rd.
Westbury, NY 11510
516-922-8000

132 Middle Neck Rd.
Great Neck, NY 11021
516-498-3900 

At $15.95, which includes a mimosa or bloody mary, this is a very reasonably priced all-you-can-eat buffet with such a huge selection, there is truly something for everyone. With four locations, you're likely to find one near you. Be sure to call ahead to make reservations.

Library Cafe
274 Main St.
Farmingdale, NY 11735
516-752-7678
11am–3pm
Adults $17.95, Children $10.95
Dads will love this “hungry-man” style buffet. Huge courses of all-you-can-eat brunch selections featuring eggs benedict, buttermilk pancakes, Texas-style french toast, scrambled eggs, home fries, a variety of fresh fruits, and desserts. The best part is Dad gets to take it easy while the waiters at the Library Cafe serve him like a true king.

Residence Inn Marriott
Father's Day BBQ
Adults $28.95, Children $12.95
9 Gerhard Road
Plainview, NY 11803
516-433-6200
2pm-6pm
Free draft beer for Dads
Celebrate Dad with a lavish BBQ with all-you-can-eat steak and shrimp kebabs, chicken, and burgers. Reservations are required. Weather permitting, dining is either outdoors at the "oasis" poolside or indoors overlooking the pool. 

Gift Ideas For The Sportsman On A Future Date

Gotham Dream Cars
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
1255 Hempstead Tpke.
Uniondale, NY 11553
212-957-4400
September 6-8, 2013
Dad will have to wait to enjoy this trip (he'll get to race a Lamborghini), but it does make for a great gift.

Circuit One                      
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
1255 Hempstead Tpke.
Uniondale, NY 11553
August 23-25, 2013
$300 for three laps
Dad can drive a Lamborghini or Ferrari around the track at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum for a thrilling experience.

Family Excursions For The Sportsman On Father's Day

Bethpage Polo At The Park
Bethpage State Park
99 Quaker Meeting House Rd.
Farmingdale, NY 11735
631-345-9585
Gates open at 2pm, Game starts at 3pm
$8 vehicle fee, $5 for game entry, $20 grandstand seating and parking
Attend polo matches with Dad! See an exciting game hosted most Sundays in the summer by Country Farm Polo. Food and beverages are available for sale, or make it a picnic and bring your own lunch to the game. Check the website for cancelations, or check out the Facebook page. Tickets include a polo clinic for the whole family.

Belmont Park
2150 Hempstead Tpke.
Elmont, NY 11003
516-488-6000
7–9:30am for Breakfast at the Belmont
11am-4pm for Family Fun Days
You'll need to get Dad up early to make the breakfast program, but if he's a horse fan it will be well worth it. For about $2, you can purchase a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon or pancakes. Then take your food outside while you watch the thoroughbreds getting their daily exercise. After breakfast board a historical tram used during the World's Fair and listen to the stories of the horses that raced at the Belmont as you tour the entire racetrack. Finally, kids can participate in a starting-gate activity. The park empties out at 10:30am and visitors are then re-admitted for a $2 adult admission fee for the day. On Sunday, the park has a host of activities to celebrate Dad's day with a rock climbing wall and scavenger hunt. 

For Adventure Seekers

Tandem Skydiving
Sky Dive Long Island
400 David Ct.
Calverton, NY 11933
631-208-3900
Weekend dives $245, Weekday $230
Give Dad an unforgettable experience by taking him for a tandem skydive. Even if he is the only one willing to jump, the experience can certainly be memorable for the entire family. As Dad boards his plane, disembarks, and lands, the whole family can enjoy an outdoor barbecue while watching all the action.

Shark Dive
Long Island Aquarium and Exhibit Center
431 E. Main St.
Riverhead, NY 11901
631-208-9200
11am
Members $160 plus tax on equipment, non-members $165 plus tax on equipment (includes admission)
You must make reservations at least a few days in advance. It is a lot of fun for the whole family because spectators can watch Dad from a viewing window as he goes nose to nose with a tank full of the ocean's top predators.

For The Outdoorsman

Fishing In Cold Spring Harbor
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium
1660 Rte. 25A
Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
516-692-6768
10am–12pm and 1pm–3pm
Fishing fee $5 per person plus $4 for every fish caught
Admission: adults $6, kids (ages 3–12) $4
Dad gets free admission to the aquarium on Father's Day, and you must take home whatever fish you catch. 

Kayaking And Stand Up Paddleboarding In Oyster Bay
Waterfront Center
1 West End Ave.
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
Single kayaks $18 per hour, double kayaks $23 per hour
Stand up paddleboarding $18 per hour, ages 9 and older only
Children must be at least 5 years old to kayak. Those between 5 and 9 must use a tandem kayak with an adult over the age of 16.

For The Maritimer
Set sail with Dad on the North or South Shore.

Board The Sailing Sloop The Christeen
Waterfront Center
1 West End Ave.
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
10am–12pm
Adults $25, Children 12 years and under $15

Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise
The Delta Lady
Captree State Park
Babylon, NY 11702
631-422-1060
1pm–2:30pm
Adults $15, Seniors $12, Children 12 years and under $10
Cruise aboard the Delta Lady and take in the sights with Dad on the Great South Bay.

For Artsy And Crafty Dads
Some Dads appreciate the arts! If your Dad is into museums and loves to make things with his hands, check out some of the fun activities taking place this Father’s Day weekend.

3rd Annual Daddy & Me Rocket Building
Center for Science Teaching and Learning
1 Tanglewood Rd.  
Rockville Centre, NY 11570                                           
516-764-0045
10am–1pm
$25 each (Dad is free), rockets included
Take Dad to explore his inner craftiness at the Center for Science Teaching and Learning. Learn all about rockets and build your own with Dad. Then launch your rocket together for an unforgettable Father’s Day! Register in advance.

Celebrating Family: Free Admission For Fathers And Grandfathers
Heckscher Museum of Art
2 Prime Ave.
Huntington, NY 11743
631-351-3250
11am–5pm
Adults $6, Students (over 10 years) $4, Children (under 10 years) free
The Heckscher Museum of Art celebrates Father’s Day with free admission for fathers and grandfathers. Enjoy exhibitions from famous artists, see more than 2,100 art collections, and take part in educational programs.

Father’s Day: Build A Bat Box
Sands Point Preserve
127 Middle Neck Rd.
Port Washington, NY 11050
11am-1pm
$20 per car load includes admission to the Preserve
Bats make great neighbors, seriously. Construct a bat house for your backyard, and if you're fortunate enough to have one take residence there he or she will be the hardest working insect repellent you'll ever find.  

Other ideas:

Take Dad strawberry picking, or head out the day before and make Dad a strawberry shortcake for his day, or skip the effort of picking your own and stop by one of Long Island's farmer's markets for fresh produce and fruit. The Mattituck Lions Club is offering free admission to their Strawberry Festival for Dads. Spend the day at the beach or an evening at Planting Fields enjoying the All Aboard Exhibit, where admission is free Saturday night on Father's Day weekend, or enjoy one of LI's train museums or botanical gardens.

Originally published on June 11, 2012