While you enjoy the weekend, please remember to be cognizant of any COVID-related requirements at your destination and heap on the kindness and patience for everyone you encounter. Also double/triple check hours of operation.
Father’s Day 2020: I hope you like home cooking and virtual experiences. I’m kidding… sort of. While you navigate a world that is in ways unrecognizable from this time last year, Scoop is here to help. Cautious doesn’t have to mean boring and we have plenty of ideas for how to celebrate the big guy in your house this weekend. If you’re still in the market for a Father’s Day gift, check out our picks for the best local gifts here.
Public art tour: first stop should be the Black Lives Matter mural on South Tryon Street in Uptown. From there, head to the Confetti Hearts Wall in SouthEnd (maybe grab a doughnut from Pepperbox while you’re in the neighborhood… for sustenance, of course). If you’re interested in exploring the other side of our city, skip the Hearts Wall and go for Pure’ll Gold in Villa Heights then Camp North End. Check out @CLTgraffiti for more inspiration.
Rent a boat on Lake Norman: rent a boat from LKN Marina and- bonus- stroll the charming town of Davidson after your trip.
Run the Father’s Day Virtual 5k: sign up here!
Watch the Summer Solstice from Stonehenge: dying for a little taste of travel as much as I am? Get yours this weekend! Both sunrise and sunset from England will be streamed here, so set your alarms.
Go old school at the drive-in: head to nearby Kings Mountain and Hounds Drive-In this weekend for an 8:50pm showing on one of their 3 screens. $20 per carload! Badin Road Drive-In and Knight Drive-In are other great options.
Spoil Dad with a Babe and Butcher charcuterie box: my favorite charcuterie team put together a thoughtful and fun charcuterie box for your favorite guy. Get yours here!
Eat N Play with the Charlotte Knights: make your reservations at BB&T Ballpark with the option to add on disc golf to work off your dinner Saturday night.
Explore The US National Whitewater Center: an oldie but a goodie (maybe a little like Dad…?), the USNWC is a must for rafting, kayaking, hiking, biking, or just enjoying the sound of rushing rapids while lounging in the grass- beer in-hand, of course. Free to explore, but activities do have fees.
Give him the gift of speed with the Richard Petty Driving Experience.
Go wild at the zoo: the NC Zoo in Asheboro and Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia are open again, be sure to purchase tickets ahead of time as walk-up purchases are not currently available.
#CLTblackownedbusiness
Scream for ice cream: Scoop did some extensive R&D to bring you the definitive list of ice cream shops from Mooresville to Fort Mill and everywhere in between. You’re welcome, but our waistlines are thankful that stretchy pants are an acceptable work uniform for most at the moment.
Mix it up with Craftsmans Syrups: get ingredients to play mixologist at home from this local company.
Jam out: live music on Reid’s patio Saturday night.
Check out the brand new Restoration Hardware: now open in Phillips Place, do a little window shopping before relaxing on their chic rooftop…reservations are a must if you don’t want a long wait.
The mountains are calling: And you must go (at least once this summer). What better weekend than Father’s Day! Plan your trip with our handy guides for the best waterfalls and hikes. If you’re not down to travel again quite yet, what about a backyard campout?
Fill up your water bottles and hit the sidewalk as a family: we’ve got you covered with walking/running routes here.
Visit Landsford Canal: walk, bike, or canoe along the Catawba river at this historic park.
Go for a bike ride: whether your dad is a road cyclist, mountain biker, or a casual cruiser, there are plenty of options for spending time biking outdoors. Try the Booty Loop or Airport Loop for road cycling, check out this post for some of our favorite bike trails, or take a spin around your neighborhood on your own bike.
Explore Charlotte’s history on the Liberty Walk: take a self-guided tour through Charlotte’s history on a stroll through Uptown. This is such a unique experience where you can stand on the sites of some of Charlotte’s defining moments.
Have a picnic in the park: with so many beautiful parks in Charlotte, why not take advantage especially when being outdoors is your best bet for COVID-adherence these days. See our favorites here.
Support local coffee shops: brew him a special cup at home or visit these top CLT shops in-person.
Let someone else do the cooking: simplify your routine with 25+ family meals to-go under $50 here. From brunch to BBQ, if you’re dining in try these CLT restaurants open for Sunday meals:
- 5Church
- 300 East
- Bardo
- Bistro La Bon
- Bulla
- Cabarrus Brewing
- Capital Grille
- Dogwood
- Eddie’s Place
- Essex
- Fin & Fino
- Gallery at Ballantyne Resort
- Habberdish
- Halcyon
- Harpers South Park
- Haymaker
- Heist/Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts
- LePeep
- Link & Pin
- Mac’s Speed Shop
- Mimosa Grill
- Momma Ricotta’s
- Peppervine
- Pump House
- Rooster’s
- Soul
- The Stanley
- Tupelo Honey
- Zeppelin
Have creative ideas we missed? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to tag us in all of your Father’s Day festivities. Happy Father’s Day to all the Super Scoop Dads out there!
