Father's Day in Oklahoma City

It seems like many of us go all out for Mother's Day but don't always do the same for dear old Dad. Well make him feel special too on Father's Day in Oklahoma City. Here are some OKC ideas on gifts, food and fun for the holiday.

Get the Perfect Gift for Dad

First, when thinking about gifts, don't just pick up a tie and call it a day. There's no doubt that dads often enjoy gifts that are useful, but there are also plenty of unique, non-utilitarian gift options that he'll enjoy.

Consider sports cards or memorabilia from a place like Jason White's Store Divided or Al's Sports Cards. If Dad's not a sports fan, try to embrace whatever his hobby. Oklahoma City has shops for everything from collectible coins to comic books. What about model-building, gaming, art or antiques?

Dads will always enjoy a gift with a personal touch, so consider an engraved item such as a watch or coffee cup from a place like Things Remembered.

Now with all of the said, don't ignore the useful items either...

• Head to Quail Springs or Penn Square to shop for clothes at J.C. Penney or tools at Sears.
• Don't forget the home improvement shops Lowe's and Home Depot.
• What dad doesn't enjoy electronics?

Get Dad Out of the House

He'll probably tell you that all he wants to do is take it easy on Father's Day. Dads are like that. But make the day memorable by getting him out of the house for something fun. Here are just a few ideas in the metro:

• Let Dad feel like a kid again at Pole Position Raceway, at an amusement park or playing miniature golf.
• Take him swimming.
• Kayak on the Oklahoma River.
• Go to the Brick for a Redhawks game.
• Play 9 holes at Lake Hefner or any other public course.

If all of those are just too much for the old guy, more leisurely options include tours through the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the OKC Museum of Art or the fantastic Oklahoma History Center.

And here are some Father's Day specials at attractions around the metro:

• The Orr Family Farm has a toe-fishing contest, tractor pedal pull contest and a cow milking contest.
• Get free admission for dads with a paying family member at Myriad Botanical Gardens
• From 1-5 p.m. on Father's Day, there's free admission for Dad at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History
• And the OKC National Memorial & Museum has free admission for dads as well from 1-6 p.m.

Make Father's Day an Event in OKC

Father's Day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in June, and the month holds a couple of favorite annual events in the Oklahoma City metro area that Dad might enjoy.

• The Red Earth Festival is typically early in June.
• Riverfest is an early June favorite.
• The Bricktown Jazz & BBQ Festival will likely be just before Father's Day.
• The Sunbelt Classic is an annual baseball event in Norman.
• Late month brings Norman's Jazz in June.
• The annual deadCENTER Film Festival is held downtown in June.
• And concerts are in full swing at the Zoo Amphitheatre or Frontier City.

But that's not nearly all. Check the June Event Calendar here on About.com for other events the dads will love.

Take Dad Out to Eat

Finally, after any of the above, Dad is probably going to be hungry, so make dining out in Oklahoma City a part of his special day. Any OKC favorite could work, of course.

But if dining out is something you do frequently, just worry about finding a fun atmosphere for Dad.

• Eat outdoors along the Bricktown Canal or at Lake Hefner.
• Get him a great steak at Cattlemen's or Mickey Mantle's.
• Try a great local Sports Bar or Neighborhood Pub