Fathers day is just around the corner, and Boise is a great place to be! I love living in a town like Boise during holidays like these because there are so many events in the community that you can enjoy without feeling like the crowds are overwhelming. The weather should also be perfect for getting outside and enjoying the sun. Father's day is a great time to celebrate your dad, grandpa, or any father figure in your life and show them you care. Here is a list of 10 ways to enjoy the day. 

1.) Father’s Day Breakfast at Zoo Boise

This is a great way to spend the day, especially if you are looking for something the whole family can enjoy. Zoo Boise is hosting a Father’s Day breakfast event where you can enjoy buffet-style food, a talk by the zookeepers, and a full day's admission to explore the Zoo. The breakfast itself will go from 9am-10am, but the Zoo will remain open until 5pm. Spots for this event are limited, and reservations must be made by Wednesday, June 16th. Prices vary for adults and non-adults and depending on whether or not you are a member. Be sure to check their website here for all the details. 

2.) Visit a Father’s Day car show

If you have any car fanatics in your family, I recommend hitting up the Father’s Day Car Show and Concert hosted by Vizcaya Winery. You can choose to either show off your own car or check out all the other rides at the show. As you walk around and enjoy live music, food, and wine, you and your family can vote for your favorite car. The cars will be on show from 12pm- 4pm, and the top three cars will receive free bottles of wine. Music will be from The Highbeams with a guest appearance from Jake Blues, and food will be provided by Big Juds. Admission is just $10 and will get you access to both the car show and the concert. Again, tickets are limited, so be sure to purchase ahead of time here. 

3.) Light up your wild side at JUMP

 For a fun and FREE event, check out JUMP’s Illumibrate Light and Color Festival 2021. Enjoy huge interactive art exhibits with food, drinks, and tons of entertainment from 5pm-9pm. If you aren’t able to make the event on Father’s Day, JUMP has expanded the event to be a month-long celebration. If I haven’t sold you yet, there will also be live music, beer gardens, and more. The theme this year is Light Up Your Wild Side, and JUMP “promises to ignite the wild side that lives in us all”. The event has been inspired by the many changes we have all gone through as a result of the pandemic and seeks to celebrate and move forward with a greater appreciation for the life we live. There is no need to register ahead of time, but to learn even more about the event, be sure to check out the event page here. 

4.) Listen to live music at Hilltop Restaurant

Hilltop Station restaurant will be featuring live music from Uncle Chris and Thomas Paul to celebrate Father’s Day. The live music will take place from 2pm-4pm and they have fantastic food, beer, and wine for you to enjoy. This place has a really fantastic atmosphere as it is located in the Boise Foothills where you can take advantage of the beautiful views. Attached to Hilltop Station is a liquor store with unique t-shirts, hats, fishing supplies, and much more! It’s a great place to pick up a quick gift for your Dad. To contact Hilltop Station with any questions or to get more info, check out their website here.

5.) Paddleboard for a cause

For those who are looking to do something good on Father’s Day or support a cause, The Longest Day: Paddle 2 Battle Alzheimer’s will be taking place Sunday, June 20th beginning at 1pm. Not only is this a fun way to get outside and enjoy the water, but you are also supporting a great cause by participating. You can help raise money that goes towards Alzheimer’s support, awareness and research by getting pledges from your friends and family. By reaching $50 in pledges, you qualify for a free t-shirt, as well as a free SUP or kayak rental courtesy of Idaho River Sports to use for the event. All participants will be given a free pond rental gift certificate, and the lucky top three fundraisers will win a gift certificate from Idaho River Sports as well as other sponsors. The event will take place at Idaho River Sports at the Whitewater Park in Boise. For more info, check out the event page here, which will also give you links to all their social media platforms.
 

6.) Live jazz and French cuisine at Bacquet’s

Enjoy some jazz music with your dad, friends, and family at Bacquet’s French Restaurant. They have invited four jazz musicians to play live music while you sit on the patio and enjoy food, wine, and jazz. Bacquet’s Chef Franck also has some great “dad-approved” specials lined up for the afternoon. The restaurant is planning to be very busy on Father’s Day, so it is strongly recommended that you call in advance to place a reservation, especially if you have a large party. You can call Bacquet’s at 208-577-6238 to set up your reservation, and if you would like to check out the menu ahead of time their website can be visited here.
 

7.) Mini-golf at Wahooz

Celebrate Father’s Day with mini-golf at Wahooz Family Fun Zone. Dads can enjoy one free round of mini-golf on Sunday, June 20th from 10:30am-11pm. There is so much to do at Wahooz for all ages, so this is a great way to spend Father’s day with the whole family. Wahooz has go-carts, bowling, arcade games, and great food! They will be open on Father’s Day until 10pm. You can find more information on their website here. 

To all the dads out there, and to all the men who may not have children but stepped up to be a father figure to those who need it, thank you. I see you and appreciate you. Life is short and time is fleeting, so be sure to show those you love that you appreciate them. I hope that this list of ideas was helpful and that you all have a fantastic Father’s Day!