A Father's Day Guide
Here's your Father's Day Guide: what to do, where to go and what to gift...
Father's Day is Sunday, June 21 — and if you're anything like me, the to-do list this time of year is long and brain space for thoughtful gifting is short. So I pulled together everything I'm eyeing for the dads in our lives, organized by the type of dad you're shopping for. My husband helped. He had strong opinions (per usual…)
For the dad who lives for the live experience:
For the golf dad, it doesn't get better. The US Open comes to Shinnecock Hills in Southampton June 18–21. Grab tickets for a practice round (June 15–17) if you want a more relaxed experience, or go all in on championship weekend. Either way, it's a bucket list Father's Day.
Yankees or Mets premium seats (Legends Suite): The Yankees host the Reds all Father’s Day weekend (June 19–21) — Legends Suite seats right behind home plate are the move. If he’s a Mets fan, the weekend before works perfectly — June 12–14 vs. the Braves at Citi Field.
Toy Story 5 opens Father's Day weekend and it's the perfect excuse to drag the whole family to the theater. Woody and Buzz are back, and this one was made for the dads who saw the original in 1995.
The FIFA World Cup is literally in our backyard this summer — eight matches at MetLife Stadium, including the World Cup Final on July 19. Can’t get final tickets? The group stage games are also excellent — Brazil vs. Morocco (June 13) and France vs. Senegal (June 16) are two of the best matchups of the tournament. The gift to end all gifts for the soccer dad.
Another great live sporting event happening later in the summer is the annual US Open (tennis), runs August 30–September 13 — buy the tickets now and give him something to look forward to. A night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium is the most electric way to experience it, and honestly some of my favorite nights of the year.
Polo Hamptons in Bridgehampton: July 18 and July 25. Open bar, only 500 tickets per match, sells out by early July. Equal parts sporting event and summer social scene.
A North Fork winery day is hard to beat — just two hours from the city and none of the Hamptons traffic. Hit Kontokosta for waterfront views, Bedell Cellars for serious reds, and Croteaux if he's a rosé dad. Stop for lunch at North Fork Table in Southold — consistently one of the best meals on the East End. End the day in Greenport and call it perfect.
For the foodie dad, book a seat at one of NYC's most coveted chef's tables. Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare, Atomix, Masa, Le Bernardin, and Per Se are all offering the kind of experience that goes way beyond dinner.
A boating experience:
Sunset sail around Manhattan: For the dad who'd rather be on the water. Several companies offer private charters for small groups: Narwhal Yacht Charters, Tribeca Sailing, Dream Boat NY, and Go Sailing NYC — most run 2–3 hours.
Fishing Charter out of Montauk: For the dad who wants to actually catch something. Montauk Fishing Charters, Susie E II, and Viking Fleet all offer private full and half-day trips targeting stripers, tuna, fluke, and shark.
Private Yacht Charter out of Sag Harbor: A more leisurely day on the water. Valkyrie Sailing offers a stunning 62-foot catamaran. Yacht Hampton is great for custom itineraries with stops at Shelter Island and Sunset Beach. Yacht Kelpie does private half-day, full-day, and sunset sails for up to 24 guests.
Books the kids can give dad:
There’s something about a good picture book read out loud that never gets old — for the kids or the dad. Here are a few worth wrapping up: My Dad Is Amazing (personal favorite we’ve been reading since 2018), Grumpy Monkey Father’s Day Fuss, Dada and/or Papa by Jimmy Fallon, Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss, Because of You, Dad, Daddy Pig’s Favorite Thing (can’t escape a Peppa moment), and for the grandfathers in your life: My Grandpa Is Grand and How to Babysit a Grandpa
For the dad who loves to cook (and is always at the grill):
The Big Green Egg is the gift that keeps giving all summer. The iconic ceramic grill that does it all — smoke, grill, bake, roast. They're currently running a sale for Father’s Day.
The MEATER Pro Duo is the wireless smart thermometer that takes the guesswork out of grilling. It's WiFi-enabled with an app that walks you through every step, so he can monitor the cook from anywhere.
A pizza oven: I’m eager to start a new tradition of Friday-night pizza nights in our home, Ooni or Solo Stove Pi are both excellent — though both are outdoor and require a gas hookup. I have my eye on this countertop one instead, which I’ve heard is incredible.
I love the knives from Made In. This one does it all — a great upgrade he'd never buy himself: razor sharp, perfectly balanced, and honestly beautiful. Perfect for all the meat he'll be grilling up this summer.
For the dad who gets worked up about taxes and needs to relax and add a splash of wellness in his life..
Magnesium citrate. We go through this like water in our house and it's probably our most repurchased item on Amazon. Nothing like a little magnesium before bed to help you unwind and get that gentle nudge toward sleep.
Lemme Sleep gummies: I post about these a lot, but for good reason. They've genuinely changed the quality of our sleep. I usually struggle with melatonin leaving me groggy, but these don't have that effect at all.
Momentous Creatine: if he's not already taking creatine, this is the one to start with. NSF certified, unflavored, mixes clean. One of the most well-researched supplements out there for strength, muscle, and recovery. An easy add to his morning routine.
The Eight Sleep: pricey, but every single person I know who has one is evangelical about it, and says it’s worth it.
The Theragun Mini is a gift I gave years ago that actually gets used — daily. Small but powerful enough to make a real difference. My husband is never lounging on the couch without it.
The Oura Ring: the wearable everyone has, and raves about. Sleep, recovery, heart rate variability, it tracks everything. The new Ring 5 just launched and is available for preorder now, shipping this week — smaller than the Ring 4, with more accurate sensing and enhanced battery life.
Function Health: Test 160+ biomarkers twice a year. Think comprehensive bloodwork your doctor never orders, with clinician-reviewed results. Genuinely the most proactive thing you can do for your health — perfect for the dad who loves data and results. ($25 off here with my referral link)
For the sporty dad who never skips a workout:
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2: My husband swears by these and says they're the best headphones he's used, getting him through the marathon. Bone conduction means your ears stay open so you can hear your surroundings — a game changer for running outdoors.
Vuori is the brand every dad should have in his closet — athletic enough for a workout, put-together enough for errands, and comfortable enough for a full day of kid duty.
For the golf dad, the Arccos Smart Laser Rangefinder is a serious upgrade. This one factors in wind, temperature, and humidity — not just slope — to give a true "plays like" distance. AI strategy, green maps, and it gets smarter with every software update.
For the dad who always likes to look top-notch:
Matching bathing suits for him and son: One of the best Father's Day gift I gave was matching Vilebrequins for my husband and son — they wore them together all summer. So sweet!
Proper Cloth dress shirts: For the dad who appreciates a well-made shirt, Proper Cloth is the best in the business. Fully custom — fabric, collar, cuff, fit — with an incredible range of options to choose from. You can do the whole thing online, or book an appointment at their NYC showroom to get properly measured. Once he has his size on file, reordering is effortless.
Can’t go wrong with a quarter-zip. Peter Millar makes a nice one — the true wardrobe workhorse for errands, school drop-offs, and beach hangs. Johnny-O also makes some great ones for a more casual, performance take.
If he doesn't have a Poncho shirt, where have you been? Started by a friend, it's been a runaway success — and for good reason. UPF 50+, magnetic pockets, a hidden zippered pocket, sunglasses holder, and a fabric that dries in minutes. The shirt he'll reach for all summer when he’s outside.
For the dad who loves a little decor in his life (and honestly, maybe a little gift for you too):
A Jean Roger (ceramic!) frog: Major personality and always my favorite tabletop find. Great as a plant holder, key drop, or for any little knick-knack.
The Aura frame doesn't look like a digital frame — it just looks like a really beautiful photo. My dad has one and loves it every time we add new photos, the gift that keeps on giving. (perfect for grandfathers!!)
Other things my husband loves that he suggested I include:
A leaf blower. Apparently this brings him a level of life satisfaction I don’t fully understand. Same goes for a power washer. If this is what domestic middle-aged life is, I’m so here for it.
A Turtlebox Ranger. It’s the outdoor speaker that goes everywhere — waterproof, drop-proof, and loud enough to fill a beach, a boat, or a golf cart.
A bundle of summer beach reads, his current recommendation list includes: The Leadership Secrets of Nick Saban, Streetwise by Lloyd Blankfein, The Snowball: Warren Buffett, and The Outsiders.
….and you can never go wrong with homemade baked goods to really show your appreciation (here’s my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe.)