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10 Cool Things to Do on Father’s Day in Toronto (And Finally Get a Hug from Dad!)

With Father’s Day just around the corner, finding things to do to celebrate this special day is a tough nut to crack. The one day a year when we celebrate our dads and you don’t have something special planned? Man, you might actually make him cry this time.

In this town, we’re good kids. We make every third Sunday of June more memorable than the last. Whether your dad is a simple man who likes a backyard BBQ (like mine!) or prefers an outdoor activity, we’ve got it all covered!

That’s why we’ve got a curated (and tried and tested!) list to celebrate Father’s Day in Toronto that will earn you a big hug from your old man! This is for the dads, stepdads, uncles, grandpas, and the dads that stepped up!

Read on and get ready to celebrate our first hero!

Go on a pub crawl with your dad in Toronto

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Website

Starting Location: Stack Market, 28 Bathurst St (In front of Blue Moon Brewery)

Contact: (647) 932-4949, [email protected]

If your dad is looking to have a good time with his adult kids, take him to Pedal Pub, where you’ll literally pedal a party bike on the way to three local pubs in downtown Toronto—talk about a unique celebration!

You can sing while pedalling (the Beerless Leader even takes song requests), so search for the cheesiest songs your dad listens to and have a grand time! 

You and your dad will stay for 25 minutes at each stop, but you can stay the whole night for the final one and end the day there! So, bring your dad, uncles, and your dad’s friends for a whole lotta fun!

Pro Tips:
If you don’t mind sharing the party bike with other people, you can book a public tour for $44.99 to $54.99 per person. But if you’re a large group of up to 15 people, the private tour is $499 to $599 per party bike.
Bring as many people as you can (the whole fam!) because there’s a minimum of six guests per tour.

Bring Dad to watch the Blue Jays

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Website

Location: Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way

There’s always a sports game in Toronto. Make your dad happy and take him to watch his favourite team (maybe see the Toronto Blue Jays?).

Surprise him with a jersey (you should be wearing one too!) and enjoy the game with him. The MLB season usually runs from March to September, so you can buy a June ticket and watch your dad’s favourite team (it has to be the Blue Jays, right?).

So, always keep an eye out on the Ticketmaster website to purchase a ticket. Why not surprise him with a lower level seat this year?

Pro Tips:
Although Father’s Day may not exactly land on a Toronto Blue Jays game, you can celebrate early or later than you initially planned.
Traffic is bad on game day, so you can take public transit or park somewhere close to the SkyDome and walk from there.

Indulge in delicious meats at Barberian’s Steak House

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Website

Location: 7 Elm St

Contact: (416) 597-0335, [email protected]

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday – Wednesday: 5 pm – 11 pm
  • Thursday – Friday: 12 pm – 2:30 pm & 5 pm – 11 pm
  • Saturday – Sunday: 4:30 pm – 11 pm

Is it just me, or do 90% of dads love steak? If your dad’s one of those guys, take him to Barberian’s Steak House for the best meats in town (this time, he’s not the one grilling it!).

It has a solid reputation in Toronto and has an old-school vibe. The best part? At this classic restaurant, you’ll taste one of the best melts-in-your-mouth steaks (from 12 oz to 24 oz!). 

Any steak is best paired with a nice glass of wine. Expect only good service because the sommelier will pick out the best type of wine for your food in case you’re not sure what to get.

Pro Tip:
If you’re celebrating with the whole family, you can book private dining (the round table accommodates six to eight guests). But make sure you reserve ahead because Father’s Day will surely be busy.

Take Dad on a fishing trip at Toronto Islands

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Website

Location: Toronto Islands

There’s actually a place to go urban fishing in Toronto. Just ride a ferry to Toronto Islands and have a relaxing and quiet time—just you, your dad, Lake Ontario, and fresh air.

If you want to catch pike and largemouth, go to Ward Island, and Centre Island is abundant with pike and carp (it’s been known that you can catch large carp here). On the nude beach of Hanlan’s Point, you can fish near the marina for some pike.

If you go hungry, you can eat at one of the restaurants on the island. You’ll find them near the ferry dock, but you can also take advantage of the BBQ grills and the picnic areas (Centre Island has the best picnic sites).

Pro Tip:
Book a ferry ticket to Toronto Islands before 10 am to avoid large crowds. It’s also best to purchase an online ticket so you get a separate queue.

Bring Dad on a supercar adventure with GTA Exotics

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Website

Location: 3038 Yonge St, Suite 6060

Contact: (905) 815-1300, [email protected]

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday – Saturday: 9 am – 7 pm
  • Sunday: 9 am – 4 pm

One way to make your old man smile is by taking him to GTA Exotics, an exotic car and supercar rental in Toronto. This is the place where dreams are made of and where your dad’s jaw will fall on the ground because of the coolest surprise!

Go on an exotic car tour in the Niagara countryside, where you can drive a McLaren, a Lamborghini, and an Aston Martin! If you want to drive longer, you can choose a six-hour tour on the roads of Halton.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, book a track day experience for Dad. Live like a Formula One race car driver for a day and drive a Ferrari on a road with no speed limits!

Pro Tips:
To get the most out of your day, book a multiple car package so your dad can drive up to ten different cars! Also, remember you need a G1, G2, or G driver’s license.
Most cars can only accommodate up to two passengers, and since the instructor will already be in the passenger seat, that leaves no more room for you if Dad is driving. Instead, book a 30-minute test drive so you can be the passenger.

Buy your dad a Frank Correnti cigar

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Website

Location: 206 Spadina Ave

Contact: (416) 504-4108, [email protected]

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday – Saturday: 12 pm – 6 pm
  • Sunday: Closed

For cigar aficionados, a gift from Frank Correnti Cigars is a must! After all, it is the oldest cigar shop in Toronto, which definitely makes it a part of history!

Surprise your dad with a handmade (and high grade!) cigar on Father’s Day. Correnti’s sells various lengths and sizes—does your dad prefer a longer smoke or a shorter cigar experience?

Make it even more special and purchase an accessory. Does he need a humidor or a travel case? Or is there a specific cutter that he needs?

Pro Tip:
There are many things that come with being a cigar aficionado. If you aren’t sure, secretly take a photo of your dad’s collection so you can buy the ones he doesn’t have. You can show it to the Correnti’s staff, they know what they’re doing!

Get Dad a beer gift box from Bandit Brewery

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Website

Location: 2125 Dundas St W

Contact: [email protected]

Operating Hours:

  • Monday – Tuesday: 4 pm – 11 pm
  • Wednesday: 4 pm – 12 am
  • Thursday: Closed
  • Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 1 am
  • Sunday: 12 pm – 11 pm

Dads love a cold glass of beer on a summer afternoon (or is it just my dad?). Why not get him a gift box from Bandit Brewery that he can enjoy all summer long?

They sell beer gift boxes, which is very convenient if you aren’t sure what to get. We suggest “The Bandit Way of Life” gift box, which includes four beer cans, a Teku glass, and a t-shirt.

But you can always make your own. You can purchase a box or basket and put individual things on there. Include your dad’s favourite Bandit beers (and maybe some new flavours) with some accessories, like a cool bottle opener.

Pro Tip:
Contact Bandit Brewery to check the brewery tour schedule. If they open slots on Father’s Day, you can take your dad there and enjoy a pint together.

Have brunch with your dad at The Morning After

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Website

Location: 88 Fort York Blvd

Contact: (647) 368-7620

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday – Friday: 9 am – 4 pm
  • Saturday – Sunday: 9 am – 6 pm

Dads, stepdads, uncles, and basically everyone loves a good brunch. The Morning After in Toronto is one of the yummiest places to spend Father’s Day because of its bangin’ menu of brunch and booze!

The place is roomy with industrial-chic decor and a lively setting. It’s the perfect place for day drinking or if you’re looking for somewhere to cure your hangover!

One of their signature dishes is the boneless fried chicken on top of a Belgian waffle, drizzled with gochujang maple syrup. Pair it with beer on tap or one of their signature cocktails to complete the meal!

Pro Tip:
If you want to surprise your dad with a bottle service, don’t forget to RSVP on weekends. It does get busy, especially on Father’s Day, so it’s best to reserve early to secure your slot.

Celebrate on a boat with City Cruises Toronto

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Website

Location: 207 Queens Quay W

Contact: (833) 997-5300

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11 am – 8 pm

You know, you don’t need to leave the country if you want to go on a cruise! City Experiences provides lunch, dinner, and sightseeing cruise tours for the whole family!

Surprise your old man with a celebration aboard to experience Toronto like never before! Hop on a luxury vessel, dine on chef-plated menus, and see stunning views of the city!

Keep a look out for special offerings and get the best deals. They offer a customizable Father’s Day cruise so you and your dad can enjoy the day together!

Pro Tips:
Toronto traffic is no joke, and Father’s Day is no exception. When going to the terminal, you need to consider the traffic and parking to your travel time to ensure you won’t be late for boarding.
Look for parking areas near Queen’s Way Terminal in case the Harbourfront Centre is full. RBC Waterpark Place and Southcore Financial Centre are ideal options.

Have a BBQ at home delivered by Geary Market

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Website

Location: 165 Geary Ave Unit 1

Contact: (416) 533-8800

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday – Saturday: 12 pm – 7 pm
  • Sunday: Closed

There’s nothing like a good BBQ to enjoy Father’s Day with your dad and the whole family. If you want to prepare food for your dad on his special day but are culinarily challenged, you can order prepared dishes from Geary Market!

They have a lot of options, including meat, fish, and vegan meals. You can order all the chef-prepared food you want and have them delivered to your doorstep—don’t forget to plate them so you can pretend you cooked it! *wink wink*

If you want to do a backyard BBQ, you can order ready-to-grill meal kits instead. The BBQ Family pack includes four Angus beef patties, burger buns, toppings mix, and fresh lemonade.

Pro Tip:

Since Father’s Day will be busy, we suggest giving them a call if they can deliver your order on Sunday. If you’re planning to get the ready-to-grill kit, you can have them delivered on Saturday, just to be sure.

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