The father figure in your life is the best and surely appreciates every Father’s Day gift you’ve ever given. This year, if he loves to get out and explore or is looking to embark on a new adventure, celebrate dad with an extra special gift: Travel. Whether he can’t get enough of the outdoors or considers himself a barbecue connoisseur, these five trips will create lasting memories and show him how much you appreciate spending quality time together.
For the Dad Who Loves an Adventure: Iceland
Iceland is full of adventures and is the perfect place to take a father figure who loves to explore breathtaking natural landscapes. Water lovers must check out Skógafoss waterfall, whale watch in harbor town Húsavík and catch puffins waddling around Breiðavík beach. Iceland is also known for its geothermal pools, so take a post-adventure soak in the famous Blue Lagoon or Myvatn Nature Baths, where you can sample “geyser bread” at the onsite café, which is baked in geothermally heated soil. While there are plenty of wonderful locales to visit, the charming capital city Reykjavik is a perfect place to set up home base.
Spanning six connected buildings, Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre reflects its eclectic past as a furniture factory, music venue and arts hub. At restaurant Geiri Smart, the menu changes often to feature fresh seafood and local produce, and the hotel bar has a cozy fireplace and offers fun cocktails and delicious bar bites.
For the Dad Who Loves Whisky: Scotland
Scotland is the ultimate pilgrimage for whisky lovers, and there is plenty to do in between toasting drams with dad. Speyside is perhaps the country's most famous whisky region, home to more than 50 distilleries, and visitors can take a self-guided tour on the Malt Whisky Trail. If dad loves peaty, salty scotch, there are nine different distilleries to visit in Islay. For days when you’re not distillery hopping, hike the Ben Nevis summit or check out Stirling’s preserved Old Town.
If dad loves live music and pub culture, stay in edgy, modern Glasglow. Hampton by Hilton Glasgow Central is surrounded by great restaurants, bars and Buchanan Street shopping, and guests can enjoy Hampton’s reliable, friendly service during their stay.
If the beauty and museums of Edinburgh are more his scene, Hilton Edinburgh Carlton is home to Nineteen Hundred Bar & Lounge where you can indulge in a fine malt whisky and experience the warmth of Scottish hospitality at its best.
For the Dad Who Loves Blues and Barbecue: Memphis, Tennessee
There’s so much to do in Memphis – especially if you’re a fan of blues and rock music and sweet, tangy, tomato-based barbecue sauce. To learn more about the city’s historic past, stop into Sun Studio, visit the National Civil Rights Museum and tour the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Catch live music at Levitt Shell outdoor amphitheater, Wild Bill’s Juke Joint or one of the many venues on Beale Street. If exploring worked up a serious appetite, order a rack of dry rub ribs or succulent pulled pork shoulder.
The Central Station Memphis, Curio Collection by Hilton offers a music-centric stay in downtown, close to all the action. The property features a listening room with daily curated playlists and podcasts, a record wall with 3,500 vinyls, an in-house DJ, and room speakers that transmit mixes.
For the Dad Who Loves to Drive: California Coast
Embarking on a road trip with your father figure ensures spending extra quality time, and there’s no greater road trip than the California Coast. Start in San Diego, where you can relax on the beach in La Jolla, paraglide over Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, partake in a taco crawl in the city’s Barrio Logan neighborhood and have a nightcap in one of the many excellent cocktail bars.
At Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Downtown/Bayside, you can enjoy a complimentary beverage at the weekly evening social and rest easy knowing that a free hot breakfast will be waiting for you in the morning. Then it’s time to jump on the Pacific Coast Highway and make your way north. Along the route, stop at places like Santa Barbara, San Simeon, Big Sur and Monterey. When you finally make it to San Francisco, treat dad to some of its world-class restaurants and bars, explore the oldest Chinatown in the United States, and view the collections at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Check in to Home2 Suites by Hilton San Francisco Airport North where you can enjoy a spacious suite with an in-room kitchen. Sneak in a workout while you refresh your road trip wardrobe at Spin2 Cycle, the integrated laundry and fitness room.
For the History Buff Dad: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
There are few better places to brush up on U.S. history than Philadelphia, making it the perfect location for the dad who has a wealth of knowledge and is always thirsty for more. You can see where the Declaration of Independence was signed at Independence Hall, visit the Museum of the American Revolution and browse the medical oddities at Mütter Museum. Art abounds at Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens and all along the streets, as the city has more than 4,000 official murals. Hop over to Fishtown for a neighborhood feel and plenty of cafes and eateries.
If you’re looking to stay near restaurants and shopping, Motto by Hilton Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square in Center City is a lifestyle hotel designed to deliver a flexible and innovative hospitality experience with efficient travel-sized rooms, vibrant communal spaces and locally-inspired smart design. The rooftop taqueria, El Techo, features sweeping views of the Philadelphia skyline thanks to its state-of-the-art, retractable glass roof.