Unexpectedly awesome adventures for bonding with dad

If your dad is super outdoorsy, find a spot like Smith Rock State Park. This Oregon gem offers hikes, campsites, fishing spots, and was the birthplace of American sport climbing... so there's tons to keep you and your old man amused. One hike you definitely must take is Misery Ridge. The 3.8 mile loop features switchbacks, oversized stairs, and gorgeous views of Oregon's Cascade Mountains. There are tons of unique rock formations ripe for exploring, great for some easy bouldering. Along the hike, keep your eyes out for golden eagles (sometimes there are telescopes you can use to observe their nests), river otters, beavers, prairie falcons, and other unique wildlife, or you can watch the climbers tackle the sheer cliff face from a relatively safer location. Remember to bring along something for dad to grill for dinner!

If your dad is the kind that can talk for hours about "the good old days", throw it back to a simpler time with him at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Play lazer tag, go bowling, or enter into some friendly competition at one of the arcades, then unwind at the beach. Finish it off with beer and wings at the Captain's Galley, or burgers and milkshakes at the Dipper Diner. Bonus points if you can talk him into riding the Giant Dipper... before you eat, of course.

If your dad is into cycling, plan for a ride along a trail like Memphis's Shelby Farms Greenline. It starts in the gorgeous park, and ends about 11 miles away in Midtown Memphis, where you can treat you and Pops to beers and pizza at Boscos or a gut-busting feast of smoked meats at Central BBQ. The park also has ziplines (if your dad is the kind that is totally willing to try something new), kayak rentals, and tons more as well.

Dads and fishing go together like peas and carrots, and if your dad is an avid angler, there's no better gift you can give him on Father's Day than a day of fishing. Pick a spot like Georgia's Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, which offers stellar fishing in addition to hiking trails, picnic spots, and natural beauty. Here, you can catch trout, bass, catfish, and more in the cool, lush river. Just remember to make sure you have your permits and stamps in place before you cast out a line!

Got a history buff dad? Then a trip to a battlefield or historic site like Gettysburg is the perfect trip. Gettysburg itself has a ton to offer; you could easily make a trip here into a weekend adventure if you want, or you can just stick to touring the battlefield, which has visitors centers loaded with artifacts and history, monuments and memorials, and more. Visit during a day when they have guided tours, living history programs, talks, or other events going on for added fun!