Father’s Day is coming up on June 15. Why not celebrate Dad with some adrenaline-fueled fun? Here are some exciting ways to create lasting memories with fishing, paddling, zip-lining, car racing and more.
Go Fishin’
Book a fishing excursion on the Potomac led by Arlingtonian Owen Koch. He founded Capital Blues Fishing Charters last year to help reduce the number of invasive blue catfish in the river. And it just so happens, they also make for a tasty dinner. A half-day trip is $395 and the best option for families with youngsters.
If Dad is angling to learn the art of fly-fishing, Elk River Inn & Cabins will happily cast him a line—or rather, teach him how. Gil Willis, a native Alexandrian, has owned the 145-acre, pet-friendly property in West Virginia’s Pocahontas County for more than four decades. The area is known as the “birthplace of rivers” because eight rivers start there. Join a guide for an eight-hour “Wade & Fish” trip that includes lunch or go full immersion with the Elk River Weekend Fly Fishing School, which includes lodging. A West Virginia fishing license with a trout stamp is required for these excursions and can be obtained at wvdnr.gov/fishing.
Get Out On the Water
Does Dad like doing the legwork? Let him party while he paddles on a 90-minute booze cruise with Potomac Paddle Club (founded by two Yorktown High School alumni). Or save the beers for later and rent a paddleboard or tandem kayak by the hour or for the day from Penguin Paddling to take on the Occoquan River. Kids who weigh at least 30 pounds are welcome to ride under adult supervision, and leashed dogs can also take to the water.
For the ultimate thrill-seekers, there’s rafting with Adventures on the Gorge. The three outfitters who run it have been navigating West Virginia’s New River Gorge for more than 50 years. Whitewater newbies will appreciate gentle runs along the New River’s upper section, while mid-level rafters can ride the lower part, which has Class II to IV rapids. The nearby Gauley River is for the less faint of heart: An 11-mile upper stretch of froth known as the “Beast of the East” features almost nonstop Class III to Class V rapids. Après-rafting, the outfitters’ 350-acre resort offers aerial courses, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, zip lines and a two-level Canyon Falls pool.
Take to the Trees
For the dads who can’t be topped, grab a harness and hook in for a treetop adventure. The closest nearby climbing courses are Climb UPton in Arlington and Go Ape!, with locations in Springfield and Rockville, where you can fly through the trees on 320-feet zip lines and conquer obstacles up to 50 feet in the air ($64.95 for ages 16 and up, $59.95 for 15 and younger).
Also nearby is The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring, which has climbs after dark: Glow in the Park is for ages 6 and up, while Keep it Lit is for adults only. The ultimate challenge is the three-hour Aerial Forest Adventure, which features 15 trails, 35 zip lines, six difficulty levels, and almost 200 challenge bridges (prices start at $48). Toss in a round of ax throwing while you’re there.
For more of a day trip, head to Salamander Adventures in Middleburg. Guided zip line tours are available for littles as young as 4 ($75 for 30 minutes), while adventurers 7 and older can do the two-hour Tree Top Zip Tour, with five lines ranging from 275-675 feet long ($149).
Put One Foot in Front of the Other
Fitness-focused fathers might enjoy a morning run on Father’s Day. If so, sign him (and yourself) up for the Run with Dad 5K and 1 Mile happening June 15 at 8 a.m. at South Lakes High School in Reston. (There’s a virtual option, too.) All pre-registered runners—or walkers—will get a T-shirt, race bib, medal, post-run snacks and photos. Registration is $45 for the 5K ($35 for kids 14 and younger) and $35 for the 1-miler.
If open space and natural beauty are Dad’s thing, he doesn’t have to go far to find them. For example, Sky Meadows State Park in Virginia’s Piedmont is about an hour’s drive but a world away. Hikers have their choice of trails of varying difficulty and length, including a 5.2-mile scenic circuit that includes the Piedmont Overlook and part of the famed Appalachian Trail. Other options include Shenandoah National Park, which has 500 miles of trails, including the OG: Old Rag.
Need for Speed
Why should NASCAR drivers have all the fun? Zoom around indoor go-kart tracks at K1 Speed (formerly Autobahn), an indoor speedway with new locations in Manassas and Sterling. Kids 48 inches or taller can get behind the wheel of a specially designed junior kart that tops out at 25 mph and is outfitted with seat belts, roll bars and automatic shutoff in case of emergency. K1 Speed also has Adult Karts for drivers 58 inches or taller that go up to 45 mph.
The Montreal Grand Prix Watch Party at F1 Arcade DC, which has racing simulators, craft cocktails and elevated eats, is another high-octane way to celebrate Dad. The party hits the gas June 15, 1-4 p.m. Admission is $49 or $135 for a Grandstand ticket, which gets you special seating, unlimited beer, wine, bubbles and sharing plates. 420 Penn St., NE, Washington, D.C.
Another endorphin-pumping option is rock climbing at Movement, a Best of Arlington-winning indoor facility in Crystal City with hundreds of climbing routes spread across 35,000 square feet, with some walls as high as 40 feet. The minimum age is 5.
Should our area’s finicky weather make outdoor planning iffy, check out Sandbox VR, a full-body virtual reality entertainment experience at The Boro in Tysons. Using motion-tracking tech to capture movement and a custom haptic system to simulate touch, groups of up to six will feel like they’re in another—possibly more thrilling—world.