Last week I started brainstorming about things to do for my dad and father-in-law for Father's Day this year. Though I'll probably still buy him some sort of gift, I wanted to also spend some quality time together. I came up with a pretty sweet list of local activities that we could do with our dads right here in Dalton. I was impressed with the variety of options and figured that it was something worth sharing!
Below are 14 activities in Dalton, Georgia that you can enjoy with your dad, children, the father figure in your life, or anyone for that matter! Hopefully there's something in the list that would interest every type of dad - the music maven, fisherman, grill master, veteran, sports fan, fitness fanatic, nature-lover, moonshine drinker, or history buff. But if not, maybe you'll take advantage of these activities some other time!
Here we go.
1. Downtown Dalton Summer Concert Series
Every Friday night this summer, there's a free concert series Downtown Dalton in Peacock Alley from 6:30 to 9 p.m. It's free and open to the public! Beer and wine will be sold by Hamilton's Food & Spirits there at the venue. You can also carry your food and drinks over from other restaurants in downtown. Bring chairs, a football, corn hole, and your dad on Friday, June 17th and jam out with the band, Blackbird Revival!
2. Fishing for Father's Day
If your dad likes to fish (like mine), this would be a cool event to check out. Morningside of Dalton is opening up their large private pond to the public for a free Father's Day event on Saturday, June 18th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a wet slide inflatable, hot dogs, popcorn, and snow cones. If your father is a grandfather as well, what more would he love than to fish with his children and grandchildren? Pretty sure my dad would consider that a slice of heaven!
3. High Five a Farmer at the Downtown Dalton Farmers Market
There's a Downtown Dalton Farmers Market every Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. You could make a day out of it and take him to the Downtown Dalton Farmer's Market and gather some goodies to cook together for a cookout. There's everything from fresh vegetables, herbs, jams, jellies, honey, bread, tea, soap, plants, locally made arts and crafts, and more. Be sure and high five the farmers while you're there!
4. Live Music at The Butcher's Market & Blues Street Cafe
After you leave the Downtown Farmer's Market you could go over to The Butcher's Market & Blues Street Cafe for lunch, live music, and a drink. Pick up your meat for the cookout while you're there! The artist playing at Blues Street Cafe will be Alexandra Davenport, from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m.
If you don't have a place to grill, don't worry! Heritage Point Regional Park has picnic areas with grills.
5. Gospel Fest
There is a Gospel Fest at the Dalton Convention Center on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. If your dad would be interested in Christian concert(s), it's a perfect opportunity to take him!
The concert consists of several local artists, as well as Michael English, Karen Peck, New River, Adam Crabb, The Freemans, The Hinson Family, and Jason Crabb. You can buy tickets in advance for $20 for the three days or $30 on the day of the shows.
6. Marine Corps League Community Event
The Marine Corps League is hosting their second annual Marine Corps League Community Event on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Whitfield County Court House green space. There will be live music by the Casey Adams Band, food by Big Johns Treat Shop, and potentially a car showcase by the old Dalton Car Club members.
If your dad is a veteran and likes live music, barbecue, and old cars, this sounds like a great opportunity!
7. Three on three Basketball Tournament
There will be a three on three VersaCourt Basketball Tournament held on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in front of the Whitfield County Courthouse. This will be an exciting basketball tournament on the streets of Historic Downtown Dalton, Georgia! There will be food, music, and great basketball all day. Bring your dad and join in on watching the games!
8. Micro Championship Wrestling at Dalton Moonshine Distillery
On Friday, June 17th, MCW "The Greatest Little Show on Earth" returns to the Dalton Distillery! If you and/or your dad like wrestling, moonshine, and laughing, you know where to go! Tickets are $20 and come with three complimentary house drinks.
9. Take a Hike
Both my father and my father-in-law enjoy being outdoors and hiking. My husband and I plan to take our dad's hiking one morning on Father's Day Weekend and then out to lunch. If you like this idea, here's a few places in Dalton to take a hike...
The George Disney Trail: This short but tough 1.4 mile hike climbs up the north side of Rocky Face Mountain. Click here for the directions.
College Creek Trail: This trail is located on the Dalton State College campus. It's a 1.69 mile hike up the 456 ft. mountain. Click here for directions.
Pinhoti Trail: This is the section of the long-distance, multi-use Pinhoti trail, best known from the Snake Creek Gap Time Trails. The trail is a total of 15 miles. You don't have to do the whole trail, unless you want to make a day out of it! Click here for directions.
10. Disc Golf
If you've never played disc golf with your dad, or don't even know what disc golf is, here's a cool idea for what to do this Father's Day! Heritage Point has an 18-hole disc golf course with a scenic trail, shade, seating, and bathrooms. You have to bring your own discs, though! Academy Sports sells the discs.
Click here for directions and to download the free printable disc golf score card.
11. Tunnel Hill Tour
If your dad is a history buff, take him to the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center to tour the Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel, a scene of the Civil War’s Great Locomotive Chase! Go see the 167-year old monument to progress and engineering. The W&A Tunnel at Tunnel Hill is a fantastic adventure for kids from 3-103! If Disney thought making a movie about it was a good idea, then you should definitely pencil in a visit for Father's Day!
Click here for directions and tour hours.
12. CrossFit at CrossFit Discernment
For the dad that would love an intense and manly workout, take him to CrossFit Discernment on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. or 10 a.m., (or anytime)! The instructors teach proper form, you can go at your own pace, the CrossFit community is welcoming and encouraging, no one will make fun of you, and you leave feeling dang proud! My husband and his dad started going to CrossFit Discernment together a few years ago. Now he's got me hooked! Go see for yourself what it's all about.
Address: 640 South Hamilton St. Dalton, Ga. 30720- Look for the blue and white awning. (706) 847-0720
http://www.crossfitdiscernment.org/index.html
13. Golf
Maybe a long day of golfing would interest your dad. You could get your clubs and take him to Nob North Golf Course. If he would rather do mini golf with the grandkids, don't forget about Dalton Falls Fun Center!
14. Enjoy Live Theatre
Maybe your dad would be interested in seeing a play. If so, both the Dalton Little Theatre (DLT) and the Artistic Civic Theatre (ACT) have shows on Father's Day weekend. The DLT will be performing "Five Tellers Dancing in the Rain" and ACT will be performing "The Wizard of Oz".
Click here for showtimes and tickets to the Dalton Little Theatre.
Click here for showtimes and tickets to the Artistic Civic Theatre.
Happy Father's Day! Enjoy.
