Salvage a belated Father’s Day: Connect with home, Pittsburgh

This year I wished my dad a happy Father’s Day by sending him a video of YouTube sensation Pittsburgh Dad watching the Steelers — a portrayal shockingly close to my own dad’s countenance while watching the Steelers play. I sent him this video with my best wishes and a slight undertone of hassle and regret because I had nearly forgotten it was Father’s Day.

Did you, too, almost forget about Father’s Day? Help make it up to him by planning for next year with this list of things to do on Father’s Day with your own Pittsburgh dad.

1. Take him to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium (or the Aviary — that place is super cool too)

One of only six major zoo and aquarium combinations in the country, the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium house about four hundred species of animals!

A trek up and down each hill through the “African Savanna” to the “Tropical Forest” and on to “Water’s Edge” will offer plenty to fascinate dad for the entire day. And if your dad is prone to bird-watching (like mine), you can split your day in half and head over to the National Aviary where he can see more than 600 birds from around the world. Father’s Day is the perfect time for dad to visit the monkeys and be thankful you weren’t swinging from trees when you were a kid.

2. Take him to Ohiopyle and go camping, fishing, canoeing, hiking, rock climbing or something else outdoorsy

I don’t think science has proven this yet, but I’m pretty sure that almost every dad is born with a gene that drives him to love the outdoors. However, dads vary as far as what they like to do outside, so Ohiopyle National Park is a great place to go where there are a lot of options for things to do. Even if your dad doesn’t like roughing it outdoors for a night, Ohiopyle offers camping cottages for a fun weekend away. Instead of just sitting around all day staring each other down over a mountain of cake, you and your pop can climb your own mountains. Or maybe just quietly fish at the lake at the bottom. It’s your choice, Dad.

3. Take him golfing (aka, the cliche that seems to be a cliche for a good reason)

When I was little, I assumed that just because my dad didn’t like to golf, every dad in the world didn’t like to golf and the whole golfing-on-Father’s Day thing was just a widely held misconception. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that my own dad is in the minority when it comes to golf. It turns out that golfing is a common sport for fathers. And why wouldn’t it be? A relaxing day outside involving slow movement through green grass and a healthy dose of competition, golfing is the perfect activity for a dad and his family. There are tons of courses around Pittsburgh, so just look up a list and pick one. There are some — including Oakmont Country Club and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club — that have even hosted the U.S. Open. That will make dad really feel like a champ.

4. Take him to a Pittsburgh Pirates game

If your dad is a true Pittsburgh dad, he would love nothing more than to spend an afternoon or evening with you watching the Buccos play at PNC Park. Even if they’re having a bad season, your dad has likely been a fan long enough that he’s stopped caring about the quality of the team and just loves the Pirates for the Pirates. He’ll love sharing his blind faith in the team with you as you eat hot dogs and sip drinks.

5. Take him to Cinema in the Park

With free movie showings at parks all around the city from Schenley Park to Mt. Washington, going to Cinema in the Park is a cheap and fun belated Father’s Day activity. One of my dad’s favorite ways of connecting with my brother and me is simply to watch a movie. Not usually knowledgeable about pop culture — at least when compared to us — my dad feels like he is a part of our generation when he joins us at the movies. Now, your dad might ramble on for a while after the film about how that new superhero movie was not nearly as good as the original “Batman” or how the latest drama can’t hold a candle to “Citizen Kane,” but at least you can have a discussion with your dad about movies and compare your generation’s blockbusters to his in the relaxing environment of a park. Bring some some snacks for a picnic and your Father’s Day outing will be perfect.

Even if your dad is a Philadelphia Dad or a Boston Dad or even a West Virginia Dad, these kinds of activities can be found in any area. The important thing is that you take time for your dad and spend the day with him. So get planning for next year so you can show your dad an awesome Father’s Day, even if it’s in 2013.

Write Elizabeth at eaw62@pitt.edu.