Long before a dad walks his little girl down the aisle — and spins her on the dance floor to the sounds of “Daddy’s Little Girl” or “Butterfly Kisses” — dads and daughters have taken many great walks and spins together. Daddy-daughter dates are important and special times. Many Rochester-area elementary schools now host sweetheart balls and daddy-daughter dances, and we all “ooh and aah” over Facebook posts of glorious photos snapped by mom before they head out the door. I personally love this magical night (and plan to volunteer at our school’s dance again this year, to get a peek from the sidelines) although, admittedly, I did most of the work to pull it o (from dress-shopping to ordering corsages). Heck, I’m behind the planning of most of my family’s daddy-daughter dates. But daddy’s little girl is only little once, so we embrace every opportunity. Here are some ideas for daddy-daughter activities and adventures ... for Father’s Day, special weekends, or any day.
1. Breakfast out. Test-drive diners or cafes until you discover your faves.
2. Visit the zoo. Decide in advance each of your five favorite animals you want to spend time seeing and learning more about.
3. Go to new heights. Test your aerial skills side-by-side on the indoor climbing walls at Rock Ventures in Rochester, the Aerial Adventures at Bristol Mountain (rope ladders, zip lines, tightrope walks), or hot-air balloon rides over Letchworth State Park.
4. Amusement park romps. Days spent at amusement parks are magical memories in the making. Also hit the waterpark at Seabreeze, Darien Lake, and Roseland Waterpark — suit up and scream all the way down!
5. Miniature golf. Try a new course within a 20-mile radius every time you go. Rochester even boasts the oldest mini-golf course in the country — Whispering Pines in the Seabreeze neighborhood, which has operated since 1930.
6. Historical landmarks. The homes of George Eastman and Susan B. Anthony are Nation- al Historic Landmarks located right in our city ... learn all you can about these fascinating folks who changed the way we see and experience the world.
7. Day hikes. We are in hikers’ heaven geographically —with paths along a Great Lake, the Erie Canal, the Genesee River, and the Finger Lakes, plus the Grand Canyon of the East (Letchworth State Park), Chimney Blu s State Park, and town and county parks. Tips: wear two pairs of socks and sturdy shoes and bring Band-Aids, trail mix, and water.
8. Outdoor concerts. Pack a picnic (and maybe earplugs) and hit small concerts at town parks are big-name outdoor shows at CMAC in Canandaigua or Darien Lake.
9. Short road trips. Pick nearby towns you’ve never been to, jump in the car, and go. Make it scenic and hit the Finger Lakes region or make it fact-finding and hit small historical museums like the Jell-O Museum in Leroy, N.Y.
10. Go fish (and skip some rocks). Dad can hook the worms if she doesn’t want to, but she just might surprise you ... and then have contests skipping rocks across streams and lakes.
11. Experience local festivals. Rochester is often called “the Festival City” since we host so many stellar ones. In just five months’ time, May through September, we have (in chronological order) the Lilac Festival, Fairport Canal Days,Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, Corn Hill Arts Festival, Park Avenue Summer Arts Festival, Puerto Rican Festival, Memorial Art Gallery’s Clothesline Festival, and the Rochester Fringe Festival ... plus several smaller community and arts festivals in between.
12. Take her out to the ball game. Root, root, root for the home team as you cheer on the Red Wings (baseball) and Rhinos (soccer) this summer ... and eat your way through the stadium experience.
