16 Best Father-Son and Father-Daughter Trip Ideas for an Unforgettable Getaway
Nothing's better than a memorable trip with your dad.
No matter the occasion—be it Father's Day, his birthday, or just because—there's no bad time to pack your bags for a father-son or father-daughter trip. Whether he’s a bona fide nature lover, music connoisseur, or takes pleasure in life’s finer things (like wine and cheese), plan your next weekend trip together with these cool travel ideas from across the country. Outdoor junkies will get a kick out of camping and fishing trips, or sports fans can tee off with Dad at a coastal golf course. There’s no shortage of spots to stuff your face too, from BBQ in NYC to local cheese in Vermont. And on the more spontaneous side, why not gas up the car for a casual road trip? Whichever route (pun intended) you choose, call up your father and start planning now because these vacation ideas with dad are guaranteed to be a whole lot of fun.
Roam the Open Road
There's no better one-on-one time than when you're riding shotgun alongside your dad. Whether you mapped out your destinations or just want to wing it, pack the car and get away on a casual road trip together. We recommend a southwest desert route so you can hit hotspots like Las Vegas or the Grand Canyon.
Hit the Races
Aaaand they're off! Mix up your father-son or father-daughter sports routine and head to the race track for some lively equestrian competition. You both might even come out on top in the Winner's Circle—place a few low-stakes horse bets and you could walk away with some extra cash. Kentucky boasts two picturesque race tracks—Keeneland and Churchill Downs.
Sweat It Out in a Boozy 5K
Avid runners or not, you can't say no to a race with alcohol at the finish line—or, even better, during the run. The 2.5-mile Cincinnati Beer Run in Ohio provides craft brews on the go every half mile, so you and dad can guzzle some liquid courage while sweating it out. On the other hand, nationwide Craft Brew Races conclude with a three-hour beer festival. Fitness has never been this fun.
Get Cheesy
To honor the man who's no doubt aged better than fine wine, consider indulging in another wonderfully mature delight—cheese. Wisconsin, aka the "cheese state," offers a handful of local cheese tours to satisfy your gouda craving. Or, head to the northeast for the Vermont Cheese Trail, where you and dad can make your rounds to the states' most delicious cheesemakers.
Revert Back to His Roots
If you grew up in different cities, allow your dad to show you around his old stomping grounds and take a trip to his original hometown. He'll love playing tour guide as you scope out his favorite local spots, and you can get to know your pops even more by bonding over his former childhood memories.
Binge on BBQ
Or whatever food you and your father favor. There are whole festivals devoted to chowing down—we love Big Apple Barbecue in NYC and Kentucky's International Bar-B-Q Festival (pictured).
Seek Adventure
Growing up, he was your hero. Now that you're friends as well as family, take off on a trip filled with action-packed adventure. Go zip-lining in Nicaragua, whitewater-rafting in Idaho, ATV-riding in Utah, or hike and horseback-ride in Wyoming.
Be Beach Bums (Or Catch a Wave)
Okay, maybe a little bit of both. It all depends on Dad's (and your) energy level. Escape to Hawaii, the Caribbean, or simply a nearby beach. No matter if you're novices or hang ten all the time, trying something new is a great way to bond. And so is lounging in beach chairs, with a cold drink in hand.
Tee Off on a Golf Getaway
Does Dad love to golf? Indulge his interests with a golfing getaway. Monterey, California, and the Scottish Highlands are just two destinations famous for their courses. And you can do more than golf! A package at the LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort in Naples, Florida, even comes with tours of the local brewery and the Naples waterways, plus a choice of a facial or salt stone massage at the spa.
Camp in the Wilderness
Reconnect with nature (and each other) on a camping trip—perhaps in a national park. Sit by the fire, grill dinner, swim in a lake, and sleep under the stars. Even better, take your own son or daughter along for three generations of fun.
Go Hunting or Fishing
If fishing and hunting are hobbies you and Dad share, why not plan a vacation around them? Take an Alaskan fishing cruise, fly fish in Montana, hunt deer in the Midwest, or crab on the East Coast.
Take Him Out to the Ballgame
Buy some tickets (and peanuts and Cracker Jacks), gas up the car, and take off on a baseball road trip—or for that matter, any kind of sport he's into. Start out close to home, whether that's Wrigley Field or Yankee Stadium, and catch as many major league games as you can. Plan some on-theme pit stops, like the Chicago Baseball Museum or the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY.
Cheers to Your Dad
Pick your poison and plan away! Go big at Oktoberfest, or stay in the states and tour distilleries (we love the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and Templeton Rye in Iowa), breweries (Delaware's Dogfish Head, or Bell's Brewery in Michigan), or wineries (check out New York's Benmarl, the oldest vineyard in America, or Donkey & Goat in California). Thirsty yet?
Pictured: Maker's Mark
Embark on an Educational Excursion
If you're both history buffs, go learn something together. Travel to his side's country of origin, or go to a historically rich city a little closer to home: Washington, DC is an obvious but great choice for museums and landmarks galore.
Jam Out Together
He probably introduced you to some of your favorite artists. Bust out those "Dad moves" in Nashville's best honky-tonks and music venues, keep it weird at an Austin music festival, or hop across the pond to submerge yourself in London's iconic music scene.
Geek Out Over Vintage Cars
They just don't make 'em like that anymore. (Your dad and the car.) Whether you're collectors or just admirers, go back in time at a classic car show, like the Downtown Reidsville Cruise-In (pictured), the Charlotte Autofair, or The Elegance at Hershey.
Blair Donovan is House Beautiful’s Digital Director, where she oversees the brand’s site strategy and growth. With almost a decade of writing and editing experience, she has held editorial positions at home and lifestyle publications across Hearst, Condé Nast, and more, as well as a copywriting role at Macy’s. Prior to joining the HB team in 2025, she was the senior style editor at Apartment Therapy, where she kept tabs on the latest interior design trends, grew the brand’s news and style verticals, and helped launch the first-ever Small/Cool Design Awards. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Miami University. When she’s not at her desk, she’s an avid reader, cinephile, and ClassPass enthusiast.
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