Go Ahead. Make His Day.

Three uncommon Dad's Day adventures for father and son

By The Editors
June 15, 2015 9:00 am

Sponsored by

Dad’s Day is around the corner.

You could take the easy way out and get him another necktie.

Or you can get him what he really wants: Time.

With you. With your kids.

So make some time for him. And then use that time to do something memorable.

Herewith: three itineraries to help you do just that.

One on the water. One on the road. And one for the history buffs.

So make the time.

Make his day.

Northwest Rafting Co.
Hood River, OR

A trip with Oregon’s Northwest Rafting Co. is the ultimate way to experience the other-wordly beauty of the best rivers in the West. Pick your route from the Salmon, Rogue, Owyhee and Chetco Rivers (or if you’re going big, they’ve got trips in Bhutan, Russia and Chile), and pack your camping gear for a couple nights in the great outdoors. By day, you and a guide will hack paddles along your river of choice. Water’s warm(-ish…it is a river after all), the scenery idyllic and the work rewarding. Come dusk, you’ll bunker down at a riparian campsite and partake of the sudsy goodness from Portland’s Basecamp Brewing Company, whose brews make it into the gear of every NWRC trip. If you have special beer requests, just let them know ahead of time. Drinking stories and general ribaldry sure to follow.

Alternatives: North Creek Rafting Company (Adirondacks), Next Level Sailing (Chicago)

PAIR IT WITH …

The Aquaracer. Whether you’re splashing in the shallows or taking the deep plunge, the Aquaracer is level to the task. Tested by Navy SEALS and worn by the Oracle Team that won the 34th America’s Cup, the Aquaracer boasts impeccable diving properties (high luminescence, screw-in crown, extension bracelet for wear over a wetsuit) and a ready-for-anything look.

Allen Berg Racing Schools
Los Angeles, CA

Every man must drive a race car once. It is written. Here. But also other places. Allen Berg is the man to put you behind the wheel of that race car. He’s driven Formula 1, 2, 3 and Touring Cars at a professional level. He’s been an instructor at some of North America’s best racing schools (Skip Barber, Derek Daly, BMW Mexico). He beat Ayrton Senna. And now he runs a series of his own schools in SoCal and Arizona (locations here), where he’ll put you behind the tiller of an open-cockpit Formula Renault 1600 for 1-3 days of ear-splitting, tire-burning, pants-soiling race training.

Alternatives: Monticello Motor Club (NY), Xtreme Xperience (Chicago)

PAIR IT WITH…

The Tag Heuer Formula 1. The same high-performance timepiece worn by some of the champion drivers on the legendary McLaren Formula 1 team, a TAG Heuer partner for 30 years. It’s rugged, dependable and easy on the eye. Double-folding security clasp to prevent accidental opening. Easy-grip screw-in crown. And water resistant to 200m.

Greg McDonnell

Uncommon Journey Train Tour
Chicago, IL

A time-turning tribute to the Golden Age of rail travel, Uncommon Journeys offers train trips all over North America from Canada to Mexico. They’ve partnered with Pullman, makers of historical Art Deco first-class sleeper cars that give both the thrill of a bygone pastime — lavish quarters and white-jacketed livery at your attendance — and modern-day comforts (you won’t be without Wi-Fi here). This is how a man of stature used to travel — and still can. Departing from Chicago, June trips include a Wonders of the West tour, Canadian Rockies and Yosemite to Denali. All aboard!

Alternatives: Blackstone Airways (LA), The Race of Gentlemen (Wildwood, NJ)

PAIR IT WITH…

The TAG Heuer Carrera. TAG’s history-rich flagship. An elegant, contemporary sports watch that’s been turning heads since 1963. The current model is built on their in-house Calibre 1887 chronograph movement — which debuted in 2010 — but still takes its design cues from the iconic, swashbuckling original. Bold, easy-to-read dial. Race-savvy tachymeter on the outer rim. Tasteful red accents on the hands and lugs.