How to Have a Great Father's Day With Your Artsy Dad

If your father is the creative type, plan well to one-up him. Don't think he'll be satisfied with the quick fix; he's likely to have excellent taste.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Start the day with a bouquet of flowers, preferably Japanese ikebana.

2. Plan a trip to local museums, whether displaying paintings, sculpture or other art.

3. Splurge for a journey to your dad's favorite distant museum - perhaps one he's never been to: the Met, the Louvre or even the Acropolis.

4. Give him the tickets hidden within a coffee table book about that museum.

5. Go together to the symphony, a ballet, a potter's or photographer's gallery, or a theater performance.

6. Attend First Friday. Most cities have a gallery walk (often the first Thursday or Friday of each month) where studios are open late with warm receptions in conjunction with new exhibits.

7. Watch the budget and take your dad to the Saturday market. Plenty of excellent artisans display hundreds of wares in most cities.

8. Ask your tourism information office for walking tours of city sculpture, which will often include several beautiful parks in the mix.

9. Eat lunch at an art café. Spend some time checking the monthly displays (as many will have revolving exhibits) and menus.

10. Consider a fine restaurant, especially if your dad is a connoisseur of excellent food. Research the menu and reputation well in advance.

11. Choose a good alternative: Take your father for wine or coffee in a café during poetry readings, or for a glass of wine at a jazz club.

Tips & Warnings

• This is a good time to buy him that beret he's always wanted, but hasn't had the nerve to get himself.
• If you plan to give a coffee table book as a present, you may want to rethink the Robert Mapplethorpe selection.