The ultimate guide to celebrating Father’s Day in NYC

Father’s day in NYC calls for big bold flavors and plenty of fun. From ballpark seats to sizzling steakhouses, craft brews to sky-high adventures, the city’s endless energy sets the stage for memories you’ll be swapping at family gatherings for years. New York has Father’s Day options galore—whether he’s a sports fanatic, a BBQ aficionado, a museum nut, or just loves trying something new. Ready to plan dad’s favorite Father’s Day yet? Let’s go!

Dig in at Keens Steakhouse

 

Raise a fork to classic NYC dining at Keens Steakhouse, where the walls are hung with vintage clay pipes and the steak knives are seriously sharp. This is the kind of old-school place where dads feel right at home—dark wood, white tablecloths, and waiters who’ve perfected the art of hospitality. The star of the show is the mutton chop: a massive, juicy cut that’s been on the menu since 1885 and draws carnivores from across the country. The porterhouse is sheer perfection, and the wedge salad comes with crumbled blue cheese and enough bacon to make any dad smile.

Pair your meal with a whiskey from the extensive bar, and don’t skip the creamed spinach and hash browns. For dessert? Go classic with the Key lime pie or New York cheesecake. Keens is a steakhouse where fathers and sons, grandfathers and grandkids, have been toasting big days and swapping stories for generations. If your dad likes tradition and a meal that doesn’t mess around, this is the place.

Cheer the New York Mets at Citi field

 

If blue and orange run in your family veins, head to Citi Field for a Father’s Day Mets game. The ballpark is famed for its friendly crowds and foodie upgrades, so arrive hungry: this is the only stadium in America where you’ll find Shake Shack burgers and Fuku spicy chicken sandwiches a few steps from the bleachers. There’s an entire craft beer section featuring local breweries, and if your dad’s a memorabilia collector, the team store has everything from throwback jerseys to signed bats.

Before the game, take a lap through the Mets Hall of Fame and Museum, where you’ll spot championship trophies and mementos from the miracle Mets. Depending on your seats, you can even enjoy amazing skyline views or catch the post-game fireworks if the schedule aligns.

Savor sandwiches and soda at Katz’s 

 

Give dad an old-school slice of New York with a trip to Katz’s Delicatessen on the Lower East Side. This spot has a reputation that stretches far beyond the city limits, and with good reason—Katz’s serves up sandwiches thet seem too tall to fit in your mouth, crammed with piles of hand-carved pastrami or corned beef. Watching the knife-wielding pros behind the counter is a show in itself; they carve up smoky, peppery slices and often hand over a sample to snack on while you wait for your masterpiece to be stacked, weighed and wrapped in wax paper.

The vibe inside is classic New York: walls lined with celebrity photos and neon signs, wooden tables, and the cheerful clatter of families, locals and tourists all digging in. Order a cold, crunchy half-sour pickle on the side and maybe a Dr. Brown’s soda for a real taste of tradition.

Visit the Intrepid Museum

 

Feed dad’s sense of adventure at the Intrepid Museum, docked on the Hudson River. This living piece of history is home to the legendary aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, an enormous ship that saw service in World War II and during the space race era. Climb up and explore real fighter jets and helicopters on the deck, then head into hangars packed with interactive exhibits and flight simulators (the G-Force Experience is a must for thrill-seekers).

Inside, you’ll find the space shuttle Pavilion, where you can stand beneath the actual Enterprise—NASA’s first space shuttle prototype—for a truly awe-inspiring moment. Submarine fans can crawl through the Growler, a Cold War-era vessel with cramped corridors and tales of high-seas heroics. Everywhere you go, enthusiastic guides and veterans share stories, fun facts, and personal memories, making history come alive. With plenty of opportunities to climb, explore and generally get hands-on, it’s a museum that makes everyone—including dads—feel like a kid again.

Tour the Classic Car Club Manhattan

 

If your dad smiles every time he sees a classic car, treat him to a visit—or even a membership day—at Classic Car Club Manhattan. Overlooking the Hudson River, this sleek members club offers access to some of the world’s most beautiful and rare rides, from vintage Porsches and Jaguar convertibles to American muscle cars and Italian exotics. On select weekends and event days, nonmembers can book driving experiences or join enthusiast meet-ups where professional guides share the history and secrets of these rolling works of art.

The atmosphere inside the club is a mix of retro cool and cutting-edge design, with a polished industrial aesthetic, waterfront windows and conversation pieces everywhere you look. Car lovers will appreciate the chance to talk shop, peek under hoods, and, if you book ahead, even sit behind the wheel for a short drive. 

Explore whiskey and history at Kings County Distillery

 

Spoil the spirit enthusiast in your life with a trip to Kings County Distillery, Brooklyn’s oldest and one of its most beloved whiskey makers. Their stunning location in the Brooklyn Navy Yard makes the perfect urban playground for curious dads. Join a tour to see copper stills at work, inhale the heady aroma of aging bourbon, and learn about the early days of New York distilling—complete with a dash of Prohibition-era lore.

After the tour, relax in their atmospheric tasting room, housed in a historic gatehouse, where rustic decor and open brick make for a standout spot to sip. Choose from a flight of house-made bourbon, rye, and creative seasonal releases, each poured by knowledgeable staff who are quick with stories, tasting notes and recommendations. For the dad who loves craft spirits, the on-site shop offers limited-run bottles and whiskey-themed gifts that go way beyond the usual.

Feast on BBQ at Mighty Quinn’s

 

Dads who love big flavors and finger-licking eats are in for a treat at Mighty Quinn’s. With locations around the city—Union Square and the Upper East Side are family-friendly favorites—this barbecue joint has a cult following for their slow-smoked brisket, pulled pork, and burnt end baked beans. Order by the pound or let dad go wild with a sampler platter stacked with savory meats, herbed potato salad and tangy slaw.

The mood is casual, with picnic tables and craft beers on tap, perfect for feasting, catching a game on TV and mulling what to order for dessert (our money’s on the brownie or banana pudding). Pitmasters will chat about their favorite wood (oak, always oak), and you can claim a quart of sauce to-go for repeat meals at home. When all else fails, barbecue and beer is a language every dad speaks.

Looking for more NYC experiences to mark special occasions? Check out our favourite ideas for Mother's Day celebrations and elevate your Big Apple experience at some of the city’s highest viewpoints.

Step up your sightseeing with Go City®

We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. 

See more, do more, and experience more with Go City® - just choose a pass to get started!