10 trips for dad

Tired of getting dad the same old boring gifts? Here are 10 cool trips and getaways to get him for Father’s Day.

Send dad to camp

<br><br>…Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp, that is. If dad is a rocker, he’ll love this trip to Vegas to write and record an original song with rock musicians as coaches and counselors while staying at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – he can visit the casinos and see a show while he’s in town, too. This year, the camp will feature guest performers Gene Simmons, Zakk Wylde, Sebastian Bach, Vince Neil, and more. Oct. 10-14, packages start at $6,999, www.rockcamp.com

Angling adventure in Alaska

<br><br>Located on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, Tim Berg’s Alaskan Fishing Adventures will take dad out on the water and bring him back with a very big fish. Berg is the recent winner of a $10,000 halibut derby, and has three lodges and a team of experienced guides to provide a unique Alaskan fishing experience. Aug. 14-19, save $500 per person. Packages start at $1,495,

www.alaskanfishing.com

PGA paradise in Palm Beach

<br><br>The PGA National Resort & Spa has nine pools, a health and racquet club, and, oh, yeah – five golf courses designed by pros like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. For the golf-obsessed dad, what’s better than being able to play on a course designed by – and used by – golf’s legends? Starting at $143.20/night (for a night in June), www.pgaresort.com

Put dad in the fast lane

<br><br>Forget the theme parks. If dad likes fast cars, the action is at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Richard Petty Driving Experience will put him on the track and going over 160 miles per hour. He can ride shotgun while a professional drives, or take the wheel himself for eight laps around the historic 2.5 mile track. When he’s done, he can hit the beach. Ride-alongs $135, driving packages start at $549, www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com

Brews around the world

<br><br>Send your dad on a globetrotting brewery tour with Beer Trips. They host trips throughout Belgium, Germany, France, The Czech Republic, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Canada, as well as in the US brewery tours, food and beer pairings, and meet and greets with brewers mix with historic locations and rich culture. See the full list of 2012 trips here. Prices vary, beertrips.com

Send him into the wilderness

Well, The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, Mont., can hardly be considered the wilderness considering its spacious and luxurious lodges and homes – with wireless Internet and flat screen TVs – but the list of activities will have dad roughing it. Guests can take horseback and ATV tours, raft or kayak down the Blackfoot River, or go on a guided Montana fly-fishing adventure. Dad can even stay in a luxury tent. Rates start at $1,025, www.pawsup.com

Put him on a raft

Dad can have an outdoor adventure with North Woods Rafting in New Hampshire’s Androscoggin Valley. If he wants class IV rapids, they’ve got it – and if he wants to float down flat water on a tube, they can do that, too. Also offered are overnight trips, with camping and two days of fun on the river with rafts, kayaks, and inner tubes. Trips start at $80, $190 for overnight adventures,

www.northwoodsrafting.com

Portland Meat Collective

<br><br>Sure, you could send your grill-loving father a few nice steaks out of a catalog – or, you could go a bit further and teach him how to butcher, prepare, and cook his own meat. The Portland Meat Collective offers classes in many areas, such as sausage making, butchery, charcuterie, and more. They welcome students of all experience levels, making a trip out to Oregon a must for the dad who wants to learn to prepare his own meat. Prices vary, www.pdxmeat.com

Put him on a bike

<br><br>Ski season might be over, but Jackson Hole is open for the summer. Their bike park is open through Sept. 3 and has mountain biking trails for riders of all levels of experience. Rentals and lessons are also available. Lodging at Jackson Hole ranges from rustic cabins to hotels to bed & breakfasts. Daily passes are $35, www.jacksonhole.com

Take him to the game

<br><br>Enjoying a baseball game with your father can be a great bonding experience, but if he’s a true baseball nut, go a step further and try Big League Tours. Their Hall of Fame Tour will put dad in lower-level seats at three MLB games, along with a day at the Baseball Hall of Fame. The trip includes one night in Boston and four nights in New York City as it visits Fenway, Yankee Stadium, and Citi Field. Trips start at $2,440 per person double occupancy, www.bigleaguetours.com