Toledo is the perfect destination to honor and celebrate the extraordinary fathers in your life! This Father’s Day, make some memories in Toledo. There’s no shortage of ways to celebrate dad in the Glass City. Grab a great meal at a local favorite, sip craft beer at one of Toledo’s breweries, or find the perfect gift while exploring the city. Whether your dad loves action-packed days or laid-back moments, a weekend in Toledo is just right for Dad.

Written by:
Kendahl Plank | 5/27/2026

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Father’s Day Weekend Special Events

Freighter Golf | Around the Great Lakes
Celebrate Great Lakes history and have some fun on the green with Freighter Golf: Around the Great Lakes at the National Museum of the Great Lakes all June long, including during Watershed Weekend.

Imagination Station | Metal Makers Week
Discover the science and creativity behind one of the galaxy’s most memorable movie moments during Metal Makers Week at Imagination Station. Inspired by the famous carbon-freezing scene, this hands-on experience invites guests to explore the fascinating process of metal casting through an interactive activity designed for curious minds of all ages.

Friday Night Family Cruise on the Sandpiper
Ease into the weekend with a Friday Night Family Cruise aboard the Sandpiper, a relaxed two-hour journey along the scenic Maumee River. This evening experience offers a fresh perspective on Toledo, combining riverfront views, local history, and opportunities to spot wildlife in a calm, family-friendly setting.

Party in the Park | Motown Night
Celebrate classic Motown sounds during June 19th’s Party in the Park! Hollywood Connection, Motown Sounds and special guest emcee Tracy the Rarebreed will be the night’s performers.

A Beautiful Noise | The Neil Diamond Musical
Like Jersey Boys and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical before it, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL is an inspiring, exhilarating, energy-filled musical memoir, that tells the untold true story of how America’s greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career.

Toledo Farmers’ Market
Experience the charm of a historic downtown farmers market, bringing you high-quality local goods straight from the source. From fresh-picked fruits and vegetables to handcrafted items and farm-raised products, this market has been connecting the community to local farms since 1832. 

Crossbow to Cartridge at Fort Meigs
Crossbow to Cartridge explores the evolution of gunpowder from pre-gunpowder weaponry such as the longbow, crossbow, and pike, to gunpowder weaponry, such as the arquebus, matchlock, wheellock, flintlock, and more! See live demonstrations and interact with historical interpreters at this living history event.

Sauder Village Antique Tractor Show
Celebrate the history of agriculture at the Antique Tractor Show, the grand finale of Farm Week at Sauder Village on June 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday Brunch Cruise on the Glass City Pearl
Elevate your Saturday with a Brunch Cruise aboard the Glass City Pearl. Cruise the scenic Maumee River while enjoying a delicious catered brunch included with your ticket.

Toledo Night Market
Experience summer nights done right at the Toledo Night Market, returning to the Toledo Farmers’ Market on June 20 for an evening filled with local flavor, creativity, and community energy.

Toledo Villa Men’s USL2 Vs. West Virginia United
Experience high-level summer soccer as Toledo Villa FC Men’s Team takes the field for another exciting season in USL League Two.

Sunset Cruise on the Glass City Pearl
Transform your Saturday evening with a Sunset Cruise aboard the Glass City Pearl. Glide across Lake Erie for three hours as the sun sets in brilliant oranges, pinks, and purples, creating a picture-perfect backdrop for photos and memories.

Father’s Day BBQ at the Toledo Zoo
Celebrate Father’s Day with a fun-filled BBQ event the whole family can enjoy. Guests are invited to gather in the Malawi Event Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 21 for a delicious barbecue buffet paired with live music, an engaging animal demonstration, and interactive kids’ activities. 

Father’s Day Cruise on the Sandpiper
Treat Dad to a Father’s Day Cruise aboard the Sandpiper. When you buy a ticket, Dad sails free, making this the perfect way to honor the heroes in our lives. Enjoy a relaxing cruise along the scenic Maumee River, filled with laughter, stories, and unforgettable moments with the family. Two cruise times at 2p.m and 5 p.m.

Experiences

Adventus Climbing
Skip the usual Father’s Day gifts and treat Dad to an adventure at Adventus Climbing Center. This family-friendly indoor climbing gym features bouldering, top rope climbing, auto-belays, and more, making it a fun outing for beginners and experienced climbers alike.

AJ Archery
Take the outdoor sports dad in your life to the best place for families to learn a lifelong sport they can share for generations, Archery! You can take lessons, practice skills, and bring the whole family along.

Culture Clash Records
For the Dad who is in to vintage vinyl, take him to pick out his own gift at this locally loved independent record store downtown.

Fort Meigs | Ohio’s War of 1812 Battlefield
For the history buff dad, Fort Meigs stands as a National Historic Landmark and a state memorial, offering visitors a glimpse into the past and the events that shaped American history. The site features reconstructed structures and exhibits, allowing visitors to explore the fort and learn about the lives of the soldiers who served there.

Franklin Park Mall
Franklin Park Mall is a one stop shop for all things Father’s Day. They not only have all your favorite stores like Apple and Dick’s Sporting Goods, but also several locally owned boutiques, a variety of restaurants, and a state of the art movie theater! After you explore, there is an attached Dave & Busters where you can bring out your inner kid!

Millbury Class Cars and Trucks Museum
Just a short drive from downtown Toledo in Millbury is a 45,000-square-foot automotive museum showcasing more than 90 meticulously restored classic cars and trucks, mostly from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. Founded by lifelong car enthusiast Mike Bartlett, the museum features six themed showrooms filled with neon signs, vintage music, and nostalgic memorabilia.

Metroparks Toledo
Celebrate Father’s Day in style at one of the 19 area metroparks, where an array of endless activities awaits the whole family. Hike or bike some trails, enjoy a scenic picnic and utilize the public grilling spaces. For adventurous dads, there are opportunities for kayaking or canoeing along the river, or the fam could try their hand at fishing. If your father is a bird enthusiast, don’t miss the chance to go bird-watching and spot various species in their natural habitats. If you are looking for a special getaway check out the Cannaley Treehouse Village!

Maumee Bay State Park
Maumee Bay State Park is at the convergence of the land and Lake Erie, creating a relaxing beach area for families to enjoy! A resort lodge, cabins, and golf course are nestled among scenic meadows, wet woods, and lush marshes. More than 300 bird species have been observed here. Families will enjoy the campground, inland lake, nature center, accessible boardwalk trail, and the Storybook Trail.

National Museum of the Great Lakes
For the maritime enthusiast Dad, or just because its a fun and educational museum that tells the awe-inspiring stories of our Great Lakes through breathtaking photography, over 300 incredible artifacts, a number of powerful audiovisual displays and 40 hands-on interactive exhibits including the 617-foot iron ore freighter Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the historic Museum Tug Ohio. 

Pop Up Paddle Adventures
They deliver the kayaks directly to your launching point of choice taking the hassle out of pick up and drop off for kayaking trips in NW Ohio. With single, fishing, and tandem kayaks, they have an option for just about everyone. Rentals are a minimum of two hours and include boat, paddle, and personal flotation device.

Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
There is free admission to the Toledo Zoo on Father’s Day for dads who visit with their kids! Enjoy seeing the new three rescued Brown bears, as well as the newly re-opened Reptile House. At the Toledo Zoo, you get not only the zoo experience, but also the aquarium as well. Discover 3,000+ aquatic animals in 178,000 gallons of water.

Places to Take Dad for a Meal