Father’s Day is right around the corner, which means it’s time to show your favorite fella what he means to you. Ditch the standard dress shirt and tie (I mean seriously, how many ties can one person own?) and celebrate dad with a creative gift from some of our favorite local stores.
Under Armour Brand House
Whether your dad is a gym rat or a fashion fanatic who understands what the word “athleisure” means, you are sure to find something great from Baltimore’s claim to athletic wear fame. Our pick: UA Street Encounter III Shoes ($59.99) at Under Armour. 700 S President St., 410-528-5304
REI
This is THE one-stop shop for the dad whose ideal day is spent outdoors, meaning everything from trails and national parks, to hanging out in your backyard. Our pick: Eno DoubleNest Hammock ($69.95) at REI. 63 W Aylesbury Road, 410-252-5920
Capitol Mac
For the Apple product enthusiast, this is the place to go. Not only are they the only certified Apple specialists in Baltimore, but they sell phone accessories and do authorized repairs—looking at you Dad with the cracked phone screen. Our pick: 32 GB Apple TV ($149) at Capital Mac. 714 S Broadway, 410-657-8000
Earth Treks
Sometimes the best gifts are experiences. Share some climb time with your old man at this indoor climbing center with locations in Timonium, Columbia, and soon to be Hampden. Our pick: Three-month membership ($207) at Earth Treks. 1930 Greenspring Dr., 410-560-5665
Nepenthe Homebrew
For the pop who loves hops, Nepenthe Homebrew has the best gift options for you. This home-brew shop in Hampden has kits and ingredients for making beer, wine, and cheese in your very own home. Our pick: Brewers Best Equipment Kit ($83.95) at Nepenthe Homebrew. 3626 Falls Road, 443-438-4846
Atomic Books
What better way for dad to relax this Father’s Day than with a new book. This shop specializes in the newest releases, comics, graphic novels, and zines, plus has a great selection of games and art toys. Our pick: Ready Player One: A Novel ($16) at Atomic Books. 3620 Falls Road, 410-662-4444
The Sound Garden
For the cinephile or music nerd, The Sound Garden is like a mystical wonderland. Stocked wall to wall with new and used CDs, vinyl, DVDs, and Blu-rays, there are countless gift ideas to keep your dad’s collection current. Our pick: The Bob’s Burgers Music Album Box Set ($64.99) at The Sound Garden. 1616 Thames St.,410-563-9011
Williams-Sonoma
Turn your dad into the grill master with any of the great kits, rubs, or marinades from Williams-Sonoma. Not only is this a gift for dad, but it will be a gift to yourself if he shares. Our pick: Ultimate Burger Essentials ($43.95) at Williams-Sonoma. 70 Village Square, 410-435-6020
Ceremony Coffee
The selection at Ceremony is impressive even to the most devoted coffee drinker. Take advantage of their unique blends and workshops at their Mt. Vernon or Harbor Point locations. Our Pick: 12oz El Faldón ($22) at Ceremony Coffee. 1312 Point St., 410-601-3561