DAD’S DAY IN THE B.L.A.: A LOCAL GUIDE TO FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND
JUNE 2026
Father’s Day weekend in the Brainerd Lakes Area has a pretty simple recipe: get outside, get on the water, grab something good to eat, and support the local places that make this area feel like home.
Whether you’re celebrating a fishing dad, a beer dad, a golf dad, a grill-master dad, a pizza dad, a “just take me to the lake” dad, or the dad who says he doesn’t want anything but absolutely does, here are a few locally loved ways to spend Father’s Day weekend in the BLA.
1. FOR THE DAD WHO WOULD RATHER BE FISHING
Start with the essentials: bait, tackle, a new lure he probably “needs,” or a few upgrades for the boat bag.
Local stops to check out:
Sportland Outdoor Outfitters in Nisswa for fishing, hunting, lake life gear, boat rental needs, and bait.
S&W Bait and Tackle in Brainerd for live bait, fishing reports, guide connections, and everything dad needs before heading to Gull Lake, Pelican, Whitefish, or wherever the fish are supposedly biting.
Breezy Point Ace Hardware in Breezy Point for bait, quick gear, hardware, and the practical things dad somehow always remembers on the way to the lake.
Make it a full morning: grab coffee, load the cooler, hit the landing early, and let dad tell you where “the good spot” is.
2. FOR THE DAD WHO BELONGS ON THE COURSE
Send dad to the tee box and call it a gift. The Brainerd Lakes Area is one of Minnesota’s best golf destinations, and Father’s Day weekend is a perfect excuse to book a round.
Top local picks:
Deacon’s Lodge in Breezy Point for a true up north golf experience surrounded by woods, water, and wetlands.
The Pines and The Preserve at Grand View Lodge for classic Brainerd Lakes resort golf.
Cragun’s Legacy Courses for championship golf on Gull Lake.
Madden’s on Gull Lake for a full golf day with multiple course options.
Whether dad plays 18, talks about playing 18, or just wants a cart, a cold drink, and a view, this is a solid Father’s Day move.
3. FOR THE GRILL MASTER DAD
If Father’s Day means the backyard, the deck, or the cabin grill, stock up locally and make dinner easy.
Great stops for grilling supplies:
Schaefer’s Foods in Nisswa for brats, grocery staples, and everything you forgot until the last minute.
Grand Champion Meats in Crosslake for award-winning meats, brats, sausages, steaks, and up north provisions.
Emily Meats in Emily for custom meat sales and a classic local meat market stop.
Von Hanson’s Baxter for steaks, brats, burgers, and old-fashioned butcher shop favorites.
Morey’s Seafood Market in Baxter if dad would rather grill seafood than catch his own.
Add cold drinks, a bag of chips, something from the deli, and you’ve got a Father’s Day dinner without overthinking it.
4. FOR THE CLASSIC BOAT FAN
Father’s Day weekend also brings one of the best lake-country traditions around: the Whitefish Chain Classic Boat Show.
The show takes place Saturday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Moonlite Bay in Crosslake, featuring antique and classic boats along the docks of the Whitefish Chain. It’s a perfect Saturday stop for boat lovers, lake lovers, history buffs, and anyone who appreciates a polished boat in the sunshine.
Woods to Water Real Estate will be there as a sponsor and vendor, so come say hi, talk lake life, and enjoy a day on the docks in Crosslake.
Learn more about the Whitefish Chain Classic Boat Show
5. FOR THE DAD WITH A SWEET TOOTH
A Father’s Day treat run is always a good idea, especially when it involves ice cream, donuts, or something from a small-town bakery case.
A few sweet stops:
The Chocolate Ox for ice cream, chocolates, candy, and the kind of up north tradition that never really gets old.
The Outpost in Pequot Lakes for hard-scoop ice cream, candy, root beer floats, and an easy downtown stop near the Paul Bunyan Trail.
The Yellow House in Crosslake for ice cream, sandwiches, gifts, and a local stop that feels like summer.
Pine River Bakery for fresh donuts, breads, cookies, bars, and a proper bakery run.
Pro tip: donuts count as a Father’s Day gift when you bring enough to share.
6. FOR THE DAD WHO COULD USE A BEER
The best gift might be a cold pint, a patio, and nowhere to be.
Local breweries to add to the weekend:
14 Lakes Pub & Brewery in Crosslake for craft beer, cocktails, apps, pizza, and an easy stop in the heart of the Whitefish Chain area.
Snarky Loon Brewing in Jenkins for German-inspired brews, outdoor patios, live music, and a laid-back up north setting.
Jack Pine Brewery in Baxter for a Brainerd Lakes craft beer staple with a taproom built for gathering.
Big Axe Brewing Co. in Nisswa for local beer, root beer, food, and a walkable downtown Nisswa stop.
Buy dad a pint, grab a growler, or build the day around a casual brewery stop after golf, fishing, or the boat show.
7. FOR THE FOODIE DAD
If dad’s ideal plan includes a boat ride, a patio, pizza, steak, or no one asking him what’s for dinner, the BLA has plenty of good options.
Try these spots:
Ernie’s on Gull for lakeside dining, a classic Gull Lake stop, and walleye tacos by boat.
Bar Harbor Supper Club for a steak dinner, fresh seafood, and a classic lake-country supper club feel.
Zorbaz on Gull Lake or Zorbaz on Crozzlake for pizza, Mexican, live music, patio time, and an easygoing lake day atmosphere.
Rafferty’s Pizza in Nisswa or Crosslake for a local pizza favorite that keeps the whole family happy.
Make the reservation, gas up the boat, grab a pizza, or pick the patio. Dad can handle the dad jokes.
CELEBRATE DAD, SUPPORT LOCAL, AND ENJOY THE BLA
The best Father’s Day plans don’t have to be complicated. Buy the bait. Book the tee time. Grab the donuts. Fire up the grill. Order the pizza. Take the boat ride. Walk the docks at the Classic Boat Show. Stop for a beer.
However you celebrate, Father’s Day weekend is another reminder of what makes the Brainerd Lakes Area special: local businesses, lake traditions, small-town stops, and the kind of up north memories that keep families coming back year after year.
From all of us at Woods to Water Real Estate, happy Father’s Day to the dads, grandpas, stepdads, father figures, and lake-loving legends who make the BLA feel like home.
Posted by Colton Maher onEnjoy this blog post? Click here to subscribe for updates
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