Father's Day Gifts Made In Puget Sound: 5 Fun Ideas

BELLEVUE, WA - It's absolutely true that Father's Day takes a backseat to other non-federal holidays like Mother's Day or Halloween. It also always happens around graduation time, and when summer is getting into swing, so it can be easy to overlook. But we think Father's Day is in store for a renaissance. A good way to start would be by putting some thought into getting your dad a cool gift this year (Father's Day is Sunday, by the way).

Where to begin? How about right here in Puget Sound. Here are five local things (or things to do) that are cooler than anything you'll find at ... wherever you go to buy dad stuff (Home Depot?). Anyway, check out these ideas:

America's Car Museum: What every dad wants is just to spend the day with their favorite daughter or son, right? So why not take him to the LeMay America's Car Museum in Tacoma and bond over a 1966 Ford Mustang? This place is a hidden gem, and is fun even if you don't know a thing about cars.

A growler (or two): It is true, dads love beer, and the Puget Sound area is ground-zero for beer nerdery. So maybe think about getting dad a growler filled at one of the region's fine breweries. Better yet, get him a couple of growlers. We recommend local favorites like Lowercase Brewing, Seapine, or Odin.

A Mike Lull guitar. OK, these aren't necessarily cheap (and for good reason). These are custom built by Mike Lull in his shop in Bellevue. Lull makes electric guitars and basses in classic styles that are professional-quality. If your dad is into playing guitar - and let's face it, many dads are - maybe stop by Lull's shop to get dad a gift he'll never forget.

Lunch or dinner at Dough Zone: Your dad might not know it yet, but there's an unforgettable meal waiting for him in a little shopping plaza in Issaquah. Dough Zone specializes in soup dumplings, which are little doughy purses filled with hot, meaty soup. Dad can have a steak any day of the week, but Dough Zone is a meal he'll never forget.

A Seattle-made flannel: Yeah, it's not 1991, but flannel is still comfortable and absolutely practical for this climate. Did you know there's a local clothing store that makes flannel by hand here in Seattle? Capitol Hill's Freeman makes really nice shirts that dad can wear while raking leaves, or at his favorite third-wave coffee shop.

Do you have a cool locally-made Father's Day gift you want to share? Email neal.mcnamara@patch.com and we'll add it to the list.

Image courtesy Mike Lull Guitars