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Best Unique Father's Day Gifts

Father's Day is Sunday, June 15, 2014. If you are searching for a Father's Day gift that can only be found in Minnesota, here are five unique venues that may stimulate your thoughts. See more great ideas in a previously published article, Best Places For Last Minute Father's Day Gifts. Additionally, here are some other great ideas. Please note that there are no suggestions to buy socks, ties or aftershave lotion anywhere in these three imaginative articles.

February Hot Buy Bicycles
(credit: CBS)

Stone Arch Bridge Festival - Father's Day Car Show
Stone Arch Bridge
219 S. Main St.
Minneapolis, MN 55410
(612) 230-6400
www.stonearchbridgefestival.com

Date: June 15, 2014

Celebrate the Historic Stone Arch Bridge where you can take in the Father's Day Car Show, sample local craft beers at the adjacent beer garden, view the works of 125 artisans, enjoy the live music and street performers and marvel at the scenic Mississippi Riverfront. The car show is conveniently located next to the Family Activities Area where a caricature artist will draw a picture of dad, kids can work with papa on building a birdhouse, or the entire family can pose for an amusing family photo.

Related: Best Indie Movie Theaters In Minnesota

Great Waters Brewing Company
426 St. Peter St.
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 224-2739
www.greatwatersbc.com

More than a microbrewery, but the site of the fount of Western civilization in the Upper Midwest, the gravitas of Great Waters beckons all for a visit. This downtown pub is located in the Hamm Building, which was built on the site originally chosen by Father Lucien Galtier for the original Cathedral of St. Paul. Great Waters' secret for the many brew awards may stem from the pure natural spring water flowing on that site. Dad may never have a more properly cellared and conditioned beer served at cellar temperature of 52 degrees.

February Hot Buy Bicycles
(credit: CBS)

Father's Day at Harkin Store
66250 County Road 21
New Ulm, MN 56073
(507) 354-8666
www.sites.mnhs.org/historic-sites/harkin-store

If Father's Day takes you south or west of the metro area, this is a great way to bond with the man who may have memories of how it used to be. The Harkin Store is a snapshot in time of the way hardware stores were, having closed suddenly with most of the unsold inventory still on the shelves. Dan Cochran demonstrates the bygone art of leather working and displays his wares at this nostalgic trip to yesteryear.

Related: Father's Day Gift Ideas

Tools and House Building - Mid-1800s
W.W. Mayo House
118 Main St. N.
Le Sueur, MN 56058
(507) 665-3250
www.sites.mnhs.org/historic-sites/ww-mayo-house

The historic W.W. Mayo House will be open for tours from noon to 4 p.m. with a special interpreted display of carpentry tools from the mid-1800s in the historic home of the founders of both the Mayo Clinic and the Green Giant Company.

The Okee Dokee Brothers Father's Day Concert
Minnesota Zoo Weesner Amphitheater
13000 Zoo Blvd.
Apple Valley, MN 55124
(952) 431-9200
www.facebook.com/events

Date: June 15, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.

This Grammy Award-winning duo provides entertaining and humorous family-friendly music promoting the outdoors and love of nature. Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing grew up in the natural beauty of Colorado and are advocates of the beauty of nature. More so, they promote these values in a folk-oriented witty manner appealing to adults and children alike. The Parents' Choice Award twice recognized these artisans and NPR's "All Things Considered" and USA Today have featured their noteworthy works.

Related: Historic Churches In Minnesota

Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.

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