Summerville, SC Outdoor Activities

With their fleet of Robinson R22 utility helicopters, the aviators at Charleston Helicopters take joy in breaking the laws of gravity. They whisk passengers high above Charleston for flight lessons and photo tours, and while passing over the harbor, guests can snap shots of the Battery, Shem Creek, and various forts. Viewers may also zoom over the Charleston skyline to admire buildings soaked in red-and-orange sunsets and the flickering lights of surrounding towns. Many of Charleston Helicopters's tours invite guests to toast airborne triumphs upon landing with champagne, instilling an extra sense of victory without having to drag race passing geese.

Disguised by a helmet and mask, a quick figure darts past paint-splattered woodland trees, diving into a trench before blasting a nearby opponent with brightly colored marker fire. On nine fields spread across 60 acres of land, other paintballers similarly dart, dive, and duck behind tubes and barrels in their pursuit of the opposing team's flag. Referees ensure that competitors practice safe and fair play in each bout, and an optional chronograph range makes sure each rental or player-supplied marker fires at a safe velocity. In addition to accommodating participants on its courses, Paintball Charleston's store supplies gear such as CCM markers and matching barrels with the same Hello Kitty decals on them.

Olde Towne Carriage Company’s licensed, knowledgeable tour guides have been escorting wide-eyed voyagers along Charleston’s winding 250-year-old streets in horse-drawn carriages for more than 30 years. These carriages are towed by a herd of majestic horses—including doe-eyed beauties Chief, Jake, and Big John—who clip-clop down cobblestone streets as guides impart facts about Charleston's rich history. The changing seasons bring with them themed ghost tours, holiday sleigh rides, a Valentine’s Day ride, and 15-round matches between tour guides in honor of Boxing Day. The carriage company also rents out its old-timey carriages and drivers to help ensure memorable corporate events, special events, and weddings.

For more than 20 years, the aquatic athletes at Trophy Lakes have set national and world records all the while maintaining a 100-acre water-sports and disc-golf complex that has been admired by WaterSki magazine. Disc golfers launch frisbees from 35 concrete tee pads, sinking their discs into 18 baskets. Along the way, water holes and a host of tee-and-pin locations challenge players' throwing skills. Alternatively, two private lakes boast three watersports cables, as well as a slalom course and ski jump. Knowledgeable staff members rent ropes, gloves, skis, wakeboards, and MasterCraft Boats from their well-stocked pro shop. Additionally, Trophy Lakes hosts disc-golf competitions, wakeboard festivals, water-ski tournaments, and lake-drinking contests each year.