Valdosta, GA Outdoor Activities

Manning a fleet of Robinson R44 whirlybirds, the pilots of Tallahassee Helicopters introduce sightseers to the clouds through tours and commercial flights, and also train new crops of aspiring pilots. Flights depart from Tallahassee Regional Airport, shuttling passengers into the great blue yonder to see the downtown skyline, local country clubs, lakes, and parks from above. The service also offers lunch and dinner tours, allowing tourists to make a strong impression as they arrive at restaurants in style and carve their steaks with the helicopter’s whirling tail rotor.

The company also operates its own academy, where students begin with introductory flights that put them in control of the helicopter for 90% of their flying time. The full piloting program prepares students for their first solo flights, while the R44 transition program teaches already licensed pilots the nuances of operating the R44 helicopter.

At Tallahassee Italian Family Festa, held each year since 2010, Italian and Italian-American culture is celebrated in all of its forms. Bocce tournaments, a Madonnari sidewalk-chalk art competition, and a silent auction are just a few attractions, and spectators can fuel up with gelato, meatball sandwiches, and Italian beer and wine. Italian cars and motorcycles gleam in an exhibition, showing off their sleek surfaces and revving their motors with an Italian trill. There's also a children's area where kids can participate in face painting, a grape stomp, and other activities.

Proceeds from the festival benefit Florida State University's international travel programs and CIAO! Italian Club Tallahassee.

Golfers drive, chip, and putt their way across Hilaman Golf Course, a 30-year-old, par 72 layout that spans 6,333 yards of player-friendly terrain. On most holes, players look out onto wide, unobstructed fairways that invite them to swing freely with their driver or steer their golf cart blindfolded. Water comes into play on multiple holes—a small pond sits directly in front of the fourth green, and holes 11–16 strategically wrap around two large water hazards to make the back nine slightly more challenging. The course complements its 18 holes with a restaurant that serves up sandwiches and salads, a driving range for golfers to hone their game, and four tennis courts where players can learn how to hit short irons off of asphalt.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Length of 6,33 yards from the farthest tees
• Course rating of 70.7 from the farthest tees
• Slope rating of 123 from the farthest tees
• Four tee options
• Scorecard

The par 3 executive course and two-tiered driving range at Cross Creek grant golfers of all ages and abilities ample space to perfect swings and short-game finesse. Nine crenshaw bentgrass greens allow for a relatively brisk round that frees up the rest of the day for polishing drivers and watering divot gardens.

Though the short layout makes play a relatively stress-free affair, water borders many of the bermuda-grass fairways and frequently swallows up errant shots. Both the course and the driving range feature overhead lights that click on once the sun goes down, allowing for evening excursions around the course or late practice sessions on the range's mat and grass hitting areas.

Equistarre Horsemanship’s head instructor, Analese, doles out lessons on the fundamentals of horseback riding from atop a galloping lectern as she leads students across 15 acres of rustic green pastures. After a childhood spent among steeds at her family's boarding facility, Analese continued to indulge her lifelong passion for horses as a trainer, rider, and competition judge before earning a degree in equine science from the University of Florida. She brings her wealth of knowledge to Equistarre Horsemanship, where she introduces students to her stable of personable horses before accompanying them on rides across the ranch’s scenic landscape. During lessons and trail rides, students practice basic techniques and learn to read subtle horse signals, such as "May I have a carrot?" and "That's not a radio dial." When not leading rides out into the meadows, Analese cares for horses in a boarding area that features nine stalls, two storage areas, and a large bay for grooming.

As a NRA-certified and insured company, Wright To Bear Arms prides itself on teaching safe and responsible gun operation. Owner Chad Wright calls on time spent in both the military and law enforcement to provide invaluable expertise while leading gun-safety courses. He also teaches interested parties how to shoot at the facility’s range, or how to choose between still or sparkling water for their squirt guns.