My kind of outdoorsy: 3 places to have a nice day on the water
As the summer approaches and we brace ourselves for the hot, Southern weather, I only have one thing on my mind: water.
One of my dreams is to have a pool in my backyard but, until then, I rely on local spots to supply me with some sort of floating device and a body of water to relax near.
Whether you are in it for the fitness or for the tan lines, here are my favorite spots to chill out.
(1) TailRace Marina
Only about 25 minutes away in Mt. Holly, TailRace gives you the casual marina feel with all the equipment you need.
If you are looking for a relaxing afternoon on the river without the hustle and bustle of a commercial venue, this is the spot for you.
An added bonus to this laid-back gem is that they also offer pontoon rentals at an extremely reasonable cost. Forget hanging out at someone’s house; I am all about grabbing some friends and splitting a party barge for the day.
Prices:
-Pontoon: Half day (4 hours) = $150+fuel. Full day (8 hours) = $225+fuel.
-Kayak: Single $15 per hour/$40 per day. Tandem $20/$45.
-Stand-up paddle boards: $20/$45.
-Canoes: $20/$45.
-Parking is free.
Pro tip: if it is a slow day, they aren’t as strict about their hourly charges for kayaks, SUPs and canoes.
(2) The U.S. National Whitewater Center
I know this is not a ground-breaking discovery; the USNWC has been blowing our adventurous minds for a while now and we cannot get enough of the rapids, trails and overall atmosphere.
Beyond the normal sport packages, the facility has some pretty cool specialty events that involve getting out on the water, food and booze.
Bravo @usnwc ….#riverjam best time I’ve had since I moved to #clt pic.twitter.com/kAiK2BUtUc
— mark briden (@pepperR56) May 17, 2015
–UNWINED: This three-hour trip involves a stand-up paddle board jaunt down the Catawba River, a fireside dinner prepared for you by a chef, and a wine tasting provided by local wineries.
Can you say “date night?” Luckily, you won’t break the bank at $55 per person.
–Microbrews Cruise Are you more of a beer person? This adventurous dining package includes a guided flat-water trip, a beer tasting and a perfectly paired dinner.
Plus, it’s another dreamy date night for just $55 per person.
Similar to TailRace, this Lake Wylie marina has a family feel and all the right elements that make up a perfect summer’s day outing.
They offer pontoon rentals, single and double kayaks, as well as paddle boats.
Prices:
-Pontoon: $175 for a half day, $250 for a full day Monday-Friday. During the weekend the rates go up a little bit so go ahead, call in a “sick day.”
For those who want a few days on the river, they have three-, five- and seven-day rates available.
-Kayaks: $15-$20 per hour.
-SUPs: $20 per hour.
What do u enjoy doing when on your #paddleboard? Don’t have one? Come rent one from us! http://t.co/V4LYI2N6n8 pic.twitter.com/cIJJrenuNg — Chip Krell (@Pier88YC) October 19, 2013
What makes this place really stand out is Cookie’s Cafe. You can call ahead and have your food waiting for you as you arrive at the dock.
Want to create your own booze cruise? They have beer and wine available for dine-in or take-out as well.
Call me crazy, but having my food and adult beverage delivered to me without even having to get out of the boat is my kind of outdoorsy.
Photo: Robert Lahser/Charlotte Observer.
This story was originally published May 19, 2015 at 11:57 PM with the headline "My kind of outdoorsy: 3 places to have a nice day on the water."