Delight Dad

April 21, 2024

Fun Father’s Day Activities You Can Do With Dad

No matter your dad’s age, interests, or hobbies, these suggestions for spending time with him offer experiences that will create many great memories!

Stay somewhere cool

If your dad likes the chance to getaway, come spend a weekend doing things out of the norm.

Why not rent a yurt at Wildwater Chattooga Ridge Adventure Center in Long Creek? These round bunkhouses are neat, economical, and memorable. They include a communal kitchen, bathhouse, fire ring, and sleep 4 to 12 people.

Wildwater has additional lodging options that include: deluxe house and cabin rentals, 1-bedroom treehouse, and 2-bedroom cottages.

For more accommodations, our STAY page lists hundreds of unique lodging options.

Spend the day on the river

If your dad’s the adventurous type, he’ll love a day whitewater rafting on the Wild & Scenic Chattooga River!

Section IV is high adventure for anyone age 13 or older. Section III is more laid back and enjoyable if younger kids are in your group.

This, combined with an overnight stay, would make a great Father’s Day adventure vacation. In addition to lodging at Wildwater, view the “stay” tab on our Long Creek page to find places close to the Chattooga River.

Picnic in the park

If your dad enjoys the great outdoors, you can pack a basket with his favorite foods, take a blanket, and head over to one of our incredible parks:

There are a lot of great places and choices for hanging outdoors with your dad for the day.

Get on the green

As far as golf goes, we have three public courses: Chickasaw Point Golf Club, Oconee Country Club Golf Course and Windsor at Walhalla.

And for disc golf, these places have 18-hole courses: Chattooga Belle Farm, Chauga Heights Disc Golf Course, Sertoma Field and Shaver Rec Center.

But for something different, you might want to take dad to The Oasis Ranch. It’s a putt-putt course and botanical garden in one! The course is family friendly and most of the course is shaded by large established trees and overhead structures. They have a nice Koi fish pond and there is so much to see and experience throughout the course. Every hole is unique and challenging in a good way. All ages will get a thrill playing a round of mini golf here!

Be on the lake

Oconee County has some fantastic options for enjoying big bodies of water, including:

Depending on what your dad likes to do, you could take him fishing, rent a stand-up paddleboard, cruise around in a boat, take a pontoon boat tour, or swim near the shore.

Hike in the woods

If your dad likes to explore, let him choose the path and head out with the family to one of our forested trails, many of which lead to impressive waterfalls.

The Foothills Trail is a 77-mile trail popular for multi-day thru hikes. But if you or your dad aren’t up for that much of a commitment, consider hikes along several passages of the Palmetto Trail and dozens of trails through Sumter National Forest. Some hikes are short, and others will have you in the woods all day long so be sure to pack snacks and lots of water.

Review this article about what to expect when hiking in Oconee County, SC.

Go mountain biking

For dads who get a rush speeding through the woods, Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park is the place to go!

Stumphouse contains 20+ trails with bermed turns, tabletops, gap jumps, rolling grade dips, and boulder fields. The multi-use trails are intended for beginner to advanced riders.

Cool off in a tunnel

A popular destination, Stumphouse Tunnel, is located in Stumphouse Park, which is the same location as the mountain bike park.

The tunnel was meant for trains, but it was never finished. It’s a bit eerie, but always fun and exciting!

Dad will surely be in awe of the men who used their brute strength and black powder to dig through the granite rock back in the 1850s.

Within Stumphouse Park, you’ll be able to take a short hike to view Issaqueena Falls or go for a longer trek along the Blue Ridge Rail Road hiking trail.

Enjoy horse play

Chattooga Trails Bed & Barn offers a variety of accommodations and amenities suitable for horsemen and their traveling companions.

This wooded retreat offers rental rooms, RV sites, and horse accommodations.

Head out in the morning and ride all day!

From the property you and dad can access 30 miles of designated horse trails, including river crossings, that are managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Take dad for a drink

If you’re over 21, and your dad’s the type to indulge in spirits, be the designated driver, and take him somewhere to relax and unwind. Appellation Wine in Seneca is an option for wine-loving dads where he can sit on the patio and enjoy wine al fresco.

For the man who enjoys the finer things, head over Seneca’s historic district. Vangeli’s Bistro has been recognized for their outstanding selection of wines that pair well with their fabulous entrees. Stock and Barrel is a premier butcher shop and wine purveyor offering wines from around the world. Ram Cat Cellars is in the same building but downstairs. You’ll find a selection of wine, bourbon and small plate menu options, as well as outside seating.

Seneca has great places to grab a beer too. There’s The Beer Station, Keowee Brewing Company, Brews on the Alley, Two Rivers Public House and Pub Blue.

If you and dad are in Salem, check out Jocassee Valley Brewing Company or Twice a Town Taproom. Both places often have live music and food trucks onsite.

In Walhalla, Stumphaus Taproom is the newest place to hang out whether your looking to eat or drink either inside or out on their elaborate patio. Trailhead Tavern has a stage and Karaoke Night on Fridays. Garage Tap Room offers 16 tabs with a selection of craft beer, ciders and a light menu. At West & Co. you’ll find a tiny, casual bar with outside tables and a comfortable vibe.

If you and dad are hanging out in Long Creek, check out Chattooga River Lodge and Willie’s Tavern. It’s a fun setting with an outdoor courtyard and they often have live music. The Chattooga Belle Farm Distillery is a unique place to take dad for award-winning spirits. They grow the fruit, ferment it, distill it, bottle it, label it and sell right there on the farm. Note: The Distillery is open all day Monday-Saturday, but they close at 5pm.

Catch dinner together

Take dad fishing on the Chauga River or an upper section of Chattooga River.

You’ll likely catch trout, so be ready with ingredients and a recipe to cook it up for dinner.

Chattooga River Fly Shop offers fishing gear, fly tying classes and guide services where they’ll take you and your dad to the river and provide an unforgettable fly fishing experience.

Take dad to dinner

Maybe you’d rather play it safe and treat your old man to a meal he doesn’t have to work for?

If that’s more your speed, there are lots places throughout Oconee County where you can eat some really great food!

Get tickets to a show

We hope you and your dad can be together this Father’s Day. But if that’s not in the cards this year, consider giving dad a gift certificate to be used at a later date. There’s a great lineup of well known musicians scheduled throughout the 2024-2025 season at the Walhalla Performing Arts Center.

If dad enjoys dancing or hearing live music, consider celebrating on a Thursday evening when there’s a free street party in Seneca. Try Jazz on the Alley for some mid-week fun.