The Exchange Pool saved our Covid Summer! Our family has been going to Exchange Pool for two…read moresummers now. A great family atmosphere. The Exchange Pool went above and beyond during the 2020 summer with Covid precautions. Clean, careful, and professional. I look forward to returning 2021.

It's the little pool that could. Yeah, it's not exactly luxurious and if you are used to…read morehigh-falutin' pools like at the Tennis Club you might not be exactly impressed but it serves a vital purpose for the community and with reasonable memberships you can be okay that there isn't a snack bar and upscale amenities or a baby pool WITH a fountain. It's been home for the Cyclones , a local swim-team for kids preschool-12th grade, which keeps them conditioned, learning and honing their strokes and developing team building skills. This experience has been invaluable to many in the community. They have ample room for adult swimmers during adult swim. The kids all look like they are having a great time whenever I have been there.

The beach is spotless, with no trash anywhere. You'll see a few hair ties and bottle caps, but…read morenothing major. The sand is coarse because of scattered pebbles and bits of wood, so bring floppers for comfort. The water is clean and safe. Two large buildings are available for changing and showering. Picnic tables sit under the trees, and grills are open for cooking. The park has multiple trails, a children's playground, and it's dog‑friendly for walking. Entrance fees: $10 per vehicle, $5 for seniors.

Sandling is a man made beach within Falls Lake State Park. They charged $10 for the holiday…read moreweekend entrance fee. Sandling is accessible to the fire pits for barbecuing and is very small. Perfect for families and small children. You can access the beach on Creedmoor Rd. This was the perfect place for a convenient beach day 4th of July weekend. It saved me the 4 hour trip to Bear Island. I arrived early around 10:30 a.m. and there were no crowds. We camped out near the showers and bathrooms. This park is perfectly lined with trees in abundance. Perfect for barbecuing. We enjoyed our morning picnic and the water was very relaxing. I appreciate how clean the sand area was and the garbage was well organized as well. I brought my mother who is 72 and I had concerns about the proximity of the restrooms and showers and overall access. I was relieved to discover how convenient the beach access was for those with mobility impairment and disabilities. There are no pets allowed and no alcohol permitted. I watched the park rangers escort someone with a pit bull to the parking lot to return home and a woman was asked to dump out several beer cans. You have been warned. They run a tight ship here. I plan to return throughout the remainder of the summer months.

One of the best mini golf places I've ever been to. It's so interactive and every hole is so…read moredifferent. Some incorporate video games, others incorporate other sports, and a couple are so incredibly difficult that it really tests your skills (looking at you Ant Man). Great for a cute date night or an outing with a group of friends and both courses definitely have replay value.

Tonight was my first time at Partee Shack. It was so fun! We played the mini golf. Which was a…read moregreat deal at only $15 for unlimited play and two courses. I loved how creative the courses were and fun! A few of the experience weren't open due to maintenance but overall it was a great time! They also had a snack bar, go carts, and an arcade which looked fun but I didn't try. Perhaps next time as the pizza looked delicious!

We took our boys fishing here for the first time and had a blast! They have live bait (worms) to…read morepurchase and we brought our own fishing gear. You can even rent boats to fish out on the lake! Plus there are walking trails surrounding the lake - it's a beautiful place to spend a day. Bring a picnic and plan to make it an experience!

This marina is a quaint and relaxing "jumping off point" for getting out on the pristine Lake…read moreBrandt. For just $6 you can bring your own kayak, SUP, or canoe to launch on their sandy little beach. Or you can rent one of their kayaks. Even on weekends with decent weather I've seen them mostly available on the spot. There are also options for an annual pass, fishing, and even a paved ramp to put in motorized boats. You could also very easily just sit and relax here by the waterside or stroll around. But if you want to get on the lake, this is the prime spot. Bird watching along the shoreline is great from the vantage point of the kayak. With a vast array of birdsong to ID, you can even see kingfishers ducking, diving, and doing anything to ruin your chances of proving they exist with a photograph. But at least you can enjoy a quiet and relaxing float to ease the soul.