What does your sailor like to do in/around Goose Creek?

[DebbieinCA]

Ok Ladies & Gentlemen,
Let's get proactive and start thinking positive. These kids need some outlets for their stress and most of them don't know the area very well or have time to explore it thoroughly. I'd like to compile a list of activities sailors enjoy doing while they're stationed at Goose Creek. Then we can all let our sailors know about them. Please tell me what fun, interesting, or relaxing activities your sailors have told you about. :)

 

[Carol Monville]

My son just left Goose Creek about 6 months ago, he had a fairly large group of friends that they would all go out with - go to downtown Charleston etc. - he also worked out a lot and of course there is the mall etc. - does your son live on base, as I imagine that limits his activities more, mine actually lived first near Charleston Southern Univ and then he rented a room in a house with other sailors in Summerville - that gave him the network of guys to do stuff with.

[DebbieinCA]

Hi Carol,
Thanks for your response. Yes, my son lives on base. He was in a double room. He and his roommate made a good team. Like most nukes, they loved the local Best Buy and spent a good amount of their first few paychecks there. My son bought a brand new XBox Elite system and his roommate bought a new 42" TV. Understandably, their room was a favorite spot for some of the guys to hangout, play video games, and just be goofy young men together even when they only had an hour or two between study time and sleep. Now that my son and his roomie have both graduated from A school and become Petty Officers, they're getting their own rooms. I guess they'll both have to go back to Best Buy. I hope they'll all still get together for regular sessions of video games and comraderie. :)
Is the mall in Goose Creek or Charleston?
Please tell us some of the things your son liked to do in Charleston. My son went to a hookah lounge with friends that he enjoyed. He doesn't smoke, but said it has a nice balcony and it was good to have a change of atmosphere.
So far, our list consists of:
The mall
Charleston Best Buy
The Smoking Lamp hookah lounge: here's their website with address, description, etc.
http://www.smokinglamp.com/content.asp?catID=5889

[Dotsy -Chris' Mom Nuke EM]

The mall is in Charleston - about 20-25 min. from base. Actually there are 2 malls - one is nicer than the other, but I don't know the names. Best Buy is across from the Tanger Oulet mall. There is also a Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and lots of places to eat in that shopping area.

[Pat L. in IL]

Let's see if I can remember a few of the things my sailor did. Paint ball, rented jet skies, kayaking, ferry to Bull's Island, and the ever-popular beach!!

[DebbieinCA]

Wow, Pat, your boy really made the most of the area. Isn't he still there?
Can you find out where he did paint ball, rented jet skis, kayaked, what beach, etc. ? I'd love to make it as easy as possible for others to find these activities.
Thanks to Pat and Carol, with more details to follow, our list now includes:
The mall
Charleston Best Buy
The Smoking Lamp hookah lounge: here's their website with address, description, etc.
http://www.smokinglamp.com/content.asp?catID=5889
Ferry to Bull's Island
paint ball
rent jet skies
kayaking

[Kathy]

Honestly, there is NOTHING to do in Goose Creek :P I've been living on base for almost two years and Goose Creek is just a tiny middle of nowhere city compared to the surrounding areas. Here are some suggestions:

On base--
-Cinema One movie theater--free movies Thurs-Sunday
-Bowling
-Marrington Park (walking trails, soccer, basketball, biking, fishing)

North Charleston-
-Northwoods Mall
-Wannamaker Park
-Regal Cinemas

Mt. Pleasant
-Patriots Point (active duty get in free w/uniform)
-Belle Hall Shopping Plaza

Summerville
-Azalea Square Shopping Plaza
-Regal Cinemas (this theater is a lot nicer than the one in N.Chas. and it's in a safer area and is often less crowded)

Charleston/Downtown:
-Citadel Mall (this is about 20-25 min from base, but it is a much nicer mall than Northwoods!)

-I could go on for days about all the things to do here..but to simplify, check out this website: http://beatourist.net/

-This promotion is only available during January--but it covers a lot of the most popular restaurants/attractions in Charleston. I would highly suggest your sons/daughters to get a pass (only $20) this upcoming January. I've gotten it the past 2 years and it's a great deal. Also, it mentions that you do have to be a SC resident, but military is an exception. I've also had family in town during Jan and haven't had a problem bringing them anywhere (the site says that all the locations check your ID, but I've never had any of them check)

[fonda sue Momof2Sailor's]

My son plays a lot of video games during the week, He has been into paintball, he also went to The Smoking Lamp. I know when I talk to him on the phone it seems like he has a revolving door on his room because he's always saying Hi to someone new who has come in. It seem all of his friends are getting married (my son is no different) as he is getting married a week from today. He has been to the beach once. A damper for him has been not having his car (which he will have next week, compliments of mom and dad taking it to him). Taxi fees are very high. He has a great time just hanging out in Charleston at night on the weekend walking around looking at everything that is different then central MO. He is used to being in the middle of nowhere because we live 15 miles from the nearest town.

[isoalot]

My son is a gear head. He likes to work on his trucks. Yes, he has two of them down there. He found a hobby shop that rents out bays for like $5 an hour. They have specialty tools he can rent if needed, though he took most of his own with him. Then if he is not working on them, a few of the guys have found a place to go 4-wheeling, get stuck, eaten alive by bugs, and explore the swamps. Seems to keep him busy!

[Lion55's mom]

My son has been in Goose Creek since March. He just finished A school and is officially a Machinist Mate Petty Officer! Cool huh!!!!

I know that while in school, both A school and Power School, they have mandatory study hours and not alot of time to play but I think the thing my son has enjoyed the most was wearing his uniform over to patriots point and talking to the "old timers" there. He has been to Folly Beach (make sure they do not take glass bottles on the beach, 500 dollar fine!) Not my son but a friend of his. Kayaks can be rented out of Shem Creek in Mt Pleasant. He is home right now on leave but plans to take his Long Board Skate Board back with him. There is also a bar and a bowling alley right there on base as well as a swimming pool. Another cool idea is to visit the Hunley. That is another place to go in uniform and get specially treated! Also, when he does get off base for leave, make sure to tell him to where uniform while flying. My son was upgraded to First Class for his trip home! They work hard for that uniform and I believe they deserve any perk that comes there way.

[Dotsy -Chris' Mom Nuke EM]

I second that - yes they do. That is great - congrats to you and your son.

[oneL04]

I would say there is a lot to do if they have the energy too (my husband plops on the couch after his long days) but video games and pick up sports games around base keep them busy during the week. There is the bowling alley, Sams gym, and the Dive bar (which has a lot of live shows, karaoke, beer pong, darts, pool, ping pong, etc. and for civilians you have to be 21+ but for active duty you only have to be 18+ with a military ID which is nice).

We also go out and about downtown a lot. There are a lot of bars that people go to (Wet Willies, Mad River, anything over that way really). Every weekend my husband and I go out down there, there are groups and groups of Nukes hanging out at the bars or clubs, so it's pretty popular.

They definitely need a "release" of some sorts, whether its video games, sports, etc. They are so busy during their days and a lot of pressure is put on these guys, it's important for those of us on the outside to be supportive.

[Stephanie]

Since my sailor is in Prototypoe he doesn't have much time yet he finds time to go mudding in their big 4 wheel drives. Several guys rent what they call their redneck timeshare( a storage unit) and spend time down their working on their cars and hang out. It's where they store tools, beach chairs and such. When the weather was right they'd head to Folly Beach and enjoy the water and drinking out of dixie cups. There are several bars in Charleston with awesome rooftop decks the guys frequent. As someone else posted bowling and the movies and golf can be added to that list.