Check out upcoming local races to sign up for. | Photo provided by Lexington Medical Center
Whether you’re an experienced runner or just looking to get more steps in around Columbia, here are some of this year’s upcoming road races + several other local walking locations to keep you active throughout the year.
Get your steps in
Did you know Segra Park’s concourse is a 0.3-mile walking/running loop and is open to the public daily from 7 a.m. until dark unless there are ticketed events? If you’re close to the ballpark, go get some steps in on your lunch break.
Book a local tour and learn as you gain knowledge of our city’s historic districts.
Enjoy 12.5 miles of trails through Columbia, West Columbia, and Cayce, thanks to the Three Rivers Greenway.
Use USC’s interactive campus map to plan your stroll through campus. We recommend walking through the historic Horseshoe if you’re looking for a shadier stroll.
If weights are more your thing, take a look at our local gym guide and choose your own cardio workout.
Swap: Houseplants | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Richland Library North Main | Free | If your resolution is to develop a greener thumb, head to the North Main location at your leisure from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to swap plants and/or cuttings.
Fireflies Holiday Lights | 6-9 p.m. | Segra Park | $12 | This is your last day to enjoy falling snow, visits with Santa, a scavenger hunt, arts + crafts, and over 1.5 million dazzling holiday lights.
DJ Music by Request | 6-7 p.m. | Bill’s Music Shop, West Columbia | $10 | Sit and enjoy a snack from the Snack Bar, or dance the night away on the large hardwood dance floor.
Sunday, Jan. 5
The Revue: Drag Brunch Edition | 12-3:30 p.m. | The Venue | 1626 on Main | Price of purchase | $5 | Join host Paris Lefaris for Mimosas and chicken and waffles with entertainment from the queens.
Tuesday, Jan. 7
“Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations” | 7:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | $19.50+ |This electrifying Broadway musical follows The Temptations’ journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
January is both National Hot Tea Month and National Soup Month. Makes sense — winter is a great time for warm liquid. Might we recommend these local spots to try a dirty chai tea?
Biz
Do you work remotely? You and over 193,000 other Soda Citizens — that’s 13.9%. If you’re currently clocking in outside the office, consider these places to cowork.
Tech
Instagram now lets you schedule direct messages. If we could, we’d schedule a DM to you, asking to give us a follow on the ‘gram. Where else are you going to see such accurate seasonal memes?
Sports
Mark Williams is back and the Hornets lose in overtime to Chicago. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
City Guide
City Guide
🛝 It’s play time
Your child won’t forget this playground experience. | Photo by @chelseagiet
We’re not kiddin’ around. From major attractions like the EdVenture Children’s Museum to hidden gems like the spray pool at Lorick Park, there’s something in Soda City for children of all ages. You’ll have no trouble entertaining the youngsters with this list of 25 kid-friendly activities around the 803.
🧠 Educational activities
Anne Frank Center, 1731 College St. | Free One for the older kids. Located on the USC campus, this is the only site in North America to partner with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Take a free public tour — ideal for those with children aged 12 and up — of the four-room exhibit which explores the legacy of Anne Frank. Kids will remember the photographs, videos, and original artifacts from this tour.
🎨 All about the arts
Columbia Marionette Theatre, 401 Laurel St. | $7
Catch a show and learn about the tradition and artistry of puppetry.
🎳 Indoor adventures
Transmission Arcade, 1712 Main St. | $1 for four tokens
Introduce young gamers to the arcade classics like “Frogger” and “Dig Dug” — plus, “Mortal Kombat” for the older crowd.
Get those sleds waxed up and pick out a hill — there’s a slight chance of heavy snow late next week. Maybe it will, maybe it won’t, but temperatures will dip below freezing. Here are nine local soups to warm you up from the inside out.
}})
