8 activities for seniors in + around Columbia, SC

Asked: What kinds of senior-friendly activities does Columbia have to offer?

Answered: With the help of COLAtoday readers and the local senior living specialists at Merrill Gardens, we’ve rounded up 8 options for senior Soda Citizens to learn, explore, and have fun in the Columbia area:

1. SC State Museum

• Offerings: 70,000+ artifacts in interactive exhibitions celebrating South Carolina’s art, natural history, culture, and science + technology
• Address: 301 Gervais St.
• Hours: Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 12-5 p.m.
• Website: http://scmuseum.org/
• Pricing: $8.95 general admission; $7.95 for seniors

2. Congaree National Park

• Offerings: 20,000 acres of nature to explore by foot, kayak or canoe
• Address: 100 National Park Rd., Hopkins
• Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Website: https://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm
• Pricing: Free
• #ProTip: “They loan out wheelchairs at the Visitors Center.” -Anne S.

3. Shepherd’s Center of Columbia

• Offerings: Classes (like yoga, art, writing and Spanish), lunch, guest speakers + more
• Address: 3401 Trenholm Rd.
• Hours: Class times vary; office hours are 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Website: https://shepherdscentercolumbia.org/
• Pricing: Class registration is $35/person, lunch is $9 or BYO

4. Harbison Community Center

• Offerings: Classes like Sit and Fit Aerobics + Senior Cardio
• Address: 106 Hillpine Rd.
• Hours: Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun., 1-6 p.m. (pool closes at 5 p.m.)
• Website: http://harbisonhoa.com/community-center/seniors/
• Pricing: Free for residents, $4/class or $60 per 20 class pass for non-residents

5. Lexington County Museum

• Offerings: 36 historic buildings with tours and demonstrations for history buffs, gardeners + arts and crafts enthusiasts
• Address: 231 Fox St., Lexington
• Hours: Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun., 1-4 p.m.
• Website: http://lexingtoncountymuseum.org/
• Pricing: $5 (cash or check only)

6. Richland Library

• Offerings: Books, audiobooks + films for checkout — plus events, classes, farmers’ markets, art exhibitions + more
• Address: See branch locations
• Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Website: https://www.richlandlibrary.com/
• Pricing: Free

7. The Lourie Center

• Offerings: Physical fitness, educational classes + programs, and social activities
• Address: 1650 Park Circle (Maxcy Gregg Park)
• Hours: Class times vary
• Website: https://louriecentersc.com/
• Pricing: $300/year for full, unlimited membership; see more options here
• #ProTip: “The Lourie Lectures — high quality, varied selection of topics taught by qualified instructors. Because learning never retires...” -Sandra P.

8.UofSC

• Offerings: Classes for degree + non-degree seekers, plus events + lecture series open to the public
• Hours: Course + event times vary
• Website: https://sc.edu/
• Pricing: Free tuition for seniors
• #ProTips: “Open Book at USC.” - Barbara W + “Walk around the horseshoe and McKissick Museum.” -Nancy O.

Interested in checking out Merrill Gardens for yourself or a loved one? Call (803) 234-5089 or fill out a contact form to schedule a personal tour. You can also take a virtual tour anytime. Ⓟ

Question:

More reader responses:

• Columbia Museum of Art
• Congaree New Horizons Band program
• UofSC community music program for seniors
• Shepherd Center of St. Andrews (meets at Ashland United Methodist Church on Ashland Rd.)
• Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission senior activities
• Soda City
• Columbia Fireflies games
• USC Baseball games
• Mad Platter
• Blue Bike SC station in the BullStreet District
• Riverbanks Zoo
• The Riverwalk
• Sesquicentennial State Park