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