Fun Things to Do
in
Columbia SC
for Girls!
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Cooking & Wine Tasting | Outdoor Activities | Fitness Made Fun
Arts/Crafts, Classes & Workshops | Salons & Spas | Shopping
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• Sam's Fine Wine, Beer, Spirits and More Sam's Fine Wine, Beer, Spirits & More is Lexington's premier store to find the best and largest selection of beer, wine and spirits. Their FREE weekly tastings on Fridays from 4pm until 7pm allow you to get a taste before you purchase! Where else can you and your ladies find that?
• Cloud Nine Market hosts special in-store events that showcase their delectable jams, fresh jellies, succulent sauces, fine wines and numerous other top-of-the-line products. Previous showcases have offered Italian Style Chili, Irish Soda Bread and a famous curry sauce. With their valet service and personable staff..all you girls have to do is pull into the Vista parking lot and let them take care of the rest.
• Earth Fare hosts weekly cooking sessions, workshops and a variety of community events especially for women in Greater Columbia. Visit their web site or call 799-0048 for more information.
• Corked Wine Shop has wine tastings on Fridays at 6 pm and on Saturdays at 4 pm. Prices vary.
• Let's Cook Culinary Studio offers classes throughout the week. Here are some of the classes going on: Italian Regional Cooking, French Regional Cooking, Seasonal Cooking, Couples Cooking, and Wild Women Class among others! Check their schedule for a full schedule.
• Fleur De Lys Home Culinary Institute offers a large array of cooking topics...check their website for a current schedule of classes.
• The McCutchen House (USC's campus in Downtown Columbia) Discover the wines and sample the proper foods from these regions. Enjoy a night of wine tasting and great food, tapas style. Wine events are $50 per person (*unless other wise noted), except for series classes which are $179 per person. Beer and wine classes begin at 6:30 pm. Each participant will also receive a McCutchen House Cookbook filled with great recipes from the McCutchen House chefs! Carolina Cuisine at McCutchen House offers live cooking demonstrations taught by our famous and talented culinary chefs. Each cooking show features a five-course dinner paired with appropriate wines. Enjoy a morning of culinary instruction at the Chef d’jour classes! These half-day cooking classes are designed to help the layperson get a leg up in the kitchen.
• Total Wine and More has wine tastings on Fridays & Saturdays from noon-6 pm.
• Cellar on Greene At Cellar, every Tuesday is "Champagne Tuesday!" where you can enjoy half-priced Bubbly specials of Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, and more! Champagne tasting flights for just $6! Every Wednesday a Reserve Wine is featured at the Tasting for only $5! Every Thursday they feature one of Columbia's best deals...Two Pizzas and a bottle of wine for only $25! Finally, join them every other Saturday from 12-2 for their Giant Wine Sale and Free Tastings! They'll have dozens of selections open for you to taste before you buy and steal away for less than closeout prices! This is a perfect way to find new wines you didn't know you liked, as well as old favorites!
Grab the ladies and head to 5 Points Columbia for the day or night!
• The Gourmet Shop has wine tastings every Saturday from 2-5 pm.
• Lanier Sailing Academy Lanier Sailing Academy on Lake Murray offers sailing courses and a sailing club in a fun environment. Our basic keelboat classes include 20 hours of on the water instruction. You'll develop your basic skills aboard our popular Capri 22's with no more than 3 students per boat. Classes can be taken for American Sailing Association or US Sailing certification. Take a sunset sail with your special someone or cruise with girlfriends or business associates on beautiful Lake Murray, South Carolina.
• Columbia Volleyball Club. They've been serving up great indoor and outdoor volleyball for men and women of all ages in the midlands of South Carolina for more than 20 years! The CVC is a very active, nonprofit organization made up of all volunteers. If you love volleyball and want to see it continue to grow in the South East, grab your girls and join today!
• Columbia Women's Rugby Club The Columbia Bombshells are a Division II women's rugby team located in Columbia, South Carolina. They are accepting new players, no experience necessary. Practices are held Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-9pm at Valencia Park, 710 S. Kilbourne Road Columbia SC. Email recruiter@columbiawomensrugby.com to register!
• Disc golf is played like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, players use a flying disc or Frisbee! Several city parks in Columbia have courses already set up. Here are some places in Columbia where you can play disc golf: Earlewood Park 803.733.8444; Owens Field Disc Golf Course 803.343.8788; Crooked Creek Disc Golf Course 803.345.6181; Lake Murray Golf Center 803-466-3599, Woodward Park or join the Columbia Disc Golf Club.
• Get outside and go kayaking, hiking, paddling down Broad River, or learn the basics of backpacking at Adventure Carolina . Classes are offered on a regular basis (some just for women) so you and the girls can go at your own pace!
• Strictly Running hosts group runs on Wednesdays. Visit their web site for meeting times and places.
• Saluda Shoals Park offers canoe and kayak rentals and guided trips. If you're in the mood to stay on land, take your place on one of the horse trail rides where you can learn the basics or improve your horse back riding skills.
• Hey ladies....Columbia's first wake board school is now offered at Carolina Wake! Come ride and learn from the area's most qualified coaches. Call 803-781-1024 for more information.
• Columbia Quad Squad is an all-female flat0track roller derby team and they are now recruiting across Greater Columbia. Call Debi at 348-8861 for more information or check out their web site.
• Richland County Regulators is an all female, flat track roller derby team. If you're interested in joining, email team@richlandcountyregulators.com for more information.
• The Columbia Rowing Club offers introductory rowing classes. Call 608-3480 or visit them online.
• Join other locals and members of the Carolina Cyclers as they take on bicycle rides from 10 miles to over 200 miles. You can join now and pick from their extensive calendar of rides, attend their non-riding events and receive their monthly newsletter. Overnight and weekend events are also offered for the serious riders.
•The City of Columbia Parks and Recreation You women might consider taking part in the numerous classes and recreational activities available at City of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation Community Centers. There’s something for all ages and abilities available at a neighborhood center near you. And if your interests range more toward unstructured recreation, your local parks will be filled with people enjoying the weather with their friends and families. We hope we will see you out there, too. This is one of the best times of the year to be outside, whether you are throwing the football, training for a marathon, bird watching or simply enjoying a park bench.
• AMSA Studios offers pilates and yoga in numerous forms including Deep Stretch Yoga, Hot Ashtanga Yoga, Gentle Yoga, and Yin & Flow Yoga...all in a warm female-friendly environment.
• Capital Karate With more than 100 years of combined industry experience, our instructors offer children's karate classes and adult classes for men and women at competitive rates. Visit our martial arts studio in Columbia for an assortment of karate and kickboxing classes that are sure to kick your body into shape!
• Columbia's Ballroom Company I once heard that it is impossible to be sad when you are dancing. All of my girlfriends agree too! From beginner to advanced, from social to competitive, we've something to offer all levels of ballroom dancers. Included are: Group Instruction, Private Instruction, Practice Parties, Wedding dance preparation, and Coaching from visiting national champions which are all geared to your level of experience and your own dancing ambitions. Choose from any or all of the following: Waltz, Swing, Shag, Tango, Rumba, Salsa, Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Merengue, Viennese Waltz, Bolero, Hustle, Quickstep, Mambo, or Paso Doble.
• Columbia Martial Arts & Fitness Everything from extreme workouts, to highly technical skills. Whether a young adult, or just young at heart, we have something for all you ladies like: CrossFit Training (an extreme exercise program), MMA (learn to work the cage), Fitness Kickboxing (get fit and grab some skills), Jun Fan Gung Fu / JKD (Bruce Lee's arts - fitness and combat), Wing Chun ( get technical with this Kung Fu), Jiu-Jitsu / BJJ / Grappling (tone and roll), Kali (the ultimate in weapons training) and many more!
• Columbia Running Club Every wonder why you see a group of men and/or women running together? It's because studies show that exercising with others increases the likelihood that you'll continue to exercise. Columbia Running Club runs in places like Three Rivers Greenway, Sesquicentennial State Park, Harbison State Forest and the Carolina Marathon Race Course. Run and take in the scenery of Greater Columbia all at once!
• Columbia Fitness Boot Camp Boot camp is an outdoor fitness program for women. The program is designed to reduce body fat, tone muscle and improve health. The Program consist of cardiovascular, endurance and strength training. The boot camp meets three times a week for 60 minutes of fun and challenging work-outs.
• JazzAfrican Aerobics JazzAfrican Aerobics Studio of West Columbia has classes Monday-Thursday at 5:30pm. Classes include AfricanAerobics, FunkAerobics, JazzAerobics, GospelRobics, and YogaPilates. $8 per class or $35 per month. Grab the girls and make it a fun workout night!
• Life Force Karate LifeForce Karate and Fitness teaches martial arts, self-defense and high energy fitness kickboxing in the Columbia area. They offer the following programs: karate, kickboxing, personal training and an ultimate fitness course.
• Palmetto Shag Club Learn the most southern dance around!
• Total Package Boxing Club Learn self defense while toning and loosing weight. They have professional and amateur boxing, personal training and certified boxing coaches and instructors.
• Vista Ballroom Vista Ballroom is Columbia's only professional Argentine Tango studio. Offering daily group classes and private instruction, VISTA Ballroom hosts weekly practices, and monthly milongas. We offer something for everyone who wants to dance like Salsa, Ballroom, Shag, and Swing. Regular workshops, studio socials, and student showcases are also offered that are sure to give you a great workout.
• Zumba is a new craze that has taken over the fitness world. Check out their website to see where the closest Zumba class is to you!
Arts/Crafts, Classes & Workshops
• Heidi Darr-Hope is a local female artist that hosts exhibitions, workshops and lectures to explore your inner artist. Visit her web site for workshop specifics.
• Southern Pottery Workcenter and Gallery offers all kinds of classes including handbuilding, wheelthrowing and pottery camps.
• The Art Elements has a special Ladies Night every Thursday from 6-9pm. Come in, relax, bring a friend, a drink, socialize and paint!
• The Columbia Museum of Art About Face Drawing Sessions are offered weekly. About Face is a group of artists that share a figural model in the Museum’s studios. This group, representing a wide range of ages and abilities, offers a supportive and friendly atmosphere in which to hone artistic skills. About Face Weekly Drawing Sessions are on Mondays (topics vary 10:00 a.m. – noon), Tuesdays (Portrait Drawing 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.), Tuesdays (Figure Drawing 7:15 – 9:15 p.m.), and on the first Wednesday & Friday of the month (Long pose 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.). The first visit is free. $7 or $5 with About Face membership for all sessions. $10 for both Tuesday sessions; or $8 for both Tuesday sessions with About Face membership. About Face Membership: $15 for one adult or $25 for two adults, additional $15 / $25.
• Belladonna's offers art classes, grow classes, meditation classes and more! Call 765-0450 to set up a personalized class that's just for you!
• Visual Art Center From classes and shows to special events, we sponsor a variety of activities. Steve Hewitt, Visual Arts Supervisor, operates a program designed to provide activities for men and women, girls and guys, ages 6 - 90+. The Arts Center serves as a hub for pottery enthusiasts as well as classes in jewelry making and sculpture.
• Booker Washington Heights Cultural Arts Center is now offering piano lessons, dance classes, Down South Stepper, and Bridge. Call Wanda Samuels at 255-8164 for a complete class listing or check online.
• If you're a 'tricks-of-the-trade' person but prefer to watch and learn, schedule a time for yourself and a few of your best friends to watch the experts blow glass at One Eared Cow Glass in the Vista. While surrounded by an array of colors, glass pieces and the barn-like motif, you will become infatuated with the artist's work and get a feel of where this whole business began. The studio operates year-round and is always open to visitors during the blowing schedule, typically Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri from 9am - 11am and 1:30pm until 4:00pm, but call to make sure.
• The Columbia Museum of Art offers various art classes for adults...male and female. Check out their web site for specific times and classes offered or call 799-2810.
• City Art offers all kinds of classes like Small Works Oil Painting, Landscape Painting in Oil Night Class, , Watercolor, Acrylic Mixed Media, and Beginning/Intermediate Watercolor. Check out their current schedule of art classes online. It's time to let your female artistic juices flow!
• Paint your own pottery at the Mad Platter in the heart of Columbia SC. Check their website for special painting days and other offers!
• Stop by Swiftwater Beads & Jewelry on Harden Street for a more interactive experience. As one of the few full-service bead stores in the area, you can customize jewelry that matches your taste. The extremely friendly, knowledgeable staff can help you and your friends create earrings, necklaces, bracelets...and anything else you can think of! The environment provides a fantastic selection of beads, tools, books and the most well-equipped customer work area you have seen. If you're just starting, reserve your spot at the April 26th Basic Beading Class and learn the ropes from A-Z. 1101 Harden St. 803-252-2020
• The Columbia Camera Club offers instruction, appreciation and competition of photography the first Tuesday of the month. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Visit their web site or contact them at 786-7022 for more information.
• Columbia Museum of Art. For centuries artists have studied existing artworks as an invaluable exercise, and the Columbia Museum of Art is an excellent resource for today’s artists. Many visitors enjoy sketching in the Museum’s Classical, Renaissance and Neo-Classical galleries. Sketching stools are available upon request, and sketching in pencil, crayon, pastel and charcoal is permitted only in the Museum’s collection galleries. Please check in at the admission desk. Sketching in the Galleries is a great place to allow you inner artist to emerge. Free with museum admission.
• Radiance Medical Spa has one of the most innovative lasers in the industry and lots of services as well. Services include: personalized facials, lunch time facials, back facials, massage therapy, Latisse, skin rejuvenation, skin tightening, hair removal, leg vein treatments, cellulite reduction, Botox (and Botox parties), Juvederm, Jessner Peels, and permanent makeup.
• Bliss Salon and Spa Bliss Salon and Spa offers hair care, hair extensions, skin care, massage therapy, and nail care. You can indulge yourself in a soothing, tranquil environment with the ultimate in relaxation by pampering yourself with a Swedish massage. Allow the skilled massage therapists to use slow, rhythmic strokes from head to toe, penetrating the deepest of muscles to create the most delightful treatment. Call ahead a bring a group of girlfriends to share in this vital get-away!
• Rejuvenations Medical Spa offers the latest in cosmetic laser treatments in a relaxed and discreet office setting.
• Logan Raye Luxury Salon & Spa offers an extensive array of services for hair, nails, skin and body to help you look good, feel good, and have fun!
• Tonic Day Spa offers manicures and pedicures, massages, waxing, facials and a variety of other items including some for men. From the moment you walk in the door, the noise form Garner's Ferry immediately disappears and the tranquil atmosphere sweeps you into another world.
• Tranquil Moments Day Spa & Boutique is another serene place which one must experience. A tranquil moment is defined as a period of time where you are free of stress, anxiety, tension and/or relentlessness. Any place with this definition in their name is a sure bet.
• Illumination MedSpa is the Midlands Premier Body Sculpting Destination with their state-of-the-art, comprehensive aesthetic center.
• Urban Nirvana is committed to providing, expert, professional, spa & salon services in Columbia SC.
• Elante Day Spa offers Botox, dermal fillers, tattoo removal, facial veins and Rosacea, laser hair reduction, ProFractional Resurfacing, MicroLaser Peel, Permanent Make-up, body treatments, facials, massage therapy, skin treatments, spa retreats, manicures and pedicures.
• Ashley's Alley offers expert hair care, nail care, skin care and relaxing massages.
• Ego Spa's Massage Therapists, Estheticians and Nail Care Specialists set the standard for excellence.
• Wisteria Salon & Spa offers all the essential services to make for a true day at the spa.
• European Skin & Hair Clinic offers hand treatments, foot treatments, facials, and massages among numerous other services.
• Jewelry Warehouse With 4 locations (Lexington, West Columbia, St. Andrews and Northeast Columbia) there's definitely a Jewelry Warehouse near you. From Bridal jewelry to palmetto tree pendants and Gamecock watches, there's a piece of jewelry for everyone! Shop for the holidays and send your family a piece of the south to remember you by! While you're there, show your support of the Gamecocks and stock up on...Gamecock Everything!
• Southern Vistas - Garden Center Check out Southern Vistas' Garden Center located near Owens Field in downtown Columbia and let the expert aid in making your curb appeal the best it can be! Merchandise includes: Planters, trees, shrubs, flowers, fountains, rocks, mulch, wrought iron gates, boulders, wall panels, river petals, stepping stones, stone veneers, boxed patio trees, ground covers, sabal palmetto, windmill palm, sago palm, pindo palm, bag mulch, soil, landscape mix, and fertilizers. The Garden Center Hours are Monday and Tuesday 8am - Noon; Wednesday thru Saturday 8am - 6pm; and Sunday 1pm - 5pm. Come see all we have to offer!
• Thunder Tower - Harley-Davidson From helmets and boots to gloves and home accessories, all of your Harley-Davidson apparel can be found here. Come check out our wide array of Harley-Davidson apparel.
Take a trip back in time by experiencing Greater Columbia’s wide array of antique shops and malls! Shops are located in the Congaree Vista and in West Columbia just across the river from downtown Columbia via the Gervais Street bridge.
• 763 Antique Mall We have an array of collectable and antique items with over eleven thousand square feet to peruse. Vintage toys, books, crystal, depression glass, jewelry, silver, art glass, oils/prints, pottery, furniture, china/porcelain and linens all await you! A knowledgeable staff is here to assist in your purchases and we are open seven days a week to accommodate you best! Come on in!
• 5 Points Shops Near the University of South Carolina, the Five Points area is home to many unique retail shops as well as restaurants and clubs. This area’s stores appeal to the young crowd with places to buy hip clothing, art, gourmet foods and wines and jewelry.
• Village at Sandhill The Village is the perfect mix of living, shopping, dining, and entertainment! With its charming streetscapes, town center and distinctive architecture, you’ll find over 300 acres of dining and shopping galore!
• Columbiana Centre Mall Conveniently located at Harbison Boulevard, Columbiana Centre hosts some of the leading retailers like Abercrombie, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, Bare Escentuals, bebe, Buckle, Coach, Hollister, White House/Black Market and Williams Sonoma as well as anchor stores like Belk, Dillard’s, JC Penney and Sears. Stop in for a quick shopping spree and then head to the movies or any of the great restaurants on Harbison!
• Columbia Place Mall Northeast Columbia’s mall is the largest mall in the area. Columbia Place is home to all your favorite stores like Charlotte Russe, Macy's and Sears, not to mention other great shops like Journeys, Victoria's Secret, Finish Line and Bath & Body Works. Columbia Place has over 100 fabulous stores and eateries making it truly a total shopping experience. Columbia Place is located on the corner of Two Notch Road and Parklane Road.
• Dutch Square Mall All roads lead to Dutch Square, South Carolina’s first and favorite mall. Centrally located at I-26, I-20 and I- 126, this mall features Belk and Burlington Coat Factory, department stores, over 40 specialty stores and a 14-screen movie theater.
• Midtown at Forest Acres is located in the heart of Columbia at the corner of Forest Drive and Beltline Boulevard. The mall features a unique collection of boutiques, shops, departments stores, restaurants and entertainment! Midtown at Forest Acres is right where you want to be, with great stores like Belk, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, The TGI Friday's and Regal Cinemas.
• Downtown City Center. Enjoy the heart of the capital city while strolling down historic Main Street. You’ll find unique shops that specialize in upscale men’s clothing, fine jewelry, ladies’ boutiques, accessories, children’s apparel and more.
• Loose Lucy's offers 'cool clothes' from tie dyed shirts to floral printed cotton dresses...all at kind prices.
• The Oops Company prides itself on providing your favorite items from catalogs for men, women and kids at about half the catalog price. Located at 601 Harden Street.
• The Blue Sky Gallery is a wonderful art gallery that captures you as you walk down the sidewalk. Take a few steps inside and the amazing paintings will blow you away. Located at 733 Saluda Avenue in 5 Points.
• Sylvan & Dubose Jewelers offers an exciting mix of traditional lines and contemporary designer pieces.
• The Congaree Vista. This area is comprised of an eclectic mix of businesses that line Gervais Street and its side streets, near the heart of the city. Here you’ll find galleries, lots of restaurants, nightclubs and shops offering American crafts, antiques, fine linens, custom furniture, and much more.
• American Apparel is a casual clothing store for men, women, children and...dogs conveniently located at 701 Lady St. Stop by or contact them at 748-7014.
• Looking for some cool places to shop in Columbia?
Here are even MORE places to shop in Columbia SC...
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