It can be tough to stay active once the temperature drops and the craziness of the holidays sets in. But the fact is, physical activity is shown to improve your physical, mental and emotional health — especially during a time of year that can be tinged with stress.
Fortunately, the QC is packed with ways for the whole family to get active during the holidays and beyond. Here are a few of our favorites:
NOTE: COVID-19 might affect hours and availability for all these activities. Check their websites and social media for the latest updates.
Fun for kids and families
The Chutes at Crowders Camps
130 Camp Rotary Road, Gastonia, NC 28052
No snow? No problem. Grab the kids and hit the chutes — tube down one of the camp’s four 225-foot lanes and reach speeds of up to 15 miles per hour. You’ll need to make a reservation in advance for 45 minutes of tube time. Once your time is up, grab some popcorn, hot cocoa, or a s’mores kit from the camp store, and enjoy your snack by the campfire. Challenge your friends to some three-on-three basketball or a game of sand volleyball to finish out your night. Tickets are $18 each and the money benefits the non-profit non-denominational Christian summer camp. Click here to learn more.
Outdoor ice rinks
Lace up your skates and enjoy the old-school thrill of outdoor ice skating. There are two venues that offer outdoor skating nearby:
The U.S. National Whitewater Center‘s 24,000-square-foot rink features four distinct skating areas, including two ice trails and two free skate zones. Centered in the converted pond is an on-ice Airstream serving hot and cold beverages when guests need a skate break. It’s $25 for a single-activity pass if you just want to skate, or $64 for an all-access pass if you want to spend the whole day enjoying the Whitewater Center’s many amenities. Learn more here.
Founders Holiday Ice Rink in Rock Hill features food trucks on Fridays and BOGO Free deals on Wednesdays. It costs $10 for skate rental and up to two hours on the ice, and groups of 10 or more are eligible for a 20-percent discount. Find out more here.
Creative Player indoor soccer camp
Keep kids active with an indoor holiday camp from Creative Player Inc., a youth soccer educational learning system that communicates a clear philosophy, methodology and curriculum in developing today’s soccer player for the modern game. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 1 through 3 and there are still spots available for kids ages 7 to 12. Can’t make the indoor camp? Creative Player offers lots of other winter programs. Find out more here.
Step into a world of holiday magic as you walk the park and enjoy the thousands of lights, fire pits, tasty treats, shows and, of course, thrill rides at Carowinds. Tickets are as low as $25 and Carowinds Winterfest lasts until Jan. 9. Learn more here.
U.S. National Whitewater Center
In addition to the ice skating we mentioned above, the Whitewater Center has tons of wintertime activities to help the family stay active. With everything from ziplines to yoga to mountain biking and beyond, there’s truly something for every member of your crew. Check out the activities page here. Day passes are $64 for adults and $54 for kids and must be purchased on-site. If you’re a runner or competitive skater, check out their race series which includes a 5K/10K New Year’s Eve trail race and a short-track skate race on Jan. 22.
Walk the trails, check out the historic cabins and see the animals up close. Daily usage fees are $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 5 to 12. All Greenway entrances are open from 7 a.m. to sunset, year-round. The Greenway also offers lots of fun winter events for the whole family.
Our pick: January 14 is “Kids Night Out” at the Greenway where for $35, parents can drop of their kids for a fun taste of the Greenway’s popular Summer Seekers camp. Learn more here.
Hit the slopes
If you’re willing to travel three hours or less, there are plenty of spots to shred the gnar to your heart’s content. Whether you’re a skiier or snowboarder (or just here for the apres ski spiked cocoa), check out Sugar Mountain Resort, Beech Mountain Resort, Appalachian Ski Mountain or Sapphire Valley. Pro Tip: Check the slope conditions on the resorts’ websites to make sure it’s cold enough for them to make snow.
Holiday strolls (hikes and runs!)
Check out some amazing public art with an art walk through your favorite area of the QC. Depending on where you’d like to go (and how much time you have) you can choose one of several trails through Uptown, NoDa, Plaza Midwood, South End and more. Take a self-guided tour from one of Art Walks CLT’s trails (info here) or check their Instagram for info on guided tours, gallery crawls and special events. However you choose to enjoy art, you’ll be getting a workout for both body and mind.
Get ready to swoon over the gorgeous doors and other holiday arrangements by In Bloom, LTD., a florist owned by Jay Lugibihl. The “Home for the Holidays” tour features more than 20 homes. Grab some hot chocolate, bundle up and take a look at some of the doors and entryways Lugibihl and his team have created. Whether you walk the area during the day or at night, the entryways will certainly make an impact. Check out the Instagram here.
Kick off 2022 with a fun, festive and family-friendly 5K that starts at the new police station on North Tryon Street and ends at nearby McCullough Commons. The event will include a new year’s brunch complete with pancakes, hot cocoa, hod cider, craft beer sampling and music. VIP tickets get you two post-run mimosas and a commemorative glass to toast your accomplishment in a cozy, heated tent. Register here.
Grab the family and take a walk on the Carolina Thread Trail, an interconnected network of trails and greenways that covers 15 counties across both North and South Carolina for a total of 1,610 miles. Check out the trail map here or use this tool to customize your search by difficulty, surface, location and adventure — such as best bird-watching trails and trails with water views.
Holiday stroll at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Stoke your holiday cheer with a stroll among the twinkling cherry trees and a roasted marshmallow beside a roaring fire, or grab a bite from a food truck. The event runs through Jan. 2 and tickets start at $14.95 for adults; children under 2 are free.
Take a Winter Hike just 2 hours away, maybe see a frozen waterfall
Hiking in the winter offers several advantages over other seasons ~ leafless trees afford much better views, there are no bugs to bite, the crowds are minimal, and cooler temps prevail. While there are specific precautions to take for winter hiking (see our article here), we think a day trip for hiking is the perfect outdoor activity for a clear, reasonably mild day. In our article here, we check out four of the best nearby hikes for winter. If you’re lucky you’ll even see a frozen waterfall.
Not your average night out
Work on your swing at Rory McIlroy’s newly-opened high-end high-tech night out that’s described as “mini-golf with a modern twist.” According to the website, “each unique course is designed to be a visceral, intricately detailed experience that transports guests to a wholly unexpected location. From rooftops to libraries and more, you just have to see it to believe it.” It costs $18 per person per round and guests must be 21 or older. Learn more here.
Perfect for date night, bachelor/bachelorette parties or just something fun and different to do with your pals, axe throwing is gaining popularity for being a unique way to get in a workout (and feel totally rugged!) Batlground Axe Throwing now has locations in LoSo and Plaza Midwood. Book a casual event for you and a partner for $28 or get your whole friend crew together for $138. Learn more here.
Yoga at High Branch Brewing
Thursday nights from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Motivate yourself to hold that shoulder stand just a little longer with your favorite beer waiting at the end of class. For $10 you get one hour of class and one beverage of your choice afterward. Beginner? No problem. This class is great for everyone.
