This article is presented in partnership with Visit Columbia.
The weather’s getting colder, but indoor activity is heating up at some unique and iconic Columbia, Missouri, locations.
Axe throwing is an up-and-coming sport in Columbia. On the north side, Como Axe Attack, 901 Safari Dr. #105, provides an “axe kicking experience,” and on the south side, The Axe House, 3910 Peachtree Drive, Ste. A, is another axe-throwing good time. At both, axe masters instruct newbies in the art of axe throwing so experience isn’t necessary. Once you have the hang of it, you can sling axes with the best of ‘em, or at least enjoy a little friendly competition with your friends or family. In addition to axes, each offers throwing knives, throwing cards and ninja stars as well for a bit of variety.
If your kids are bouncing off the walls at home, or you just need to take a break from the regular workout routine, Sky Zone, 1201 American Pkwy., can help. This indoor trampoline park takes high-flying action to the next level. In addition to freestyle trampoline bouncing, dodgeball, volleyball and a two-lane Warrior Courses create challenging new ways to enjoy these activities. Pick-up games of dodgeball and volleyball are age- and size-specific for safety and to keep participants at the same level.
Bass Pro Shops, 3101 Bass Pro Dr., is a destination experience that does more than help you prepare for outdoor adventures. A stop at the store provides you with a unique experience in and of itself. This wilderness-themed store is filled with dioramas and taxidermy that depict scenes from Missouri nature. An 8,000-gallon aquarium features live bass, bluegill, crappie, gar and other fish native to Missouri. Bass Pro also holds several free seminars each month that support the activities it serves: hunting, fishing, boating, hiking and camping. Plus, in mid-November, Santa starts making daily appearances at Santa’s Wonderland, an annual holiday event held through the end of December for kids of all ages.
At the indoor rock climbing gym Bouldering Garden, 5400 E. St. Charles Road, the term “climbing the walls” takes on new meaning. Climbing holds cover the walls floor to ceiling and wall to wall. An inverse 45-degree climbing wall is one of the first things you see when you step in the door, but that’s just the beginning. You can get a toehold on slab walls, a stalactite and even the roof of its indoor “cave” while learning how to rock climb or furthering your skills. All skill levels are welcome, and instructors are on-hand if you need training. Designed for climbing, the gym develops new bouldering problems daily, so each visit can be different.
Year-round summer can be found at the Activity & Recreation Center (ARC), 1701 W. Ash St. Part of the City of Columbia’s Parks and Recreation department, the ARC features a gymnasium, strength training and cardio equipment, an indoor track and exercise classes, but the Water Zone, in particular, will keep the warm vibes coming. You can lounge in the leisure pool, do laps in the lap pool, cruise down the lazy river or shoot down the triple-loop water slide to bring a little bit of warmth to colder days.
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