You’ve watched the parade, eaten turkey, given thanks, watched football, eaten more turkey... but now what?
You could go Christmas shopping, but if your family is in town, this is your chance to play the tourist and show them around Columbus.
Here are some suggestions to keep everyone from slipping into a post-turkey coma.
If you’re already counting down the days until Christmas:
Victorian Christmas at the Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus: This annual celebration offers museum guests an opportunity to listen Victorian-era music, learn how sailors of the period spent their holidays and see Port Columbus decked out in Victorian Christmas decorations. Features during this weekend, November 26 and 27, will include live performances of Victorian Christmas carols, a museum tour and a look at the Victorian-era roots of our modern Christmas season, as well as shopping in the museum store and refreshments. You can also visit the museum December 3 and 4 and see a Victorian Vaudeville Show and a Victorian Santa Claus, as well as hear carols and tour the museum. Victorian Christmas activities will take place from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday this weekend, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, December 3 and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, December 4. Admission this weekend is $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for active military and seniors and $6 for students. Admission is free December 3 and 4. For more information, call 706-327-9798.
Ludy’s Christmas Spectacular: Like Christmas lights? Come by 5784 Ironstone Drive for the Ludy’s Christmas Lights Spectacular, a display of computerized lights synchronized to music. This year’s display will include a 17-foot Christmas tree made out of 7,000 lights and topped with a four-foot star, all designed and assembled by Jerry and Keith Ludy. Tune your radio to 90.1 FM as you enter the Cottonwood subdivision then watch the light show. The grand lighting will be in the evening on Thanksgiving and the lights will be up every weekday until 10 p.m. and every weekend until 10:30 p.m. until December 31. For more information, visit www.ludychristmas.com
Christmas at the Landings: If you plan on shopping on Friday, stop by the Landings for free horse and carriage rides and visits with Santa. Horse and carriage rides will be offered from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Santa will stop by to hear Christmas wishes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday. And if you need some fresh vegetables or baked good to round out your meal of Thanksgiving leftovers, stop by The Market. It will be open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, visit www.shopthelandings.com.
Santa at Columbus Park Crossing: You can also visit Santa at Columbus Park Crossing. Saint Nick will be in the courtyard on Friday, November 25 and every Saturday until Christmas from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A courtesy shuttle will also be available to shoppers every Saturday and Sunday throughout the Christmas season. Visits with Santa are free. For more information, visit www.columbusparkcrossing.com.
Santa at Peachtree Mall: Come see Saint Nick at Peachtree Mall. He’ll be available for pictures until Christmas Eve. Visiting Santa is free, but the mall also offers a variety of holiday portrait packages. For more information, visit www.peachtreemall.com or call 706-327-1578.
If you’re waiting until December to start singing carols and decorating the tree:
Kids’ Night at Archery Connection: Every Friday night is Kids’ Night at this indoor archery range in Phenix City. For $8, kids between the ages of five and 16 can participate in archery competitions. Competitions start at 7 p.m. on Friday. All participants must provide their own bow and arrows. For more information, call 334-480-9997 or visit www.archeryconnection.net.
The Columbus Cottonmouths vs. the Huntsville Havoc: Watch the Snakes take on the Havoc this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Columbus Civic Center.
Ice Skating: Don’t sit around after stuffing yourself with turkey. Strap on a pair of skates for a session at the Columbus Ice Rink. The rink will have skate sessions from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. today through Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for kids 10 and younger. Skates are $3. For more information, call 706-225-4500.
The Columbus Public Libraries: Curl up with a good book. All library branches will be open during normal operating hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend. For more information, visit www.thecolumbuslibrary.com or call 706-243-2669.
The Columbus Museum: Check out the museum’s exhibits on the Springer Opera House and the photographs of D.L. Hightower, as well as their permanent collections. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. It’s free. For more information, call 706-748-2562 or visit www.columbusmuseum.org.
National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center: Learn about the history of the Army Infantrymen, from the Revolutionary War to present day. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free, but a $5 donation is requested. For more information, visit www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com.
