The weather may be chilly, but don’t let that keep you in the house. There are too many reasons to go and do in January. Stretch your legs, try something new or just have some fun with these free activities.
- Get a hobby. January is National Hobby Month, so why not try out a new one? Expand your list of hobbies by attending a free hands-on class or workshop offered by retailers such as Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Williams Sonoma, Apple, Home Depot and Lowe’s. You may need to purchase supplies for the class, but there is no instruction fee.
- Take a hike. Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve in Stonecrest offers regular ranger-led hikes as well as trail maps for going it on your own to explore the beauty of the Georgia piedmont.
- Stretch out. Join a free yoga class surrounded by works of art in the galleries at the Georgia Museum of Art in Athens. Yoga in the Galleries, on the fourth Thursday each month, is free and open to both beginner and experienced yogis. Reserve space: georgiamuseum.org
- Soak up local history. Celebrate Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 15 by visiting the National Park Service site that highlights the leader’s life. Take a ranger-led tour of King’s childhood home and visit historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. Admission is always free. Hours and directions: nps.gov
- Start the car. Head to the Coweta County Visitors Center (in the historic courthouse on the square) in Newnan to pick up a self-guided driving tour brochure of the “City of Homes.” Use the map to do a drive-by of more than 50 historic homes and enjoy a glimpse of the past. More: exploregeorgia.org
- Push the pedals. Take that new bike you received for Christmas for a spin. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy lists the state’s Top 10 trails and what you need to know about them.
- Be a birder. Georgia Audubon offers free expert-guided field trips to learn more about Georgia’s resident and migrating birds. Beginning birders are welcome. Find dates and locations of January outings at birdsgeorgia.org.
- Go for a run. If you made a resolution to be more active in 2024, join a local chapter of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) and work toward the goal of participating in a competitive race like the annual AthHalf held each October in Athens. There are 23 RRCA chapters in Georgia.
Looking ahead to February
Mark your calendar for Super Museum Sunday on Feb. 11. Explore Georgia’s history and cultural life as historic sites, house museums, art museums and other points of interest offer free admission for the day. 2024 participating venues