Things to Do in Fort Mill

Owned by a veterinarian and staffed by a team of experienced equestrians, Providence Equestrian Center provides quality care for horses while teaching riders how to walk, trot, and canter. They do this during group and private lessons scheduled year-round in an 80”x140” covered arena or a 125”x275” outdoor arena. Providence Equestrian Center also hosts birthday parties, corporate events, and family reunions.

Yasmine or one of the talented protégés in her troupe of hip-swivelers will lead your class. She and her team have spent years studying and performing multiple dance styles, including Middle Eastern dance, ballet, tap, and the safety dance. Women of all fitness levels are welcome to participate in the introductory class. This gently paced lesson imparts the basic twists, turns, and moves that allow dancers to shimmy on stage and out of haunted hedge mazes. Forgo carnation-laden mother-daughter banquets in favor of a heartfelt bonding and hip-shaking session with the masters at Yasmine & Magic Hips. The comfortable atmosphere of the studio is an ideal environment for anyone's initiation into this artful combination of fitness and femininity.

If you paint your own pottery, there is no studio fee, and the price of the pottery includes all supplies and firing. Costs vary depending on the chosen 3D canvas. Kids’ pieces are $10–$25, dinnerware is $15–$60, and picture frames $22–$35; the average price of all pieces falls in the $15–$30 range. If you are distracted by a Night Court marathon and don't finish your masterpiece in one sitting, you can come in another day to finish for free (after that, it's $5 per visit). Upon completion, turn your project over to the pottery masters at the studio. They'll put the finishing flames on your project, which will be available for pick-up after about a week. This Groupon is also good for those who want to give glass fusing a whirl. First timers can take the glass class to learn the basics (schedule here), then put newfound skills to work building personalized frames, bowls, jewelry, and more. The typical glass project costs $15–$40.

Instructors at The Painted Parrot take a lighthearted approach to painting. Each strives to empower budding artists with guidance and feedback but emphasize creative expression over technical form. Their studio space reinforces the cheerful, no-pressure vibe: green and blue walls peek out from beneath previous classes’ paintings, and the studio’s resident parrots, JoJo, Petie, and Ralphie, squawk out commands for crackers or deliver lectures on art history over the popping of BYOB bottle corks.

Strikers Family Sportscenter & Bowling induces smiles in players of all ages with traditional open bowling as well as black-light-lit Rock n Bowl bowling on Fridays from midnight to 3 a.m. In addition to leagues and tournaments, the center hosts birthday parties and noncompetitive eating contests at the onsite snack bar. During karaoke nights, which take place in the lounge on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Strikers encourages vocalists of all experience levels to come out, sign up, and belt it out.

The consortium of professional instructors at Ballantyne Ballroom shepherds students of all ages and skill levels through lessons that span the style spectrum. Low-pressure private sessions allow enthusiastic teachers to fine-tune individual students' techniques and form, using their expert eyes and mechanical dancing shoes preprogrammed to do the Charleston. Patrons can learn how to cavort through classic waltz and fox-trot romps or swivel through the modern steps of salsa, swing, or samba. For dancers hoping to hoof it up in a social setting, the group practice parties provide a one-night extravaganza of instruction, demonstrations, and amateur firewalking.