Guide to Columbus
Home to Fort Benning and the longest natural urban whitewater course in the world, Columbus is full of things to do, places to stay, great restaurants, and events year-round.
Originally inhabited by the Creek Indians, the city of Columbus was settled in 1828, named for Christopher Columbus. It was an important shipping port and in 1918, became home to the U.S. Army's Camp Benning (now Fort Benning). Set along the Chattahoochee River on the border with Alabama, Columbus has become a popular spot for outdoor lovers with the longest natural urban whitewater course in the world and a zip line across the river. The thriving downtown, known locally as Uptown Columbus, is a mecca for attractions, restaurants, and shops.
Things to do
Whitewater Express
Launch yourself into fun with Columbus, GA Whitewater! Named one of the Top 12 Man-Made Adventures in the World by USA Today, you'll glide down the river with rafting adventures ranging from a mild Lazy River to the famously wild Class V rapid ... something everyone in the family can enjoy!
Columbus Clingstones Baseball
Head to Synovus Stadium to cheer for the Columbus Clingstones, a Minor League Baseball team of the Southern League and the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Enjoy fun themed nights like Military Appreciation Nights and Fuzzy's Kids Club Games, lots of great food, and tons of family-friendly fun with interactive activities, giveaways, and more.
Columbus Botanical Garden
Founded in 1999, the 36-acre Columbus Botanical Garden is an attractive venue and colorful setting for photography, special events, horticultural seminars, and community learning. Hike the Joann Holt Walking Trail or stroll through the display gardens that showcase a range of local plant species. On weekdays, you can also tour the historic 1890s Adams Farmhouse.
Ma Rainey House & Blues Museum
The landmark former home of Blues icon Ma Rainey features local Blues history exhibits and artifacts. Columbus native Gertrude "Ma" Pridgett Rainey (1886-1939) created a distinctive singing style that brought her fame as the "Mother of the Blues." She made her debut in Columbus at the Springer Opera House at age 14, then went on to tour for decades throughout the South and Midwest, recording albums for Paramount in the 1920s. Exhibits in the museum interpret the life and career of Ma Rainey and trace the history and influences of the blues tradition of the lower Chattahoochee River Valley, a region for which Columbus is the population and cultural center.
The Bo Bartlett Center
The Bo Bartlett Center at Columbus State University is a dynamic, creative learning laboratory that is part gallery/museum, part experimental arts incubator, and part community center. It houses and displays The Scarborough Collection: 14 monumental paintings by Bartlett. Additionally, the center houses more than 300 paintings and drawings, as well as the complete archive of sketchbooks, correspondence, journals, recordings, photographs, artistic notes, memorabilia, objects, and objects d’art relevant to the production of Bartlett’s work.
National Infantry Museum
The National Infantry Museum interprets the history of the infantry from the founding of America to present-day global peacekeeping. The 190,000-square-foot facility is the only museum dedicated to the American infantryman and features a large collection of military artifacts.
Springer Opera House
Catch a performance at the Springer Opera House, the State Theatre of Georgia. Built in 1871, this professional theatre produces 11 shows annually with some of the nation's most sought-after talent from Los Angeles to New York. It's the home of the Springer Theatre Academy, the largest theatre training program for young adults in the Southeast.
National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus
The National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus focuses on the naval history of the War Between the States. It features a replica of the USS Hartford, the recreated CSS Albemarle, and the CSS Jackson, the hull of the largest surviving Civil War ironclad.
The Columbus Museum
Equal parts art and regional history museum, The Columbus Museum is the second-largest art museum in the state. With a diverse selection that not only tells the story of the city and region, but exhibits from both its archives of over 14,000 pieces and works of art showcased from renowned collections from around the world, make the Museum a cultural center like no other.
Columbus Collective Museums
Columbus Collective Museums is a collection of eight world-class museums housed in a restored tile and marble warehouse. Step inside to see the Tom Huston Peanut Museum, the Folk Art Museum, and the ever-popular Lunchbox Museum. It’s home to local legends, fascinating facts, and a one-of-a-kind collection of artifacts from historic Columbus, Georgia, and the surrounding region.
Filming locations
Columbus was one of the state's first camera-ready communities and has played host to a number of films. Fort Benning, for example, has been used in more than a dozen films, TV shows, and documentary projects, including "We Were Soldiers," a 2002 movie starring Mel Gibson, and "The Green Berets," a 1968 film starring John Wayne. The RiverCenter for the Performing Arts appears in the final scenes of 2003's "The Fighting Temptations," starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyoncé. The 13th Street Bridge over the Chattahoochee River downtown appears in "Need for Speed," the 2014 film starring Aaron Paul.
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Places to stay
With 48 hotels and 4,400-plus rooms, spending the night on your next getaway to Columbus is easy.
Hotel Indigo
Hotel Indigo Columbus at Riverfront Place is located right on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, offering guests breathtaking views of the river from virtually anywhere in the hotel. Enjoy delicious dining options onsite, including the downstairs farm-to-table restaurant Denim & Oak, and the fabulous open-air rooftop bar overlooking the river, Eighteen85. Walk or use the hotel's complimentary bikes to explore the RiverWalk, dining, nightlife, and shopping in the heart of Uptown Columbus.
City Mills
Steps from the historic Chattahoochee River, City Mills is Columbus's first luxury boutique hotel. Filled with custom furniture, original artwork, state-of-the-art technology, and preserved pieces from the Mill's historic past, City Mills revels in the details. Every square inch of City Mills reflects a unique history and integrated collaboration between historians, designers, architects, and artisans who brought a vision to life.
Columbus Marriott
The Columbus Marriott is a 177-room hotel built around a restored grist mill that began operations in 1861. The original brick was refurbished and converted into Columbus' convention hotel being directly across from the Trade Center. Now a national landmark, the hotel houses two, two-story suites with loft bedrooms; five meeting rooms; outdoor pool; fitness center; and Houlihan's restaurant.
LaQuinta Inns & Suites Columbus North
Well located in Columbus, the LaQuinta Inns & Suites Columbus North has restaurants and shops within walking distance, as well as free continental breakfast, business center, outdoor pool and complimentary Internet.
Hilton Garden Inn
Located in North Columbus, the Hilton Garden Inn has 120 guest rooms with microwaves, refrigerators, and coffee makers. The hotel also has free Internet, a business center, complimentary shuttle, indoor pool, fitness center, and a full-service restaurant.
DoubleTree by Hilton
At the DoubleTree by Hilton, guests have easy access to the Columbus Airport and Fort Benning. The hotel has a complimentary airport shuttle, spacious rooms, high-speed Internet, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, a full-service restaurant, and a business center.
Homewood Suites
The Homewood Suites is great for short or long stays, with full kitchens, flat-screen televisions, high-speed Internet, an outdoor pool, fitness center, business center, and shuttle service. There is also complimentary breakfast and manager's reception.
Home2 Suites
Located near the airport and convenient to Fort Benning, the comfy rooms at the Home2 Suites are a great base for exploring Columbus. There are studio and one-bedroom suites with living areas, sofa beds, and full kitchens. There are even pet-friendly rooms.
Hyatt Place Columbus North
Conveniently located near major highways, the Hyatt Place Columbus North has separate living spaces, free WiFi, free parking, pet-friendly rooms, nearby restaurants, and complimentary breakfast daily.
Hampton Inn Columbus/South-Ft. Benning
The award-winning Hampton Inn-South/Ft. Benning features amenities like the comfy Hampton bed, mini fridges, free WiFi, flat-screen televisions, fitness center, outdoor pool and free hot breakfast.
Residence Inn
Great for extended stays, the Residence Inn is located within walking distance of the Columbus Park Crossing Mall and a short drive from downtown attractions. The hotel includes a complimentary breakfast, a fitness center, and an outdoor pool.
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Places to eat
Chow down at one of the best Columbus restaurants.
Banks Food Hall
Everyone will find something they love to eat at Banks Food Hall, a collective eatery of several dining options with indoor and outdoor seating, bars and live music. Eat, drink, socialize and relax in the heart of Uptown Columbus next to the RiverWalk, Splash Pad and Whitewater Express.
Minnie's Uptown Restaurant
A soul food restaurant featured as one of Explore Georgia's 100 Plates Locals Love, lunch at Minnie's Uptown Restaurant is a Columbus must-do. Indulge in the changing menu of the buffet, including fried chicken and macaroni and cheese.
Mabella's Italian Steakhouse
The high-quality meats and Italian dishes on the menu make Mabella's Italian Steakhouse a local favorite. Set in a historic telephone switch building, favorites include the steaks and stuffed pastas. It's such a local favorite, there is now a second location in east Columbus.
Country's Barbecue
While there are a few locations nearby, the Columbus outpost of Country's Barbecue is uniquely located in an old Greyhound bus station. You can even eat inside one of the buses! Their barbecue is cooked over hickory and oak, paired with sides like Brunswick stew.
11th & Bay
A true favorite among residents, 11th & Bay focuses on local, sustainable and organic dishes with Southern hospitality. Located in an old cotton warehouse, the restaurant has views of the Chattahoochee River and a cozy Edison bulb-lit interior.
Epic Restaurant
Covered in local artwork, Epic Restaurant has chef’s tastings and a dinner menu with dishes like foie gras, duck confit and venison. Epic has landed on a list of the Top 40 fine-dining eateries in the United States, and is the only one from Georgia, as well as receiving the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine. They also have a full cocktail and beer menu, and an extensive collection of wines.
Cannon Brew Pub
Combining house-brewed beer and American pub fare, Cannon Brew Pub is the best place in town for a pint. Chow down on one of their burgers, wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches and hearty pasta.
Speakeasy
Speakeasy is located in the Midtown area of Columbus and has been around since 1976, serving their famous Camel Rider sandwich, Speakeasy original pizzas and Nutcracker Pie.
The Black Cow
A Columbus staple since 2010, The Black Cow serves up high-quality comfort dishes, including the acclaimed Bacon Pimento Cheeseburger — named “The Best Burger in the South” by Garden & Gun readers — as well as famous meatloaf and succulent steaks. Enjoy a signature cocktail or craft beer at the bar and catch the game on one of five TVs.
Animal Farm
The Animal Farm is a modern farmhouse-inspired restaurant located in the heart of Uptown Columbus. The restaurant's menu features house-butchered meats and seasonal, locally sourced produce. A perfect spot for lunch, a leisurely brunch, or a memorable dinner, The Animal Farm captures the essence of Southern hospitality with a modern twist.
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Events
There's always something going on in Columbus! From Uptown's RiverFest, Friday Night Concert Series, Spring & Fall Food Truck Festivals, Beer & Wine Festival, to RiverBlast Festival, you'll find plenty of fun and good times!
