Three Days of Music Must-Sees in Columbus
Whether you stay for a day or three, here's how to make the most out of the Columbus music experience.
Columbus, Georgia's music scene is as ever-changing as the Chattahoochee River that runs alongside it. Near the turn of the century, Columbus was known for groundbreaking African American artists like the Mother of Blues Ma Rainey and piano prodigy Blind Tom Wiggins. But the long list of artists who were born or raised in Columbus is as long as it is varied. The Fountain City claims Nashville pioneer and guitarist Chet Atkins, multi-Grammy award winning blues singer and guitarist Robert Cray, hip-hop producer Dallas Austin, country music parody performer Tim Wilson, contemporary Christian artist Bebo Norman, Kansas’ rock violinist David Ragsdale, American Idol contestant and Broadway performer Justin Guarini, improv comedian turned crooner Wayne Brady and TLC member Rozanda "Chilli" Thomas.
Currently referred to as "Uptown" by the locals, downtown Columbus includes a variety of successful shops, eateries and music venues thanks to the 1992 opening of The Loft, a restaurant with a live music venue upstairs, and the art culture created from numerous offerings from Columbus State University’s Schwob School of Music and nearby performance halls like the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, the Springer Opera House and Liberty Theatre.
With endless entertainment options and "Purple People," aka friendly city ambassadors of the Columbus Business Improvement District, Columbus has become one of the most culturally accessible entertainment cities in Georgia. Make plans for a day or an extended weekend with the itinerary below, and you’ll easily feel like an Uptown native.
Ma Rainey House & Blues Museum
Gertrude "Ma" Rainey was born in Columbus in the late 1800s and began performing in her teens. Known as the Mother of Blues, Ma Rainey made more than 100 recordings. Rainey returned to Columbus in the 1930s after retiring from performing, moving into a two-story shotgun style house. By the early 1990s, the house was in danger of being razed, but locals purchased and renovated the house, opening it as a museum in 2008. Take a self-guided tour of the Ma Rainey House and Blues Museum and see memorabilia in carefully curated period-correct rooms. If you have extra time, drive a few blocks to Riverdale-Porterdale Cemetery (107 10th Avenue) to complete the experience by visiting Ma Rainey’s resting place. Take note, the museum is open Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Free admission.
Iron Bank Coffee Company
Imagine grabbing coffee and a bite to eat in the city’s old National Bank. Or even better, enjoying that coffee at this historic location while enjoying live music. Located in the Historic District of Uptown Columbus, Iron Bank Coffee Company serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, beer and wine, and of course, coffee. Order a classic, or adventure to the specialty latte menu and enjoy your caffeine fix in the bank’s original vault. Live acoustic music is on tap most Friday and Saturday nights from 8 – 10 p.m., so grab a drink of choice and enjoy!
Uptown's Friday Night Concert Series (Seasonal)
If you're in town on a Friday in the spring or fall, head to Uptown for free concerts on Friday nights. The 10th and 11th block of Broadway is blocked off, and a stage sits in the center of the street. The concerts start at 7 p.m. The spring series happens in April and May, and the fall series starts in October and goes until November.
Springer Opera House
Declared the State Theatre of Georgia by President Jimmy Carter, the Springer Opera House was built in the 1870s, and its stage has been graced by Ethel Barrymore, Will Rogers, Edwin Booth and John Philip Sousa just to name a few. The theatre is still in operation and now features Broadway-style shows, improv comedy and a children’s theatre program among its programming. Take note: Tours of the historic theatre don’t require a reservation and are available Monday through Wednesday.
The Loft
The Loft has been serving up modern American bar fare downstairs and rock shows and comedy acts upstairs since the 1990s. Many credit this downtown venue with musical renaissance and influx of shops and eateries that now dot the Uptown district. Check their line up online, and plan for a live musical act on Wednesday, Friday or Saturday or a comedy performance on Thursday. Many shows have no cover charge, but the ones that do are phenomenal without breaking the bank.
Liberty Theatre
Liberty Theatre opened in the 1920s as a segregated movie house and theatre featuring live music performances and stage plays. It was the first black theater in the city, and at the time of construction, it was the largest movie house, too. Performers at the Liberty included Ma Rainey, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerlad, Lena Horne, Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington and many others. The Liberty Theatre served as an influential entertainment venue for 50 years before it shut its doors. With its addition to the National Register of Historic Places, grant money and support from community arts advocates, the Liberty reopened in the 1990s. Today, the theater offers a variety of stage plays and community events. Take note of show schedule; this venue is not otherwise open to the public but available for exterior photo opportunities.
Country's BBQ
Country’s BBQ opened its flagship store in 1975 and now has two other area locations. Country’s touts that they do everything the hard way when it comes to perfecting their classic barbecue and sides. They cook their meat over hickory and oak, and their Brunswick stew takes two days to simmer to perfection. If you want to enjoy a great Southern meal with bluegrass pickin’ accompaniment, be sure to visit the original eatery on Mercury Drive on a Friday or Saturday night.
RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
The RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, one of the state's most technologically advanced venues, is located in Downtown Columbus with a view of the Chattahoochee River. RiverCenter includes several theatre experiences under one room, including a black box theatre and its 2,000-seat Bill Heard Theatre, which houses regular performances by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Columbus Ballet and the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus. From Broadway shows like Stomp! to the magic of David Copperfield to live performances by Bela Fleck and Yo-Yo Ma, the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts provides Columbus with an endless lineup of culturally rich programming.
Whitewater Express
If you're feeling your own adventure soundtrack, Whitewater Express offers kayak certifications courses, stand up paddleboarding lessons and bike rentals perfect for exploring the 22 miles of the Riverwalk. Zipline across the Chattahoochee River at speeds up to 40 miles per hour, or pick from two different whitewater rafting trips on a course described to be as “wild as Colorado and warm as Costa Rica.” Take note, reservations are encouraged and can be completed online or over the phone.
The Columbus Museum
From the story of Columbus (the city’s namesake) to the history of the surrounding Chattahoochee Valley area, the Columbus Museum gives visitors a deeper look at the riverside city through the museum's collection of art and Native American archaeological artifacts. Children will enjoy creating their own art in the museum's interactive gallery. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Take note, the museum is closed on Mondays.
Rothschild-Pound House Inn
Stay overnight in style at the Rothschild-Pound House Inn, an 18-bedroom Victorian home within walking distance of restaurants, entertainment and the Chattahoochee River. Pick a suite or one of the cottages for more privacy. Enjoy complimentary breakfast, and be sure to ask about cocktail hour.
