Georgia’s second-largest city is a dynamic and diverse destination located in west-central Georgia on the banks of the Chattahoochee River – and it’s the perfect place to put on your travel bucket list. A chef-driven local restaurant scene, a thriving arts community, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure await travelers of all ages! Columbus is a great place to discover the wonders of nature AND delve into the city’s unique culture.
Uptown Columbus (what locals call “downtown”) is the heart of the city. Positioned along the Chattahoochee River, Uptown is a great stop on the 15-mile RiverWalk and home to a collection of some of the newest, hippest hotels; a local restaurant scene that rivals that of much larger cities; Market Days on Broadway, which is a Saturday-morning street market with more than 200 vendors selling art items, local produce, baked goods, and countless cool local finds; a free concert series where you can bring your chair and unwind to the sounds of a wide variety of musical entertainment; local boutique shopping; exciting public art and sculpture displays; and much more!
Columbus offers epic outdoor adventure steps away from the ultra-cool Uptown. Adventure seekers can enjoy 2.5 miles of whitewater rafting and kayaking on the longest natural urban whitewater course in the world! For those who want a milder adventure, you can also tube and paddle board on the river. Another one-of-a-kind attraction is the zip line that sends you from Columbus over the Chattahoochee River to Alabama – and back! Those who enjoy even more leisurely pursuits can stroll or bike along the RiverWalk, which winds past historical monuments and sites like the National Civil War Naval Museum and the experiential National Infantry Museum.
Columbus is an epicenter for cultural experiences. Founded in 1953, The Columbus Museum is the second-largest museum in the southeast and is being reimagined and fashioned as the region’s cultural gathering place with newly designed galleries and gardens. The Columbus Collective Museums is home to the famous Lunch Box Museum (with the world’s largest collection of vintage lunchboxes) plus six more dazzling museums that showcase the area’s local industrial heritage and culture. The Coca-Cola Space Science Center features simulators, film screenings, and observation events appropriate for all ages. The Ma Rainey Home & Museum is a historical Columbus landmark honoring the legendary “Mother of Blues,” Ma Rainey. And The Bo Bartlett Center is an 18,500-square-foot interactive gallery in the Uptown campus of Columbus State University.
From ballet to Broadway, Columbus offers inspired performances and show-stopping events. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts is home to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra hosting Broadway shows as well as world-renowned performers and popular entertainers such as Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, The Moscow Boys Choir, and David Copperfield. The Springer Opera House is Georgia’s State Theater, the region’s premier professional theater, and annually produces over a dozen shows with talent from Los Angeles to New York.
Come and enjoy the vibrant artsy energy, the rich local history, epic outdoor adventures, and a thriving food scene (not to mention incredible photo opportunities for Insta!). It’s no wonder Columbus was named “Georgia’s Cool Cat City” by Forbes and one of the Best Trips of the Year by Explore Georgia. Couples, singles, and families alike will find what they need to plan an authentic, one-of-a-kind getaway by heading to VisitColumbusGA.com.