Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Your Guide to an Unforgettable Trip to Columbus, Georgia
Under the radar and over the top, Columbus, Georgia, blends a vibrant artsy energy with unique local history and a thriving food scene. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors, listen to local bands, see a musical (or two!), and enjoy some finely crafted cocktails. Named one of the Best Trips of the Year by Explore Georgia, we’ve got world-class experiences without the world-class ego. (You can thank us later.)
Ready to plan your trip? Here's a list of our top tips for an unforgettable stay.
ARTS & CULTURE
For the culturally curious, plan a visit to any of these outstanding arts & entertainment attractions.
The Bo Bartlett Center is an interactive gallery space housed on the River Park campus of Columbus State University in Uptown Columbus, Georgia. The red brick, former textile warehouse holds a vast collection of work by famous artist and Columbus native, Bo Bartlett. At any given time, visitors can expect to see large scale exhibitions showcasing Bartlett paintings as well as the work of artists from across the Southeast and beyond. Past exhibitions include the SouthArts Annual Southern Prize and State Fellows Exhibitions, The Bennett Prize Exhibition, works from the Black Art in America Collection and various featured pieces by Amy Sherald, Najee Dorsey, Kate Capshaw, Juan Logan, Alma Thomas, and more!
The Columbus Museum (COMU) proudly features an impressive selection of American art, showcasing a wide range of styles with specific attention given to artists with connections to the Southeast and Georgia. Their focus on regional history tells the story of Columbus and the surrounding region, providing a depth of understanding for our local context within the broader national and global narrative. Expect to see landmark works by Amy Sherald, Bo Bartlett, Alma Thomas, Dave Chihuly and more! Traveling with kids? Don’t miss their children’s gallery complete with a playground, outdoor garden, and a miniature version of the COMU so they can develop their own exhibitions.
Located in the heart of historic Uptown Columbus, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts is the centerpiece of the city’s popular arts and entertainment district. A presenting theatre, RiverCenter boasts robust seasons of Broadway National Tours, tour launches, educational programming, solo acts, concerts, and more. Past featured Broadway productions include Spamalot, Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie, Hairspray!, and My Fair Lady. They also have hosted concerts by Dionne Warwick, St. Martin of the Fields, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
When the Springer Opera House opened in 1871, it was the grandest theatre between New York and New Orleans, so it served as a venue where shows traveling from the Big Apple to the Big Easy could perform and recoup some of their travel expenses. As a result, such noteworthy performers as Edwin Booth, Buffalo Bill, John Phillip Sousa, Ma Rainey, Ethel Barrymore, Tom Thumb, Burt Reynolds, Oscar Wilde, Garrison Keillor, Hal Holbrook, Chet Atkins, and W.C. Fields, have trod the Springer boards. Today, visitors can expect to see dynamic productions of shows such as White Christmas, The Bodyguard, The Play that Went Wrong, Steel Magnolias, Chicago, and more. Have some time before your show? Book a tour of the historic theatre before you take your seats!
The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center, voted USA Today’s Best Free Museum and one of CNN Travel’s 12 Best Military Museums in the World, pays homage to American soldiers in a world-class museum just outside the gates of Fort Benning. It is the only major museum in the country dedicated to the American infantryman, and it preserves one of the greatest collections of military artifacts. Its message, that freedom is not free, has been delivered to nearly three million visitors since its opening in June 2009.
Come aboard the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus and get the little-known naval view of the Civil War. The 40,000-square-foot facility houses the largest surviving Confederate warship, the CSS Jackson, as well as the wreckage of the CSS Chattahoochee. Other exhibits include a recreation of the USS Hartford with its berth deck, wardroom, and captain’s cabin; a full-scale replica of the USS Monitor’s famous turret; and an exterior/interior view of the CSS Albermarle. The museum hosts a range of events throughout the year including living history, museum theatre, tours, cannon firings, weapons demonstrations, local history projects, and more.
There are thousands of museums and galleries around the world, so to be recognized in any fashion is indeed quite an honor. One of the eight museums at the Columbus Collective Museums earned recognition for its extensive and evocative collection. The Columbus-based Lunchbox Museum was named number one by ListVerse.com as “One of the 10 Most Unique Museums in the World”. Only three museums in the US were highlighted on this list, with the others dotted across the globe. The Lunchbox Museum’s origin story also appeared in Smithsonian Magazine. Visitors can take a walk through memory lane at the Columbus Collective Museums. Additionally, guests can enjoy their Folk Art Junction gallery which highlights and sells the work of folk artists from across the region.
LOVE SOME GOOD FOOD?!
One of the best parts of exploring Columbus is the food! Our local chefs are insistent about quality, innovation, and flavor. (We're home to one of only two AAA Four Diamond restaurants outside of Atlanta!) So, pack your appetite and tackle this “must eat” list of our favorite Columbus restaurants that are sure to keep you coming back for more!
Dinglewood Pharmacy – Established in 1918, Dinglewood Pharmacy has served Columbus families faithfully since that time. The last pharmacy with its original soda fountain, it is the oldest eating establishment in town and is home to the World-Famous Dinglewood Scrambled Hot Dog!
Charred Oak Kitchen and Bar – Nestled in Old Town Columbus, this contemporary restaurant takes on your favorite Southern classics. It also boasts an impressive list of exclusive bourbons and cocktails. We hear the shrimp & grits are excellent and that you should never skip dessert!
EPIC – Columbus, Georgia, is home to one of only two AAA Four Diamond Award-winning restaurants outside of Atlanta. EPIC is tucked away right on the Chattahoochee River in vibrant Uptown Columbus. Celebrating a special occasion? Book a seat at The Chef’s Table where Chef Jamie Keating and his team will serve an exclusive multi-course dinner with tableside explanations on how each dish was crafted.
Eighteen 85 Bar & Kitchen at Hotel Indigo – Perched on the top floor of the Hotel Indigo Columbus at Riverfront Place, Eighteen85 Rooftop Bar & Kitchen by Hotel Indigo features locally inspired craft cocktails and small plates set against a remarkable view of the Chattahoochee River.
Country’s Barbecue – Country's offers barbecue pork, chicken, ribs, and beef, smoked over a fire of oak and hickory wood. It also has a full menu of southern cooking including fried chicken, vegetables, and homemade pies. Their three locations around town ensure you’re always only just a short drive from some locally loved barbecue!
For more ideas on where to eat in Columbus, check out The Columbusite’s Good Food Guide for where to go & what to order.
HAVE AN ADVENTURE
If you’re ready for an adventure, Columbus, Georgia, is an ideal place to vacation. With the longest urban whitewater course in the world, Columbus has everything you need for an amazing weekend of rafting, kayaking and enjoying the water in a whole new way. Check out the myriad of options for river fun like ziplining, biking, strolling along the RiverWalk, and other great outdoor adventures.
The RiverWalk – The RiverWalk is an outdoor 22-mile linear park that hugs the banks of the Chattahoochee River. Walk, bike, rollerblade, or run… the choice is up to you! Need some gear? Visit Ride on Bikes or Big Dog Running Company in Uptown.
Whitewater Express – Come raft with your crew on the longest urban whitewater course in the world! Columbus’ Chattahoochee River course has been described to be “…wild as Colorado and as warm as Costa Rica.” When you’re done with your rafting trip, why not try an aerial obstacle course or get a ticket to zipline across state lines? Columbus is a place where you can have an adventure together on the river or above it!
Providence Canyon – Love to hike? Plan a day trip to “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon” at Providence Canyon State Park. Visitors are amazed at the breathtaking colors present in the canyon, and the well-maintained trails that weave through it all. If you go, don’t miss the chance to also visit Pasaquan, a world-famous folk-art site renovated by Columbus State University and the Kohler Foundation.
Dragonfly Trail – The Dragonfly Trails are Columbus’ network of multipurpose trails that promote recreation, transportation, and connectivity. With 34-miles of interconnected trails, the Dragonfly Trail is the perfect place to explore the sights and sounds of Columbus, Georgia, on two wheels or on foot. Click here to view a map!
SUP Paddleboard Yoga – Challenge and connect with your mind and body for a 90-minute paddleboard yoga practice on the water with the sun shining above, the sound of rapids, and birds chirping in the background.
Standing Boy Trails – A favorite destination for hikers, runners, and mountain bikers, Standing Boy Trails offer a scenic escape in north Columbus. Dozens of trails wind through forested terrain, with options designed for different activities and skill levels. Columbus’ commitment to maintaining this adventurous trail network helped it earn recognition as an inaugural 2026 International Mountain Bicycling Association Trail Town – the only one in Georgia. Smooth, wide, road-like trails are great for a relaxing hike or bike ride. Hand-built hiking-only trails ensure guests don’t have to worry about a bike speeding past. While gravity trails and downhill zones deliver thrills just for cyclists. With so many trails and options, guests and families can plan a trek for a few hours or a whole day. Click here to view the map!
WHERE TO STAY
When booking your accommodations, look no further than Columbus’ incredible selection of hotels. We included top picks from around town, but click here to check rates of local spots to rest your head between adventures.
Uptown: Hotel Indigo Columbus at Riverfront Place - This IHG hotel celebrates the spirit of Columbus in Uptown, overlooking the Chattahoochee River. Hotel Indigo offers top-notch service and amenities. Grab dinner at their riverfront restaurant downstairs. Don’t miss their rooftop bar which offers an inviting setting for twilight craft cocktails and regionally influenced local beers while overlooking the Chattahoochee River.
Bibb: City Mills Hotel - Steps from the historic Chattahoochee River, an electrifying symbol of our city's urban renewal, is Columbus' first luxury boutique hotel. Filled with custom furniture, original artwork and pottery, state-of-the-art technology, and preserved pieces from the mill's historic past, City Mills Hotel revels in the details. Guests can enjoy Southern cuisine served by the riverside at their restaurant, Millhouse Kitchen + Bar.
Midtown: Courtyard Columbus by Marriott - Check in for a refreshing stay in a premier location at Courtyard Columbus. Located just minutes from Fort Benning, it is in the perfect spot to make visiting loved ones easy.
North Columbus: Home2Suites by Hilton - Located in the heart of Bradley Park’s shopping district, Home2 is within safe walking distance to some of the area’s best shops, restaurants, and entertainment. It’s just a few minutes’ drive from downtown, Fort Benning, and the Columbus Metro Airport. Whether you’re here on corporate business, working as a government contractor, serving in the military, or on vacation, Home2 is perfectly suited to meet your needs.
South Columbus: Hampton Inn Columbus South Fort Benning - This two-time winner of the Connie Award, the highest achievement award in the Hilton brand, appreciates the troops and their families. Supporting the military is not something they take lightly, so you can believe they’ll put in the extra work to ensure that your stay is as comfortable as possible. Military rates are available for soldiers and graduation rates are available for families!
Looking for more tips? Head to our blog page to see a list of trip ideas and itineraries for all ages, lifestyles, and interests.
Categories: Arts, Dining, Itineraries, Trip Ideas