Monday, March 23, 2026
Meet the Town that Inspired Theo of Golden – A Book-Inspired Guide to Columbus, Georgia
Welcome to Golden! Also known as Columbus, Georgia, the city that inspired the New York Times Bestseller written by Allen Levi. A native of Columbus, Levi lovingly crafted the world of Theo in the image of his beloved hometown. Golden is fictional place with real roots – and they’re as welcoming and Southern as the book feels.
This tour is designed to offer readers a self-guided journey through the beautiful Southern town that inspired Theo’s Golden. We hope you find whatever you’re looking for, and that Columbus, Georgia bestows its own gifts to you along the way.
Broadway and 10th - A Place to Begin
Visitors to Columbus, Georgia often find a good central place to begin exploring the city is at the corner of Broadway and 10th Street in Uptown. At this intersection, you can turn in all directions and spot something that inspired a bit of Theo’s world. If at any point in your visit, you get turned around or aren’t sure what to do next, this is a place to which you can always return.
Fountain City Coffee - Levi’s Inspiration for The Chalice
Your first official stop on the Theo of Golden Trail is Fountain City Coffee. While The Chalice is a fictional place and certainly not laid out or identical to Fountain City Coffee, this is the beloved local coffee shop that is home to the 90 charcoal portraits created by Allen Levi’s longtime friend Garry Pound. Levi has credited Pound with this many times in interviews across the globe and we are so thankful Columbus, Georgia is home to Garry Pound. For Theo lovers, Pound is the artist who inspired the character Asher, and his exceptional work is unmistakable. We’re certain you’ll know the portraits the minute you see them. “Asher” has created them exactly as Levi describes in the book, and they will captivate you just as they did Theo.
*In the spirit of Theo, don’t forget to grab a cup of coffee (or two!) and support our friends and small business owners at Fountain City Coffee. We’re proud of our local small businesses in Columbus, Georgia and we’re grateful for the people who make them possible. Please thank your baristas and be sure to tell them we said hello!
The Fountain City - In Search of The Fedder
You’ll discover quickly that Columbus, Georgia is known as The Fountain City for good reason! We know of almost a dozen within a three-mile radius of Uptown, and thankfully, Levi does not tell us which one inspired Theo’s favorite fountain in Golden.
Instead, we invite you to take a walk down Broadway to see some of the fountains that could have inspired The Fedder. Which one do you think witnessed Theo’s bestowals of the portraits?
Finding Your Bench Along the River
As you continue to explore the city, we encourage you to make your way West toward the river. Yes, Theo’s river is just a few blocks away – and its historical impact can be seen all around you.
The Chattahoochee River creates the border between Alabama and Georgia, and for generations, Columbus’ livelihood has been tied to the river. As you walk from Broadway down to the river, you’ll pass historic mills that once held some of the largest textile manufacturers in the South.
Columbus was one of the South’s most important textile centers during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The river’s powerful current provided the energy needed to operate large cotton mills, helping transform the city into an industrial hub. Companies such as Eagle & Phenix Mills produced textiles that were shipped across the country and around the world, shaping both the local economy and the daily lives of generations of workers. Today, the legacy of Columbus’s textile era can still be seen in the historic mill buildings that line the riverfront, reminders of a time when the rhythm of looms and the flow of the Chattahoochee helped define the city’s identity.
Due to the river’s presence and influence over the city’s history, Columbus has invested in its upkeep and restoration a thousand fold. These improvements resulted in the creation of the world’s longest urban whitewater course, and put Columbus on the map as a global paddling adventure destination.
Today, this means you’ll hear the river long before you see it. Keep walking and make your way to Bay Avenue and 12th, where you’ll find the Eagle & Phenix Mill and a staircase leading down to the RiverWalk. Once you’re at the bottom of the stairs, you’ll be directly across from Waveshaper Island which has the best views of the rapids on the entire river.
As you make your way down the RiverWalk, take time to enjoy your surroundings. This is a stretch of The Dragonfly Trail, one of the nation’s most developed trail networks, and the very place Theo walked every day to sit on his bench and greet the first evening star.
We don’t know which bench was Theo’s, but we encourage you to find one to call your own. If time allows, we encourage you to sit for a spell and make yourself at home as you enjoy the natural sights and sounds that surround you. It’s likely you’ll spot a plethora of birds, and if you’re lucky, maybe even a Great Blue Heron or two.
Searching for the Music - Where Theo Attended Concerts
Once you’re ready to walk again, make your way to the corner of 10th and Bay. This is one of the liveliest spots in Uptown. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you come up from the RiverWalk and immediately see a zip line, a massive theatre, a whitewater outfitter, a splash pad, and BANKS Food Hall all within eyeshot.
BANKS Food Hall is a perfect opportunity to use the restroom, grab a refreshment or a meal, and get refueled before you start walking again. One of the best parts about BANKS? Your purchase of food or drink from one of the vendors inside supports local small businesses and ensures they’ll be serving visitors and locals for years to come. BANKS also has a beautiful wrap around porch and patio, so grab a seat and enjoy some live music under their giant overhead fans if you need to cool off after being down by the river.
When you’re ready to keep walking, head up 10th Street towards the intersection where this trail began. Turn right, and you’ll notice a giant performing arts center across the street from you. This is RiverCenter for the Performing Arts and is the home of the School of Music where Theo’s friend Simone is studying. If you can, enter the lobby and ask to take a peek inside of Legacy Hall – the concert venue where Simone performs his Senior Recital. The hall is beautiful and artists from across the globe travel to perform and compete in Legacy Hall every year.
Discovering the Historic District
The historic districts of Columbus, Georgia offer visitors a glimpse into the city’s layered past and enduring architectural character. Tree-lined streets are filled with beautifully preserved homes, churches, and civic buildings that date from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
In Theo of Golden, this is the area of town that Theo spends Thanksgiving with his friends. It’s also where he visits Asher’s studio which is located in an old church. This is true of artist Garry Pound, who still works in an old church in the Historic District today.
As you explore the neighborhood, you’ll enjoy a range of architectural styles, from elegant Greek Revival and Victorian homes to charming Craftsman bungalows. Walking through these areas reveals the story of a Southern city shaped by industry, commerce, and culture.
Today, the district remains a vibrant part of Columbus, where historic preservation, local pride, and everyday life continue to meet beneath sweeping oak canopies and welcoming front porches. It’s easy to see why Golden has captured the hearts of so many – it’s built on a real place that quickly feels like home.
Although the Historic District is the final stop on Theo of Golden Trail, we hope you’ll stick around awhile and enjoy all that Columbus, Georgia has to offer you.
Check out some of our other resources if you need recommendations for where to stay, what to eat, or other areas of town to explore.
Looking to purchase a copy of Theo of Golden to take home?
Head to Columbus Bound Bookshop in Midtown. This charming independent bookstore often has signed copies of the book for purchase. If they’re out of stock, we can guarantee you won’t be disappointed by their friendly staff and carefully curated selection of books and gifts. Thanks for choosing to support another local small business. Just don’t forget to tell them we said hello!
Bonus suggestion: Dinner at EPIC
In Theo of Golden, Theo has dinner catered by a fine dining restaurant in town owned by a man named Chef Bouchard, and his dinner is served by a remarkable local student named Mia.
In Columbus, EPIC is a four-diamond restaurant led by Chef Jamie Keating. Known for their inventive menus and exquisite approach to the experiential aspect of dining, EPIC has won countless awards for everything from their artisan cocktails to their Chef’s Table Experience. Reservations are highly recommended due to the popularity of the restaurant.
One of our favorite things to share with visitors? They also have a longstanding history of employing local students. Bon Appetite!
Categories: Itineraries, Trip Ideas