Columbus, Georgia, is located in the western region of the state, right along the Chattahoochee River.

Columbus is only 90 minutes southwest of Atlanta, Georgia, making the travel time similar to that of cities like Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, and Macon.

Columbus, Georgia is known for a wide variety of activities, attractions, and features, including outdoor adventures like whitewater rafting, canoeing, paddleboarding, and more on the Chattahoochee River, as well as arts and cultural attractions and its rich military heritage.

• The world’s longest urban whitewater course, Whitewater Express
• A 1,200-foot zip line that stretches from Georgia to Alabama
• The Columbus Collective Museum, which features eight museums in one location
• The 22-mile Chattahoochee RiverWalk
• The second-largest art museum in the Southeast, the Columbus Museum
• The Columbus Black Heritage Trail, featuring stops like the Ma Rainey House & Blues Museum
• Springer Opera House, one of the oldest continuously operating theatres in the U.S.
• Kadie the Cow, a local landmark with a lot of history
• The Soft Drink Heritage Trail
• Over 500 restaurants offering global cuisine
• And so much more!

Columbus, Georgia is a very family-friendly city, offering numerous museums, science attractions, parks, river activities, hands-on educational experiences, restaurants, and well-suited accommodations for families. Columbus was also named the most welcoming community in the U.S. by Travel & Leisure in 2025.

Parts of Columbus, Georgia are very walkable, including Uptown Columbus and the Dragonfly Trails, which is a 32-mile network of paved trails throughout Columbus, connecting neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and more. These trails make it easier for residents and visitors to access most of the city by walking, jogging, or biking. One of Columbus, Georgia’s most popular attractions, the Chattahoochee RiverWalk, is part of the Dragonfly Trail Network.

Yes, Columbus offers a strong value compared to larger metro destinations, especially across the Southeast.

Popular outdoor activities in Columbus include:

• Whitewater rafting
• Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding
• Fishing
• Camping, especially at Camp David RV Resort and Lake Pines RV Park & Campground
• Walking or biking the Chattahoochee RiverWalk
• Ziplining
• Golfing
• Biking, hiking, or walking trails like the Dragonfly Trails and Standing Boy Trails
• Exploring the Columbus Botanical Garden, Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center, and the Bradley Olmstead Garden at the Columbus Museum

Yes, at Blue Heron Adventure Park, visitors can zipline from Georgia into Phenix City, Alabama, and back, over 100 feet above the Chattahoochee River.

Visitor favorites include:

• The Columbus Museum
• Coca-Cola Space Science Center
• Columbus Collective Museums
• Chattahoochee RiverWalk
• Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center
• Springer Opera House
• Ma Rainey House & Blues Museum *Currently under renovation
• RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
• National Infantry Museum
• National Civil War Naval Museum
• Read more about Columbus’ top attractions here

Columbus is a year-round destination with family-friendly seasonal events, mild winters, and warm-weather outdoor activities.

Columbus offers a wide range of accommodation options, from boutique hotels and historic inns to major national brands and riverfront properties. Boutique hotels in Columbus include the locally owned City Mills Hotel, Hotel Indigo Columbus, and AC Hotel Columbus.

Columbus offers an impressive restaurant scene for both visitors and locals. With over 500 restaurants, Columbus has become a notable dining destination. The city showcases a variety of establishments, from local coffee shops and historic diners to chic rooftop bars and upscale eateries offering riverfront dining experiences.

Columbus is a great destination for meetings, conventions, reunions, and more, offering more than 750,000 square feet of meeting space, thousands of hotel rooms, distinctive venues, leisure attractions, and entertainment. Learn more about Columbus’ event venues, hotels, and planning resources here.

• Columbus, Georgia Convention & Trade Center
• RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
• Bibb Mill Event Center
• The Cunningham Conference Center
• National Infantry Museum

VisitColumbusGA offers itineraries, maps, event calendars, lodging help, visitor resources, and more to help with planning a trip to Columbus!