Nestled in the heart of Chattahoochee Valley, Columbus is one of the largest cities in Georgia. It boasts the longest urban white-water rafting course in the world and is home to excellent museums exploring its Civil War and industrial history.
Things to do in Columbus
Delve into the local history at the Columbus Museum, which is set within a 1912 Mediterranean Revival house and features an impressive collection of artefacts and American artworks. Changing exhibitions explore the people and events that have shaped the Lower Chattahoochee River Valley.
Hear stories from both sides that fought during the Civil War at the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus. It’s home to the ironclad warship hull of the C.S.S Jackson and the remains of the C.S.S. Chattahoochee, as well as Civil War-era naval flags, uniforms and weapons.
Interested in the “space race”? Visit the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, which boasts the most impressive Space Shuttle artefact collection in Georgia. Witness a Space Shuttle main engine nozzle that’s completed nine missions and experience your own simulated mission at the Challenger Learning Center.
Stroll through the Columbus Historic Riverfront Industrial District along the banks of the Chattahoochee River. It’s lined with water-powered mills and ironworks that date back to the 1830s and helped Columbus become a powerhouse of manufacturing during the American Civil War.
Getting around Columbus
Columbus Airport is located around 15 minutes’ drive from the city centre, which is well-connected to Atlanta by long-distance buses. There’s an extensive bus network throughout the city and its surrounds, with the riverfront easily explored on foot.