When the beach is too chilly and leaf peepers have crowded the mountains, where can you get away with the family? Why not invest in a tank of gas and ramble to Columbus, way down yonder on the Chattahoochee? From exploring museums to shooting down the Hooch on the world’s longest urban whitewater rafting course, there’s plenty to do.
“November is a perfect time of year to visit Columbus!” said Shelby Guest, Columbus Convention and Visitor’s Bureau vice president.
Can’t wait? From Fayette County, take Interstate 85 South and exit onto the scenic I-185. Or, for a more leisurely drive, take the two-lane Georgia State Route 85. Any 85 will get you to this historic river town that began as the home of native Creeks and has seen an evolution from frontier outpost of the colonies, to textile mill town and home of Fort Benning, to one of Georgia’s most populous cities.
Love the outdoors? With the heat and gnats on hiatus, it’s prime time to explore Columbus and the surrounding area. Not only can you enjoy whitewater rafting and kayaking in the Chattahoochee, you can zip line across it at Blue Heron Adventure Park. Prefer terra firma? Walk or bike the 15-mile-long Chattahoochee RiverWalk. And Providence Canyon in nearby Lumpkin is the perfect place for a hike. Nicknamed the Little Grand Canyon, it’s a testament to the devastating effects of erosion.
Into the arts? The Columbus Museum is one of the largest in the Southeast and spotlights American art and regional history. For performance arts, visit the historic Springer Theatre, built in 1871, the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, or the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the second oldest symphony in the country.
History your thing? The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center includes numerous exhibits and collections that highlight the military’s role in our nation's history. For Civil War buffs, The National Civil War Naval Museum houses the largest surviving Confederate warship as well as the wreckage and replica’s of others. For an immersive history experience, step back into the 1800s at Westville. Recently relocated to Columbus from Lumpkin, Westville is a 19th-century village complete with re-enactors who demonstrate the lifestyles and skills of that time.
Famished? Ruth Ann’s Restaurant is a local favorite for breakfast, while Minnie’s Uptown Restaurant, open only for lunch, serves a Southern-style meat and three. For a casual dinner, Country’s Barbecue on Mercury Drive serves barbecue with a side of bluegrass music on Friday and Saturday nights, or if the evening calls for a white tablecloth, try Epic located downtown.
Exhausted? There are chain hotels aplenty in Columbus, but for a unique experience, check into the Rothschild-Pound House Inn, a bed and breakfast in a beautiful 1870 Victorian located near the RiverWalk.
For more information about planning a trip to Columbus, go to visitcolumbusga.com.