Photo: D. Myles Cullen, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Columbus sits on the Chattahoochee River at the Alabama line, about two hours southwest of Atlanta, and it is one of the most underrated weekend trips in Georgia. You can raft real whitewater right downtown, walk or bike miles of riverfront trail, spend a free afternoon at one of the best military museums in the country and catch a show in a theater that has been open since 1871. Here are the best things to do in Columbus.
- From AtlantaAbout 108 miles, 2 hours without traffic
- CountyMuscogee County (consolidated city-county)
- Known forDowntown whitewater rafting, the RiverWalk, the National Infantry Museum
- Getting thereI-85 south to I-185, or U.S. 27 from LaGrange
Top Things to Do in Columbus
1. Raft the Chattahoochee whitewater
The 2.5-mile course between Columbus and Phenix City is billed as the longest urban whitewater run in the world, with rapids that rise when the upstream dams release water. Whitewater Express runs guided trips from 1000 Bay Ave. most of the year. Book ahead and ask which trip fits your group; high-water runs are much bigger than the calm ones.
2. National Infantry Museum
Free (with a suggested donation) and well worth half a day. Galleries trace the American infantryman from the Revolution to today, and outside you can walk a recreated World War II company street. Open Tuesday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Mondays.
3. Chattahoochee RiverWalk
About 15 miles of paved trail along the river, from the uptown riverfront past the rapids and up to Lake Oliver. Bring a bike or just walk the uptown stretch at sunset and watch the rafts go by.
4. National Civil War Naval Museum
The remains of two Confederate warships and replicas of famous ironclads, on Victory Drive. Open Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Adults are $12.
5. Columbus Museum
A free museum of American art and regional history in Midtown, with gardens designed by the Olmsted firm out back. An easy hour or two on a hot afternoon.
6. Springer Opera House
The State Theatre of Georgia, opened in 1871, still stages plays and musicals. If you cannot catch a show, take a historical tour or a ghost tour of the building. Tours are inexpensive and run on weekdays.
7. Coca-Cola Space Science Center
Columbus State University’s space center on the riverfront, with flight simulators, a dome planetarium and an observatory. Open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; adults are $10.
8. Historic District house museums
Walk Broadway and the Heritage Corner, where the 1828 Walker-Peters-Langdon House is considered the oldest house in the original city, and see the Rankin House nearby. Historic Columbus runs tours; call ahead for times.
Events and Seasons
Rafting runs most of the year because dams upstream control the water, but the warm months from late spring to early fall are the most comfortable. Spring is the best time for the RiverWalk and for day trips to the azaleas at Callaway Gardens. On infantry graduation days, families pack the parade field next to the National Infantry Museum, so expect crowds and book hotels early.
Nearby and Trip Planning
Columbus makes a good base for west-central Georgia. Providence Canyon State Park, Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon,” is about an hour south. Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain is about 50 minutes north, and F. D. Roosevelt State Park and the Little White House in Warm Springs are close by. For fishing, try Lake Oliver and Goat Rock Lake just upriver. See Muscogee County parks and Peachtree Mall for more.
Make this trip yours
Turn this guide into a day-by-day plan for west-central Georgia, with a map, directions and stops you can swap.
Plan my tripCommon Questions
What is Columbus, GA known for?
Columbus is known for its downtown whitewater rafting on the Chattahoochee River, the RiverWalk, the National Infantry Museum next to Fort Benning, and the Springer Opera House, the State Theatre of Georgia.
How far is Columbus from Atlanta?
Columbus is about 108 miles from downtown Atlanta, roughly 2 hours by car without traffic.
Is the National Infantry Museum free?
Yes. Admission is free with a suggested $5 donation. The giant-screen theater and simulators cost extra. It is closed on Mondays.
Can you go whitewater rafting in Columbus, Georgia?
Yes. Guided trips run on a 2.5-mile course between Columbus and Phenix City, Alabama, billed as the longest urban whitewater course in the world. Whitewater Express operates the trips from Bay Avenue.
Sources we checked
Facts on this page were checked against official sources and our own detailed pages. Drive times are from downtown Atlanta (Five Points) using OpenStreetMap routing and do not include traffic. Hours, prices and event dates change, so confirm before you go:
- National Infantry Museum: hours, admission
- National Civil War Naval Museum: hours, admission
- Coca-Cola Space Science Center: hours, admission
- Springer Opera House: building and ghost tours
- Whitewater Express: rafting trips, course
- The Columbus Museum: free admission
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.