Extended Weekend Getaways By Michael C. Upton
Freelance Arts & Leisure Writer
On a recent solo trip, I learned Columbus is home to Fort Benning US Army post, which brings family and friends to visit the more than 120,000 active-duty soldiers, especially during training graduations. The influx of regular visitors has made Columbus a thriving spot for entertainment, dining, and exploration beyond its military pride and museums.
Perched along the fall line of the Chattahoochee River, Columbus was born of both geography and ambition. Founded in 1828 on land once home to the Muscogee people, the city was positioned to harness the river’s power and quickly grew into one of the South’s earliest industrial centers. Columbus’ its textile mills and trading houses transformed the frontier settlement into a bustling commercial hub. Today, traces of Columbus’ growth are seen on its streetscape: restored mill buildings stand beside public art and riverfront parks, while the Chattahoochee, once valued for its industrial force, now draws visitors for recreation.
Our Military
Columbus, Georgia is a spectacular place to plan a multi-generational vacation with spots like the National Infantry Museum and the Columbus Collective Museums (more on this below) appealing to a massive span of age groups. Grandparents become nostalgic and youngsters are inspired.
Fort Benning One Station Unit Training graduates new members of the infantry almost every Thursday and Friday, and the ceremonies take place on Inouye Field adjacent to the National Infantry Museum. Loved ones travel from across the country to witness this milestone, and the museum is often a first stop after the new soldier “turns green.” Regarded as one of the best free museums in the country, the space is dedicated to the American infantry soldier and preserves one of the greatest collections of military artifacts in the country. Visitors follow the US Infantry through the ages via state-of-the-art displays. To mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, the museum plans to expand its already popular daytime July 4th celebration.
Columbus is also home to the National Civil War Naval Museum, which details the area’s importance during the war between the states. The museum is home of the Confederate warship Jackson (which is in active restoration) and home of the largest array of Civil War Naval-related flags in the nation.
Urban Adventure
Columbus has become one of the world’s premiere destinations for urban whitewater rafting. Rapids along this stretch of the Chattahoochee range from Class I to Class V, ensuring an experience for every skill level. Whitewater Express operates daily runs on the river and the Blue Heron Adventure Park, a zip line experience gliding from Georgia to Alabama and back. I zipped the 1200 ft ride over the river to a treetop canopy tour and back one fun afternoon.
Uptown Dining
Family travelers from children to seasoned seniors can find something appealing to all taste buds in Uptown Columbus. Uptown, which stretches from the city’s Historic District along the river, is Columbus’ business and entertainment district. Wide Broadway is home to dozens of boutique shops, several coffee shops (I highly recommend Fountain City Coffee), unique eateries, and some hoppin’ nightlife.
My culinary curiosity was quenched with a visit to EPIC Restaurant. This James Beard DiRONA award winning restaurant is owned and operated by Chef Jamie Keating. The menu mixes nouvelle cuisine with southern comfort and includes everything from steak and seafood to frog legs and fried Vidalia onion ice cream. Insider tip: Ask for the family table if your party is more than four and ask the server for the table’s story.
Art and Culture
The biggest surprises I found while visiting Columbus were the dedication to fine art and the town’s rich history—whether being the birthplace of RC Cola or the site of the last battle of the Civil War. Sculpture, murals, and historic markers are found nearly everywhere.
The recently renovated Columbus Museum assembles a bit of everything that defines Columbus, from major art installations by local artists to natural history (kids love the alligator).
The Columbus Collective Museums gather collections of pop memorabilia, including the largest collection of lunch boxes, a miscellany of history from RC Cola, and local broadcasting equipment and antique radios. Art aficionados can dive deeper into the work of Columbus’ most famous artist at The Bo Bartlett Center. And the outdoor-minded visitor can wander the paths at the Columbus Botanical Garden, with four acres of cultivated gardens.
Lodging Tips
With the number of visitors coming to Columbus year-round, lodging is not hard to find, but proper planning will allow visitors to book at the city’s best accommodations. Check out the City Mills Hotel, a boutique stay in a converted grist mill with access to a restaurant and the 22-mile Chattahoochee RiverWalk. Other recommended stays include Uptown’s Hotel Indigo Columbus at Riverfront Place and the Rothschild-Pound House Inn in the quiet Historic District.
Whether solo or with the entire family, staying for a weekend or a week, Columbus offers enough to fill every day with a unique experience. The city truly does “go all out.”
