Columbus is Georgia’s third-largest city, sitting on the Chattahoochee River at the Georgia-Alabama state line. The river defines the city — a 22-mile riverwalk runs through the urban core, and a 2.5-mile engineered whitewater course restored rapids that had been dammed since 1913. Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning), one of the largest US Army installations in the country, anchors the city’s military identity, and the National Infantry Museum next to the base is among the best military museums in the US. These 8 attractions cover the full range.
Jump to: The Chattahoochee · Military History · Historic Uptown · Arts & Gardens
The Chattahoochee
Whitewater Columbus
Muscogee County · Columbus · Paid (guided trips) / Free (viewing)
A 2.5-mile engineered whitewater course on the Chattahoochee River through Uptown Columbus — the world’s longest urban whitewater course. The US Army Corps of Engineers removed the Eagle and Phenix Dam in 2012 and restored the original river channel, recovering rapids that had been submerged for nearly 100 years. The course hosts national flatwater and whitewater competitions. River outfitters on the Uptown Columbus side offer kayak rentals and guided trips; the rapids are viewable from multiple points along the RiverWalk for free.
Chattahoochee RiverWalk
Muscogee County · Columbus · Free
A 22-mile linear park along the Chattahoochee River running through and beyond downtown Columbus. The riverwalk is paved for most of its length and connects Uptown Columbus, the whitewater course, the botanical garden, and multiple city parks in a continuous river-edge corridor. Free for walking, running, and cycling year-round. The Uptown Columbus section (from the 14th Street Bridge south to Dillingham Street) is the most active stretch.
Military History
National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center
Muscogee County · Columbus · Free
A 190,000-square-foot museum at the main gate of Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) covering the history of the US Army Infantry from the Revolutionary War through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the most comprehensive military museums in the United States. The Company Street exhibit recreates an Army training camp experience across different eras. A Medal of Honor Museum and a 1940s-era barracks are also on site. Free admission; located at 1775 Legacy Way, adjacent to the base entrance.
Historic Uptown
Historic Uptown Columbus
Muscogee County · Columbus · Free
The 19th-century commercial district of downtown Columbus along Broadway, directly above the RiverWalk. Buildings from the 1840s through early 1900s line the street; many have been converted to restaurants, galleries, and retail. The Uptown Entertainment District — particularly the block around 10th and 11th Streets — draws evening crowds for dining and live music. Free to walk; walking distance to the whitewater course and riverfront.
Liberty Theatre Cultural Center
Muscogee County · Columbus · Free / Event admission
A 1924 theater at 513 4th Avenue that was the cultural anchor of Columbus’s “Harlem of the South” — the historically Black 4th Avenue neighborhood that hosted nationally touring entertainers when segregation forced them off the main circuit. Bo Diddley, James Brown, Otis Redding, and Little Richard all performed here. The building was restored in 2001 and now operates as a cultural center and performance venue. Free to visit during open hours; check the schedule for events.
Columbus Museum
Muscogee County · Columbus · Free
The second-largest art and history museum in Georgia, at 1251 Wynnton Road. The permanent collection spans American art from the 18th century to the present alongside a regional history gallery covering the Chattahoochee Valley from its Indigenous history through the Civil War and the 20th century. The museum houses a collection of Chattahoochee Valley furniture — a recognized American regional furniture tradition. Free admission; closed Mondays.
Arts & Gardens
RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
Muscogee County · Columbus · Paid (performances)
A performing arts complex at 900 Broadway with two venues: the 2,700-seat Synovus Concert Hall and the 900-seat Bill Heard Theatre. The architecture references the Chattahoochee River — the building’s curved forms and glass walls align with the riverwalk corridor. Hosts touring Broadway productions, symphony performances, and major concerts. Check programming before visiting; no fixed daily schedule. Located in the heart of Uptown Columbus.
Columbus Botanical Garden
Muscogee County · Columbus · Free
A 9-acre botanical garden on Weracoba Street at the edge of Wildwood Park, free and open year-round. The garden contains native Georgia plants, a Japanese garden, a sensory garden, and a children’s discovery garden. Located 2 miles from Uptown Columbus along the RiverWalk corridor. A low-key alternative to the more programmed gardens in Atlanta, with a focus on plants native to the Chattahoochee Valley. Free, open daily.
Planning Notes
Getting there: Columbus is 100 miles southwest of Atlanta via I-185, about 90 minutes. From Macon, 100 miles west on US-80. The city center is walkable from the whitewater course through Uptown Columbus.
Fort Moore access: The National Infantry Museum is outside the main base gate and does not require military ID or base access. The museum is open Tuesday–Sunday; closed Mondays and some federal holidays.
RiverWalk starting point: Park at the Uptown Columbus parking garages near Broadway and 12th Street. The RiverWalk entrance is a short walk west; the whitewater course is visible from multiple overlook points within 5 minutes of the garages.