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 with restored rapids visible from the trail. Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning), a 182,000-acre Army installation and the home of US Infantry training, 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 7 attractions cover the full range.
Jump to: The Chattahoochee · Military History · Historic Uptown · Arts & Gardens · Sacred Places · Planning Notes · Also worth visiting
The Chattahoochee
Chattahoochee RiverWalk Must-see
Muscogee County · Columbus
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 Must-see
Muscogee County · Columbus
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. 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 Worth the detour
Muscogee County · Columbus
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.
Columbus Historic Iron Works ("Miracle" 2004 production area)
Muscogee County · Columbus
A 19th-century ironworks complex on Front Avenue, now the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. The facility served as the production set for Miracle (2004), the film about the 1980 US Olympic hockey team. The building retains much of its industrial exterior character and sits directly on the RiverWalk corridor. Free to view; the convention center public areas are accessible from the riverwalk.
Columbus Museum Worth the detour
Muscogee County · Columbus
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 Worth the detour
Muscogee County · Columbus
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.
Sacred Places
First Baptist Church of Columbus
Muscogee County · Columbus
Founded in 1829 — one of the oldest Baptist congregations in Georgia. The neoclassical building at 1100 1st Avenue dates to the 1920s. The congregation's history runs through Columbus's antebellum and Civil War era; the church records are among the oldest surviving institutional records in the city. Free to visit.
Planning Notes
Where to stay: Uptown Columbus hotels are closest to the RiverWalk, whitewater course, and Broadway dining. Options along Veterans Parkway (south toward Fort Moore) are fine for a National Infantry Museum visit but inconvenient for the rest of the city. Phenix City, Alabama just across the river has additional budget options.
Book ahead: The National Infantry Museum is free and walk-in; no advance tickets needed. Whitewater kayak outfitters recommend reserving guided trips for summer weekends — call ahead. Check RiverCenter programming before visiting; the concert hall operates on a show schedule, not daily.
Getting around: The Uptown core and RiverWalk corridor are walkable from the whitewater course through Broadway to the Botanical Garden. The National Infantry Museum is 10 miles south on Veterans Parkway — plan a dedicated car trip and combine it with a Fort Moore gate photo stop.
