columbus visitors guide 2011

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Columbus Vis i tors Guide 2011 • (800) 999-16132

Columbus Visitors Center

(800) 999-1613 • www.visitcolumbusga.com

900 Front Avenue • Columbus, GA 31901

The Columbus Visitors Guide is published by Great Southern Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 20568, St. Simons Island, GA 31522, (912) 638-0780. Copyright © 2011 by Great Southern Publishers, Inc. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Call Great Southern Publishers, Inc. for all your design and printing needs. www.greatsouthernpublishers.com

Select photography is provided courtesy of the Georgia Department of Economic Development

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Welcome Dining Shopping Attractions Children's Attractions Getting to Columbus Area Maps Hotels & Lodging Hotel Amenities Military Heritage Fort BenningGeocachingDay Trip Itineraries Calendar of Events

Columbus RiverWalkRiverCenter for the Performing ArtsC

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Tech Tip: You may need to download

a QR code reader application

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this function. Go to Mobile-

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reader for your phone.

There are so many things

to do in Columbus! Use

your smart phone to scan

this QR code to directly

access the Columbus

Convention and Visitors

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Columbus Visitors Guide 2011 • www.visitcolumbusga.com 3

ship. It’s where residents and visitors come to play and relish its blend of cityscapes and untouched wildlife.

In addition to being a pedestrian-friendly city, Columbus can boast of its excellent location, so close to attractions throughout the area. As part of the Presiden-tial Pathways travel region, Columbus gives you a home base from which to explore the heritage of two U.S. presi-dents—Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose Little White House is in nearby Warm Springs, Georgia; and Jimmy Carter, whose hometown of Plains, Georgia, welcomes visitors who come

Uptown Columbus

We're Glad You're our Guest

f this is your first visit to Columbus, you’re in for a

treat! We’re glad you’re here, so we can show you all of our attractions, dining, shop-ping, historic sites, and other venues. Throughout your stay, you’ll find 51 reasons – and more – to visit Columbus, from year-round walking, jog-ging, biking, or skating along the beautiful RiverWalk to touring our historic monu-ments, sites, and museums.

The Chattahoochee River has been the lifeblood of Columbus since before the Georgia state legislature set aside 1,200 acres for the town in 1828. Our Native Americans’ most extensive trading post was here and Spanish explorers knew about the falls nearby. The town, named for Christo-pher Columbus, depended on the river for commerce: Steam boats unloaded cotton and other products at the busy pier, while tracks were laid for the forthcoming arrival of the railroad. Today, Columbus’ Chattahoochee RiverWalk honors this symbiotic relation-

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Coca-Cola Space Science Center

to see the environment that shaped this 39th President.

History within Columbus is revered as well. From the world’s first black combat avia-tor, to a master bridge builder, to a sassy blues woman, you’ll find that Columbus’ African-American history continues to be made even today. Take advantage of the Columbus Museum’s free admission to view a rich collection of regional history artifacts, American art, and our fine arts, of which we are very proud. You’ll also want to drive through Columbus’ Historic District and imagine what life was like in the 1800s, and stroll through Heritage Park, a celebration of the indus-trial heritage of Columbus, with falling water, beautiful statues, educational plaques, and peaceful surroundings.

The future can be as fascinating as Columbus’ past when you take a detour to the stars at Columbus State Uni-versity's Coca-Cola Space Sci-ence Center! Experience space exploration through a series of interactive exhibits, including flight and landing simulators, miniature Mars Rovers, and a full-dome adventure in the

center's Omnisphere Plan-etarium. Have a group of 18-32 people? Then take a closer look at an astronaut's jour-ney as they "Voyage to Mars," "Return to the Moon," or "Ren-dezvous with a Comet" at the exciting Challenger Learning Center. For more information, please visit www.ccssc.org.

Have a heart for art? Whether it is the visual arts, theater arts, or music, Columbus’ variety of talent and creativ-ity will amaze and inspire you! Residents here strongly support the arts, which is one of the things that truly make Columbus special. No trip to

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Springer Opera House

Columbus is complete without a visit to the Springer Opera House. When it was built in 1871, it was the grandest theatre between New York and New Orleans, so it served as a venue where acts traveling from the Big Apple to the Big Easy could stop for a rest

and put on a show. Such noteworthy performers as Edwin Booth, Buffalo Bill, John Philip Sousa, Ma Rainey, Ethel Barry-more, Tom Thumb, W.C. Fields, Chet Atkins, Burt Reynolds, and Garrison Keillor have appeared on its stage.

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The Springer is not only the State Theatre of Georgia, it is one of only seven producing theatres that are also National Historic Landmarks. With a Mainstage Series, a Studio II Series, a Children’s Series, and the largest theatre academy in the Southeast, the Springer is a major voice for the perform-ing arts in the Southeast.

RiverCenter for the Per-forming Arts is the area’s arts and entertainment hub. Three performance halls of varying size (2,000, 400, and 225 seats) host artists and touring shows of international renown. Personalities and companies of every kind have appeared at RiverCenter, including Jerry Seinfield, James Taylor, Yo-Yo Ma, Bill Cosby, Bela Fleck, and Broadway productions such as The Color Purple, Chicago, Evita, Beauty and the Beast, and Spamalot. The

Columbus State University Schwob School of Music is located at the complex, as are six other arts organizations.

With all that’s happening at the Columbus Museum, there is always something to enjoy! Reflect upon its rich collection of regional history artifacts and American art, or stroll the lovely Olmsted Garden and Wynnton His-tory Trail. Imaginations run wild in Transformations, a hands-on discovery gallery for children. And, it is “Always Changing. Always Free.”

Lose yourself in the Joseph House Art Gallery which houses 75 regional artists’ work and more than 1,000 original paintings, draw-ings, pottery, photography, woodwork, and china.

Because you can watch Broadway on Broadway!

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"Chicago" The Broadway Musical


• African-American HistoryAfrican-Americans play an

important role in the history of the city. Columbus was home to Ma Rainey, “Mother of the Blues,” as well as Corporal Eu-gene Bullard, the world’s first black combat aviator, and Horace King, a former slave and master bridge builder. Pick up a Black Heritage Visitors Guide to see 26 sites of Columbus’ African-American historical and social impor-tance, or visit the Columbus Black History Museum.

• Famous FolksTwo very famous folks

called this part of Georgia home–the nation’s 39th President Jimmy Carter and the 32nd President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Roosevelt established a home at Warm Springs for the healing powers of the warm spring water lo-cated there. On April 12, 1945, he suffered a massive stroke and died while his portrait was being painted. Today, view the “Unfinished Portrait,” a focal point of the Little White House tour. The house and furnishings have been care-fully preserved very much as Roosevelt left them in 1945.

President Jimmy Carter grew up in the farming com-munity of Plains, Georgia and still calls the town home. The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains includes the Plains Depot, a mu-seum to the 1976 campaign, Carter’s boyhood home, and Plains High School.

#9 See where the "Mother of the Blues" was born.

Ma Rainey Home

What Progress has Preserved

Explore the many places of those who have gone

before us. Columbus reveres its history and

has therefore preserved much of what our

ancestors left behind.

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• Military HeritageFor military and national his-

tory buffs, get a firsthand look at the nation’s past at many sites in and near Columbus. Trace the footsteps of the infantrymen from early wars to events in Vietnam to the sands of the Persian Gulf at the new National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Patriot Park. The $100- million, 190,000 square-foot National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center preserves and displays one of the greatest collections of military artifacts, but it is much more. It is an interactive experience with amazing special effects. You will meet Infantrymen, from the Revolutionary War through

today’s War on Terrorism. You will come to understand why an Infantryman puts himself in harm’s way in the name of liberty. You will leave trans-formed, just as the Infantry transforms the boy into the man, the man into a Soldier.

Columbus is also home to the only museum dedicated entirely to the naval battles of the Civil War. The National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus houses two original Civil War military ves-sels, uniforms, equipment, and weapons used by the Union and Confederate navies. Experience 19th-century naval combat firsthand in the Confederate ironclad ship simu-lator. The museum features

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a full-scale reproduction of the USS Water Witch, using her original plan drawings. At more than 160 feet in length, the ship is a new landmark in Columbus. The masts are nearly 90 feet tall, the ship’s massive side paddle wheels actively turn, and smoke bil-lows from the smokestack.

While in Columbus, stop and pay your respects to our veterans at the Eternal Flame monument on the south side of Columbus’ Government Center at 100 10th Street; the monument also recognizes the city’s five Medal of Honor recipients.

About an hour south of Columbus, the Andersonville National Historic Site is the only park in the National Park System to serve as a memorial to all Americans ever held as prisoners of war. You’ll feel

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what life was like for prisoners in one of the largest Confeder-ate military prisons, where 45,000 Union soldiers were confined and 13,000 died from disease, poor sanitation, mal-nutrition, and overcrowding.

Just 10 miles south of Columbus and across the state line in Fort Mitchell, Alabama, is Fort Mitchell National Landmark Site, the begin-ning of the infamous “Trail of Tears” for our region, the removal of the Creek Indians to reservations in Oklahoma. Nearby is Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, where 5,000 veterans are interred.

Andersonville POW Monument

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52 The Columbus Airport3250 W. Britt David Rd. • (706) 324-2449www.flycolumbusga.com

Flying? Of Course! Faster. Easier. Shorter.The Columbus Airport is centrally located to Uptown Columbus, West Georgia, and East Alabama travellers. The airport prides itself on providing fast and efficient service, without long lines for security. Find us on Facebook!

Free museum admission at the Columbus Museum & the National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center at Patriot Park.

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Al Fresco Dining

Relax and Refuel

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If you’re in the mood for some good ol’ country cooking—we do that pretty well here, too! Enjoy heaping portions of barbeque and ribs, and the best Southern-style fare. Looking for familiar favorites? Columbus is home to many chain restaurants offering tried and true dishes.

Your taste buds will tell you —Columbus offers it all!

ining out in Columbus is always a treat. With

so many exciting restau-rants, you can find a delicious meal only steps away from your hotel or any attraction. From fine dining in elegant surroundings to casual and fun fare, our eateries are sure to satisfy. Whether you’re craving hearty homestyle country cooking or eclectic gourmet food, you’re sure to find great meals in Columbus!

The selections through-out Columbus are varied, to please everyone in your group. Start your day off right with a homestyle breakfast or a latté at an Uptown café. In the evening, enjoy an angus steak or a delicious, authentic Italian pasta dish while sip-ping your favorite cocktail.

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17 Country’s Barbecue• Country’s Midtown: (706) 563-7604• Country’s North: (706) 660-1415 • Country’s on Broad: (706) 596-8910

Barbecue pork, ribs, chicken, ham, turkey, brisket, great selection of Southern country cookin’. All-you-can-eat specials Tues. after 5 p.m. Try our famous ice tea.

16 The Cantina1030 Broadway • (706) 320-4520www.locosamigos.comServing up authentic Mexican dishes for lunch, dinner, and all your catering

needs. You can also dance the night away at The Cantina, while enjoying the largest Tequila Collection in Columbus.

14 Cannon Brew Pub1041 Broadway • (706) 653-BEERWood Fired Pizzas, Homemade Burgers, Great Steaks, Pastas, and the finest craft brewed beers made in West Georgia.

13 The Black Cow115A 12th St. • (706) 321-2020A new restaurant in Uptown Columbus serving Udderly deli-cious meals including salads, burgers, steak, seafood, pasta, and much more !

15 City Market & Bakery1031 Broadway • (706) 494-1031Offering you the best quality deli, bakery goods, Artisan breads, homemade sides, and desserts. All made convenient for you to take home and enjoy.

City Market& Bakery

18 Dinglewood Pharmacy1939 Wynnton Rd. • (706) 322-0616Home of "Lieutenant's Famous Scrambled Dogs." Serving your family since 1918.

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20 Fountain City Coffee1007 Broadway(706) 494-6659 • purchase online at www.fountaincitycoffee.comLattes, Cappuccinos, Mochas • Breakfast • Lunch • Bakery & Dessert

Selection • Gelato - Italian Style Ice Cream • Frozen Coffee Drinks & Smoothies • Free Wireless Internet

21 Houlihan’s800 Front Ave • (706) 653-1898 www.yourhoulihans.comInside the Columbus Marriott Hotel, Houlihan’s has become one of the

most popular restaurants in Columbus. Enjoy a lively atmo-sphere, excellent service with an exceptionally creative menu.

22 Houlihan’s5351 Sidney Simons Blvd. (706) 243-0551 www.columbusdoubletree.comInside the DoubleTree Hotel, Hou-

lihan’s serves Classic American food cooked from scratch for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily and your favorite beverages.

23 Huddle House1805 Victory Dr. • (706) 221-3551 www.huddlehouse.comReminiscent of America’s classic neighborhood diners,

Huddle House serves a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees that are classic favorites.

19 Fife & DrumLocated inside the National Infantry Museum

1775 Legacy Way • (706) 685-5801 www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com

An upscale, American Bistro featuring classic American fare served in a richly appointed dining room. Warm service with southern charm provides a rare combination of excellence and value.

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24 The Market Seafood Grill1039 1st Ave. • (706) 320-9733 www.thefreshfishmarket.comThe Market is a fresh seafood joint that provides a warm coastal setting, and divine coastal cuisine. What

started as a love for fresh seafood, The Market is a Columbus favorite for lunch or dinner.

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26 Meritage Café1350 13th St. • (706) 327-0707 www.meritagecafe.net

Our goal at Meritage is to offer the best dining experience in the greater Columbus area with excellent food, wine and service. For every day to special occasions, for lunch to casual fine dining, Meritage has something for everyone. Come taste the experience at Meritage. Wine Spectator Magazine’s Award of Excellence 2006-2009. The Deli Cafe: Mon-Sat (11 am -3 pm) “The Room” & “Tapatinis” Thurs-Sat beginning at 5:30 pm. We also cater.

28 Tropical Smoothie Café5555 Whittlesey Blvd.www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com (706) 257-1751Breakfast • Lunch • DinnerFresh Fruit Smoothies

Fresh Salads • Bistro Sandwiches Toasted Wraps • Grilled Flatbreads

25 Mellow Mushroom6100 Veterans Pkwy. • (706) 322-4602www.mellowmushroom.com Attractive, eclectic and relaxed atmosphere serving hand-tossed, baked-on-stone pizzas and

calzones, monumental hoagies and scrumptious salads. Full bar. Open daily 11:00 a.m.

27 Ruth Ann’s Restaurant941 Veterans Pkwy.www.ruthannsrestaurant.net (706) 221-2154 - Open DailyBreakfast • Lunch • Espresso “A must visit in Columbus for over 50 years. Country vegetables and breakfasts, traditional entrees and homemade desserts.”

Because macaroni & cheese is a vegetable at Country's BBQ.

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11 Columbus Park CrossingVeterans Pkwy. at J.R. Allen Pkwy.www.columbusparkcrossing.com

Offering a wide variety of restaurants, the nation’s most popular stores, and a diverse collection of shops and services – Columbus Park Crossing promises an enjoyable experience for all!

loving friends, peruse the gift shops at the Columbus Museum, the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Colum-bus, and the National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center.

Regional shopping op-portunities, such as the unique shops and boutiques in Warm Springs Village, and the many antique stores scattered throughout the region, can inspire a day of exploration beyond the confines of the city.

Stop in the Columbus Visitors Center for a little sou-venir shopping and for more information on Columbus’ many shopping opportuni-ties. You’ll go home with a sack full of smiles when you’ve shopped Columbus!

APassion for Fashion

ave a passion for fashion? Then grab

your bag and a pair of comfy shoes, and go shopping! Quench your thirst for the perfect dress, suit, gift, or home accessory in one of many shop-ping areas and a multitude of local boutiques, galleries, and antique shops in Columbus.

Check out the major stores and eateries at The Landings. Peachtree Mall satisfies your itch for upscale goods and refined service. Or, if open-air strolling and shopping is your way to spend the day, explore Columbus Park Crossing, a 380-acre mixed-use retail, restaurant, entertainment, residential, and hotel development, as well as The Shoppes at Bradley Park.

“Go Uptown” Columbus for a wealth of local retail stores and boutiques. For your history-

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Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus, the only museum dedicated entirely to the naval battles of the Civil War.

Need to feed your creative appetite? The beauti-fully restored Springer Opera House is a major voice for the performing arts in the Southeast. Columbus artists and art lovers also enjoy RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in the heart of Uptown Columbus. Performances in 2011 will include The Color Purple, Drumline Live, Moscow Festival Ballet, Monty Python’s Spamalot, and others.

Explore the Columbus Mu-seum’s outstanding examples of Native American crafts to American impressionist paint-ings and vibrant contemporary mixed-media pieces. Don’t miss a stop at the International Marketplace, home of the Lunchbox Museum, and the Southern Stoneware Museum.

With so much to see and do in Columbus, plan to spend at least one more day to enjoy it all!

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Must See, Must Do!

eciding what to see and do first in Columbus will

be a fun challenge! To get the lay of the land, walk alongside joggers, cyclists, and inline skaters enjoying the beauti-ful Chattahoochee RiverWalk, where our cityscapes blend with untouched natural surround-ings teeming with wildlife.

Columbus also boasts a wealth of “edutainment” venues where you can explore other times and places. Marvel at 1800s-era architecture as you drive through the Historic Dis-trict. Stroll through Heritage Park to view the sculptures depicting Columbus’ industrial past. Then come back to the present day and pretend you’re an astronaut at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center. See a real space suit and a full-size replica of the nose cone of a NASA space shuttle, and thrill to an interactive view of 88 constellations in the night sky.

Explore Columbus’ long-standing military heritage at the new National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Patriot Park. Experience the excitement of 19th-century naval combat firsthand in a Confederate ironclad ship simulator at the National

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4 International Marketplace318 10th Ave at Victory Dr, (706) 653-6240www.internationalmarketplace.usOnly 5 minutes from the Convention & Trade Center at the old Columbus

Farmer’s Market, this large market offers Classic & Specialty Cars, Lunchbox Museum, Antique Mall & Thrift Mall.

12 Carmike Cinemas 1683 Whittlesey Rd . 5555 Whittlesey Blvd 3131 Manchester Expy www.carmike.com . (706) 571-3456

With three locations in the Columbus area, Carmike offers high quality entertainment for all ages: stadium seating movie theaters, amusement rides, and entertainment games.

2 Coca-Cola Space Science Center

701 Front Ave(706) 649-1477 . www.ccssc.orgOperated by Columbus State

University, the Space Science Center invites visitors to explore the stars and beyond through its many interactive exhibits, state-of-the-art Omnisphere Theater/Planetarium, and Challenger Learning Center. Hours: M-Th 10-4; Fri 10-8; Sat 10:30-8. Admission: $3-$6; special rates apply for CLC missions.

1 Bull Creek &7 Oxbow Creek Golf Course

Bull Creek: 7333 Lynch Rd, (706) 561-1614Oxbow Creek: 3491 South Lumpkin (706) 689-9977www.columbusga.org/bullcreek

Bull Creek Golf Course offers 36 holes of some of the finest public golf in Georgia. The two championship 18s were designed by Joe Lee and Ward Northrup; each carry a Par 72. Oxbow Creek is a 9 hole state-of-the-art course designed by D.J. Divietor.

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#17Take a trip back to childhood inside The

Lunchbox Museum at the International Marketplace.


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Kiddin' Around

you can get a bird’s-eye view of wetlands, see animal and plant life in the forest canopy, and gain a better understand-ing of our natural world.

With Columbus as your base, take the kids to safely feed ex-otic animals at the Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain, Georgia, or smell and sample ginger-bread baked in a wood-burning stove in the 1850s town of West-ville, near Lumpkin, Georgia.

Rain or shine, the kids can get caught up in the lat-est special effects movies at the all new Ritz 13, with stadium seating, 3-D, and high-def technology that's even better than IMAX.

There are so many ways for families to play every day, so come kid around with us in Columbus!

ith tons of fun things for the whole family

to enjoy, it’s no wonder kids think Columbus is a cool place to visit! For a totally cosmic experience, families can “fly to the moon” together at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center. Children can learn how other kids their age were involved in the Con-federate and Union navies at the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus. Kids can get creative at the Columbus Museum’s hands-on children’s Discovery Gallery.

A “wildly wonderful” adventure awaits your family at nearby Oxbow Meadows. This environmental learn-ing center features two easy walking nature trails that bring visitors close to wetland plants and wildlife—birds and but-terflies, reptiles and amphibians and, from a safe distance, wild bobcats. The “highlight” of your visit might be Oxbow’s excit-ing forest canopy walkway through the treetops, where

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Carmike Cinemas proudly sponsors this section of the Columbus Visitors Guide. See the map on pages 23-30 for your nearest Columbus Carmike Cinemas location.


Rental Cars Available

Columbus is a short drive from any of these other cities. It’s easy to get around in our city, because exits are clearly marked and our citizens are some of the friendliest people in the South! You won’t feel lost because soon, you’ll feel right at home!

See the maps on pages 23-30 for more help in enjoying our city.

The Visitors Center can help you get here.

Getting to Columbus

e’re glad you’re plan-ning a trip to Columbus!

Visitors to our city are served by the Columbus Airport, located at 3250 W. Britt David Rd., (706) 324-2449. The Delta Connection/ASA and Ameri-can Airlines/American Eagle offer daily flights to Columbus from Atlanta, Georgia. At the airport, car rentals, cabs, and airport and hotel shuttles are available to help you get to all our shopping centers, accommodations, restau-rants, sites, and attractions. Columbus is also served by several of the state’s major highways, including Interstate 185 and U.S. 27/27Alt. off I-85 South out of Atlanta, U.S. 80 West out of Macon, and U.S. 280 North out of Albany.

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33 DoubleTree Columbus5351 Sidney Simons Blvd. • (706) 327-6868 www.columbusdoubletree.comHoulihan’s Restaurant is located within the hotel. Convenient to the airport,

shopping, dining, and I-185. Guests can enjoy the outdoor pool, fitness center, and complimentary parking.

Visit www.visitcolumbus ga.com to book online, or call the Columbus CVB at (800) 999-1613, and we’ll review a list of accommo-dations and all the details for you, absolutely free.

29 Candlewood Suites3389 Victory Dr. • (706) 683-9900www.ichotelsgroup.com Whether you are traveling for business or leisure, our spacious, comfortable suites provide all of the accommodations you need for extended stay travel. Our suites have

a fully-equipped kitchen, TV with DVD player, and large workspace with high speed Internet.

34 Econo Lodge - Ft. Benning 4483 Victory Dr. • (706) 682-3803 www.econolodgega.comOff Hwy. I-185, Exit 1B. Refrigerator, microwave, high-speed

Internet, deluxe continental breakfast.

35 Hampton Inn - Airport5585 Whitesville Rd. • (706) 576-5303www.columbusairportga.hamptoninn.comLocated only two miles from the Airport and 10 minutes from Fort Benning, we

are convenient to everything. All rooms equipped with a mini-fridge, microwave, free wireless Internet, and cable TV.

Enjoythe Best Rest

ome home after a full day of shopping,

dining, and sightseeing to a world of comfort in one of Columbus’ many clean, comfortable rooms with an array of amenities.

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36 Hampton Inn - N. Columbus7390 Bear Ln. • (706) 256-2222www.hamptoninn.comA three time Lighthouse award winner

for excellence in service and accommodations, our roomsfeature micro/fridges, flat panel HDTV, WIFI, and the Hampton Cloud Nine bed. Complimentary full hot breakfast included.

41 Holiday Inn North2800 Manchester Expressway (706) 324-0231www.holidayinn.com/columbus-northLocated on the north side, convenient to the Columbus Airport, Peachtree

Mall, restaurants and attractions. Relax in one of our 222 guest rooms featuring free wireless Internet, coffee makers, hair dryers, workdesk, HBO and voicemail. Enjoy the Sweetwater Café Restaurant, lobby lounge, pool and exercise facilities. Meetings/banquet facilities for up to 175. I-185 Exit7/7B.

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40 Holiday Inn Express & Suites @ Northlake - Columbus • 7336 Bear Ln. • (706) 507-7200Free Breakfast, Fitness Center, Business Center and Outdoor Heated Pool.

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Hotel Amenities

Candlewood Suites (706) 683-9900 81 3 3 3 3

Comfort Inn (706) 256-3093 73/2 3 3 3 3 3

Comfort Suites Airport (706) 322-6666 57 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Courtyard by Marriott (706) 323-2323 139 3 3 3 3

DoubleTree Hotel Columbus (706) 327-6868 175/1 3 3 3 3 3

Econo Lodge Ft. Benning (706) 682-3803 80 3 3 3 3 3

Hampton Inn Airport (706) 576-5303 118 3 3 3 3 3

Hampton Inn - North Columbus (706) 256-2222 87/2 3 3 3 3 3

Hilton Garden Inn (706) 660-1000 120/12 3 3 3 3 3 3

Holiday Inn Express & Suites-Ft. Benning (706) 507-7080 81 3 3 3 3 3 3

Holiday Inn Express & Suites @ Northlake (706) 507-7200 23/65 3 3 3 3 3

Holiday Inn Express & Suites-Phenix City (334) 298-9404 67/15 3 3 3 3

Holiday Inn North (706) 324-0231 222/2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Homewood Suites by Hilton (706) 568-3545 91 3 3 3 3 3 3

Howard Johnson Express & Suites (706) 322-6641 85/13 3 3 3

Hyatt Place (706) 507-5000 82 3 3 3 3 3 3

Marriott Columbus (706) 324-1800 172/5 3 3 3 3 3

Quality Inn - Columbus (706) 322-2522 153 3 3 3 3 3 3

Quality Inn - Phenix City (334) 298-9321 112/4 3 3 3 3 3

Sleep Inn & Suites (706) 653-1330 62/6 3 3 3 3 3 3

Super 8 (706) 322-6580 73 3 3 3 3

Wingate By Wyndham (706) 225-1000 84 3 3 3 3 3

Wyndham Garden Hotel (706) 507-1111 88 3 3 3 3 3

Other HotelsBest Western 706-568-3300

Columbus-Ft. Benning Microtel Inn & Suites706-685-2305

Country Inn & Suites706-660-1880

Country Inn & Suites-Bradley Park706-256-6390

Days Inn-Macon Rd. 706-561-4400

Econo Lodge Historic District706-320-0007

Extended Stay-Airport 706-653-0131

Extended Stay Bradley Park706-653-9938

Fairfield Inn & Suites 706-317-3600

Home2Suites by Hilton 344-664-0776

Home-Towne Suites706-561-1795

LaQuinta Inn-Macon Rd. 706-568-1740

LaQuinta Inn- Warm Springs 706-323-4344

Microtel Inns & Suites 706-653-7004Motel 6 706-687-7214

Residence Inn by Marriott 706-494-0050

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Candlewood Suites (706) 683-9900 81 3 3 3 3

Comfort Inn (706) 256-3093 73/2 3 3 3 3 3

Comfort Suites Airport (706) 322-6666 57 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Courtyard by Marriott (706) 323-2323 139 3 3 3 3

DoubleTree Hotel Columbus (706) 327-6868 175/1 3 3 3 3 3

Econo Lodge Ft. Benning (706) 682-3803 80 3 3 3 3 3

Hampton Inn Airport (706) 576-5303 118 3 3 3 3 3

Hampton Inn - North Columbus (706) 256-2222 87/2 3 3 3 3 3

Hilton Garden Inn (706) 660-1000 120/12 3 3 3 3 3 3

Holiday Inn Express & Suites-Ft. Benning (706) 507-7080 81 3 3 3 3 3 3

Holiday Inn Express & Suites @ Northlake (706) 507-7200 23/65 3 3 3 3 3

Holiday Inn Express & Suites-Phenix City (334) 298-9404 67/15 3 3 3 3

Holiday Inn North (706) 324-0231 222/2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Homewood Suites by Hilton (706) 568-3545 91 3 3 3 3 3 3

Howard Johnson Express & Suites (706) 322-6641 85/13 3 3 3

Hyatt Place (706) 507-5000 82 3 3 3 3 3 3

Marriott Columbus (706) 324-1800 172/5 3 3 3 3 3

Quality Inn - Columbus (706) 322-2522 153 3 3 3 3 3 3

Quality Inn - Phenix City (334) 298-9321 112/4 3 3 3 3 3

Sleep Inn & Suites (706) 653-1330 62/6 3 3 3 3 3 3

Super 8 (706) 322-6580 73 3 3 3 3

Wingate By Wyndham (706) 225-1000 84 3 3 3 3 3

Wyndham Garden Hotel (706) 507-1111 88 3 3 3 3 3

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SpringHill Suites by Marriott 706-576-3773

Staybridge Suites706-507-7700

Suburban Extended Stay 706-687-7515

TownePlace Suites by Marriott 706-322-3001

Value Place #1 706-649-6599

Value Place #2 706-317-9973

Bed & BreakfastsRothschild-Pound House Inn706-322-4075

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43 Howard Johnson1011 Veterans Pkwy. . (706) 322-6641www.hojo.comLocated in Uptown Columbus, just

blocks from the Entertainment District. Amenities include free high speed Internet, complimentary continental breakfast, and outdoor pool.

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45 Marriott Columbus800 Front Ave. • (706) 324-1800www.marriott.com/csgmcBuilt around the original Empire

Mills Grist Mill, the hotel combines 19th century charm with 21st century amenities. Located Downtown.

46 Quality Inn - Columbus1325 Veterans Pkwy. . (706) 322-2522www.choicehotels.com/hotel/ga545Uptown Columbus business district.

Guest rooms w/coffee makers, HBO, micro-fridge, free local calls. Free full hot breakfast, business center, and outdoor pool. Banquet and meeting facilities. Free wireless Internet.

39 Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Phenix City1702 US 280 Bypass, Phenix City, AL • (334) 298-9404 Free Breakfast, Fitness Center, Business Center and Outdoor Pool.

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49 Super 82935 Warm Springs Rd.(706) 322-6580 • (800) 800-8000www.super8.comEasy access off I-185, Exit 7. Complimentary SuperSTART breakfast, 24 hour coffee, free

®, free high speed Internet, guest laundry, at Peachtree Mall exit, Columbus State University 1 block, Columbus Metro Airport 1 mi, Fort Benning 7 mi.

47 Quality Inn - Phenix City1700 US 280 Bypass, Phenix City, AL • (334) 298-9321 Free Breakfast, Business Center, HSIA and AJ’s Sports Bar & Grill.

51 Wyndham Garden Hotel4027 Veterans Ct., Columbus, GA 31909 (706) 507-1111www.wyndham.comwww.wyndhamgardencolumbus.com Be comfortable at the Wyndham

Garden Hotel with spacious rooms, free hot breakfast, and convenient location to all Columbus has to offer. Our rooms are furnished with 32" flat screen TVs, free wired or wireless Internet, mini-fridge, and coffee maker. Our on-site amenities include an outdoor pool, fitness center, and business center.

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Columbus Visitors Guide 2011 • www.visitcolumbusga.com 39Columbus Visitors Guide 2011 • www.visitcolumbusga.com 39

Military Heritage

olumbus is the home-land of our nation’s

military heritage, where we honor our good neighbors at Fort Benning, pay our respects at the new National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Patriot Park, as well as the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus, all detailed in other parts of this guide. In addition, you can explore a multitude of forts, museums, cemeteries, and other places of honor. In Columbus and throughout the west central Georgia/east Alabama region, you will find fascinating insights into the heroic lives and sacri-fices of our selfless soldiers.

While in Columbus, pay a visit to the Columbus Govern-ment Center at 100 10th Street to honor more of our veterans, including the five Medal of Honor recipients at the Eternal Flame monument.

Just 10 miles south of Columbus and Phenix City, Alabama, you’ll find the reconstructed Fort Mitchell, built in 1813 along the Federal Road which opened traffic

to a territory later to become the state of Alabama. This fort became the starting point for the Creek or Muscogee “Trail of Tears,” the Indian removal to reservations in Oklahoma. See replicas of a 19th-century tavern, Indian Trading Agency and hospital; admire the variety of horse-drawn conveyances in the carriage house; honor the Native Americans who were moved to Oklahoma in 1836 with a stop at the Indian Heritage Center. Fort Mitchell National Cemetery is located nearby, where about 5,000 veterans are interred.

About one hour’s drive southeast of Columbus is Andersonville, the site of Camp Sumter, a prisoner of war camp which is now Andersonville National Historic Site, a memorial to the nearly 13,000 Union POWs who died at the camp during the Civil War. In addition to the prison, the site includes the Ander-sonville National Cemetery and the National Prisoner of War Museum, which honors all American POWs in the U.S.’ various military conflicts.

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branch, the Infantry. The Patriot Park Campus includes the museum, stadium, and parade field (where Soldiers graduate weekly), memorial walk of honor, authentic World War II Company Street, a full service restaurant, gift shop, and only the third 3-D IMAX Theater in the state of Georgia.

POW MonumentErected in 1946, this

monument was originally intended to honor U.S. prison-ers of World War II. It was later moved to its current location and altered to also reflect the POWs of World War I, Korea, and Vietnam. Located outside the National Infantry Museum.

Other possible Fort Benning activities include:

Airborne in Action Show Takes place at Eubanks

Field on the main post. Show dates are usually Monday, however, days vary.

#21Patriotic Praise

Fort Benning

T he steady stream of visi-tors who make their way

to Columbus to take part in activities at neighboring Fort Benning, or to visit soldiers and their families in the area, find Columbus to be chock full of patriotic spirit. Columbus’ RiverWalk linear park now connects the historic uptown riverfront district with the new National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Patriot Park. With advance planning, you can visit the Museum, as well as enjoy a variety of other ac-tivities, exhibitions, and sites.

National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Patriot Park

The National Infantry Museum’s ever-changing ka-leidoscope of more than 6,000 displays from the Revolution-ary War, Civil War, both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf and the current War on Terrorism have a new home at the phenomenal National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Patriot Park. The world-class facility educates, honors, and preserves the 235-year legacy of valor and sacrifice of the Army’s largest

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You can see a really BIG movie or have

target practice at the National Infantry Museum.

Mass Parachute Jump ExerciseEvery third week of the

month you may observe Soldiers jumping from aircraft Monday through Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. You may observe Soldiers jumping at the Towers weekly Monday through Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. All of these jumps are contingent on holidays and weather.

Riverside PlantationBuilt in 1909 by business-

man Arthur Bussey, Riverside is on the National Register of Historic Places and is the commandant’s residence.

WHINSECCurrently training officers of

foreign countries, this building originally served as the U.S. Army Infantry School and Fort Benning Headquarters.

Doughboy StadiumBuilt by U.S. Army Infantry-

men as a memorial to their dead comrades of World War I.

CuartelsDesigned and constructed

in the 1920s, this build-ing serves as offices and quarters for visiting officers. The building appeared in the 1941 edition of Ripley’s Believe It or Not for the world’s longest continuous porch.

Contact the Visitors Bureau at (800) 999-1613 for more information.

#21Patriotic Praise

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Doughboy Stadium

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Hook, Line & SinkerGCVQVGN 32º 32.517 W 084º 50.777UTM: 16S E 702244 N 3602554Difficulty: 4 Terrain: 3Type: Multi Cache

Finding this cache will take a little work and imagination on your part. The first stage is a match tube cleverly hidden. It contains the coordinates for the second stage. At the second stage you will need to locate the coordinates for the third stage. The third and final stage is a container hidden in a medium size container with a log book and small trade items. Use the following parking coordinates to get you started: N 32º 32.296 W 084º 51.309

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The idea is simple . . . In and around

Columbus, contain-ers, or “caches,” have been hidden and the coordinates noted with a GPS unit.

Using your CacheCard from the Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, find the caches

as your GPS guides you to the most scenic and significant treasures in our natural and historic area. You can pick up your CacheCard at the Visitors Center, located at 900 Front Avenue, Columbus, GA 31901.

Here are a few sites to get you started.

Geocaching in Columbus

Explore the new hobby that combines outdoor exercise, technology and a sense of adventure. There are many geocache sites in the Columbus area.

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Pele’s PlaygroundGCMPFWN 32º 29.611 W 084º 54.011UTM: 16S E 697288 N 3597083Difficulty: 1 Terrain: 3Type: Ammo Box

It is not well known that soccer legend Pele learned his famous “bicycle kick” (demonstrated in the movie “Victory”) here at these soccer fields, which are among the best arranged and maintained in the Southeast. Take a few minutes to walk through the soccer complex on your visit. It is also a great place to fly a kite.

Passports, Peaches and PreservesGCT553N 32º 27.777 W 084º 59.689UTM: 16S E 688458 N 3593522Difficulty: 1 Terrain: 1Type: Plastic Container

This 100-year-old building is home to passports to places far and near. Once inside you will have to find the log BEFORE you can find the cache. Once you complete the entry, the final clue is at the end. Available Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Muggles (non-geocaching civilians) will be present and are necessary.

Cougar CacheGCTWG8N 32º 30.182 W 084º 56.640UTM: 16S E 693150 N 3598057Difficulty: 2 Terrain: 3Type: Small Ammo Can

This cache is hidden at one of the nicest spots on the campus of Columbus State University, home of the Cougars. Geocach-ers will have a short — and a bit tricky — walk from the parking lot. Biology students may be collecting samples nearby, or the Cougar baseball or tennis teams could also be close, so muggles are a possibility.

#37 See spectacular architecture in the

Midtown's historic district, the largest contiguous historic

district in the nation.

Geocaching in Columbus

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To the Moon and Beyond, (2 nights/3 days)

Blast off to the moon and beyond at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center. View art of the past, present, and on the cutting edge at the Columbus Museum. Explore Pine Moun-tain Wild Animal Park with food pellets in hand; board the bus for your “safari” through the domain of more than 500 species of animals. Tour Callaway Gardens with stops at Sibley Horticultural Center, Day Butterfly Center, and Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden.

Presidents, The Civil War and Broadway, (2 nights/3 days)

Day one, take in all the

historical attractions of Columbus, including the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus and Columbus’ original Historic District, and its rejuvenated theatre district. Day two

Architecture

Adventure

African-American Heritage

Famous People

For Grown-Ups

Kid-Friendly

Military

Rainy Day Fun

Shopping

Icon Key

#18 A Ton of Family Fun

I f you’re traveling with a group, everyone is sure to

want to do and see different things. The Columbus Conven-tion & Visitors Bureau will be glad to tell you about the wide range of tours in our area that everyone in your group will enjoy. A few of these are de-scribed here. For more details, contact the Visitors Bureau at (800) 999-1613 or [email protected]. Use the following icons to match your interests to the itineraries here:

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combines visits to spectacular Callaway Gardens and nearby Warm Springs, home of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Little White House. The third day takes you to Westville, an 1850s west Georgia village, the Jimmy Carter National Historical Site, and Andersonville, the former prisoner of war camp. You can visit all these areas easily from your home base of Columbus.

Broadway, The Chattahoochee & The Civil War, (2 nights/3 days)

Combine many of Columbus’ exciting attractions with our rejuvenated theatre district. View the 1800s-era architecture of our Historic District. Learn about the Civil War’s significant role in our history at the National Civil

War Naval Museum at Port Columbus. Experience the awe of the heavens at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center; at the Columbus Museum, see works of prominent Southeastern artists and the Chattahoochee Legacy. Experience the best of Broadway at the Springer Opera House and RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.

Presidential Pathways (South), (2 nights/3 days)

Rev up with an invigorat-ing early morning hike at Providence Canyon State Park. Then tour the 1850s Village of Westville (only minutes away), a living history village of 33 an-tebellum structures. See basket

#18 Because a stroll in Heritage Park will take you from the past - the Historic District - to

the future - the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, with an added glimpse into Columbus' industrial heritage.

Providence Canyon State Park

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weaving, candle making, cane grinding, and much more.

The next day, head to Plains, Georgia, home of former President Jimmy Carter, for a tour of that community, fol-lowed by tours of the historic Windsor Hotel in Americus, Georgia, and the Georgia Rural Telephone Museum in Leslie, Georgia, where you’ll find the largest collection of telephones and telephone memorabilia in the world. Venture to DeSoto, Georgia, for a tour of the DeSoto Nut House and a sample of crick-le, a food unique to the region.

Visit the Andersonville National Historic Site where nearly 13,000 Union prison-ers died during the Civil War. Then get close to nature at the Wild Animal Park in Pine Mountain, Georgia, inhale the fragrances and the verdant beauty of Callaway Gardens, and tour the only home former President Franklin D. Roosevelt ever owned.

Student Tour, (1 night/2 days)

Just for fun or as an edu-cational experience, this tour offers museum stops, time on our RiverWalk for roller skating or strolling, a visit to the Pine Mountain Wild Animal Park, and a time travel trip to the 1850s Village of Westville.

Broadway, Barbecue & Bach, (2 nights/3 days)

Delight in the more formal side of Columbus by immersing yourself in its culture and the arts. See a stage production at the Springer Opera House or a Broadway performance at RiverCenter. Drive through the Historic District. Experi-ence “down home” cookin’ from barbecue to buttermilk fried chicken, or dine on seafood, Italian, or Mediterranean cuisine in Uptown Columbus’ entertain-ment district, then catch a

55 Hampton Inn - LaGrange100 Willis Cir., LaGrange • (706) 845-1115www.lagrangecallawaygardens.hamptoninn.comBusiness Center, Meeting Rooms, Fitness

Room, and Pool. Our guest rooms feature a mini-fridge and a microwave. Convenient to Callaway Gardens. Your stay will be perfect, we guarantee it! Completely renovated in 2010.

57 Ramsey's RV Park5153 White House Pkwy., Warm Springs, GA(706) 655-2480This quiet, peaceful campground offers 28 full hookup sites, restrooms

with showers, sewage disposal, laundry, public phone, tables, grills, fire rings, and outdoor swimming.

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performance by the Colum-bus Symphony Orchestra.

Operation Military Rendezvous, (2 nights/3 days)

At the new National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Patriot Park, the largest infan-try museum in the country, you can pay your respects to our American infantrymen whose two centuries of cour-age and determination have kept Americans free. Also, stop at the POW Monument just outside the museum. At nearby Fort Benning, see some air-borne action and parachute jump exercises. Contact the Visitors Bureau at (800) 999-1613 for more information.

For Civil War buffs, a visit to the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus will allow you to experience

19th century naval combat firsthand in this one-of-a-kind facility. The CSS Jackson and the CSS Chattahoochee remnants, along with a newly constructed full-scale replica of the USS Water Witch, are on display among other Civil War artifacts.

With Columbus as your base, other stops in the region with a military theme include Andersonville National Historic Site, a Confederate military prison that serves today as a memorial to all American pris-oners of war; and Fort Mitchell, a restored 19th-century out-post in Fort Mitchell, Alabama.

Museum at Port Columbus

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Here's What's Happening

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Here's What's Happening

January: FDR’s Birthday Celebration, Little White House, Warm Springs, GA

Callaway Gardens ® Fitness Series Marathon/Half Marathon

February: Black History Month EventsGreat Backyard Bird Count, Little White House, Warm Springs, GA

March: Riverblast at National Civil War Naval Museum at Port ColumbusThunder in the Valley AirshowColumbus Ballet’s Spring RepertoryCallaway Gardens® Spring CelebrationJunior League of Columbus Attic Sale

April: Columbus Museum Annual Art & Antique Show Westville Spring FestivalSpring Fling in Warm SpringsCelebrity Classic 5k & 10k Run/Walk Old Time Farm Day at Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains, GA

May: Arts in the ParkMasters Waterski & Wakeboard Tournament at Callaway Gardens®Andersonville Antiques, Crafts, & Civil War Artifacts FairCotton Pickin’ Country Fair, Gay, GAHistoric Westville’s 1836 Creek Indian War Reenactment

June:Miss Georgia PageantRosie the Riveter at Little White House, Warm Springs, GAFree Movie Fridays, Griffin, GA

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July: Thunder on the Hooch 4th of July Celebration4th of July Surf & Sand Spectacular at Callaway Gardens ®Free Movie Fridays, Griffin, GA

August: Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival at Callaway Gardens ®

September:PRCA Professional Rodeo in Hamilton, GAColumbus/Fort Benning Shrine CircusJunior League of Columbus Attic SalePlains Peanut FestivalGreater Chattahoochee Valley Fair

October:Tuskegee-Morehouse Football ClassicArts on the River Spooktacular Halloween FestivalAndersonville Historic FairCotton Pickin’ Country Fair, Gay, GAChristmas Made in the SouthDoc’tober Days, Griffin, GAGriffin Downtown Trick or Treat Event, Griffin, GASpalding Kiwanis Fair, Griffin, GA

November:Fountain City Football ClassicSteeplechase at Callaway Gardens ®

December: Broadway HolidayVictorian Christmas at Port ColumbusA Warm Springs ChristmasWestville Yuletide SeasonBi-City Christmas ParadeFantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens®

For details on these and many other Columbus Area Events, visit the Community Calendar at www.visitcolumbusga.com.

Fantasy in Lights

#42Because there is always something fun happening in Columbus, from FREE concerts in Uptown to Broadway shows to major sporting events. We've got it ALL!

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