Columbus Attractions for Kids
Columbus, Georgia sits on the east banks of the Chattahoochee River — about 2 hours from Atlanta… down I-85 and I-185. It’s the second-largest city in Georgia and a friendly city with attractions for kids and the whole family. History, Theatre, Arts & Sports – Columbus, GA has it all. Bring the entire family on your next visit. We’ve listed our favorite activities below.
Chattahoochee RiverWalk
Bay Ave. and 11th St. Columbus
706-653-4504
Let your kids RUN! The Chattahoochee Riverwalk is a 22-mile trail along the banks of the Chattahoochee River. It is an excellent place to walk, in-line skate, jog or just take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the scenery. Your kids will have a blast counting turtles, climbing on the rocks, spotting Blue Herons, and watching the boats navigate the whitewater rapids. The RiverWalk is one of the most attractive and inspiring urban experiences in Georgia.
Columbus Aquatic Center
1603 Midtown Dr, Columbus
706.225.3980| website
The Columbus Aquatic Center is operated by the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department. It is a state-of-the-art indoor aquatic facility located just off Macon Road next to the public library and adjacent to the Columbus City Services Center. The facility offers an Olympic size swimming pool which is arranged for lap swimming and a smaller Warm Up Pool set up instructional programs, fitness and wellness activities and open swim. The facility has three diving boards. Mens’, Women’s, and Family Locker rooms are available. Public swimming sessions are subject to change so be sure to call before you go.
Columbus Ice Rink
400 Fourth Street, Columbus
706-225-4500 | website
Let your kids work up a sweat while staying cool at the Columbus Ice Rink. They can learn to ice skate, play hockey, or even figure skate. Public skating times are subject to change, so be sure to check their website for details before you go.
Coca-Cola Space Science Center
701 Front Avenue Columbus, GA 31901
706-649-1470 | website
Features interactive displays, NASA exhibits, and replicas of an Apollo Capsule and Space Shuttle, Planetarium, and Mead Observatory. There is an admission fee to experience hands-on exhibits, shows in the Omnisphere Theatre and Challenger Learning Center missions.
Columbus Museum
1251 Wynnton Road Columbus, Georgia 31906
706-748-2562 | website
Experience American art and the history of the region at the Columbus Museum, the largest art and history museum in Georgia and one of the largest museums in the Southeast. The museum features changing art and history exhibitions, almost 300 years of American fine and decorative art, the history of the Chattahoochee Valley. Don’t miss Transformations, the museum’s interactive gallery where children can create their own masterpieces.
Heritage Park
708 Broadway, Columbus
706.322.0756
Come and experience Heritage Park: with beautiful granite pools recreating the falls of the Chattahoochee River, exciting water elements, and handsome outdoor sculptures with historic interpretations visitors will surely enjoy. Heritage Park is a joint project of Historic Columbus Foundation, Inc., Uptown Columbus, Inc., and the City of Columbus. Located in Columbus’ Historic District at Seventh Street between Front Avenue and Broadway, just across the street from Historic Columbus Foundation’s Heritage Corner.
National Infantry Museum & Patriot Park IMAX
1775 Legacy Way, Columbus
706-545-2958 | website
This state-of-the-art facility tells the story of the United States Army Infantryman, from the fields of the American Revolution to the sands of Afghanistan. The museum houses an amazing display of artifacts from all eras of American history and contains numerous interactive multimedia exhibits, telling the story of our nation’s past with the latest in technological innovation. In addition to exhibit galleries, the National Infantry Museum also features the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall, Patriot Park IMAX Theatre, Virtual Army Experience Simulators, and EST2000 Rifle Range.
Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center
3535 South Lumpkin Road, Columbus
706-507-8550 | website
Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center provides exhibits, displays, and nature trails, and also offers formal and informal educational programs about the ecology and natural history of the region. Here, you can see alligators, fish, tortoises, bees, snakes, and much more!
Columbus Botanical Garden
Photo Credit: Columbus Botanical Garden
3603 Weems Rd., Columbus
706.327.8400 | website
A 22-acre facility that provides visitors an attractive venue and colorful setting for photography, special events, horticultural seminars, and community learning. Hike the Joann Holt Walking Trail or stroll through the display gardens that showcase a range of local plant species. On weekdays, you can also tour the historic 1890s Adams Farmhouse.
Bridging The Gap Playground
Boxwood Blvd/Macon Road, Columbus
Located behind the Columbus Public Library, this new community playground is uniquely designed to serve children of all abilities. This is a first class playground. The ground cover is actually recycled rubber mulch — the safest play surface on the market. All sets are fully accessible and meet ADA standards, and the entire area is gated to keep children safe.
Whitewater Rafting
Photo Credit: Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau
Whitewater Express, 1000 Bay Avenue, Columbus
800.676.7238 | website
Come raft with us on the Chattahoochee River in Columbus, Ga. and Phenix City, Ala., the longest urban whitewater rafting in the world! USA Today picked the Chattahoochee Whitewater Park as one of the Top 12 man-made Adventures in the World! The course consists of over 5 class 4+ rapids and 10 smaller rapids. It is one of the most exciting whitewater rafting rivers in the US!
Kayaking
Outside World Outfitters
706-322-4200 | website
A great team-building activity for the whole family. Outside World Outfitters offering on the water training classes for flat water and recreational kayaking. Kids will learn the basic techniques and skills required. Our ACA-certified Instructor will also explain different techniques for navigating your way down the river, demonstrations on how to catch eddies, execute peel-outs, ferries, and other basic water reading and navigation skills. Held on the Chattahoochee River just below the WaveShaper in the cove area. The river is only two blocks from the store. Children are outfitted based on size, not age.
Blue Heron Zip Line & Aerial Ropes
Whitewater Express, 1000 Bay Avenue, Columbus
800.676.7238 | website
Zipline riders will step off a 60-foot tower in Woodruff Park (Columbus) and almost immediately find themselves about 100 feet above the Chattahoochee River as they race toward the Phenix City tower at speeds of 35-40 mph. Once there, they can navigate a two-tier aerial course, then another 400-foot zip line through the trees along the riverbank, then board a pontoon boat for a ride back to Columbus.
Junior adventure seekers (ages 5 & up) will enjoy the Blue Heron aerial ropes course.
River Front Splash Pad
10th Street and Bay Avenue – Woodruff Park, Columbus
The River Front Splash pad features 32 water jets capable of shooting to heights of eight feet with water sprouts that can be lit and programmed to music. The interactive fountain, located on property owned by Columbus State University, is right next to the new military service walk and across from the Columbus Whitewater Express store on Bay Avenue.
FreeNotes Harmony Park
10th Street and Bay Avenue – Woodruff Park, Columbus
The FreeNotes Harmony Playground features climbing structures, slides, a see-saw for four and oversized outdoor instruments. Children ages 12 and under will find different play areas and even musical instruments for them to play on. The interactive playground is located adjacent to the RiverWalk Splash Pad and across from the Columbus Whitewater Express store on Bay Avenue.
National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus
Photo Credit: Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau
1002 Victory Dr, Columbus
706-327-9798 | website
Come aboard and get the little-known Navy view of the Civil War. Our 40,000 ft facility houses the largest surviving Confederate warship, the CSS Jackson, as well as the wreckage of the CSS Chattahoochee. Other exhibits include a full-scale ship representation of the USS Waterwitch, a recreation of the USS Hartford with its berth deck, wardroom, and captain’s cabin, a full-scale replica of the USS Monitor’s famous turret, and an exterior/interior view of the CSS Albermarle.
Historic Westville
3557 S. Lumpkin Rd, Columbus
706-940-0057 | website
Historic Westville is a living history museum representing a 19th-century Georgia town in Columbus, Georgia. Westville is a re-creation of a historic village with 17 furnished antebellum buildings. Interpreters give tours of the various buildings, telling the history and stories of the people who lived and worked them, as well as giving demonstrations in traditional crafts, including but not limited to blacksmithing, carpentry, dressmaking, quilting, and much more!
Where to stay in Columbus, GA
Columbus Marriot. The Columbus Marriott stands on the site of a 1860s conglomeration of warehouses, a cotton mill and a Confederate arsenal in Uptown Columbus. The original brick was refurbished and converted into this national landmark hotel. Located within walking distance of The Chattahoochee RiverWalk, WhiteWater Express, and plenty of great Uptown restaurants.
Hampton Inn Columbus/South-Fort Benning. The closest hotel near Fort Benning Military Base. An 8-minute walk from the National Infantry Museum and the parade ground there, so it’s ideal for a graduation stay. Also, within walking distance of Oxbow Meadows and the Chattahoochee Riverwalk.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. Located just off I-185, this Columbus, GA hotel is eight miles from Fort Benning and 90 minutes from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta (ATL) International Airport. Convenient to The Landings Shopping Complex and many other attractions.
Photo Credit: All images are copyrighted by Muscogee Moms LLC unless otherwise noted.
