1. It’s Easy To Thank A Soldier—There’s Probably One Right Next To You
Fort Benning is a massive U.S. Army post located just south of the city in Chattahoochee County, creating a huge military presence in the city. The base supports more than 120,000 active-duty military and their family along with members of the Reserve, retirees and civilian employees. It is also the major employer for Columbus residents.
2. You’re Never Too Young Or Too Old To Love Columbus
A bustling city with a vibrant downtown, good schools, lots of entertainment and old-fashioned appeal has ranked
Columbus among the top cities in which to live for people of all ages. Best Magazine listed it as fourth for Top 100 Places To Raise A Family, listed in the top 100 places to live in the country in 2010, and scored the top spot for Single Senior Citizens by U.S. News and World Report magazine.
3. Uptown Is Where You’ll Find All The Action
Downtown is known as Uptown and Uptown is known as Downtown. They’re the same thing: the city’s central business district. Lined with gorgeous Antebellum homes, retail shops, restaurants and more, whether you’re going Uptown or Downtown, it won’t matter because from free concerts to special events and festivals, it’s always a good time.
4. Everyone In Columbus Gets Fresh On Saturday
Even if you’re not religious about how local your produce is, you’ll be a fanatic about Market Days on Broadway. Every Saturday morning, come Uptown to this popular pop-up market that features many local and organic farmers selling produce but also a variety of vendors selling everything from homemade soaps and baked goods to home goods and handmade jewelry. Volunteers and workers from local animal shelters show up, too, to help find the local rescue animals a good home.
5. Welcome To Fountain City, USA
Another nickname for Columbus is Fountain City for the numerous fountains that were installed throughout the streets, mostly in the early 20th century. They add to the charming aesthetic and are a favorite part of the city for many locals. Many businesses in the area have incorporated Fountain City into their name as well.
6. Columbus Wanted To Give The World A Coke… So It Did
Few things are as American as Coca-Cola. That’s why there’s the expression “…As American as Coca-Cola.” That’s also why everyone refers to all soda/pop (that’s a debate for another day) as “coke” down here in the south. It was all started here in Columbus over 125 years ago – not Atlanta, contrary to popular belief.
7. The Desserts Are Freeze Frame Worthy
Next time your sweet tooth kicks in, ditch the ice cream chain and head to Freeze Frame Yogurt Shoppe. You can fill up your cup or fresh-made waffle cone with the flavor of your choice and top it off with every sugary-sweet, chocolate caramel-y, peanut butter-Nutella-y toppings your arteries can handle. There are a slew of healthy options, too. But, come on. This isn’t L.A. What kind of masochist goes out for healthy dessert?
8. The Riverwalk Takes You Back In Time
Columbus’ history along the Chattahoochee River predates written history and played a major role in how the city came to be. The RiverWalk hugs the banks along the Chattahoochee all the way into the cotton mill town of Bibb City, giving locals a gorgeous reminder of their city’s rich history.
9. ...And The Reenactments Might Turn You Into A History Buff
Whether you visit the National Infantry Museum on a patriotic holiday to see civil war actors in full garb or spend the afternoon at the National Civil War Naval Museum, you’ll be impressed with the amount of history in Columbus. Politics and society have long since progressed since the days on the battlefield, but Columbus still holds strong in paying homage to their ancestors and the roots of their city.
10. Columbus Makes It Easy To Get Your Drink On
If you’re ever looking for an excuse to drink with your neighbors (and who needs one, really?), Columbus makes it easy. Hit the Columbus Beer & Wine Festival in Uptown to drink your way through the different stands of your favorite brews with your friends. Or mark your calendars for the Blues, Brew & Q event, to throw some good tunes and famous Georgian barbecue in the mix. How could you go wrong?
11. Grab A Paddle And Steady Your Nerves
‘Cause you’re going white water rafting. Oh, yes you are. It’s one of the most exciting things about the city – the ability to hop on a raft with friends and brave the rough waves along the Chattahoochee River for the longest urban whitewater rafting ride in the entire world. This exciting course has been described as being as “wild as Colorado and as warm as Costa Rica.”
12. In Columbus You Can Chase The Dragon—No, Really
Not many cities get the pleasure of hosting Dragon Boat Festival races, but Columbus is one of them. Every spring, participants hit the Chattahoochee River and compete to be the fastest dragon-shaped boat down the river for this one-of-a-kind event.
13. No One In Columbus Knows The Meaning Of The Word “Lazy”
Now that you’re all hopped up on sugar from the best frozen yogurt in the city, use that extra energy to train for the many high-active events that are popular in Columbus. Runners have their pick of events like the Soldiers Marathons, duathlons and triathlons. Even kids can join in the fun with the Y Kids Tri triathlon.
14. Science Nerds Are In Heaven In Columbus
Since 1996, the Coca-Cola Space Science Center has brought the fun of science, physics and astronomy to the city of Columbus. Come for the afternoon and enjoy the thrill of four flight simulators and piece the stars together in the planetarium.
15. You Can Catch A Show In A Hallowed Halls Of Legends
Graced with performances of legends like Ethel Barrymore, the Springer Opera House is a historic live-performance theater and landmark to Columbus. President Jimmy Carter proclaimed it as the State Theatre of Georgia for the 1971-1972, landing it on the National Register of Historic Places. The Springer Opera House puts on productions throughout the year including the offbeat like James and the Giant Peach to the classics like Les Miserables.
16. Fountain City Coffee Will Always Wake You Up
I apologize for the gratuitous use of Wham lyrics. But that’s how exciting Fountain City Coffee is. Whether you’re looking for a morning jolt or an afternoon pick-me-up, ditch the chains and head to this warm and friendly coffee shop for all your java needs. Get everything you’re used to from skinny iced lattes to triple espressos while supporting a great local business in the community.
17. The Great Outdoors Are The Ultimate Columbus Playground
Columbus is home to nearly fifty parks, some bigger than others. Flat Rock Park is a favorite spot for picnicking, disc golf, mountain-biking and cross-country running along with much more. And Standing Boy Creek State Park is 1,579 acres of fun including swimming, boating, hunting, camping and great hiking trails.
18. You’ll Thank God It’s First Friday
When the first Friday of the month rolls around, come out for the city’s First Friday’s event which is always sure to be the best night in Columbus until the next Friday comes around. Unlike other First Friday events in other cities which take you through walking tours of the streets, Columbus picks one hot spot each time for what is always the party of the month.
19. Never Fear, There’s Always A Superhero Close By
Superhero Day on Broadway in Uptown is a super fun event in which residents and locals come out dressed as their favorite super heroes, filling the streets with hope to raise money for charity. There is a Superhero 5k Run, a costume contest and sidewalk chalk event, proving that Columbus knows how to do some good while having a lot of fun in the process.
20. Hone Your Deduction Skills With A Game Of Who Dunnit
Sherlock's Mystery Dinner Theatre is a popular dinner show that puts participants right in an interactive scene of Clue. It performs at the historic Marriott Hotel in Uptown. But if you’re looking to cut right to the chase, stay safe and tell them that Sid Kaminsky did it. At the RiverWalk. With the candlestick.
21. Columbus Has All Your High Culture Right Here
Art lovers will enjoy The Columbus Museum which features many exhibits, both rotating and permanent, on American art and regional history. And when you’re looking for something a little different, try out the Lunchbox Museum that you never knew you wanted to see. From Knight Rider to Yoda, this kitschy-cool blast into the lunch-toting past is a popular offbeat road stop and fun addition to the city.
What do you love about living in Columbus? Tell us in the comments below!
