Columbus, Mississippi is full of history, which is one reason it can be a great place to visit. Take a break from work or studying and explore the downtown area. You can see antique shops and antebellum houses, eat some fantastic food and join in town celebrations, and camp or enjoy a game of golf. Trying to find things to do in a new area can be overwhelming, so we’ve made a list for you. Here are some ideas:
Historical Places
Tennessee Williams’ first home is one of the claims to fame for Columbus, and you can see it when you visit the visitor’s center. You can tour the home and learn more about Williams’ life and his family. Then set out for a tour of the Mississippi University for Women. Known as “The W,” students who studied here include Pulitzer Prize winner Eudora Welty.
A few other places you can see history up close and personal are the Friendship Cemetery where the local women decorated the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers on “Decoration Day” in 1866, setting the stage for what we now call Memorial Day. Take the African-American Heritage Driving Tour to learn more about the local African-American community. And explore blues history while learning about musicians from the Columbus area by stopping at the Blue Trail Markers.
Fun Things to See
Pack a picnic lunch and head out for a 4.4-mile hike along the Tombigbee River. The Riverwalk follows the river and gives you a great view of the local wildlife. Or skip the picnic and get some fresh catfish at Jones Restaurant. The catfish comes straight from the river you just hiked next to and is some of the best in the area!
One of the best parts about visiting and living in the south is seeing the old houses. The antebellum homes in the Columbus area were built in the mid-1800s and each year there is a spring event where visitors are able to tour inside the historic homes. If you’re not there in the spring, you can still get inside these gorgeous homes by appointment.
And, make sure to see the Thunderbirds when they come through next year, “Wings over Columbus” will be April 25 & 26.
Where to Live
If you’re staying a little longer, you may consider renting instead of staying in one of our crash pads. Don’t’ worry, Military Crashpad has a lead on a great rental in downtown Columbus, perfect to share with a friend for your time at Columbus AFB. This 2 bedroom, 2 bath loft apartment is fully furnished with king beds and washer/dryer. It’s roomy enough to share and includes a private security gate and parking. As a bonus, it’s close to all the fun things in downtown Columbus. Check it out here!
Columbus is affectionately referred to as Possum Town – we assume due to the number of opossums in the area – and they even hold the Possum Town Triathalon in August. Smaller towns can be lots of fun, go out and give Columbus, Mississippi a try, let us know what you like the best.
Written by: Rebecca Alwine
