10 Things to do Good for Kids in Columbus That You Shouldn't Miss

The Springer Opera House is a beautifully restored Edwardian style Opera House that was built in 1871. This National Historic Landmark was named the State Theater of Georgia by Governor Jimmy Carter in 1971. Today it is the region's premeire professional theatre that annually produces 13 shows with talent from Los Angeles to New York. It is the home of Springer Theatricals, the national touring arm of the Springer that performs in cities throughout the United States and Canada. It is also the home of the Springer Theater Academy, an extensive year-round training program for young actors and largest theater academy in the southeast.

The National Infantry Museum emphasizes the values that define the Infantryman, as well as the nation he protects: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. It preserves and displays one of the greatest collections of military artifacts in the world, but it is a museum of people, not things. As a visitor, you will meet the Infantryman face to face and join him on his journey. You will come to understand why an Infantryman does what he does, why he puts himself in harm’s way in defense of an idea and you will leave transformed, just as the Infantry transforms the man into the Soldier. The 190,000-square-foot museum opened in June 2009 on a 200-acre tract of hardwoods and pines just outside the gates of the Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence.

Located in the heart of historic uptown Columbus, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts is the centerpiece of the city’s new arts and entertainment district. Conceived as a vital cultural hub, the center was designed by the multi-national architectural firm Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer and Associates to artistically enrich the Chattahoochee Valley region. RiverCenter’s state-of-the-art facilities include the 2,000-seat Bill Heard Theatre, the center’s main venue and home to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Featuring orchestra, mezzanine and balcony seating, the hall is designed to meet the complex technical needs of attractions such as Broadway shows, symphonic concerts, dance performances, pop concerts, lectures and conferences. From the ceiling large interwoven ribbons of steel mesh contribute a sense of intimacy, while shaped balcony fascias and custom light fixtures provide color, texture and warmth.

Tours of Columbus, Georgia offered: 1) Foodie Tours: A delicious taste of what our area has to offer! 2)Downtown Columbus: Historic Districts full of worldwide influential achievements. 3) Sin City Tour; 4) Art & Antebellum Tour; 5) Local Black Heritage Tour; 6) Native American History Tour. 7) Chattahoochee Brews & Views Tour 8) Seasonal tours. Methods for your tour experience, 1) Walking; 2) Tour Guide rides with you in your car, van, or bus; 3) Shuttle or Bus Tours: You ride with us. Available for up to 55 people.

By telling the stories of the navies of the Civil War, we connect people with the past; giving them a better sense of place and time. Located in Columbus, Georgia, the National Civil War Naval Museum overlooks the Chattahoochee River. We house the largest surviving Confederate warship, the CSS Jackson, as well as the wreckage of the CSS Chattahoochee. Other exhibits include a full scale ship replica of the USS Water Witch, a replica of the USS Hartford with its berth deck, ward room and captain’s cabin, an actual cutter or "ship's boat" from the USS Hartford, a full scale replica of the USS Monitor’s famous turret, and an immersive panoramic dockside exhibit recreating Plymouth, North Carolina, complete with an exterior and interior view of the CSS Albemarle. Among our many artifacts, we have the largest collection of Civil War Naval-related flags on display in the country. The collection includes various flags from ships and coastal forts, signal flags and Admirals’ pennants.

The second largest art museum in Georgia offers room after room of fine and decorative American art, with a special emphasis on the Southeast and the Chattahoochee River Valley. With kids in tow, don't miss Transformations, the museum's interactive gallery where children can create their own masterpieces.

Opened in 1995 as a collaboration among Columbus State University, Columbus Water Works, and the City of Columbus, Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center provides exhibits, natural history displays, nature trails, and also offers formal and informal educational programs about the ecology and natural history of the region. Inside the center, visitors can view a variety of snakes, both venomous and non-venomous, turtles, tortoises, fish, alligators, invertebrates, and lots more. Visitors can take a walk down our trails to catch a glimpse of native wildlife, view our wetlands and ponds, or to explore our educational and fun Discovery Trail.

Official source for information on everything there is to do and see around Georgia. Open 7 days a week.

Located at 7th Street and Broadway in the Columbus historic district, this block has a row of 19th-century buildings and houses of different architectural styles. Among them is the home of Dr. John S. Pemberton, who invented the original formula for Coca-Cola.