Columbus (Mississippi)

Columbus is a city in eastern Mississippi, near the border with Alabama.

In some ways, the history of Columbus parallels that of Jackson's, as both were established around 1820 after Mississippi was admitted to statehood and both served as logistics centers for the Confederacy during the Civil War. However, unlike Jackson, Columbus was largely spared destruction because General Nathan Bedford Forrest prevented Northern forces from accessing it. As a result, Columbus was briefly made Mississippi's capital following Jackson's plight at the hands of Sherman and is noted for its historic preservation.

Another unique detail about Columbus is that it features the oldest public school in Mississippi as well as the country's first public women's university, as noted below.

By car

 * From points north and south, take US Route 45
 * From Tuscaloosa, Alabama: take Hwy 82 W.

By train
For passenger service, the nearest Amtrak stop is in Tuscaloosa, which is about a 60-minute drive to Columbus.

Do

 * River Walk Trail, trailhead at College St and 1st St S, below Island Road bridge, a 2.5 mile paved trailway along the Tennessee Tomigbee Waterway where you can get closely acquainted with this big muddy.
 * River Walk Trail, trailhead at College St and 1st St S, below Island Road bridge, a 2.5 mile paved trailway along the Tennessee Tomigbee Waterway where you can get closely acquainted with this big muddy.
 * River Walk Trail, trailhead at College St and 1st St S, below Island Road bridge, a 2.5 mile paved trailway along the Tennessee Tomigbee Waterway where you can get closely acquainted with this big muddy.
 * River Walk Trail, trailhead at College St and 1st St S, below Island Road bridge, a 2.5 mile paved trailway along the Tennessee Tomigbee Waterway where you can get closely acquainted with this big muddy.
 * River Walk Trail, trailhead at College St and 1st St S, below Island Road bridge, a 2.5 mile paved trailway along the Tennessee Tomigbee Waterway where you can get closely acquainted with this big muddy.

Eat
Chain restaurants operating in town include Chili's and Applebee's. Other options include:



Drink

 * Zachary's
 * The Princess Theater, 215 5th Ave S. Used to offer up a pizza buffet in addition to being a karaoke bar in an old theater space, may be undergoing a transition.

Go next

 * Luxapalila Park: A nice place to fish and have outdoor fun.
 * Columbus Lake: On the Tombigbee River good fishing and Marina.
 * Columbus Spillway: fishing.