Columbus

Columbus sits on the banks of the Chattahoochee River and combines administration and residential neighborhoods within a consolidated city and county area. Parks with trails along the river connect museums, theaters, and commercial districts to one another.

The city was founded in 1828 on the riverbank and grew through cotton processing. During the Civil War, factories here produced textiles and weapons for the Confederacy until Union troops destroyed the facilities in 1865.

The RiverCenter for Performing Arts brings theater companies and musicians to a hall with historical details from the 1870s. The Columbus Museum displays paintings and sculptures from the region that visitors can view at no charge, making local traditions visible.

The METRA bus system connects residential areas with downtown and shopping districts along the main roads. Interstate 185 runs directly north toward Atlanta and provides access to surrounding communities.

The whitewater course in the river stretches over 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) through downtown and attracts kayakers. It is considered the longest urban route of this kind worldwide and was artificially constructed.