Active Adventures Abound in Columbus, Georgia

On the water:

Whitewater Express Rafting, Kayaking or Tube Rentals: From gear, to lessons, to top-notch guides, the Whitewater Express team has you covered. Their friendly, knowledgeable staff will ensure that your whitewater experience is one-of a kind. And be sure to check in a little early so that you can explore the store!

Stand Up Paddle Board Lessons & Yoga: For a calmer, but still incredibly challenging experience, try a little Stand Up Paddle Board on the Chattahoochee. Also offered through Whitewater Express, these guided classes will require your core to kick into overdrive. Most classes end with a relaxing floating reflection.

Fishing in the 'Hooch: Whether you're wading in the shallows, casting from the shore, reeling them into a kayak or canoe, or dropping a line off one of our many bridges, you will find that the waters of the Chattahoochee River are chock full of fins and gills. IMPORTANT: Fishing licenses are required and available in most outdoors stores and supercenters.

Over the water:

Interstate Zipline over the Chattahoochee: Soar 12 stories above the Chattahoochee River as you zip from Georgia to Alabama! Once you’ve crossed, glide through the treetops along a series of ziplines and bridges on the Phenix City shoreline. Traverse majestic oak trees before zipping back to Georgia. This is the only dual zip line in the United States that connects two states!

Yoga/wellness:

Hatha, Vinyasa, Hot Yoga, Aerial, Kids Yoga and Wellness Classes. There are several yoga and wellness studios in the Columbus area, and most offer a drop-in rate or single-class package. For traditional offerings, try Art of Yoga and RiverFlow Yoga. For Aerial Yoga, there's SolidJoy. And Just Breathe for Kids is the Columbus area's first Kid-Centric Yoga offering.

Hit the trails:

The Columbus Dragonfly Trail System: Created by the PATH Foundation, is over 23 miles of paved run/walk/bike trails. While not particularly challenging, the views on the riverwalk portion of the trail paired with the friendliness of the local community makes the Dragonfly a vibrant, family-friendly (not to mention, stroller-friendly!) way to get out and get moving.

There are also several local parks that offer running paths and off-road bike and trail running courses. To get the lay of the land from the locals, contact the Columbus Roadrunners, visit Big Dog Fleet Feet, or Ride on Bikes in Uptown Columbus.

Day trips:

Hikers: Providence Canyon State Park

Golfers, Hikers, Nature-lovers, Bicyclists, et all: Callaway Gardens

Breakfast

Iron Bank Coffee: Housed in a beautifully restored bank from the late 1800's, this little coffee shop is in the heart of Uptown Columbus. The selection of fresh pastries, made-to-order sandwiches & salads, ice cream, IPA offerings and of course, a full range of unique coffee options with names like Crunchberry and Monkey Business, make this so much more than just a breakfast-y spot. But if you're looking to start your day in the hustle and bustle, this is the place to go!

Bodega 1205: Breakfast at Bodega is always packed, and for good reason! The food is fresh-made with several healthy options available for those monitoring macros. The vibe is bright and lively. This is the place to go if you have extra time to sit, chat and share something special.

Plucked Up Chicken & Biscuits: If you're looking for a quintessential Southern breakfast spot, this is it! Biscuits, gravy, sausage, chicken, syrup and grits - these are the staples of the menu at Plucked Up. This is another bistro that gets packed on the weekends, so plan a little extra time if you're stopping by.

Lunch/dinner

Agave Bar & Grill: Here you'll find Mexican-inspired menu items, full of flavor, with gluten-free options, as well. Because of the lively music and fun decor, this has become quite the social spot in Uptown. The outdoor seating is especially nice on the cooler fall evenings and in early spring.

Banks Food Hall: If you are enjoying the Riverwalk, hitting the Whitewater Express, or just wandering into the shops in Uptown, Banks Food Hall is a wonderful place to stop, grab a bite and a beer (or beverage of choice) and kick back on the outdoor wrap-around patio. Inside Banks are several local eateries, including Filberto's, The Bake Shop by Fountain City Coffee, El Primo Taqueria, Jeremiah's Italian Ice and Maltitude at Banks. This is also a great option if you have several people in your group and no one can agree on what's for dinner.

Mabella Italian Steakhouse: Upscale dining in the heart of Uptown, Mabella is a local treasure. With Italian dishes that both challenge and honor the rich history of that cuisine, and a staff committed to creating a full dining experience, it is a must-visit for those with a larger dining budget. There is also a full bar and they are more than happy to accommodate larger groups with advance reservations.