Chattahoochee RiverWalk photo courtesy of VisitColumbusGA

ADVENTURES IN TRAVEL & DINING

A Quick Getaway to Columbus, Georgia

Article & Photography by Chanelle Hayes-Sessions

Beyond Atlanta, I hadn’t explored much of Georgia. On a recent trip, I traveled to Columbus for a couple of days and brought my husband along. We flew into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport from Las Vegas and made the roughly 90-minute drive south. Once we left the city behind, I-85 to I-185 opened into long stretches of greenery.

Arriving on a Saturday morning worked out perfectly, as we made it in time for Market Days on Broadway, a weekly farmers market-style event in Uptown Columbus that runs from spring to fall. Stretching across multiple blocks, vendors offered everything from Jamaican, Filipino and Korean food to handmade goods, jewelry and fresh flowers. Coming from Las Vegas and its fast-paced energy, Columbus felt different. There was an easy calm to it that made the entire area feel relaxed, almost like you had stepped outside a traditional downtown altogether.

Our stroll took us past Veri Best Donuts, where a steady line had already formed for fresh doughnuts, JudyBug’s Books, an independent bookstore with new and used novels and vinyl records, and Rocket Fizz, a retro candy and soda shop. Along the way, we passed fountains, public seating areas and local artwork, including the “Reading is Fun” sculpture donated by the Kiwanis Club of Columbus.

Lunch was at The Mix Market at The Pearl, a casual food hall-style space with a bakery counter, pizza oven, high-top seating and a self-serve tap wall. With everything from tacos and burgers to pasta and Asian-inspired dishes, we kept it simple and shared a few appetizers.

Our next stop was The Columbus Museum, which showcased the city’s history and culture, with displays on its founding, the Chattahoochee River and figures like artist Alma Thomas and blues singer Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, both born in Columbus. A standout was seeing work by Dale Chihuly, a familiar name to us, as his large-scale glass installation “Fiori di Como” is displayed on the ceiling of the Bellagio lobby in Las Vegas. We also explored galleries and rotating exhibits like “Monica Ikegwu: Through the Veil.”

After an hour, we checked into the Columbus Marriott, set inside a restored mid-19th-century cotton mill, where warm lighting and preserved details reflect the building’s past. A secluded M Club lounge offers complimentary breakfast and light bites, while the on-site restaurant and bar, Houlihan’s, provides an easy dining option. Our top-floor room was cozy and just the right size.

For dinner, we headed to The Goetchius House nearby. Originally built in 1839 as the home of architect Richard Goetchius, it still carries a strong sense of history. Inside, charming details, including a piano in the main dining room, added to the atmosphere. The menu was small but thoughtfully curated. We both landed on the petit filet with risotto and broccolini and a surf and turf with sautéed shrimp, herb-roasted potatoes and asparagus, paired with signature cocktails like the Blackberry Buck and the Kingston Bird.

From there, it was off to the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts for “Drumline Live” inside the Bill Heard Theatre. Before the show began, Executive Director Lee Foster noted that the center will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2027, with a special celebration planned. What followed was more than two and a half hours of nonstop performance, as the show leaned into an HBCU-style drumline and a soundtrack of hits from Michael Jackson, Prince, James Brown, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin and Beyoncé, blending old-school and modern sounds that kept the crowd engaged from start to finish. The momentum carried into the lobby and even outside afterward, where people, including us, lingered a little longer.

For a nightcap, we stopped at Stirrup Trouble, where a weekend DJ played as we sipped espresso martinis, an easy close to the first day.

The next morning started with breakfast before heading to the Chattahoochee RiverWalk. The trail alone is peaceful, but excursions like whitewater rafting and ziplining are also available through Whitewater Express. Even on a cloudy morning, the river views made the stop worthwhile. A short drive from there brought us to Highside Market for lunch at Nonic Restaurant & Rooftop Bar. The space felt bright and open, with a menu that leaned into comfort food. The Nonic’s Club sandwich, stacked with ham, turkey, bacon and cheese, came together with a tangy balsamic finish.

Before leaving, a bold mural reading “Good Times Rain or Shine” caught our attention. From there, we went to the Columbus Botanical Garden, where even in the rain, the paths felt quiet and reflective, lined with wildflowers, roses and structures like the Gin House.

We returned to the hotel to recharge before dinner at Houlihan’s, where casual plates were paired with cocktails like the Cold Brew Bourbon Mocha and the Sunset Sour made with rum, strawberry-grapefruit juice, lime and cherry.

On our final morning, we stopped at Iron Bank Coffee Co. for tea and a latte, which my husband described as a “Starbucks with a small-town feel.” Set inside one of Georgia’s largest cast-iron buildings, originally built around 1860 as the Bank of Columbus, the café still reveals glimpses of its past, including the original vault.

Afterward, we made our way to Banks Food Hall near the RiverWalk and sampled a few different dishes from the vendors inside. Our first stop was Angry Wings & Things, known for its Korean fried chicken and wings coated in a gluten-free rice flour batter that gives them an extra crisp, golden finish. For something savory with a different flavor profile, El Primo Taqueria delivered with carne asada tacos served on warm corn tortillas and topped with cilantro and onions. To finish, we grabbed dessert from Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, which was the perfect sweet ending to the food hall experience. Overall, it was an easy, affordable meal with a view from the wraparound patio overlooking the river.

From there, it was time to head to the airport and return to Las Vegas. It was a quick getaway, but Columbus left a lasting impression.