'The City That Has It All'
Spend a day absorbing the artistic legacy of Columbus, Mississippi.
What to See and Do:
Coined “The City That Has It All,” Columbus overflows with cultural diversions as the home to a university and a major air force base. First on your list should be the meticulously restored Tennessee Williams Home Museum and Welcome Center, which was the first home of the famous playwright and American dramatist, whose oeuvre includes stage classics such as The Glass Menagerie (1944), A Streetcar Named Desire (1947), and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955).
The alma mater of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and Mississippi native Eudora Welty, the Mississippi University for Women, stands as the country's first public college for women. Williams’ and Welty’s contributions to the literary canon earned Columbus a place on the tri-state Southern Literary Trail.
Explore historic Catfish Alley, once the center of African-American commerce and culture in the community. The former site of Queen City Hotel, today a local landmark, hosted performances from legendary musicians including Duke Ellington and James Brown.
Lastly, located on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, the Columbus Riverwalk and Trail begins downtown at Main Street and winds along four miles of scenic waterfront well-suited to walking, biking, and picnicking.
Where to Eat (and Wander):
The rustic exterior of Old Hickory Steak House mirrors its name, but don’t judge a book by its cover. This old-fashioned chophouse has been a Columbus staple since the sixties, and has appeared on several “best steaks in Mississippi” lists, focusing exclusively on steaks cooked over an open charcoal grill.
Huck’s Place in downtown Columbus is a bit sleeker, featuring a menu overflowing with seafood, salad, and steak options, while the family-owned Harvey’s serves traditional wood-fired steak and ribs cooked over mesquite along with elevated gastropub fare in a warm, upscale setting. Zachary’s is known for its award-winning savory burgers, wraps, and to-die-for bar food, along with weekly live music within casual digs.
Where to Stay:
Shadowlawn B&B exudes southern charm in a restored antebellum mansion. A Painted Lady of Columbus is centrally located, offering comfortable accommodations in a gorgeous Victorian-style home with views of Cedar Point Amusement Park. Built in 1902, the Queen Anne-style Puckett House serves as the Mississippi University for Women's bed and breakfast.