10 Museums in Columbus That You Shouldn't Miss

The National Infantry Museum emphasizes the values that define the Infantryman, as well as the nation he protects: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. It preserves and displays one of the greatest collections of military artifacts in the world, but it is a museum of people, not things. As a visitor, you will meet the Infantryman face to face and join him on his journey. You will come to understand why an Infantryman does what he does, why he puts himself in harm’s way in defense of an idea and you will leave transformed, just as the Infantry transforms the man into the Soldier. The 190,000-square-foot museum opened in June 2009 on a 200-acre tract of hardwoods and pines just outside the gates of the Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence.

Historic Westville is a museum of southern history and culture representing the diversity of the Southern Experience by telling the stories of ALL southern peoples including European Americans, African Americans, American Indians, and immigrants. To show their lives were inextricably linked but their experiences diverse due to race, class, and gender.

The Bo Bartlett Center is the interactive gallery space of the American Realist painter Bo Bartlett, who was born and raised in Columbus, Georgia. The Center houses more than 300 paintings and drawings as well as the complete archive of sketch books, journals, recordings, photographs, artistic notes, memorabilia, and objects relevant to the production of Mr. Bartlett's work.

By telling the stories of the navies of the Civil War, we connect people with the past; giving them a better sense of place and time. Located in Columbus, Georgia, the National Civil War Naval Museum overlooks the Chattahoochee River. We house the largest surviving Confederate warship, the CSS Jackson, as well as the wreckage of the CSS Chattahoochee. Other exhibits include a full scale ship replica of the USS Water Witch, a replica of the USS Hartford with its berth deck, ward room and captain’s cabin, an actual cutter or "ship's boat" from the USS Hartford, a full scale replica of the USS Monitor’s famous turret, and an immersive panoramic dockside exhibit recreating Plymouth, North Carolina, complete with an exterior and interior view of the CSS Albemarle. Among our many artifacts, we have the largest collection of Civil War Naval-related flags on display in the country. The collection includes various flags from ships and coastal forts, signal flags and Admirals’ pennants.

The second largest art museum in Georgia offers room after room of fine and decorative American art, with a special emphasis on the Southeast and the Chattahoochee River Valley. With kids in tow, don't miss Transformations, the museum's interactive gallery where children can create their own masterpieces.

Opened in 1995 as a collaboration among Columbus State University, Columbus Water Works, and the City of Columbus, Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center provides exhibits, natural history displays, nature trails, and also offers formal and informal educational programs about the ecology and natural history of the region. Inside the center, visitors can view a variety of snakes, both venomous and non-venomous, turtles, tortoises, fish, alligators, invertebrates, and lots more. Visitors can take a walk down our trails to catch a glimpse of native wildlife, view our wetlands and ponds, or to explore our educational and fun Discovery Trail.

Columbus State University's Coca-Cola Space Science Center is located in the heart of uptown Columbus along the beautiful Chattahoochee Riverwalk and adjacent to the Columbus Historic District and the Iron Works Convention and Trade Center. Our state of the art facility houses a Challenger Learning Center, the Omnisphere Theater and the Mead Observatory. Visit our Plaza area for many interactive exhibits and displays. There's something for everyone so keep an eye on what's happening at the Space Center. Schedules subject to change. Call for more information on any of our activities or events.

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