LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Columbus, Georgia
People from around the country are discovering the many fascinating things to see and do in Fort Benning’s home town, Columbus. An authentic river-town, the peaceful waters of the Chattahoochee have provided food, energy, employment, and recreation for the citizens of Columbus throughout the years. Columbus is a vibrant and growing community of 250,000 people, and is Georgia’s third largest city. Less than an hour away from Georgia’s most popular statewide attractions, Columbus is centrally located where five major highways intersect, providing access to popular visitor destinations including nationally-renowned Callaway Gardens, Roosevelt’s Little White House, and Westville the Village of 1850. Visitor’s also find that the Coca-Cola formula originated in the city of Columbus and that it is home to the largest producer of denim in the nation, Swift Denim.
Locally, Columbus offers a variety of fine attractions such as the State Theatre of Georgia, the historic Springer Opera House, Port Columbus Civil War Naval Center, the National Infantry Museum, which displays a large collection of military art and artifacts, and The Columbus Museum, which is one of the newest and largest state-of-the-art facilities in the Southeast and the beautiful Historic District. Columbus’ neighboring river is home to the 15-mile trail known as the Chattahoochee River Walk. The River Walk provides an excellent facility to bike, in-line skate, jog, or just take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the scenery. Fort Benning’s home city also boasts the historic Columbus Iron Works, now The Columbus Georgia Convention and Trade Center, which was once a munitions factory during the Civil War and still displays its early wares including items from Civil War cannons to iceboxes. Today, the facility is recognized as one of the nation’s finest examples of “adaptive reuse.” The Columbus Civic Center sits as the centerpiece to the finest collections of sports facilities to be found at one location, The South Commons Complex. Opened in 1996, this 10,000 seat venue is a true multipurpose facility.
Southern hospitality is alive and well in Columbus. It’s just “the way we are down here.” It’s a community that takes pride in preserving the past while maintaining a vision for the future. Come to Columbus and let us share that vision with you!
Phenix City, Alabama
Neighboring Fort Benning is Phenix City, Al. In true southern hospitality, Phenix City was combined with the city of Girad in 1923, to now include a population of around 29,000. The city is located on the western banks of the Chattahoochee River and is home to many of Fort Benning’s Civilian and military personnel.
Phenix City plays hosts to many visitors looking to travel to Callaway Gardens, A, 2,500 acre woodland garden and resort featuring golf, tennis, fly-fishing, trails, and home to the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, the Sibley Horticultural Center and Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden. Carmike Cinema’s Hollywood Connection is also located near Phenix City; Georgia’s largest indoor family entertainment center complete with video arcade, 10 movie theaters, carousel, electric train, mini-golf course, bumper cars, laser tag, Xanadu Skating and more. There are excellent educational opportunities through the local public school systems, area private schools and secondary education at area vocational and technical schools, colleges and universities.
The area is known for its rich history, hospitable people and supportive business climate. Phenix City, much like it’s neighboring city Columbus, and the personnel at Fort Benning, epitomizes what true Southern hospitality is all about.
