Rushing Around

When a Floridian hears the word “adrenaline,” a roller coaster might first come to mind. Add water to the equation, and it might be surfing or jet skis. I’m pleased to report, though, that we in the Panhandle have access to a whole new realm of aquatic thrill: the world-class whitewater rapids of Columbus, Georgia. 

I visited Columbus with a friend for a weekend in the summer. In those few days, we were lucky enough to dip our toes into everything Columbus is about—not just the elite aquatic sports but also a charming historic downtown worth the ride. 

RIDE

Columbus’s Whitewater Express, a manmade whitewater rafting and adventure park on the Chattahoochee River, features the longest urban whitewater rafting course in the world, RushSouth. Thrill seekers can choose between three different difficulties: the Classic, Challenge, and Carnage trips. While all take on the same river, higher difficulty trips engage with more demanding rapids like the legendary Cutbait, a Class V rapid that attracts experts across the region.

Even the Classic Trip is by no means lacking in exhilaration. After a safety briefing and quick bus ride up the river, expert guides divided our trip into rafts and escorted us into the action. My friend and I were able to score a raft with just our guide, who told us all about the history and ecology of this part of the Chattahoochee. He did so while guiding us through rapids with steep drops, twists, and even what felt like airtime—talk about multitasking. 

Our favorite part of the trip, though, was surprisingly peaceful: a natural lazy river hidden near the riverbank. About halfway through our voyage, our guide paused to let us explore the shallows on foot before sending us down the peaceful current in just our lifejackets and helmets. He met us at the end of the lazy river with our raft, and soon enough we rejoined the waves. 

These waves are a little famous, actually. In July 2025, RushSouth was named the first Centre of Excellence by the International Canoe Federation (ICF), the governing body for competitive freestyle canoeing. The ICF will bring their World Cup and World Championships to the site, as well as infrastructure upgrades and a youth training program. 

GLIDE

The next day, we were back at Whitewater Express for two more episodes: The Blue Heron Adventure and an afternoon of individual watersport instruction. 

The Blue Heron Adventure is a series of seven ziplines connected by an adventure ropes course. We were most looking forward to the two ziplines that cross the Chattahoochee—that is, into Alabama and back. The ropes course is on the Alabama side of the river, after the first big zip of 500 feet. 

If soaring across the river and watching the tiny rafters below makes one feel like a great blue heron, during the ropes course, you’ll feel more like a squirrel leaping between treetops. Some sections pose a bit of a physical fitness challenge (plus, there are a lot of stairs), but if you love feats of coordination, you’ll have as much fun as we did. And the finale, a 1,200-foot-long zipline back across into Georgia, where the course began, concludes the experience with an unforgettable feeling of release.

We capped off the afternoon with a paddleboarding session with Whitewater Express. This private lesson introduced us to the basics of stand-up paddleboarding and set us on a calmer part of the river to explore. We were able to avoid the rapids while still covering a lot of distance and seeing some native birds, like the great egret and great blue heron, in the flesh. 

As the afternoon showers blew in, we retreated to our hotel sanctuary to get ready to explore another side of town. 

REFUEL 

The AC Hotel by Marriott in downtown Columbus was a spot-on choice for staying in the middle of everything. Here, we were a short drive from Whitewater Express and poised to walk to the bars and restaurants on Broadway, where all the action happens. Situated on the riverwalk just a short drive away, the City Mills Hotel is also worth consideration for those who love all things historic. 

On our first night, we stepped out for a happy hour drink at newcomer Super Regular, which is one of those bars that makes you think, I wish I could copy-and-paste this place into my town. Stay a while in the colorfully dark, wood-clad atmosphere, and you’ll start to feel like a local (and never want to leave). The specialty cocktails have shockingly reasonable prices for their one-of-a-kind flavor profiles. My only regret is not purchasing excessive amounts of Super Regular merchandise. 

We did have to tear ourselves away, though, to make our reservation with another new kid on the block, Gabagool. If Italian restaurants are known for Nonna’s cuisine, Gabagool is a young, hip sister’s take on the inheritance. Try the sangria, and don’t neglect the specials.

Our second night called for a more classic formal dinner. For this type of mood, 11th and Bay Southern Table is serving elevated takes on craved Southern favorites. The Pecan Smoked Old Fashioned, a menu favorite, pairs perfectly with their rolls and Georgia apple jam, and is a sweet precursor to smoked oysters or a cut in-house steak. 

As the last sun rose on our weekend, we were determined to end on a high (aka, highly caffeinated) note. We embarked on a walking tour of town, stopping at shops like The Posh Peach, JudyBug’s Books, and two coffee stops to fuel up for the ride home. Iron Bank Coffee Co., located in the historic Iron Bank Building on Broadway, has an expansive breakfast menu and quality coffee blends roasted in-house. The space is huge and was packed with locals. For a cozier vibe, Fountain City Coffee’s lattes and treats did not disappoint. Their walls are lined with hand-drawn portraits of legendary Columbus residents. 

While you might not stay long enough to become a local legend, Columbus has the power to make us feel bigger than we do in our everyday lives. At just a short drive from Tallahassee, the escape is firmly within our reach.