Presidential Pathways Travel Region FREE Things To Do Outdoors - Enjoy a wetland habitat, regional fisheries center, aquarium, local park, educational garden, outdoor walking and driving tours and more.
Wetland Habitat & Regional Fisheries Center and Aquarium
Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center is a wetland habitat and nature discovery center for outdoor education, research and wildlife observation. Call for groups. Open: Our building and trails are open 9-5 Monday through Friday. The gates to the Environmental Learning Center are closed on weekends unless programs are scheduled. Free. Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired - Phone: 706-687-4090 Address: 3535 S. Lumpkin Rd., Columbus, GA 31901
Warm Springs Regional Fisheries Center and Aquarium has a pavilion area, boardwalk, fish health center and aquarium that allows visitors to see fish, American alligators and snapping turtles. Open: Daily 8a.m.-4p.m. Free. Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired. Phone: 706-655-3382 – Address: 5308 Spring St., Warm Springs, GA 31830
Local Park & Educational Garden
University of Georgia Research and Education Garden is a 65-acre garden that offers a look at new approaches to environmental gardening. Open: Visitors may take a self guided tour of the garden on weekdays (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (May through September). Groups may visit/tour the Demonstration Gardens. Please contact us to arrange a date/time, and for more information contact Susan Thornhill. Free admission. Amenities: Parking and Restrooms. Phone: 770-233-6107 - Address: Georgia Station, 1109 Experiment Sr., Griffin, GA
Columbus Riverwalk is along the scenic banks of the Chattahoochee. This 15-mile linear park is a favorite spot in town for walking, cycling, skating and fishing. Open: Daily 5a.m.-11p.m. Free. Amenities: Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired, Party Facilities. Phone: 706-653-4000 Address: Bay Ave and 11 St., Columbus, GA 31901
Historic Sites
Andersonville Civil War Village - See the controversial Wirz monument, built in memory of Henry Wirz, who was convicted and hanged by the US Government. Open: Daily 9a.m.-5p.m. Call for tours. Free. Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired, Food and Party Facilities. Phone: 229-924-2558 – Address: 114 Church St., Andersonville, GA 31711
Andersonville National Historic Site includes the Andersonville National Cemetery, the National Prisoner of War Museum and the stockade where 40,000 prisoners of war were held. Open: Daily 8:30a.m.-5p.m. Free. Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired. Phone: 229-924-0343 – Address: 496 Cemetery Rd., Andersonville, GA
Fort Tyler has a trail that leads visitors to this earthen fort, built in 1863 and named in honor of General Tyler. It was the last Confederate fort to fall. Enjoy self-guided tour. Open: Daily. Free. Amenities: Parking, Accessibility for mobility-impaired Phone: 334-642-1503 – Address: Sixth Ave. and W 10th St., West Point, GA 31833
The Cotton Museum - Estalished 1996, The Georgia Cotton Museum tells the history of cotton and cotton production through video, displays of equipment, photographs and a knowledgable curator. Phone: 229-268-2045 - Address: 1321 E Union St., Vienna, GA 31092-7540
Outdoor Walking & Driving Tours & Some are Historic
Auchumpkee Creek Covered Bridge - This 1882 covered bridge was destroyed by flood in 1994. It has since been authentically rebuilt with portions of the original bridge. It is 96 feet long. Also known as Zorn's Mill. Not open to traffic. Phone: 706-647-9686 - Located on Allen Rd., off GA Hwy 19 S., Thomaston, GA 30286 - More info, pictures, directions and map.
Big Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge in Woodbury, Georgia. Open to traffic. Built in 1840s and is 253 feet long. Also known as Imlac Bridge. It is the last standing covered bridge built by Horace King, the famous freed slave who became a master bridge builder. Phone: 800-FDR-1927 - More info, pictures, directions and map.
Black Heritage Trail Tour - This self-guided driving tour includes the last home of Ma Rainey, historic black churches and the Liberty Theatre. See Visitors Bureau for more info. Phone: 706-322-1613, 800-999-1613 - Address: 900 Font Ave, Columbus, GA 31902
Historic Downtown LaGrange Walking Tour- LaGrange was laid out in 1828 as the county seat of the newly created Troup County. The area had been opened to settlement after an 1825 treaty with the Creek Indians and the Land Lottery of 1827. Phone: 706-884-1828 and 706-884-8671 – Address: 11 Bull St., LaGrange, GA 30240
Meriwether-Pike County Scenic Byway Drive Route - This 55-mile route celebrates the unique legacy of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The Meriwether-Pike County Scenic Byway offers several other attractions including the Red Oak Covered Bridge, the Oakland Baptist Church, and Jones Mill, where a large grist mill and mill pond are the only reminders of a once-thriving farm community. Scenic Byway Route, more info and Map
