Columbus KentuckyATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Columbus, Kentucky.
1. Columbus-Belmont State Park
CIVIL WAR HISTORIC SITE
Columbus-Belmont State Park offers visitors a rich blend of Civil War history and natural beauty overlooking the Mississippi River. The park features a museum with Civil War artifacts, historic fortifications, and remnants of the massive chain that was used to block Union gunboats. Visitors can enjoy camping, picnicking, hiking trails, and spectacular river views while exploring this significant historical site where Cherokee on the Trail of Tears also once camped.
2. Big Oak Tree State Park
ANCIENT FOREST PRESERVE
Big Oak Tree State Park preserves one of the few remaining examples of Mississippi River bottomland hardwood forest that once dominated the region. Visitors can walk on the elevated boardwalk through towering champion trees, some of which are among the largest of their species in Missouri. The park offers excellent bird watching opportunities with over 150 species recorded and provides a glimpse into what the landscape looked like before European settlement.
3. Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN SETTLEMENT
Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site preserves an archaeological site of a Native American village of the Mississippian culture that thrived between 1100 and 1350 CE. The site features multiple platform mounds, a museum displaying excavated artifacts, and educational exhibits explaining the daily life and cultural practices of these ancient people. Visitors can walk interpretive trails around the archaeological features and gain insight into the sophisticated prehistoric civilization that once flourished along the Mississippi River.
4. U.S. Custom House
HISTORIC FEDERAL BUILDING
The U.S. Custom House in Paducah is an impressive example of Renaissance Revival architecture built in 1887 to serve the bustling river port. This historic federal building, now housing the Market House Museum, features beautiful period details including ornate woodwork, high ceilings, and exhibits on local history. Visitors can explore artifacts and displays that tell the story of Paducah's development as an important Ohio and Mississippi River trading center.
5. Reelfoot Lake State Park
EARTHQUAKE-FORMED NATURAL WONDER
Reelfoot Lake State Park protects a unique ecosystem created by the powerful New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812, which caused the Mississippi River to flow backward and create this 15,000-acre natural lake. The park is famous for its cypress trees that rise dramatically from the water and for being a winter home to bald eagles and a variety of waterfowl. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, wildlife viewing, and guided pontoon tours that explore the lake's fascinating geological history and rich biodiversity.
6. Fort Jefferson Memorial Cross
RIVERSIDE HISTORICAL MONUMENT
The Fort Jefferson Memorial Cross stands 95 feet tall on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, commemorating the site of George Rogers Clark's 1780 frontier fort. This illuminated cross serves as both a navigational aid for river traffic and a tribute to the early American pioneers who settled the region. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Mississippi River from the observation area and learn about the strategic importance this location held during America's westward expansion.
7. Discovery Park of America
INTERACTIVE EDUCATION CENTER
Discovery Park of America is a world-class museum and heritage park featuring exhibits on science, technology, history, art, and nature spread across a 50-acre campus. The striking main building houses dinosaur fossils, military equipment, regional history displays, and interactive science exhibits that engage visitors of all ages. The outdoor area includes a 19th-century village, beautiful gardens, train cars, and unique architectural features like the 120-foot glass observation tower providing panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
8. Belmont Battlefield
CIVIL WAR COMBAT SITE
Belmont Battlefield preserves the site of the first major Civil War battle commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant on November 7, 1861. Located within Columbus-Belmont State Park, this battlefield features interpretive signage explaining the strategic significance of controlling the Mississippi River during the conflict. Visitors can walk the grounds where Confederate and Union forces clashed, viewing earthworks, cannon emplacements, and other military artifacts that help bring this important historical event to life.
9. New Madrid Historical Museum
EARTHQUAKE AND RIVER HISTORY
The New Madrid Historical Museum chronicles the devastating earthquakes of 1811-1812 that changed the landscape of the region and altered the course of the Mississippi River. Interactive exhibits simulate the experience of these powerful seismic events, which were among the strongest earthquakes ever recorded in North America. The museum also features displays on Native American history, early European settlement, and the importance of the Mississippi River to regional development and commerce.
10. Columbus Ferry
HISTORIC RIVER CROSSING
The Columbus Ferry carries vehicles and passengers across the mighty Mississippi River between Kentucky and Missouri, continuing a transportation tradition that dates back to the early 19th century. This historic river crossing offers travelers a unique opportunity to experience the power and majesty of America's greatest river up close. The ferry ride provides spectacular views of the river landscape and connects visitors to Columbus-Belmont State Park and other regional attractions on both sides of the Mississippi.
11. West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area
PREMIER OUTDOOR RECREATION
West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area encompasses over 6,000 acres of diverse habitats including bottomland hardwood forests, wetlands, and open fields managed for wildlife conservation. The area offers exceptional hunting opportunities for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game, as well as fishing in its numerous lakes and ponds. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy wildlife viewing, hiking, and photography while exploring this rich ecosystem located near the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.
12. Hickman County Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Hickman County Museum showcases the rich heritage and development of this western Kentucky region through carefully preserved artifacts, photographs, and documents housed in a historic building. Exhibits cover Native American history, early pioneer settlements, agricultural development, and the impact of the railroad on local communities. Visitors can view antique farm equipment, period clothing, household items, and other memorabilia that tell the story of everyday life in rural Kentucky through the generations.
13. Dorena-Hickman Ferry
LAST MISSISSIPPI FERRY CROSSING
The Dorena-Hickman Ferry operates the last remaining public ferry crossing on the Mississippi River between Missouri and Kentucky, providing a vital transportation link where no bridges span the river for over 85 miles. This historic ferry service offers passengers a nostalgic river experience while serving the practical purpose of connecting two states that share no land border due to the river's meandering course. The scenic crossing provides excellent views of the rugged river landscape and wildlife while giving travelers a taste of traditional river transportation that once dominated the region.
14. Fort Defiance Civil War Park
STRATEGIC RIVER COMMAND POST
Fort Defiance Civil War Park preserves the strategic location where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meet, a position so important that President Lincoln called it the key to winning the Civil War. The interpretive center explains how Union forces used this fort to control river traffic and launch operations that helped secure the Mississippi for the North. Visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the confluence of America's two great rivers while learning about the site's significance in military history and westward expansion.
15. Ballard Wildlife Management Area
PREMIER BIRDWATCHING DESTINATION
Ballard Wildlife Management Area encompasses over 8,000 acres of wetlands, forests, and fields that provide critical habitat for migratory birds, especially during winter when tens of thousands of geese and ducks gather here. The area is recognized as one of the premier waterfowl viewing locations in the eastern United States, with observation towers and blinds available for wildlife photography and birdwatching. Visitors can explore designated driving routes and walking trails to experience the diverse ecosystems that support deer, turkey, beavers, and numerous other wildlife species in addition to the spectacular bird populations.