Page 25 - Columbia County Travel Guide

By: Deb Thompson

f all the places I’ve visited this year, my road HISTORIC VISIT TO APPLING
trip through Georgia has really stuck with me. I’ve shared three great reasons to visit Appling, GA over
ODon’t get me wrong, every place leaves a mark, here. Two of those reasons are because it’s home to the
but Columbia County, GA is one place that I felt I could oldest courthouse and oldest church in Georgia. There
have spent more time exploring all there is too see and do. is also a nice restored old jail that I like to think could be
Since returning to a place seldom happens for me, I’m going haunted, but there is no proof of that beyond my active
to encourage you to go explore & then hope you’ll tell imagination.
me stories about your visit.
TICKLE YOUR FUNNY BONE
TOP 5 REASONS IN HARLEM
Home to the Laurel and Hardy museum and the most
TO VISIT COLUMBIA creative car museum I’ve ever stumbled across. Definitely

worth a stop while you are in the area.
COUNTY, GA
GET OUTSIDE AND PLAY!
SAVANNAH RAPIDS PARK There are so many outdoor activities available in Columbia
The park includes the Augusta Canal and the Visitors Center County. Here are some you might want to check out on
which is actually the historic Lockkeepers Cottage. Fantastic your next visit:
place to stroll along the river, take a canal tour, bike, kayak, 1. International Disc Golf Center–for those that love
bird watch, learn a bit of history and just enjoy the outdoors disc golf this is THE place to play!
in a very beautiful location. By the way, the canal is a National 2. Wildwood Park-Camping, hiking, disc-golfing,
Heritage Site which makes it even more interesting, in my boating, fishing and more. Voted best campground
opinion. Located in Martinez. in Columbia County.
3. Bartram Trail-Perfect for hiking and biking.
LADY ANTEBELLUM PAVILION 4. Clarks Hills Lake-Swimming, boating, fishing.
Named after Lady Antebellum since they reign from The largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi
Columbia County. The pavilion is a gorgeous place to take in and the lake shares its shores with South Carolina
a concert. The park also has a large playground, picnic areas, (known as J. Strom Thurmond Lake on the SC side).
pavilion and a water feature. There is also a dog park which 5. Reed Creek Wetlands-Stroll along the boardwalk
makes me very happy. If you can’t get to any other event at the overlooking the wetlands.
pavilion you should try to attend the Papa Joe’s Banjo-B-Que
Music Festival event held over Memorial weekend. Located
in Evans.

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