Serving as the seat of Maury County, Columbia lies in the far south of the Nashville metropolitan area. It is renowned for its abundance of antebellum houses and hosts the equine-focused Mule Day each year. Columbia is home to one of the only surviving houses of the 11th President of the United States, James Knox Polk.
Things to do in Columbia
Hugging a bend in the Duck River is Pillow Park, a family-friendly green space with a children’s playground, splash pad and basketball court. Live music performances, outdoor film screenings and farmers’ markets are held at the Kiwanis Circle. In the south of Columbia is the Course at Pillow Springs, which features 18 holes fringed by mature trees and a driving range.
In the heart of Columbia is the President James K. Polk Home and Museum, which was once home to the 11th President of the United States. Built in 1816, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and encompasses a kitchen outbuilding decorated as it would have appeared in the mid-19th century. Occupying the former home of Polk’s sisters is a small exhibition about his life.
Travelling with kids? Don’t miss the aMuse'um Children's Museum, which is packed with hands-on and interactive exhibits. They can role-play in the veterinary clinic and grocery store, get behind the till at the miniature bank or let loose at the tinkering station. In addition to art workshops, the museum also hosts storytelling sessions and STEM-focused activities.
Getting around Columbia
Columbia is around 45 minutes’ drive from the centre of Nashville and an hour from Nashville International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America. Long-distance buses connect to Columbia while local services travel throughout the city.