Tourism
Tennessee Williams Home & Welcome Center
Hours
Monday through Saturday
8:30 am to 5 pm
About
The Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center is the first home of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tennessee Williams. The author made history with well-known plays such as A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and The Glass Menagerie.
Tennessee Williams, the man said to be the most important American playwright, was born in Columbus, Mississippi in 1911. He spent his beginning years in an old Victorian home that was the rectory for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Williams’ grandfather, Reverend Walker Dakin, served as minister for the church.
In 1993, the rectory was in danger of being torn down to make room for a church expansion. In an effort to preserve this historic literary landmark, the yellow and blue gingerbread home was loaded onto flatbed trailers and moved to Main Street, where it was restored. Just three months after opening, Tennessee Williams was honored with a U.S. postage stamp, and a public ceremony was held there. The home was also recently honored with the designation of a National Literary Landmark, and it now serves as the official Welcome Center for Columbus.
Columbus Speedway
View more information about the Columbus Speedway.
Magnolia Motor Speedway
Visit the Magnolia Motor Speedway.
Columbus Riverwalk
About
The Columbus Riverwalk has a 2.2 mile walking/biking trail. The trail begins at Main Street and winds along the Tombigbee River. The trail offers two pavilions, bathrooms, benches, bike racks, and picnic tables.
R.E. Hunt Museum
About
The R.E. Hunt Museum and Cultural Center is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2011 and supported by alumni, volunteers, and friends.
E. Hunt opened its doors during the late 1950s - educating thousands of African American students during a time when segregation and racism plagued our society. Following school integration in 1971, R. E Hunt remained a viable educational asset to all students in Columbus, MS - operating until its closure in 2011.
Today, R. E Hunt is preserved as a museum and cultural center and has been designated as a Mississippi Historic Landmark. Visitors are able to explore the history of education in Columbus on Tuesdays, from 1 to 5 pm.
Dewayne Hayes Recreation Area & Campground
About
Located immediately next to Columbus Lake on the Tenn-Tom Waterway, the Dewayne Hayes Recreation Area has 100 sites with electric and water hookups and 10 primitive sites. The campground provides convenient access to the waterway and there is ample opportunity for fishing, boating, or spending the day hiking and sightseeing along the banks of the river. Kids will love the day-use Spray Park.