Architecture and history provide a distinctive thread for exploring Bartholomew County. In Columbus, you can explore architecture on your own or join a guided tour. There are also museums, a natural recreation area and tours on the Driftwood River. Together, these offer different ways to explore: from a walk to architectural sites and exhibitions to outdoor activities.

Discover Architecture in Columbus

Self-guided architecture options in Columbus include more than 90 stops in the downtown area and throughout the county. Another way to get your bearings in the city center is to visit 18 architectural sites within a five-block walk. These two figures offer different scales for exploring on your own: a selection along a downtown walk and a more extensive offering with stops in the downtown area and throughout the county. Guided architecture tours are led by trained volunteer guides. You can choose between exploring independently and taking a tour with a guide, without being limited to a single route.

Miller House and Garden is also part of the county’s architectural heritage: The property was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2000. The year gives the designation a clear point in time. Along with the architecture options in Columbus, it draws attention to buildings and their history. If you’re interested in historic designation, this is a specific point of reference; it complements the many stops on the architecture tours with one individual, dated example.

Museums and Places of Remembrance

The Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum commemorates military and civilian personnel who served in wars and conflicts from 1942 to 1970. One special focus is the World War II glider pilots, whom you can learn about at the museum. Admission is free. The period from 1942 to 1970 indicates the years of service remembered by the museum; the focus on glider pilots also offers a more specific way to explore a chapter of World War II.

The Bartholomew County Historical Society offers a different perspective on the region with two permanent exhibits on the history and heritage of Bartholomew County. While the Air Museum honors a clearly identified group of military and civilian personnel, these exhibits focus on the history and heritage of the county as a whole. If you want to explore culture through more than architecture, including remembrance and regional history, you’ll find different topics here, each of which can be explored on its own.

Nature and Water Activities

Anderson Falls is a 44-acre natural recreation area with a picnic area and trail network. This combination offers opportunities to take a break and explore the trails, without limiting your visit to just one activity. The trail network is a draw for anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors; the picnic area adds a designated place to stop for a rest.

Blue's Canoe Livery offers canoe and kayak trips on the Driftwood River. The river trips pass through a remote state wildlife refuge and part of the Camp Atterbury Wilderness Area. The route itself is an important part of the experience: the trip combines canoeing or kayaking on the river with two specifically named refuge and wilderness areas. When comparing it with Anderson Falls, the type of activity is a useful distinction: Anderson Falls centers on recreation, trails and picnicking, while here you can take a river trip by canoe or kayak.

CERAland Park offers swimming at its Aquatic Center and has a disc golf course. These two specific recreational offerings—swimming and disc golf—complement the nature and cultural experiences. At Not Just Popcorn, etc., group tours explore different stages of popcorn production: growing, harvesting, popping, coating, tasting and packaging. The tours focus on the product’s journey through several stages of work. Since tour arrangements can change, it’s a good idea to confirm the current details in advance.

Getting Here and More Destinations

Columbus in Bartholomew County is easy to reach via I-65 and connections throughout the Midwest. When choosing accommodations, you can consider the architecture and cultural attractions, as well as the nature and recreational activities that interest you. Discover more destinations: Columbus, Lagrange County, Vanderburgh, Johnson, Fayette, Montgomery County, Miami County, Carroll County.

For the main travel overview: Indiana.