More than 300 different flags make the House of Flags Museum a notable destination in Columbus. Together with the historic Polk County Courthouse, the Polk County History Museum and Stearns Park, the area offers different highlights for your trip: collections and local history, a 19th-century building, or time outdoors.
The Courthouse and local history
The Polk County Courthouse stands in the center of Columbus. The brick building, in the Greek Revival style, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built between 1857 and 1859 using bricks made from local clay. A Civil War Trail marker also stands in front of the Courthouse. It describes historical events connected with Stoneman’s Raid in 1865. The building and marker therefore give you two different historical points of reference: the Courthouse’s construction period and the events referred to by the marker.
Two museums, two areas of focus
The House of Flags Museum is located in downtown Columbus and displays more than 300 different flags. Self-guided and narrated tours are available; the museum is fully accessible. You can explore the collection at your own pace or choose a narrated tour.
The Polk County History Museum offers a different approach to history. It is located in the basement of the Feagan Building, 60 Walker St. The entrance is at the rear of the building. A research area helps visitors with genealogical searches into their family history. Knowing the exact directions to the entrance is helpful when planning, especially if you are making a special trip to the museum.
Stearns Park between the mountains and the Courthouse
Stearns Park combines room for recreation with a distinctive view: you can see the mountains on one side and the historic Polk County Courthouse on the other. The park gives children plenty of room to play and run. It also has a pavilion, a walking path and a picnic area. This gives the park a different focus from the museum visits: here, the emphasis is on spending time outdoors, getting active and taking a break in the picnic area.
A sporting alternative
If you are interested in cycling, the rides offered by Black Bear Adventures are geared toward enthusiastic or particularly advanced cyclists. This is a clearly defined option alongside Columbus’s cultural and historical attractions.
When to visit and events
For 2026, the Columbus Farmers Market is scheduled to take place every Saturday from May through October at 40 Courthouse St., Columbus, NC 28722. Dates may change in later seasons, so check before your trip whether the market coincides with your travel dates.
The Columbus Christmas Parade takes place annually. The 2025 edition featured decorated floats, performances and Santa Claus. In that year’s schedule, Hometown Christmas at Stearns Park followed the parade. Details of future events may change. If a particular date is important to your trip, check the program for the relevant season.
When choosing a hotel in Columbus, consider which themes you want to shape your stay: the Courthouse and museums offer history and collections, while Stearns Park offers time outdoors and the views described above. Cycling is a distinct option specifically aimed at enthusiastic or particularly advanced riders. This makes it easy to choose Columbus based on the interests that matter most to you when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Tryon, Saluda.
Go to the main travel overview: Polk County.
