FORT BENNING, Ga., (Oct. 1, 2014) -- Uptown or downtown - it's called both in Columbus and it offers plenty of opportunities for fun. I met a person the other day who works at Fort Benning, lives in Phenix City, Alabama, and had never spent any time downtown. This amazes me, and I don't want you to live here for several years without venturing to this part of town. There's all sorts of things to do - the RiverCenter, Springer Opera House, Coca-Cola Space Science Center, Columbus Civic Center - and that list doesn't include the Riverwalk, the Historic District or the Saturday Market on Broadway.

I love the Riverwalk. I think I might have raised my daughter there (until she found horses) - biking its length from Fort Benning to where we turned around at the Iron Works, walking the dogs on both sides of the Chattahoochee River and listening to musicians like David Nail and the Marshall Tucker Band at the Phenix City Amphitheater.

And the parades are always entertaining. The Tuskegee Morehouse Classic Parade is Oct. 11, the route is Broad Street in Phenix City to 1st Avenue in Columbus, and the Bi-City Parade is always a good time with the marching bands.

Take a Saturday and explore this area - you'll find there's plenty to do. For more information, visit www.visitcolumbusga.com.