Fort Benning.

 

Picture enormous trees, perpetually green, draped with Spanish moss.

 

But don’t picture that all over Fort Benning, the Spanish moss is only at the entrance of the Lumpkin access point.

 

A few months ago, I wrote a post about my impression of Ft Bragg, NC, and the hotspots you can’t miss when you’re there.  It was a fun post to write and the memories just kind of flowed.

 

Fort Benning, GA is harder to sum up.

 

It’s not just “one memory.”

 

My soldier is an infantryman so tend to trickle back there every 18months or so.  Every time we go back it feels different but it’s always nostalgic and familiar.  Fort Benning is home of the Infantry.

 

Home is a good word for it.

 

 

The Post Layout

 

I love how organized Fort Benning is.  I’ve been to some posts that feel jumbled and added on to (ahem, Fort Bragg) but Fort Benning is easy to navigate.  Speaking of navigation, you’ll want to download the app called GuideOn.  Really though, the post is easy to drive on, easy to navigate, and is absolutely beautiful (esp East Main Post).  And since there are 8 billion Army schools there, it’s good that they keep them organized.

 

 

The Surrounding Town

 

Every good Army base has a not-so-good town surrounding it.  Columbus, GA is a step up from Phenix City, AL (Fort Benning is on the cusp between GA and AL).  But unlike the well-organized Fort Benning, Columbus town is very, very, very scrambled.  The part immediately surrounding post is not the best place to go.

 

A few miles away though, and Columbus turns into an adorable old-fashioned college “downtown” complete with buildings from the 1800s.  (Fun fact: Columbus was the last frontier town of the 13 colonies!)

 

About 15 minutes outside of Downtown Columbus, you arrive at a very “suburban” part of Columbus.  This is where you’ll find the mall, any chain restaurant you could want, and enough shopping the duration of any visit to GA.

 

 

Special Note to Basic Training Visitors

 

If you’re making the trip to Fort Benning for a visit related to Family Day, Turning Blue, or Graduation, I highly recommend staying at the Hampton Inn on South Lumpkin Road.  (There are 2 Hampton Inns, but the one on South Lumpkin is the one you’d want).  It’s a very clean, family-friendly hotel located within a sneeze of the military access point.  It shares a parking lot with the National Infantry Museum (where most  Basic Training graduations are held).  I have stayed there 3 times and always recommended it to our visitors too.  You literally can’t get any closer to base (unless you stayed at Abrams Hall on-post but it’s often full).

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment

 

Fort Benning is actually surrounded by some fun people, places, and things.  The RiverCenter for Performing Arts is a good place to catch a show– be that comedy or dance.   There are also plenty of little eateries, coffeeshops, and shops.  Lots of shops.  Most Saturdays, Downtown hosts a local market in the morning.  Bottom line: you won’t be bored.

 

Oh, and a lot of places do military discounts!  (Especially on Veteran’s Day Weekend), so ask while you shop and dine.

 

 

Georgia Quirks

 

Besides drowning everything in ranch dressing, there are a few only-in-the-state-of-Georgia’s you should know about:

 

The weather here is definitely “go big or go home.”  If it rains, it will absolutely pour down a deluge on you.  If it’s hot, you will melt as you walk from your car to a building.  Etc.  You have been warned.

 

The southern hospitality here can be very real.  Not everyone is nice, nope.  But there are some gems out there, so be on the lookout for a free refill of sweet tea.  I once had a shuttle driver give me a free tour.  There are some real nice people here. Like really nice.

 

There are quite a few places in Georgia that feel really modern, like Atlanta or the Peachtree City area.  But you guys.  There are some places in Georgia that feel like they haven’t changed since the birth of the US.   Tiny old buildings, sprawling pecan farms…and no place to stop when you’re dying from a lemonade pregnancy craving. (true story)  Use your GPS to plan accordingly.  If you’re pregnant.  And in need of lemonade.

 

 

Quick links to the best spots in Town:

 

Best Cup of Coffee:  Iron Bank Coffee Co.

 

Best Takeout Chinese:  China Inn Express  (they deliver on post!)

 

Best Pizza: Mellow Mushroom Pizza

 

Best Salon: D’Allens Salon

 

Best Military Store:  Ranger Joe’s is more “epic” but Commando’s has better prices and some used gear.

 

Best Historical Exhibition:  The National Infantry Museum

 

Best Date-Night Restaurant:  The Black Cow (the atmosphere is not fancy but the food is high quality)

 

Best Fashion Boutique: The Posh Peach

 

Best Benning Souveniers:  The gift shop of the Natural Infantry Museum, or Ranger Joe’s

 

Best Small-Business Support Store: Bluebelle Home Decor and Gifts (It’s basically a craft bazaar of local vendors year-round!)

 

*

 

What did I miss?  If you’ve been to Fort Benning before, leave of link of your “must-go” places!  Comment any Fort Benning questions below, and either I or one of our fabulous readers will try to fill you in.  Thanks for stopping by!