Catfish in the Alley

Thursday, April 8 | Coffee & Tour

Jumpstart your weekend with a cup of coffee and a tour of the Tennessee Williams Home & Welcome Center. The birthplace of America’s greatest playwright, Columbus boasts more than 670 historic properties in its National Register Historic Districts, including Williams’ childhood home. For $5, visitors can take a peek around the rectory-turned-museum and see firsthand the inspiration behind some of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright’s most famous works.

5 pm – 8 pm | Just a Few Cats Performance

Put on your dancing shoes, pull up a chair and stay for a while as the opening act, R&B and jazz cover band Just a Few Cats, kicks off the weekend’s festivities. Admission is free, and catfish plates will be available to purchase.

Friday, April 9 | Barbecue & Blues at the Riverwalk

Experience the beauty of Columbus at the scenic Riverwalk while soaking in the musical heritage the area has become famous for. On Friday, there will be a jam-packed lineup of both renowned and up-and-coming blues musicians taking center stage. Come hungry, because there will also be an assortment of barbecue and other foods available to purchase.

Saturday, April 10 | Catfish in the Alley and Artisans Alley

Visit the world-famous “Catfish Alley,” where legendary bluesmen, such as Howlin’ Wolf, Bukka White and Big Joe Williams, got their start. Here nationally recognized artists, such as B.B. King, Duke Ellington, Little Richard, Louis Armstrong and James Brown, performed alongside Mississippi’s blues guitarists. Catfish in the Alley event headliners will wow the crowds with their original songs and reimagined takes on blues classics, so come early and leave late. Food vendors and artisans will also be onsite.

Where to Stay

Make plans to stay for the weekend. There are a number of lodging options for out-of-town guests. From the charming bed-and-breakfast where visitors can spend the night in a 19^th-century Italianate mansion, to the well-appointed hotel room where guests can kick up their feet and relax, Columbus has more than 1,500 rooms to suit every budget and taste. For the sportsmen, those seeking to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of Columbus’ great outdoors or those wanting more privacy, there are also an abundance of RV parks and campsites.

What to Eat

When you have had your fill of catfish and are ready for something different, try Huck’s Place. Here, visitors can get anything from New Orleans-inspired zydeco flatbread and boudin-stuffed shrimp topped with a spicy homemade crawfish sauce, to bayou shrimp tacos and open-faced, fully-dressed roast beef po-boys. For more than a decade, Huck’s Place’s large Cajun-Creole menu has kept guests coming back for more.

While there is no shortage of tried-and-true restaurants to experience on your trip to Columbus, one of the most popular eateries is Harvey’s. Specializing in everything from wood-fired steaks and ribs, seafood, pasta and classic favorites, like burgers and sandwiches, Harvey’s has a menu sure to satisfy even the pickiest eater.