After Dark

Columbia, Tennessee

Maury County's county seat. A small city with deep roots, a growing population, and a whole lot of character. Here's what you need to know about living here.

The sun's down. Wendell's up. Let's find the good stuff.

Wendell's watching over Columbia tonight.

Renters Guide

Moving to Columbia? Here's everything you need to set up your new place.

Utilities

Service Provider Phone Notes
Electric Columbia Power & Water Systems (CPWS) (931) 388-4833 City-owned utility. Must set up in person at 201 Pickens Ln or call. Budget billing available.
Water / Sewer Columbia Power & Water Systems (CPWS) (931) 388-4833 Same provider as electric. One bill for both. Deposit may be required.
Gas Atmos Energy (888) 286-6700 Not all homes have gas. Check with your landlord. Can set up online at atmosenergy.com.
Trash City of Columbia (931) 560-1562 Curbside pickup included for city residents. Recycling available.

Internet Providers

Provider Type Starting Price Notes
AT&T Fiber Fiber ~$55/mo Best speeds where available. Check address for fiber coverage.
Spectrum Cable ~$50/mo Most widely available. No contracts. Speeds up to 1 Gbps in some areas.
T-Mobile Home Internet 5G / LTE ~$50/mo No installation needed. Good backup option. Speeds vary by location.
Starlink Satellite ~$120/mo Best for rural areas outside city limits. Equipment fee ~$599.

Schools

School Grades Notes
Maury County Public Schools K-12 Main district. Zoned by address. Register at (931) 388-8403 or maurycountyschools.org
Columbia Academy Pre-K-12 Private. College prep. Tuition varies by grade level.
Zion Christian Academy Pre-K-12 Private, faith-based. On the Mt. Pleasant side of town.
Columbia State Community College College 2-year college. TN Promise covers tuition for recent high school grads.

Grocery Stores

Store Location Notes
Kroger 1202 S James Campbell Blvd Full-service grocery with pharmacy, deli, and fuel points. Pickup and delivery available. Mid-range prices.
Kroger 845 Nashville Hwy Second Columbia location on the north side of town. Same services and pricing.
Walmart Supercenter 2200 Brookmeade Dr Grocery, pharmacy, and everything else. Lowest prices in town. Open late.
ALDI 311 S James Campbell Blvd Budget-friendly. Smaller store, great prices on basics. Bring a quarter for the cart.
Piggly Wiggly 1512 Trotwood Ave Local favorite. Good meat counter. Smaller and friendlier than the big chains. Affordable.
Piggly Wiggly 119 Nashville Hwy Second location on the north end. Same hometown feel.
Harris Family Foodland 427 W 7th St Locally owned, right downtown. Known for good sales on meat. Personal service. A Columbia staple.

Hardware Stores

Store Location Notes
Lowe's 2000 Hillary Dr Big box. Appliances, lumber, tools, garden center. Good for large projects and bulk materials.
Tripp's Ace Hardware 112 E James Campbell Blvd Locally owned. Great place to get air filters of all sizes, plumbing parts, and quick advice from people who actually know what they're talking about.
Tractor Supply Co. 130 Ashwood Dr Farm and ranch supplies, fencing, pet feed, power equipment. Handy if you're on acreage outside city limits.

Moving Tips

  • Set up utilities early. CPWS can take a few days to process. Call at least a week before your move-in date.
  • Renters insurance is usually required. Most landlords require at least $300,000 in liability coverage. Budget $15-25/mo.
  • Check flood zones. Parts of Columbia near the Duck River and creeks are in FEMA flood zones. Ask your landlord or check FEMA's flood map.
  • Parking matters. Downtown rentals may not have dedicated parking. Ask before you sign.
  • Get to know the neighborhoods. East Columbia and the Riverside area are growing. Historic downtown has charm but older buildings. Spring Hill is 15 minutes north if you want newer construction.
  • Mule Day is real. First week of April, downtown Columbia shuts down for the Mule Day parade and festival. Plan around it if you're moving that week.

Bars & Late Night Columbia

Hours change — always verify before heading out. But here's where Columbia unwinds.

Bars & Watering Holes

Late Night Food

NameLocationHoursNotes
Waffle House 2002 Trotwood Ave 24/7 The Columbia institution. Always open. Always warm. Always the right call at 2am.
Waffle House 1000 Nashville Hwy 24/7 North side option. Same menu. Same vibe. Same greasy perfection.
McDonald's Multiple locations Varies (some 24hr) Drive-through open late at several locations. Check app for hours.
Taco Bell S James Campbell Blvd Until ~1am Late-night drive-through. You know why you're here.
Domino's Local locations Delivery until midnight+ Late delivery available. Use the app for real-time hours.

Things to Do After 9pm

  • Check for live music. Columbia has more than people expect. Look up the Columbia Parks calendar or local Facebook groups — shows get posted short notice.
  • Walk the Riverwalk. It's well-lit, safe, and genuinely beautiful after dark. One of Columbia's best-kept secrets at night.
  • Spring Hill is 15 minutes north. More late-night restaurant options if you want something sit-down after 9.
  • Nashville is 45 minutes. Not every Friday needs it, but when you need a city night, it's right there.
  • The Square on a Friday night. It's not "nightlife" exactly — but walking the square on a warm night with a beer to-go from a downtown bar is a genuine Columbia tradition.
  • Late-night Walmart. You'll run into half the town there after 10pm. Somehow this is also a social event in Columbia.

Homeowners Guide

Own a home in Columbia? Here are the local resources and contractors you need.

Roofing

Don Kennedy Roofing

Local company serving Maury County. Shingle, metal, and flat roofs. Storm damage specialists.

Phone: (615) 833-9393 • donkennedyroofing.com

Quality RRC

Family-owned since 2007. 4.9 stars with 200+ Google reviews. A+ BBB rated. Residential and commercial.

Phone: (615) 604-5165 • qualityrrc.com

MidSouth Construction

GAF Master Elite Certified. 4.9 stars with 800+ Google reviews. Roofing and restoration across Middle TN.

Phone: (615) 712-8893 • roofingbymidsouth.com

HVAC

Chris Sandrell Services

Local HVAC service and repair. Heating, cooling, and maintenance for residential and commercial.

Phone: (931) 446-7101

Patterson's Air Conditioning

Family-owned, Columbia-based. 5.0 stars. Trane dealer with 10-year parts warranty. A local pro since day one.

Phone: (931) 374-0262 • pattersonshvac.com

Spring Hill Heating & Cooling

4.9 stars. 20+ years experience serving Maury and Williamson Counties. Family-owned and operated.

Phone: (931) 381-2255 • springhillac.com

Plumbing

Kindred Plumbing

5.0 stars with 293 reviews. 15 years experience. Based in Summertown, serves Columbia and Spring Hill.

Phone: (931) 477-5660 • kindredplumbing.com

Golden Plumbing

5.0 stars. Family-owned by veterans and former law enforcement. Honest, dependable, quality work.

Phone: (931) 698-6982 • goldenplumbingtn.com

Hosanna Plumbing

5.0 stars. Based in Spring Hill, serves Columbia. Quick response, quality work, reasonable pricing.

Phone: (931) 797-7915 • hosannaplumbingdrain.com

Electrical

Bible's Electric

A+ BBB rated. Columbia-based. Known for excellent communication and professional, timely work.

Phone: (615) 830-4349 • bibleselectric.services

Mr. Electric of Columbia

24/7 service. Installations, lighting, and electrical repair for homes and businesses.

Phone: (615) 505-1634 • mrelectric.com

Nathan's Electrical & HVAC

Quick response, competitive prices. Electrical and HVAC services for residential and commercial.

Phone: (931) 325-4659

Landscaping

Stormin Norman's Lawns & Landscapes

Serving Columbia since 2012. Residential, commercial, hardscaping, retaining walls, and new construction.

Phone: (931) 698-6511 • storminlandscapes.com

Alexander Lawn & Landscaping

Leading landscaper in Columbia. Design, installation, and complete lawn care at reasonable prices.

Phone: (931) 446-8777 • alexanderlandscapingcolumbia.com

Quality Lawn Care & Hauling

5.0 stars with 60+ reviews. Lawn care and junk removal. Serving Columbia and Spring Hill since 2013.

Phone: (931) 548-6889

Know a great local contractor? Use the form below or email us at hey@townieguide.com.

Homeowner Tips

  • Check your roof after storms. Maury County gets hail and high winds regularly. File insurance claims promptly — most policies have a 1-year window.
  • Know your property taxes. Maury County property tax rate is one of the lower rates in Middle TN. Pay at the Maury County Trustee office or online.
  • Permits are required for most structural work, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Columbia Building & Codes: (931) 560-1560.
  • Termites are common. Get an annual inspection. Budget $250-$400/year for a treatment bond.
  • Septic vs sewer. Homes inside city limits are usually on city sewer. Outside city limits, expect a septic system — get it inspected before buying and pumped every 3-5 years.

Get a Free Quote from a Local Contractor

Tell us about your project and we'll connect you with a local pro. No spam, no pressure.

Emergency Contractors

Save these numbers before you need them. 3am is not the time to search Google.

⚠️ Gas leak? Call Atmos Energy at (888) 286-6700, get outside immediately, and do not turn any lights on or off. Call from outside or a neighbor's house.

Emergency Plumbing — 24/7

Roto-Rooter

National dispatch. Always answers. Will send someone tonight. Your best bet for a guaranteed response at any hour.

Phone: (800) 768-6911

Kindred Plumbing

Local, 5.0 stars, 15 years experience. Call and ask for the emergency line. Serves Columbia and Spring Hill.

Phone: (931) 477-5660

Golden Plumbing

Local, 5.0 stars. Family-owned. Worth a call for after-hours response.

Phone: (931) 698-6982

Emergency HVAC — After Hours

Patterson's Air Conditioning

Local family business, 5.0 stars. Call and ask for after-hours service. Your best local option first.

Phone: (931) 374-0262

Spring Hill Heating & Cooling

4.9 stars, 20+ years, family-owned. Serves Maury and Williamson Counties after hours.

Phone: (931) 381-2255

Nathan's Electrical & HVAC

Does both HVAC and electrical. Quick response, competitive pricing.

Phone: (931) 325-4659

Emergency Electrical — 24/7

Mr. Electric of Columbia

24/7 service. Licensed, insured. Installations, panel issues, electrical emergencies for homes and businesses.

Phone: (615) 505-1634

Bible's Electric

A+ BBB, Columbia-based. Known for professional, timely response. Call for after-hours availability.

Phone: (615) 830-4349

Storm Damage & Water Intrusion

SERVPRO of Maury County

Water mitigation, mold, fire/smoke damage. Emergency board-up and tarping. Find your local franchise at servpro.com.

Phone: (931) 388-7111 • servpro.com

MidSouth Construction

GAF Master Elite, 800+ reviews. Emergency calls taken for storm damage. Tarping and emergency response.

Phone: (615) 712-8893

Utility Emergencies

UtilityProviderPhoneWhat to Do
Gas Leak Atmos Energy (888) 286-6700 Get outside first. Call from outside or neighbor's. 24/7.
Power Out Columbia Power & Water (CPWS) (931) 388-4833 Report outage 24/7. Check their outage map online first.
Water Main Break Columbia Power & Water (CPWS) (931) 388-4833 Know where your main shutoff valve is. Then call CPWS.

Know Your Town

The essential services, local landmarks, and things that make Columbia feel like home.

Essential Services

Service Name Address Phone
Hospital Maury Regional Medical Center 1224 Trotwood Ave (931) 381-1111
Library Maury County Library 211 W. 8th Street (931) 375-6501
Post Office USPS Columbia 315 W. 7th Street (931) 388-3832
Local Transit Mule Town Trolley (931) 379-2907

Government & City Services

Office Website Phone Good For
City of Columbia columbiatn.com (931) 560-1500 General city info, codes, zoning
Maury County Government maurycounty-tn.gov (931) 381-3690 Property taxes, deeds, county courts
Building & Codes columbiatn.com (931) 560-1560 Permits for construction, electrical, plumbing
Maury Alliance mauryalliance.com (931) 388-2155 Economic development, relocating businesses

Getting Around

🚌

Mule Town Trolley

Free local transit serving Columbia. Fixed routes through town. Call (931) 379-2907 for schedules and stops.

Nashville International Airport

About 45 minutes north via I-65. The closest major airport. (615) 275-1675

🛫

Maury County Regional Airport

Small regional airport for private and charter flights. (931) 379-5511

Parks & Recreation

Park Address Highlights
Riverwalk Park 102 Riverside Dr Greenways, paved walkways, pavilions, splash pad, basketball court, farmers market
Woodland Park 821 W 9th St 60 acres. Walking trail, pond, playground, amphitheater, tennis courts, 18-hole disc golf
Fairview Park 871 Iron Bridge Rd 100+ year history. Playground, recreation center, sports fields
Ridley Sports Complex 6148 Trotwood Ave Premier athletic facility. 10 softball fields, 10 soccer fields, 2 multi-purpose fields
Eva Gilbert Park 140 Cord Dr Football field, two baseball fields, playground, pavilion
Cook Soccer Park Columbia, TN Multiple soccer fields and support facilities
Muletown Bark Park Columbia, TN Dog park with separate areas for small, large, and mixed dogs
Betty Lee Park Columbia, TN Neighborhood park
Frierson-Johnson Park Columbia, TN Neighborhood park
Old Hickory Park Columbia, TN Along Allen Branch Creek

Recreation Centers

🏊

Columbia Aquatics & Recreation Center

Formerly Muletown Rec — now city-owned. Three pools, splash pad, swim lessons, water aerobics, athletics, and music programs. Open to all ages.

Address: 1446 Oak Springs Dr

Phone: (931) 381-8119

Memberships: $55/mo residents, $100/mo families. Assistance program available (50% off).

🏋

The Armory Recreation & Fitness Center

Historic landmark. Full-sized gym upstairs, complete fitness center downstairs.

🏀

Macedonia Recreation Center

Popular for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball.

🎿

Fairview Recreation Center

Located at Fairview Park. Community programs and athletics.

Columbia Parks & Recreation: (931) 388-8119  |  columbiatn.gov/parks

What Makes Columbia, Columbia

  • Mule Day. First week of April. Parades, live music, crafts, mule pulls, and 200,000+ visitors. It's been going since 1840. If you live here, you go to Mule Day.
  • Historic Downtown. The square is the heart of town — local shops, restaurants, and the Maury County Courthouse. Friday nights and weekends are when it comes alive.
  • The Duck River. One of the most biodiverse rivers in North America. Kayaking, fishing, and riverside parks. Riverwalk Park is a local favorite.
  • James K. Polk Home. Columbia is the hometown of the 11th U.S. President. His home is a museum right downtown.
  • Growing fast. Columbia has been one of the fastest-growing cities in Tennessee. New restaurants, shops, and neighborhoods are popping up regularly. It still has small-town charm, but it's not standing still.
  • The people. Columbia is a wave-at-your-neighbor kind of town. People hold doors, say hey, and know their mail carrier's name. That's the whole point of TownieGuide — helping you feel like a local, fast.

Nightlife & Hidden Gems

The Columbia most people don't know about — unless they live here.

Live Music

🎵

Downtown Square Venues

The Square has more live music than people expect. Check local Facebook groups and the Columbia Parks calendar — shows get announced short notice, but they happen regularly.

🎤

Mule Day & Seasonal Events

Beyond Mule Day, the fairgrounds and outdoor venues host music events year-round. Follow Maury Alliance and Visit Columbia TN on social for the calendar.

🎻

Porch Sessions & Pop-Ups

Columbia's music scene is grassroots — some of the best shows happen in backyards, breweries, and small venues. Ask a local what's happening this weekend.

Date Night in Columbia

🍽️

The Square

Columbia's downtown square has become a solid date night destination. Local restaurants, good food, and the kind of atmosphere that's hard to find in bigger cities.

🌊

Riverwalk at Night

Walk the Riverwalk after dinner. Well-lit, safe, genuinely beautiful. The Duck River at night is one of Columbia's underrated gems. Bring a jacket.

🏛️

Historic Downtown

The blocks around the Polk Home and courthouse are some of Columbia's most charming streets — best walked slowly on a Friday evening with nowhere to be.

Hidden Gems — Locals Only

  • The Natchez Trace at night. 30 minutes from Columbia. No commercial traffic, no billboards, just stars and old-growth trees. A Sunday night drive on the Trace is one of the best free things you can do in Middle Tennessee.
  • Duck River kayaking at dawn. Not nightlife, but worth the 5am alarm. One of the most biodiverse rivers in North America, and it's right here. Quiet, wild, and surreal before the rest of the world wakes up.
  • The Farmers Market on Saturday morning. Riverwalk Park. Better than anything you'll find in Nashville. Get there early — the good stuff goes fast.
  • Spring Hill for late dinner. 15 minutes north, newer development, more late-night restaurant options than Columbia proper. Worth the drive if you want a sit-down dinner after 8pm.
  • The Square on a slow Tuesday. No events, no tourists. Just the real Columbia — locals eating, the courthouse lit up, and people who actually live here. This is what the town is.
  • Local food trucks. More active than you'd think. Check Facebook and Instagram for where they're parked this week — some of the best food in Columbia comes from a truck.