Midway in between St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia– affectionately nicknamed CoMo– makes a perfect weekend location, with its walkable downtown, a solid restaurant scene and the historical University of Missouri school. Here’s our guide for what to do, where to consume and where to remain.
Wander the Campus
One of your very first stops in Columbia must be the University of Missouri. The university’s administration center Jesse Hall is here, as are six towering Ionic columns, remnants of a terrible 1892 fire that destroyed the very first campus building.
As you walk the quad, look for Thomas Jefferson’s initial tombstone, donated to the university by the starting dad’s descendants. A present from the Chinese government, this Ming Dynasty set as soon as stood sentry at a Confucian temple in Nanjing.
The entire Mizzou campus is a botanic garden– take a self-guided Tree Trail walk or demand a directed trip. And look for the resuming of the totally free Museum of Art and Archaeology, set up to conclude a relocation (to the lower level of Ellis Library) and restoration in the second half of 2023.
Check out the Farmers’ Market
Every Saturday for 40 years, regional farmers, producers and artisans have actually collected at the Columbia Farmers Market. This market is such a standout that in 2021, the American Farmland Trust named Columbia’s Farmers Market the best in the nation, the Midwest and Missouri.
Get to a Green Space
No matter where you are in Columbia, you’re never far from green areas where you can hike, bike, or just do some nature-bathing. Bicyclists can catch the MKT Trail downtown, cruise 9 miles, and connect with Missouri’s renowned Katy Trail State Park, a flat-as-a-pancake crushed limestone course stretching more than halfway throughout the state.
Have a Game-Day Experience
Missouri Tiger groups complete in the NCAA’s Southeastern Conference, which suggests plenty of high-stakes athletic matchups. Football weekends in Columbia make for an unique kind of phenomenon, with trainees, parents, alumni, and fans cheering on the black and gold at Faurot Field.
Listen to Music
Columbia’s dynamic music scene takes its beat from hip places and fun celebrations. Columbia’s beloved The Blue Note has actually invited upcoming bands and artists since 1980, and the Missouri Theater, an elaborate 1928 former vaudeville stage and motion picture home, hosts concerts throughout the year.
Shop The District
Make time for retail therapy at The District in downtown Columbia. Make sure to drop by Bluestem Crafts, which specializes in beautiful homeware, accessories and jewelry made by nationally recognized Midwestern artists.
Where to Eat and Drink
If you ‘d choose a slider and chips, head to Booche’s, a Columbia institution since 1884. When you’ve satisfied your fast-food yearnings, keep Columbia’s raised culinary alternatives in mind. The Barred Owl Butcher & Table serves hearty seasonal favorites made with components from more than 2 dozen local farms; its retail shop offers all sorts of craftsmen goodies to take house.
Mizzou’s food science program has a long tradition of developing scrumptious flavors, handmade by trainees. You can find Tiger Stripe (French vanilla with fudge stripes) and other varieties at Buck’s Ice Cream shop on campus.
Where to Stay
The Broadway Columbia puts you in the heart of downtown, near The District, the University of Missouri, Stephens College and Columbia College. Set little plates and signature mixed drinks while enjoying the view from The Broadway’s rooftop lounge.
