Writer was hosted for lodging and some meals. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Columbia, Missouri, home to The University of Missouri, offers close proximity to nature and recreation with a high quality of life for students, residents and visitors. With 70 city parks, 50 miles of trails and the nearby historic Katy Trail along the Missouri River, the area has a multitude of options for outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities.
But there’s more: with the active college community and SEC conference visitors, Columbia’s small town charm and big city amenities make this game day town a winner regardless of who you’re cheering on.
Overall Impressions
As a Kansas City native, my impression of Columbia was being the half-way point between Kansas City and St. Louis and home to Mizzou (the nickname of The University of Missouri). During a recent extended weekend getaway, I was pleasantly surprised by Columbia’s unexpected charm, from its wineries and state parks to its iconic eateries and vibrant downtown shopping area,
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Is Columbia Worth Visiting?
As a travel journalist, I’m constantly looking for beautiful, fun and unique places to visit. Columbia definitely qualifies!
This friendly and welcoming small city has something for everyone, whether you’re into art, culture, nature or sports. You can explore the lively downtown area, enjoy scenic trails and parks, or catch an athletic event at the University of Missouri (MU).
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Pros of Visiting Columbia:
- Small-town charm with big city amenities
- Vibrant downtown area called The District
- Plentiful access to outdoor recreation including hiking and cycling
- Culture is strong here with an artistic vibe and surprising culinary scene with many independently-owned farm-to-table restaurants
- Live music venues and an annual independent movie festival
Drawbacks of Visiting Columbia:
- Traffic can be bad during Mizzou game weekends
- There is limited public transportation. Visitors will likely need a rental car.
- Downtown parking can be challenging, be prepared to walk when visiting shops and restaurants, although there are a few parking garages and streetside spots.
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you’re not visiting for the purpose of attending an MU sporting event, look at the athletic calendar to avoid game days. Lodging prices surge and accommodations book many months in advance, especially on MU football weekends.
Things to Do
Outdoor Adventure
MKT Trail
- 10-foot wide multi-use trail for walking, running and biking
- Shade provided by mature trees
- One of the first “rail-to-trail” systems in the U.S.
- Instagrammable features include streams, bridges and rock outcroppings
- Multiple access points
SheBuysTravel Tip: The M.L. King trailhead has restrooms and a beautiful outdoor botanical garden near the large parking lot. Find it near Faurot Field, where the MU Tigers play.
Katy Trail:
- A short 10-mile drive west of Columbia is the quaint small town of Rocheport along the Missouri River and a popular access point for the Katy Trail.
- This historic area was discovered as part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
- The entire Katy Trail extends 240 miles from St. Charles near St. Louis to Sedalia, south of Columbia.
- Rocheport is widely regarded as one of the most popular stops on the trail due to its photo-worthy tunnel and trailside dining options.
- Bike rentals are also available here at the Meriweather Cafe and Bike Shop.
Rocheport Wineries
The Blufftop at Rocheport is a family-owned winery situated on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River and offers a panoramic view. You can sample some award-winning wines at the tasting room, go on a wine tour or relax on the outdoor patio with live music and snacks. Or buy some bottles of wine to take home or as gifts for friends and family!
The Rocheport Winery is trailside to the Katy Trail at the historic Mount Nebo Inn. It is one of the newer wineries and offers indoor and outdoor seating.
Les Bourgeois Vineyards has a large tasting room right off I-70 at the Rocheport exit. Here you can taste some of the Show-Me State’s finest award-winning wines.
Columbia Saturday Farmer’s Market
If you love fresh, local, seasonal food, definitely check out the Columbia Farmers Market! It’s one of Missouri’s top markets.
- Products from over 80 vendors, all within a 50-mile radius of Columbia.
- Fresh produce, baked goods, meats, cheeses, flowers and more are all available here.
- Sample Missouri’s famous ooey-gooey butter cake or grab a coffee to go.
- The market has free admission and is open every Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in April to October and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in November to March.
Arts & Culture
First Fridays in the North Village Art’s District: this is a free art crawl with live music and artist expositions on the first Friday of each month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It’s a fun way to spend an hour before finding a bite to eat for dinner.
True/False Film Festival: Typically held in early March each year, the True/False Film Fest showcases the best of documentary filmmaking from around the world! You can watch screenings of innovative nonfiction films, attend panels with the filmmakers and listen to live music. You’ll also get to interact with fellow film lovers in a vibrant and friendly atmosphere.
Museum of Art and Archaeology and Museum of Anthropology on the University of Missouri campus: these exhibits are newly reopened and feature extensive collections of Native American art and artifacts from the area.
Places to Eat
Longtime locals and first-time visitors unexpectedly find a wide assortment of tasty bites. From historic local favorites and ducking into cafes for coffee and breakfast to unique farm-to-table options, the Columbia food scene has surprising variety.
Breakfast
Café Berlin: has mastered the breakfast classics, but they also offer fun twists on breakfast burritos, pancakes, and more, all focused on local ingredients right in the heart of the North Village Arts District. There are many vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options on the menu.
Uprise Bakery & Café: From scratch-made quiche to biscuits and gravy, this hip bakery is adjacent to the Ragtag Cinema which shows nostalgic cult movie faves.
Meriweather Café – Rocheport: A great way to rent bikes and hop on the trail is to stop at the Meriwether Café and Bike Shop for brunch or lunch. It’s right on the Katy Trail in Rocheport and serves simple, scratch cooking made with locally sourced ingredients. We loved everything that we ordered here! It was delicious – don’t miss out on their lavender lemonade!
Lunch
Shakespeare’s Pizza is a college town favorite near the University of Missouri campus.
Nourish Café & Market makes all dishes at least 90% organic and from fresh local ingredients in the area and is located near downtown.
Dinner
Sycamore is a downtown favorite with a seasonal menu and a nice wine selection. The ambiance is cozy and peaceful at this corner comfort food spot where you’ll likely not find the same thing twice on the menu.
Barred Owl Butcher and Table is an upscale eatery that serves seasonal fare inspired by Missouri’s local meat and produce suppliers. The charcuterie board is a favorite.
Where to Stay
The Broadway – downtown Columbia: This 4-star Doubletree by
Voco The Tiger Hotel: This historic downtown hotel dates back to 1928 but has been beautifully renovated to offer contemporary amenities and style. It’s located near the University of Missouri campus and has 62 rooms and suites.
Katy Trail B&B: Located 12 miles west of Columbia in Rocheport, this quaint property offers six room options including a renovated train boxcar for overnight accommodations. It’s situated right on the Katy Trail, so avid cyclists will delight in the proximity to hop on the trail easily.
What’s Nearby
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park: I love this spot because of its unique natural formations; they make this one of the most unique things to do in Columbia! Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is home to over 2,000 acres of scenic landscapes, including a natural rock bridge (hence the name), sinkholes, caves, streams and forests. You can hike, bike and horseback ride through scenic trails, or picnic in this beautiful park.
SheBuysTravel tip: Don’t miss the Rockbridge highlight, the Devil’s Icebox Trail, which leads you to a 63-foot-high natural tunnel where you can see an underground stream and cool off in the summer. The trail will take you about 30 minutes and is half a mile long. However, keep in mind that there are a lot of stairs you’ll need to climb so take a water bottle to stay hydrated.
Getting There
With its central location on I-70 half-way between Kansas City to the west and St. Louis to the east, Columbia is a short two-hour drive from either location. The city also has a regional airport and non-stop flights come in nationwide from Chicago and Dallas.
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