Columbia is in the Midwest.
Get in
The city is accessible from Interstate 70, exit numbers from 121 east to 130. From the north and south, use U.S. Highway 63.
The city has a small airport of its own, Columbia Regional Airport(COU), which offers a limited number of flights to/from St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) and to/from Kansas City International Airport (MCI).
MOEX http://www.moexpress.com (pronounced 'moe-ex') operates an airport shuttle service that does door-to-door pick up/drop off from town to airport (St. Louis and Kansas City Airport) & vice versa for about $40 each way, $70 round trip. It takes approximately 2 hours to reach St. Louis airport (STL) and a little longer for Kansas city airport (MCI). It's rather slow, since it'll stop to pick up multiple passengers and so on.
If you choose to drive instead, it'll take about 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours from/to St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)(112 miles), and about 2 hours and 15 minutes to 2 hours and 30 minutes to/from Kansas City International Airport (MCI)(150 miles). Long term parking is around $8/day at St. Louis airport and around $5 at Kansas city airport.
Get around
There is a metro system (bus) but the downtown area is very small so you can easily get around on foot.
See
The Columns on the Quad of the University of Missouri campus are the second-most photographed landmark in Missouri, right behind the St. Louis Arch.
While on the Quad, visit the the Museum of Art and Archeology, which has a fascinating collection of everything between ancient Southeast Asian sculpture to paintings by famous Missourians. http://maa.missouri.edu/
Also on campus, close to the Quad, is the Ellis Library, which houses the State Historical Society of Missouri. http://www.umsystem.edu/shs/index.shtml
The interesting and unique architecture of the Columbia Public Library, located just west of downtown at the corner of Broadway and Garth Avenue, is a sight to see. While you're there, enjoy a good book and a cup of coffee from the coffee bar located in the lobby.
The award winning Shelter Insurance Garden located off of Ash St., just before Stadium Blvd. The gardens feature many different types of plants and flowers, along with beautiful sculptures,ponds, and a historic schoolhouse (circa 1800s).
Do
MKT nature and fitness trail is a great outdoor resource for bikers and joggers. It's about 9 miles from downtown Columbia to McBaine. From McBaine this connects to Katy trail state park which travels across Missouri to/from St. Charles to/from Clinton. Several of Columbia's parks also connect to the MKT nature and fitness trail. There are plans to use federal grant money to extend this trail system further.
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park (http://www.mostateparks.com/rockbridge/map.htm), 7 miles south of columbia, offers outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, caving and so on. Devil's icebox in the park is a great getaway during the hot summer days. A short walk will take you to the mouth of the cave and air will chill you off.
Those interested in Rock Climbing will want to check out Capen Park. Capen park is well-visted by the local climbing community. Capen Park is located near the intersection of College and Stadium for those arriving by car, but may be accessed via Columbia's trails for those who choose to walk, jog, or bike.
Buy
Downtown Columbia is a major area for shopping and restaurants. Downtown Columbia, sometimes referred to as "The District", is centered on the corner of Broadway and Ninth Street, and extends for several blocks in each direction. Locally owned stores, a variety of restaurants, theaters, parks, and the nicely landscaped campuses of the area colleges are all within walking distance from the downtown area.
http://www.discoverthedistrict.com
Columbia Mall, located on Stadium Boulevard at Interstate 70, is the largest mall in the mid-Missouri area, and contains many of the typical mall stores available around the country.
http://www.visitcolumbiamall.com
There are also new shopping developments available south of the mall on Stadium Boulevard.
Eat
Don't forget to stop by Shakespeare's Pizza on 9th and Elm. Some seriously good pizza and a goofy collegetown-like atmosphere.
Booches on 9th Street has great burgers, supposedly the best burger in the nation. No known link to prove the claim, but they have a piece of newspaper framed on the wall that says so. One thing is sure, they really have great burgers. They go to church on Sundays.
9th Street Deli has good sandwiches. It also features an interesting outdoor patio if you go through the door by the restroom.
Addison's - An American Grill, a locally owned restaurant located at 709 Cherry St. is an affordable restaurant featuring "Americana" type food: unique sandwiches, burgers, pasta's and a few slightly more expensive entree's. Has a good bar and beer selection and very comfortable atmosphere. One of the local favorites is the "crab rangoo dip" appetizer.
Bangkok Gardens, is a local favorite for Thai food. Located on the corner of ninth st and cherry, is located close to campus. Atmosphere is refreshing and the cooks let you order your food on a "hotness scale of 1 (low) to 10 (very hot). It is also known for serving water out of there signature tin cups.
Chim's Thai Kitchen, located at Cooper's Landing in nearby Easley, Missouri, and another option for Thai food. The food is served out of a trailer parked by the Missouri River, and there is often a band playing on summer nights which makes for a very fun filled evening.
Ernie's is a great 50's themed diner located at 10th and Walnut, open for breakfast and lunch. Very crowded on weekends so be prepared to wait.
Murry's located close to the corner of Green Meadows and Providence, is a locally owned restaurant with a flair for Jazz. During most evenings, there is a live Jazz piano and occasionally has a live Jazz band play (participates in the "we always swing" Jazz series) The atmosphere is kind of dark, crowded (due to it's popularity), and occasionally a bit smoky. The food is usually excellent with a menu that ranges from the inexpensive (sandwiches and burgers) to more higher end entree's.
Sophia's, is a locally own restaurant (by the same group that owns Addisons) located on South Providence Rd. The higher mid-range restaurant offers an excellent atmosphere, and a menu feature many diverse pastas, some unique to the area. Sophias also has decent wine options and an excellent dessert menu.
Trattoria Strada Nova is Columbia's mid to higher end Italian restaurant. It is located downtown on north nine st. close to the Blue Note theater. The atmosphere has kind of a unique, old world charm. There is an extensive wine list, and excellent food (reservations are accepted but not usually needed).
For the vegetarian traveler, there are several options: Main Squeeze, on 9th Street, is the only vegetarian restaurant in central Missouri, and it's quite popular with the lunch crowds. The cafe also recently started serving breakfast. The Root Cellar, on Broadway, serves up local foods and produce, but is not entirely vegetarian.
Drink
Flat Branch is Columbia's only micro-brewery that serves a plethora of house made brews and a few home-made sodas. It offers a wide variety of tasty food items for reasonable prices. Can be crowded.
The Heidelburg (a.k.a. the 'Berg), is a bar/hangout close to campus that is enjoyed by many young students. Has a nice outdoor patio on the second floor. Go toward the restroom and you'll find the stairs going up. Has good happy hour deals (e.g., buy one appetizer get one free). It was burned down in October 2003 but has opened again.
Quinton's on 9th street has good happy hour deals with some exceptional sandwiches, and there is never a cover. Hot Waitresses. Best jukebox in the state.
Sleep
Nearly every national hotel chain has a location in Columbia, with more being added seemingly all the time. It is quite common for hotels in Columbia to be booked full on University of Missouri football weekends.
Stay Safe
Columbia is generally a safe, quiet, low-crime city. However, in recent years, there has been a slight rise in crime due to the city's rapid growth. Violent crime is rare. Petty crime (i.e., theft) is the most-common crime in Columbia. Simple common sense should keep you out of trouble. Petty theft, including from automobiles, is a slight problem on the MU campus. The best advice is to not leave anything of value in plain sight in a parked vehicle.
Get out
Columbia was the first popular and poetic name for the United States, and has inspired the names of many things. For the original Columbia, see Historical Columbia.
Places in North America
U.S. cities or towns:
Other places in the U.S.
Places outside North America
Well-known companies
Educational institutions
Technology
Vehicles
Railroad passenger trains
Fictional uses
Songs
Other
See also
