Discover
Columbia
City/town information
It takes years to uncover all Columbia's most precious gems. Let's give you a head start.
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Columbia
It takes years to uncover all Columbia's most precious gems. Let's give you a head start.
Neighborhoods
Columbia's West Ash Neighborhood, nestled in the heart of town, is full of modest single family houses and has a very caring, community feel. Neighbors get to know each other around here. This area is super convenient to the public library, the ARC (the city's Activities and Recreation Center, a gym with indoor pool), the Columbia Farmer's Market, grocery stores, MKT trailheads, and downtown. Some of the houses may be priced a little higher for their small square footage because, frankly, people feel lucky to live here.
West Ash Street
West Ash StreetColumbia's West Ash Neighborhood, nestled in the heart of town, is full of modest single family houses and has a very caring, community feel. Neighbors get to know each other around here. This area is super convenient to the public library, the ARC (the city's Activities and Recreation Center, a gym with indoor pool), the Columbia Farmer's Market, grocery stores, MKT trailheads, and downtown. Some of the houses may be priced a little higher for their small square footage because, frankly, people feel lucky to live here.
This neighborhood, just north of the downtown area, is very convenient to Columbia College, and a comfortable 15 minute walk to Stephen's College or Mizzou. Douglass Park itself has a pool and splash pad open in summer, and a small skate park. People hang out in this park every day that weather permits.
Douglass Park
This neighborhood, just north of the downtown area, is very convenient to Columbia College, and a comfortable 15 minute walk to Stephen's College or Mizzou. Douglass Park itself has a pool and splash pad open in summer, and a small skate park. People hang out in this park every day that weather permits.
Sightseeing
Ask a Columbian what's the must-see trail around town and they will probably tell you Devil's Icebox at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. It's a unique experience- long boardwalks through the woods as well as more rugged trails. Taking a staircase down to the mouth of the cave known as the devil's icebox is especially memorable for kids, as is stepping carefully over the stones to cross under the rock bridge. Interestingly, there was once town centered around a mill at the rock bridge that lasted for 100 years.
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Devils Icebox
Ask a Columbian what's the must-see trail around town and they will probably tell you Devil's Icebox at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. It's a unique experience- long boardwalks through the woods as well as more rugged trails. Taking a staircase down to the mouth of the cave known as the devil's icebox is especially memorable for kids, as is stepping carefully over the stones to cross under the rock bridge. Interestingly, there was once town centered around a mill at the rock bridge that lasted for 100 years.
This is a great hike. Catch some great views over the cliffs and look for arrowheads and cool fossils in the creek. Do stop at the historic Pierpont General Store on the way there or back for a snack, treat, or drink.
https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7030266/shooting-star-trailhead-loop
Shooting Star Trailhead
5499 E Bonne Femme Church RdThis is a great hike. Catch some great views over the cliffs and look for arrowheads and cool fossils in the creek. Do stop at the historic Pierpont General Store on the way there or back for a snack, treat, or drink.
https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7030266/shooting-star-trailhead-loop
This is definitely a unique gem found only in Columbia, MO. An infectious tradition begun about 25 years ago by "Will Treelighter," who lights every dang twig of several big trees in town, and a few in other towns as well. Others have taken up the challenge to light even bigger magic trees, such as the massive 85 footer at The Crossing church. If you love lights, they are ALL must sees. For locals, a magic tree selfie and profile pic has become an annual thing. Many have chosen this spot for marriage proposals as well.
Every year Treelighter offers a flyer with his spiritual thoughts to touch the hearts of sightseers.
To find all the magic trees and read the flyers visit https://magic-tree.org/
The Magic Tree
2100 Cherry Hill DrThis is definitely a unique gem found only in Columbia, MO. An infectious tradition begun about 25 years ago by "Will Treelighter," who lights every dang twig of several big trees in town, and a few in other towns as well. Others have taken up the challenge to light even bigger magic trees, such as the massive 85 footer at The Crossing church. If you love lights, they are ALL must sees. For locals, a magic tree selfie and profile pic has become an annual thing. Many have chosen this spot for marriage proposals as well.
Every year Treelighter offers a flyer with his spiritual thoughts to touch the hearts of sightseers.
To find all the magic trees and read the flyers visit https://magic-tree.org/
Enjoy a walk around the lake, picnic at one of the shelters, several playgrounds, a free swimming beach and splash pad in summer. Lots of space for running around, playing frisbee or soccer.
Grab some snacks from Clover's Natural Market (just across Broadway) or a meal from one of the many restaurants in the Conley Rd. area (just go east on Broadway) and enjoy them on a nice day at the park. Definitely a Columbia favorite.
This park is home to many events throughout the spring/summer- concerts, Art in the Park, Roots n Blues n BBQ festival, and this May it will host the True/False Film Festival.
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Stephens Lake Park
2001 E BroadwayEnjoy a walk around the lake, picnic at one of the shelters, several playgrounds, a free swimming beach and splash pad in summer. Lots of space for running around, playing frisbee or soccer.
Grab some snacks from Clover's Natural Market (just across Broadway) or a meal from one of the many restaurants in the Conley Rd. area (just go east on Broadway) and enjoy them on a nice day at the park. Definitely a Columbia favorite.
This park is home to many events throughout the spring/summer- concerts, Art in the Park, Roots n Blues n BBQ festival, and this May it will host the True/False Film Festival.
Food Scene
One of Columbia's best restaurants. Choose this place if you're a foodie looking for a transcendent culinary experience and don't care about the price.
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Cherry Street Cellar
505 Cherry StOne of Columbia's best restaurants. Choose this place if you're a foodie looking for a transcendent culinary experience and don't care about the price.
Beloved hipster breakfast joint with something on the menu for every eater. Got your veggies, meat, eggs, biscuits, mimosas, and VERY strong coffee (like seriously). Instagram what quirky thrift store mug you got. Outdoor seating in good weather. Often a line for seating on weekend mornings. If you're alone, sit at the bar.
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Cafe Berlin
220 N 10th StBeloved hipster breakfast joint with something on the menu for every eater. Got your veggies, meat, eggs, biscuits, mimosas, and VERY strong coffee (like seriously). Instagram what quirky thrift store mug you got. Outdoor seating in good weather. Often a line for seating on weekend mornings. If you're alone, sit at the bar.
Super tasty food for those who like to EAT and don't count calories either. Worth it. Vast beer menu.
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44 Stone Public House
3910 Peachtree DrSuper tasty food for those who like to EAT and don't count calories either. Worth it. Vast beer menu.
The pizza connoisseur's pizza place. No, literally- owner Johnny G famously went on a 30-some stop pizza tour of the United States to do "research" before starting Pizza Tree. Delectable sourdough crust.
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Pizza Tree
909 Cherry StThe pizza connoisseur's pizza place. No, literally- owner Johnny G famously went on a 30-some stop pizza tour of the United States to do "research" before starting Pizza Tree. Delectable sourdough crust.
Solid place to eat or drink with any size group. Something for everyone on the menu and good prices. Lively and interesting atmosphere. Lovely patio full of flowers. I *think* it was Columbia's first brewery. Like, before craft beer was cool. Try the Green Chile Ale.
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Flat Branch Pub & Brewing
115 S 5th StSolid place to eat or drink with any size group. Something for everyone on the menu and good prices. Lively and interesting atmosphere. Lovely patio full of flowers. I *think* it was Columbia's first brewery. Like, before craft beer was cool. Try the Green Chile Ale.
AMAZING bar menu. Definitely the best place for cocktails. Delicious food too, emphasis on local and house made charcuterie. I like that you can get a really nice burger and fries here or get more exploratory with some oddities. Lots of small plate options.
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Barred Owl Butcher & Table
47 E BroadwayAMAZING bar menu. Definitely the best place for cocktails. Delicious food too, emphasis on local and house made charcuterie. I like that you can get a really nice burger and fries here or get more exploratory with some oddities. Lots of small plate options.
Entertainment
One of the best independent theaters in the country, sharing the building with Uprise Bakery (a great place for breakfast, lunch, coffee, or snacks) and Hitt Records, this ex-firehouse makes for a destination unto itself! Check out Ragtag's calendar so see what movies are showing during your visit (https://www.ragtagcinema.org/calendar/) and buy tickets online.
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Ragtag Cinema
10 Hitt StOne of the best independent theaters in the country, sharing the building with Uprise Bakery (a great place for breakfast, lunch, coffee, or snacks) and Hitt Records, this ex-firehouse makes for a destination unto itself! Check out Ragtag's calendar so see what movies are showing during your visit (https://www.ragtagcinema.org/calendar/) and buy tickets online.