Area Overview

Located in the heart of Mid-Missouri the Columbia area, nicknamed "CoMo" by locals, provides a diverse range of activities and opportunities for almost every age and lifestyle. With a population of just over 120,000 people Columbia is consistently ranked among the top 100 best places to live and top 10 college towns in the country. The areas diverse offerings of local higher education and strong business climate make Columbia an attractive city for young families.   

Things to Do

Columbia offers a wide variety of things to do all year long! If you want to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather the Columbia area boasts several public parks, trails and recreation areas.

Sporting events

With the University of Missouri recently entering the South Eastern Conference (SEC), Columbia has become the premier college sports hub for the Mid-Missouri area. With sporting events happening year round you can be sure you will get your fill of college rivalries. Form fall football football games at Memorial Stadium to spring basketball games at Mizzou Arena, collegiate sporting events are sure to provide year round entertainment. 

Outdoor Activities

Columbia hosts over 80 parks and recreation facilities. Listed below are a few of the most popular. 

Located just minutes form down town Columbia, Rock Bridge state park allows its visitors to hike, bike or horseback ride through the scenic Missouri terrain. The park is home to one of the most prominent land features in the area known as the Rock Bridge as well a cave system known a Devil's Icebox. 

Finger Lakes State Park is located just 10 minuets north of Columbia just off highway 63. This beautiful park is one of two in the Missouri State Park System that provides abundant ATV trails to its visitors. Built in a former coal mining area the park boasts a popular motocross track, spacious campgrounds, fishings, swimming, canoeing & kayaking trails, and mountain biking trails. 

The MKT Trail is one of the columbia areas most prominent nature and fitness trail. This scenic trail is 10 ft. wide and begins in the heart ow downtown columbia, in Flat Branch Park, where it follows the old MKT railroad bed. This popular trail is just under 9 miles long and connects with Missouri's Katy Trail. The Katy Trail is over 200 miles long and spans from St. Charles Missouri to Sedalia Missouri.  

Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area contains 4,431 acres and bordered by Katy Trail State Park, and the Missouri River. The diverse topography of the conservation area includes croplands, forests, wetlands, Savanna, and glades. This diversity provides locals with one of the most divers animal populations in the area and is open to the public for  birdwatching, camping, fishing, hiking, deer hunting, small game hunting, waterfowl hunting, and dove hunting.

Nightlife 

Down Town Columbia boasts an exciting nightlife with several bars and venues of all different types ranging from you typical college bars to classy upscale professional bars.

Local School Information

The Columbia Public School District offers elementary and secondary education in many locations across Columbia.

Follow the link to see more about school locations: https://www.cpsk12.org/Page/525

Higher Education 

Columbia is unique place due to it's plethora of higher education institutions in one city, including the University of Missouri, Columbia College and Stephens College as well as others.

University of Missouri

The University of Missouri was founded as the first university west of the Mississippi in 1839. With a large enrollment of 35,000 students, Mizzou offers more than 300 degree programs and boasts its top rated school of journalism.

Locals Favorite Picks

Information Coming Soon!

Columbia Regional Airport 

The Columbia Regional Airport provides daily flights to and from Chicago O'Hare and Dallas Ft. Worth for easy access to anywhere in the country! American Airlines provides two round flights between each location daily. 

Near By

Jefferson City, Missouri's Capital, is only 32 miles away and offers lots of food and shopping options.

Fulton, Missouri is just a 30 minute drive east of Columbia.