Location: Columbia
Top Things to do in Columbia
The 10 Best Things to Do in Columbia, United States
Columbia /kəˈlʌmbiə/ is a city in Missouri and the county seat of Boone County. Founded in 1821, it is home to the University of Missouri and is the principal city of the Columbia metropolitan area. It is Missouri's fourth most-populous city, with an estimated 120,612 residents in 2016.
Restaurants in Columbia
1. Stephens Lake Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By Previa1994 - Kansas City, Missouri
This is one beautiful and wonderful park in Columbia; Columbians should be proud of this lovely park. The park has a variety of amenities facilitating a variety of recreation opportunities. The paved wide trail running around the park connects up with other trails in the city providing a continuous path for long bike rides. The lake and the trees and the gardens in the park amplify the beauty of the park. Do not miss this, especially if you live in Columbia.
2. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 274 reviews
Just minutes from Columbia, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park gives visitors the chance to scramble, hike and bicycle through a scenic environment – and lets them peek into Missouri’s underworld. The park contains some of the most popular hiking trails in the state and also offers solitude while hiking in the Gans Creek Wild Area. Visitors can also see a large cave system with its rock bridge, sinkholes, a spring and underground stream at the Devil's Icebox. You can explore Connor's Cave in the light of the opening for a taste of the underground world.
Reviewed By DRMIZZOU - Columbia, Missouri
This is a great place to hike and see some incredible natural sites. The Rock Bridge and Devil's Icebox are great natural formations. The walkway is very nice and the other hiking/walking trails are also good. Nice place to take grandkids!
3. Shelter Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 170 reviews
Reviewed By Bill S - Grayslake, Illinois
Neat little fenced park on Shelter Insurance property is packed with trees, bushes, flowers and other interesting plants. It also has relaxing water features and a little school house. This is a great place to bring Grandma and Grandpa or the little ones for an easy stroll.
4. Francis Quadrangle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By ELKW - United States
the pillars are one of the most photo-taking points in the university, however, when we came there, they are under repair work, the pillars are totally covered by a white cover, and we can't see anything, nothing can be pictured, we are so disappointed !!
5. Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By DianaKansasCity - Kansas City
The overlook is a little hard to find. They could use more/better signage throughout the park. The overlook parking lot is on Warren School Road. The lot is not marked except for a little hut over the brochures. And then it's hard to know which way to go through the weeds, but it is to the far left of the parking lots' brochure hut, up a little hill, past the utilities fenced enclosure. Then the path opens up to a wide mowed path. After about half a mile it turns into the woods and the path narrows, eventually leading to a wood boardwalk heading back to the overlook. It's a lovely walk in the countryside, with your reward being the beautiful views from the overlook deck. The walk from the parking lot is .9 miles, or almost 2 miles round trip.
The other way to get to the overlook is from the bottom of the cliff, on the Katy Trail, up four sets of steps, which is described as a strenuous climb.
6. Finger Lakes State Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 69 reviews
The roar of ATVs and off-road motorcycles combines with the peacefulness of rolling hills at Finger Lakes State Park, one of two ATV parks in the state parks system. Built in a former coal mining area, Finger Lakes’ trails and motocross track are popular with users who come for the day, but often fall under the spell of the spacious campground, leafy trees and hilly terrain. The park is also the site of the challenging 2.75-mile Kelley Branch Mountain Bike Trail and a 4.5-mile water trail.
Reviewed By FZ1Memphis - Germantown
Finger Lakes has a variety of outdoor attractions - lakes for swimming, fishing and canoeing, a shooting range, trails for hiking. The main attractions however are the miles of dirt bike trails and a top notch motocross track, so the sound of people of all ages having fun on two wheels is part of the ambiance. The park is very well maintained and a family friendly destination.
7. Shryocks Callaway Farms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Family farm open to tourists that features a seed plot and a new corn maze every season.
Reviewed By Brenda H - Missouri
Shryocks Callaway Farms is excellent for family fun. Grandkids loved the new barn with the additional activities. Gumball coaster is always the favorite. The corn maze is always a challenge. A great place to take kids to see how a real farm operates and the Shryocks family are the best when it comes to hosts.
8. Twin Lakes Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By 773melindak - Columbia, Missouri
This place is pretty cool. Pirates Cove is pretty inexpensive and offers a cool (literally) spot for families during the summer. Its really nice to have a local water park in town. I've taken my daughter here since she was teensy and she's truly enjoyed it. There's the park as well as a beach area. Fun stuff.
Next door to the Cove is a dog park. Safety first has a great double gated entrance area so no sneaky pups can escape while you're trying to get your furbaby inside.
The dog park is pretty big and offers quite a broad area for your pup to get around and socialize (or not). Very cool.
9. Museum of Art and Archaeology
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By Koyangi - Michigan
The museum isn't large, but it's got a surprisingly diverse array of art. Cool medieval/renaissance art, and a lot of artifacts and sculptures from different eras on the archaeology end (check out the mummy shroud). It's located off the main campus, but it's a good way to kill a few hours, and it looks like they will be adding an anthropology section soon.
10. Mizzou Arena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Pbaglaw - Independence, Missouri, United States
Great fans,nice road trip and fantastic experience! Everything is brand new and easy to get to and park. Welcome to the SEC! Mizzou is a fine sporting experience. Tony was able to pull some great tickets so we had suite access and it is really something to experience!
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