About Columbia, MO

Columbia is a growing city with a population of roughly 90,000 people.  It maintains a Midwest small town feel, however it still offers an exciting “big city” mix of unique restaurants, specialty stores, art galleries, and coffee shops.

Columbia is located in central Missouri, about 120 miles from both Kansas City and St. Louis and within a short drive of the Lake of the Ozarks.  Columbia has consistently ranked among the top 20 U.S. cities to live in several national rankings, based on a low cost of living, a stable economy, and low crime rate.  Most of our residents own their own home and real estate is affordable starting at around $95-100/sq. foot

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Continental climate with four seasons.

Entertainment opportunities abound with events such as the Twilight Festival, Blind Boone Ragtime & Early Jazz Festival, Heritage Festival, Art in the Park, Fall Festival of the Arts, and First Night New Year Celebration.  These festivals bring thousands of visitors to the city to share in the entertainment or view the work of local, regional and national artists.  Art lovers can also visit galleries on the MU and Stephens College campuses and at the Columbia Art League. Museums include the Archaeology and Anthropology museums at the University, the State Historical Society of Missouri, and the Boone County Historical Museum.

Outside the Blue Note during the 9th Street Summerfest, a popular venue for local and national bands	Horse drawn carriage tours in downtown Columbia during the Twilight Festival

The sports fan will find many fun activities and events since Columbia is home to the Mizzou Tigers basketball and football teams.  Whether you prefer swimming, golf, bowling, roller-skating, tennis, baseball, soccer, football, or any other sport, Columbia has a recreation area for you.  For biking, hiking, running, or walking, Columbia is ideal due to the beautiful MKT trail, which connects to the state’s 225-mile long Katy Trail State Park.  The Rock Bridge State Park also serves to provide a picturesque getaway opportunity for those seeking to bask in the lush fall foliage or explore any of the endless caves that are scattered throughout the area.  There is also an additional 1,400 acres of parks, nature areas, and recreational facilities within the Columbia vicinity for residents to enjoy.

		The "Devil's Icebox" at Rockbridge State Park
		Katy Trail State Park at Rocheport
Faurot Field - The Home of Missouri Tigers Football

For leisure activities, Columbia has it all. Columbia has a great appreciation for the arts ranging from opera and ballet to modern music and movies. Indie films can be found at the Ragtag Cinema Café, classic movies at the Missouri Theater, big performers at the Hearnes Center or the Concert Series at Jesse Hall.  The Mizzou Amphitheater makes summer concerts possible and the Blue Note brings many popular musicians right to Columbia’s downtown area.

In terms of education, there are few places that can compare to Columbia.  The U.S. Department of Education reported that Columbia has "more exemplary public schools per capita than any other city in the nation” and our school district has been selected as a model district by a National Governors Conference panel, an honor bestowed on only sixteen districts in the nation. Our public schools continue to have national reputations for excellence. They have earned the highest possible rating in Missouri and continue to receive national honors from both students and teachers alike. The school district graduates one of the highest percentages of Merit Scholars in the country. Columbia also prides itself with having two private colleges and one university to provide extended educational opportunities.

Scenes from the University of Missouri Campus
Tiger Plaza	Memorial Union	The Columns

			Columbia also has plenty to do outdoors.  The Katy Trail is the longest rails-to-trails conversion in the United States.  Wandering beside the Missouri River and beautiful limestone bluffs.  It's beauty is unparalleled during the fall foliage change.  The trail also passes through the world's breadbasket of agricultural production, Missouri's legendary wine country, and through many quaint towns ready to explore for antiques, bed and breakfasts, wineries, local history and more.
You can explore the 225-mile Katy Trail on foot or bicycle.  The MKT spur that travels through Columbia is safe with daily volunteer patrols and emergency phones.  The Katy Trail is America's longest rails-to-trails project, and also the longest public, non-motorized portion of the entire Lewis and Clark Trail.  The Katy Trail and the Missouri River corridor are popular heritage travel and recreation destinations.
Another favorite outdoor activity that our residents enjoy is a visit out to the Les Bourgeois Winery.  Located off the Katy Trail and about a 15 minute drive from Columbia.  Les Bourgeois offers fine dining in their bluff-top bistro overlooking the Missouri River, or for a more layed back atmosphere, the A-frame is a wonderful place to enjoy the fall foliage and a local vintage in a T-shirt and shorts.
Les Bourgeois A-frame	Blufftop Bistro overlooking the Missouri River