Cities with colleges and universities inherently have a youthful energy, no matter what the age range is of the demographic. With residents who’ve been there for decades and students rotating in and out, the city has to remain relevant, appealing to a wide range of people whether they are visiting or making the place home. That is certainly true of a city in Boone County, Missouri which I visited recently. Here’s my Editor’s Pick list of Things to Do in Columbia, MO for RealFoodTraveler.com readers and podcast listeners.

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Editor’s Pick: Things to Do In Columbia MO

Connect with the source of Columbia’s agriculture and foodie scene at the Columbia Farmer’s Market. The year-round, sheltered market has a rule that every vendor must come from within a 50-mile radius of Columbia. See (and shop for) produce that’s grown in the area including some that might surprise you like squash blossoms, turmeric, unique mushrooms and fresh-cut flowers. There are also educational opportunities, working bathrooms and running water – nice perks. The Market, which was voted #1 Best Farmers Market in the country in 2023 and #2 in 2024 is the ideal place to enjoy local food, local goods, local food trucks, local musicians, local goods and local people!

The Columbia, MO Farmers Market is a fun, sociable, year-round way to experience local produce and goods.

Go back in time at the Museum of Art and Archaeology and Museum of Anthropology on the University of Missouri campus. Students, the community and visitors can visit the admission-free museums that recently re-opened. The MAA has an impressive collection of American and European art as well as antiquities from ancient Egypt and Greece. The MOA has impressive displays including a really good area about the progression of humans. Don’t miss visiting the gift shop which has reasonably-priced jewelry, clothing, books, and fun things, sales of which all of which help support the museum. I enjoyed doing my part!

Visit the Museum of Art and Archaeology and Museum of Anthropology for an impressive look at historic art and artifacts.

Catch a flick at the Ragtag Cinema, a 2-screen movie theater accessed by walking through a bakery/café (grab a drink and food and bring them into the theater). Afterword, stop into the record store next door. The theater, named for the idea of cobbling things together to create something worthy is reflected in the red and black couches and chairs that make up the seating in the small theaters. In addition to showing films, they also have a variety of special events including a speakers series and their big event, the True/False Film Fest which happens in early February. It’s a weekend of independent, international films and sometimes the filmmakers are in attendance for questions and answers.

The Ragtag Cinema is a great place to catch a film or attend a film event like the True/False Film Fest. Grab a bite to eat or shop for an LP in the same building while you’re there. 

Take in some tunes with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra (lovingly called MOSY) during their season, with performances often held in the beautiful Missouri Theater. When I was there, the annual June Firefly Music Festival was just beginning, kicked off with a stellar concert of Beethoven’s first and last symphonies.

Stroll around downtown exploring The District, a series of neighborhoods in the downtown area, each with its own vibe. The walkable downtown makes it easy to take in public art, independent restaurants, coffee shops and stores. In the area is also the African American Heritage Trail, “Blind” Boone Home and the State Historical Society of Missouri.

Nourish your creativity in the North Village Arts District, adjacent to The District. The area, formerly relegated to warehouses and railroad, is now home to art studios, galleries, performance spaces, restaurants, shops, a distillery, farmers/artisan market and First Fridays. We visited Artlandish Galleries (art, crafts, jewelry by local artists for sale in a fun atmosphere); Orr Street Studios (gallery, event space and where real artists work behind sliding doors that are works of art themselves); and Sager Reeves Gallery (frequently-changing art exhibits and events including their annual “small art” sale of mini-paintings every July. That’s where even other artists shop each other’s works). Don’t miss the North Village Art Walk, a sculpture and art walk that helps you explore the area one mural and sculpture at a time.

Take in the arts scene in Columbia, Missouri’s North Village Arts District, a strollable area where First Friday’s and other events happen throughout the year. 

Hungry for more? See how to have fun in Elkhart Lake year-round.

Editor’s Pick: More Things to Do in Columbia, MO? Eat!

Addison’s was started in 1999 by four friends who wanted to add to Columbia’s restaurant scene. The original location is in downtown Columbia but a second one has opened in the south part of the city, appropriately called Addison’s South. The large menu, with a lot of great-sounding options makes it hard to choose. My group ordered their famous Nacho’s Bianco made with light pasta “chips” instead of tortillas, topped with Asiago cheese sauce, tomatoes, scallions, Kalamata olives, scallions, banana peppers and mozzarella. It was very hard to stop eating them, wooed by the not-what-you-expect flavor and texture combinations. Addison’s is also known for their barbecue sauces which I experienced in their half rack of pull-off-the-bone ribs coated with their “FNG” BBQ sauce. Tangy and bright and not overly sweet, I was glad I’d given it a try. They also have salads, seafood, pizza and sandwiches. Surely, there’s something for everyone.

Addison’s has multiple locations in Columbia, MO and serves a variety of creative menu items.

Barred Owl Butcher & Table is owned by three partners, a husband and wife and another chef who had years of combined experience at area restaurants but wanted to open their own place. There’s a whole-animal butcher shop in one part of the building with a restaurant and bar in another. Both are very popular with locals. The butcher side has a table at Farmer’s Market mentioned above. I was there when a market-goer got the bad news that his beloved bologna had already sold out for the day! The restaurant menu is determined by what’s local and seasonal and changes regularly. When I was there, we had a luscious and savory Blue Cheese Crème Brulee with a fig jam and toasted cranberry-pumpkin seed bread slices. They are known for their Butcher Boards that have their popular rabbit liver pate and other nibbles. We also had Fried Rabbit, salad and soup, Shrimp & Grits and a fruity cobbler. Shop the butcher shop for house-made sausages and smoked meats, steaks and chops plus fresh-baked bread and artisanal cheese.

Barred Owl is a creative restaurant and has a butcher shop next door that also supplies the restaurant.

Café Berlin, located in the heart of “CoMo” serves classic breakfast dishes with their own twist including weekly specials like the stuffed French toast when we were there plus vegetarian, vegan and GF options. I had Pulled Pork Hash made with onions, peppers, pickled red onion and jalapeno and a poached egg on top served with sourdough toast. Other options included breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros and pancakes. Don’t miss the fresh-squeezed orange juice. They also have live music – check out the schedule and the big patio area. The Cafe is in a strip mall which, in my experience, often means it’ll be a great spot. I call them “strip mall jewels.”

Cafe Berlin is a popular place with the locals thanks to hearty portions, live music and a big patio.

Cherry Street Cellar has a seasonal “land and sea” menu with an emphasis on their wine selections (by the glass and bottle) and cocktail menu. Get there early for happy hour deals including house wine, oysters and bar snacks. We shared the Warm Harbison “Fondue” with grilled Fingerling potatoes, with cornichons, smoked grapes and slices of French baguette. Where have roasted grapes been all my life?! We got an order of Crisp Frog Legs, my first, which, thankfully didn’t look too froglike. They were breaded with Italian chili crunch, pickled shallots and preserved lemon and had great flavor. However, I found the meat to be a little chewy. And, yes, they kind of tasted like chicken.

Cherry Street Cellar, conveniently located near the Tiger Hotel, serves simple but elegant food and drink in a homey atmosphere in Columbia.

Logboat Brewing Company recently finished a big expansion of their 10-year-old business. When the brewery opened, they were the first new business in a slightly dodgy area that was ready to have a new life after railroad days. Other businesses joined the area, making it a destination near the North Village Arts District (it’s easy to combine visits to the two). The team brews beers they like and, judging by all the people inside and outside on their new, expansive patio, visitors like them too. Take a six pack to go when you decide on something you just have to have. It’s a great place to while away the afternoon, especially with a bite from whatever food truck is parked just outside.

Enjoy beers and ciders from Logboat Brewing Company in the tasting room and on their patio where their logo adorns a metal gate. 

Shakespeare’s Pizza has been around since 1973 and is a favorite of the locals. Get pizza by the slice (pepperoni and cheese-only), a variety of other whole pies with tasty toppings, cheesey bread and big salads. It’s a popular hangout with college kids, especially during football season. And during the True/False Film Fest, locals love stopping in there for a bite between movies. Their crust is substantial and holds up well under the ample cheese and toppings. Grab yourself a “napkin,” a utilitarian, red, terry cloth washcloth that is, as if to say, “Here, you’re gonna need this.” And you will. A window near the entrance gives a glimpse into the hard-working kitchen. It’s also where they’ll toss out a ball of dough to kids to play with.

Shakespeare’s Pizza is iconic with the locals and a great place for visitors to go too.

Sparky’s Homemade Ice Cream is a big draw for all ages with masses of quirky art hung to enjoy while you wait your turn to order. The summer’s night we were there, a line down the street was made up of babies on up to senior citizens. Flavors change frequently, sometimes while you’re in line as they sell out. Honey Lavender is super-popular. I loved Cherry Almond. But I did overhear someone in line say, “They have the best chocolate, anywhere. Like, in the world.” Next time.

Getting ice cream at Sparky’s in downtown is one of the things you’ve just got to do in Columbia, MO.

Hungry for more? Here’s a recipe for Mushroom Gravy from Columbia MO.

More places to eat, just out of town…

Meriwether Café and Bikes, in nearby Rocheport (a short, pastoral drive outside of Columbia), is located just off of the historic Katy Trail State Park. Locals stop there before and after a bike ride along the trail for fortification. Straight-forward, scratchmade cooking may take a while on a busy weekend day but the wait is worth it. Menu items include pancakes, egg sandwich (with bacon, smoked gouda, spinach and chipotle mayo on wheat bread), and the inventive breakfast pizza on a biscuit dough with a ladle-swipe of gravy instead of tomato sauce. Although the air conditioning is nice inside, the large patio is too inviting to resist. Note, the Katy Trail State Park is built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (where the K.T. or Katy in the name comes from). It’s 240 miles long and has 26 trailheads and four fully-restored railroad depots along the way, including just outside the Meriwether. A section of it is an official part of the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail. The section near Meriwether is lush and pretty with rocky walls and dappled shade. I bet it’s gorgeous in the fall! We met a gentleman who had just finished eating (they serve breakfast or lunch all day at Meriwhether), who said he rides his bike along the path two or three times/week.

Combine a bike ride or stroll along the Katy Trail with a meal at the Meriwhether Cafe and Bikes.

The A-Frame Winegarden at The Blufftop Rocheport offers up wine by the bottle or glass plus a small food menu including snacks, salads and sandwiches that you can enjoy in the big draw, the terraced decks with tables and seating overlooking the mighty Missouri River. Get there in time for what we were told are magnificent sunsets over the river especially while enjoying strings of twinkling lights and live music.

The Tasting Room at Bluff Top Rocheport, just up the road from The A-Frame Winegarden is a great place to sample wines before you buy a glass or bottle over at A-Frame. With flights at just $5 for four pours, you can get a really good idea of what you like and don’t like without over-committing, financially. Don’t miss doing a little shopping in the tasting room, both for bottles of wine, picnic-fare and clever wine-related items that make great souvenirs and gifts. It’s one of the best tasting room shopping selections I’ve seen.

The A-Frame Winegarden at The Blufftop Rocheport offers a lovely, outdoor way to enjoy food and wine. The Tasting Room at Bluff Top Rocheport provide a charming tasting room in which to shop and enjoy wine tastings.

Where to Stay When You’re Tired from All the Things to Do in Columbia, MO:

The Tiger Hotel (an IHG hotel property in case you’re collecting rewards), is more than 100 years old. The building was the first skyscraper built between Kansas City and St. Louis and was designed by renowned architect Alonzo H. Gentry. Its neon “Tiger” sign is one of the most prominent icons of the city’s skyline. Now, it’s Columbia’s only AAA 4-Diamond Hotel but it still features the original Tiffany-style chandeliers above the inlaid terrazzo floor. On the mezzanine, note the three original works by Salvador Dali.

Rooms are spacious and comfortable and the bathrooms are huge. I loved the removable, handheld shower heads and great amenities including shampoo, soap, lotion, coffee and tea, cotton balls, mending kit, iron and ironing board. I also appreciated the comfortable bed, excellent pillows and switch by the bed the lowered and raised the shades – a nice touch that made me feel very fancy.

The Tiger Hotel also has a fitness room and three places to eat and drink; Glenn’s Café for Midwest and Cajun-Creole-style breakfast, lunch and dinner; Twain Missouri BBQ & Taproom, the Vault Speakeasy.

The Tiger Hotel is a comfortable, stylish and conveniently-located hotel in downtown, perfect for when you’re taking advantage of all the things to do in Columbia, MO.

For more information on visiting Columbia, Missouri, visit their handy website, here.

-Story and photos by Courtney Drake-McDonough, publisher and managing editor of RealFoodTraveler.com

Use our Real Food Travel affiliate links to plan your trip: Hotels.com and Expedia.com. While these links do not, in any way, change your search, reservation or pricing experience, we may receive a small commission on purchases.

Please note: I visited Columbia, Missouri as part of a tour set up for food- and travel-writing journalists to facilitate being able to write about the destination. The majority of the trip was hosted, as is common practice but does not sway how we inform our readers about the opportunities that await them. 

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