The Columbia CVB serves as the destination marketing organization

The Columbia CVB serves
as the destination
Food and Wine
in Columbia
Known as “The District,” Columbia’s vibrant downtown is a 43 not-square-block area that features
numerous chef-owned and entrepreneurial
restaurants (www.discoverthedistrict.com). From
contemporary American fare at Addison’s to the
elegant Northern Italian feel of Trattoria Strada
Nova, the vegetarian specialties of Main Squeeze or
the spirited choices of Cherry Street Bistro and Flat
Branch Pub & Brewing, Columbia’s “foodies” can
have it all. Culinary choices don’t stop with great
restaurants, however. The District boasts locallyowned boutiques that specialize in wine and
cheese selections, hand-made chocolates and
custom-blend coffees. Columbia’s “Savvy Southside”
is another great dining destination. Enjoy superb
Italian, a comfortable patio and a game of bocce
ball at Sophia’s. Listen to classical guitar and sample
Spanish tapas and entree’s at Dali’s. Check out the
jazz and casual cuisine at Murry’s. At Grand Cru, celebrate a great meal followed by a select cigar in the
separate smoking room. Outside of Columbia, Les
Bourgeois Winery in Rocheport and Stone Hill
Winery in Hermann offer fine dining, terrific wines
and spectacular views of the Missouri River.
Festivals
Columbia’s active lifestyle is reflected in the
number of high-quality, free admission festivals. The
summer festival season kicks off with the Memorial
Weekend Salute to Veterans featuring the largest
free airshow in the United States. Art in the Park,
which celebrates 47 years as Mid-Missouri’s largest
outdoor fine arts fair, is held the first weekend of
June. The festival features visual artists, live music,
hands-on art activities and more. Every Thursday in
Renee Graham ,Tourism Marketing Manager
300 South Providence Rd.
Columbia, MO 65203
Phone: 1-800-652-0987 Fax: 573-443-3986
E-Mail: RYG@GoColumbiaMO.com
www.visitcolumbiamo.com
June, Twilight Festival in
The District offers
carriage rides, artisans,
musicians and activities
for all ages. The JW
Boone Ragtime Festival
in mid-June spotlights
Ragtime and Early Jazz
music. Downtown’s
Twilight Festival resumes
every Thursday in September. The third weekend
of September brings the Heritage Festival. The
Columbia Festival of the Arts, the last weekend
of September, is a multi-cultural experience that
promotes theater, dance, music, literature and
children’s art, as well as visual arts. December hosts
The District’s Holiday Festival and First Night®,
Columbia’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration with
music, arts and entertainment venues for a variety
of ages and interests.
Cultural Offerings
Columbia is an enthusiastic patron of The Arts.
The “We Always Swing” Jazz Series and University
Concert series book headline entertainment. Other
offerings include the Missouri Symphony Society
Summer Music Festival, the Shelter Gardens
Summer Sunday Series, theater productions by the
Columbia Entertainment Company and Maplewood
Barn Theatre, as well as MU and Stephen’s College
theater departments. Downtown’s many galleries
and shops offer hand-crafted designs and one-of-akind furnishings. The University of Missouri’s
Museum of Art & Archaeology and Museum of
Anthropology offer workshops, rotating exhibits
and permanent collections.
marketing organization
for Columbia and
surrounding areas
Outdoor Recreation
Preservation of green space and a diverse park
system provide numerous recreation opportunities.
Columbia’s MKT Trail connects to the Katy Trail State
Park, both of which were built on the bed of the old
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad. At 225 miles long,
the Katy Trail is Missouri’s longest state park. The
MKT Trail is an 8.9 mile spur that runs between the
Katy Trail and the historic Katy Depot in Downtown
Columbia. As the longest, non-motorized segment
of the Lewis and Clark Heritage Trail, the Katy Trail
offers modern day explorers a unique way to
discover the Missouri River Valley. For a closer look
at the Missouri River, Mighty-Mo Canoe Rentals
offers guided canoe and kayak excursions on the
river. Held every Saturday, as weather permits,
from Mid-May to Mid-October, this three and a
half hour adventure tour offers participants
the chance to explore the history and ecology
of the Mighty Missouri from Rocheport to
Huntsdale. (www.mighty-mo.com).
Services for Travel Journalists
The Columbia Convention & Visitors Bureau offers a variety of services including:
Press Trips • Media Kits • Slides • Photographs • Digital Images • Assistance with “Meet
the Author” receptions and book signings.
Columbia was proud to have been the site of the 2003 Outdoor Writers Association of
America Conference. Columbia is an associate member of MTWA and NATJA.
Columbia/Area Attractions
COLUMBIA ATTRACTIONS
SHELTER GARDENS
Sensory Garden
One-Room School House
Rose Garden
Concerts at the Gazebo
THE DISTRICT in
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN
110 Retail & Specialty Shops
13 Art Galleries & Museums
70+ Restaurants & Bars
Columbia Art League Gallery
Live Music Venues
Missouri Theatre
New in 2006-2007:
“Blind” Boone Home &
Ragtime Museum
Health Adventure Center
Flat Branch Park Phase II
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
Museum of Art & Archaeology
Museum of Anthropology
The Missouri Mules
Historic Francis Quadrangle
Buck’s Ice Cream
Original Thomas Jefferson
Gravemarker
Jefferson Sculpture
MKT TRAIL
8.9 mile fitness trail connecting
Downtown Columbia to the 225
mile Katy Trail State Park
NIFONG PARK AREA
FULTON
Boone County Historical
Museum
Historic Maplewood Home
Maplewood Barn Theatre
Winston Churchill Memorial
Auto World Rare Car Museum
STEPHENS & COLUMBIA
COLLEGES
Senior Hall & Firestone-Baars
Chapel
St. Clair Hall & Dorsey Chapel
New in 2006: Historical Costumes
Library & Gallery
COLUMBIA SOUTH
Rock Bridge State Park
Unique Shops & Dining
COLUMBIA EAST
Walk About Acres
Shryock’s Callaway Farms
New in 2007: Jefferson Farms &
Gardens
AREA ATTRACTIONS
ROCHEPORT
Les Bourgeois Winery & Bistro
Katy Trail State Park
Eco Tourism Walking Tour
Flavors of the Heartland &
Gallery
Numerous Antique Shops
Unique Dining & Shopping
New! Mighty-Mo River Excursions
BOONVILLE/PILOT GROVE
Roslyn Heights (Victorian Home)
Old Jail & Hanging Barn
Isle of Capri Casino
Thespian Hall (Historic Theatre)
Pleasant Green & Crestmead
Plantations
Unique Dining–Settler’s Inn
ARROW ROCK
Lyceum Theatre
State Historic Sites
George Caleb Bingham Home
Doctor’s Museum
Sites Gun Shop
Black History Project
State Interpretive Center w/
Lewis & Clark & historic trails
highlighted
Unique Dining–Old Tavern
Evergreen, Iron Horse Inn
A DETAILED ONLINE
CALENDAR IS AVAILABLE AT:
www.visitcolumbiamo.com
Annual Events Calendar
Performing
Arts Series
FEBRUARY
SEPTEMBER
True/False Film Festival
JANUARY–MAY &
SEPTEMBER–DECEMBER
Earth Day Celebration
Heritage Festival
MU Football Season Begins
Columbia Festival of the Arts
Twilight Festivals
(Every Thursday in September)
Include:
“We Always Swing” Jazz
Series
University Concert Series
Theater productions by MU
& Stephens College
Columbia Entertainment
Company
JUNE–JULY
Performing Arts Series
Include:
Shelter Gardens’ Sunday
Evening Concert Series
Missouri Chamber Orchestra
Maplewood Barn Theatre
APRIL
MAY
Memorial Weekend Salute to
Veterans Airshow & Parade
(Midwest’s Largest Free
Airshow)
JUNE
Twilight Festivals
(Every Thursday in June)
Art in the Park
J.W. Boone Early Jazz &
Ragtime Festival
MO Senior State Games
JULY
Fire in the Sky
Carl Hurley Show
Boone County Fair
Show Me State Games
OCTOBER
MU Football & Homecoming
NOVEMBER
Hearnes Center Fall Craft Show
Concert Series Holiday Festival
MU Football
DECEMBER
Holiday Festival in The District
Christmas Past–Candlelight Tour
of Maplewood
Holiday Homes Tours
First Night® Columbia–New
Year’s Celebration