Kelly Farms
Best things to do in Columbia, MO!
May 13, 2021
We are sharing our favorite things to do in Columbia, MO!
Looking for new things to do here in Columbia?
Kelly Enterprises was founded right here in Columbia, Missouri, and we are proud to call this place home.
A little about our hometown: “As a Midwestern college town, Columbia has a reputation for progressive politics, persuasive journalism, and public art. The tripartite establishment of Stephens College (1833), the University of Missouri (1839), and Columbia College (1851), which surround the city's Downtown to the east, south, and north, has made the city a center of learning. At its center is 8th Street (also known as the Avenue of the Columns), which connects Francis Quadrangle and Jesse Hall to the Boone County Courthouse and the City Hall. Originally an agricultural town, the cultivation of the mind is Columbia's chief economic concern today. The city's economy also depends on healthcare, insurance, and technology businesses, but has never been a major center of manufacturing. Companies such as Shelter Insurance, Carfax, Veterans United Home Loans, and Slackers CDs and Games, were founded in the city. Cultural institutions include the State Historical Society of Missouri, the Museum of Art and Archaeology, and the annual True/False Film Festival and the Roots N Blues Festival. The Missouri Tigers, the state's only major college athletic program, play football at Faurot Field and basketball at Mizzou Arena as members of the rigorous Southeastern Conference.
The city rests upon the forested hills and rolling prairies of Mid-Missouri, near the Missouri River valley, where the Ozark Mountains begin to transform into plains and savanna. Limestone forms bluffs and glades while rain dissolves the bedrock, creating caves and springs which water the Hinkson, Roche Perche, and Bonne Femme creeks. Surrounding the city, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Mark Twain National Forest, and Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge form a greenbelt preserving sensitive and rare environments. The Columbia Agriculture Park is home to the Columbia Farmers Market. The city has been called the "Athens of Missouri" for its classic beauty and educational emphasis, but is more commonly called "CoMo". - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia,_Missouri
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The Blue Note
17 N 9th St., Columbia, MO, 65201
“The Blue Note is a very popular venue that hosts a variety of entertainment events in Columbia. Since 1980, the Blue Note has been an ineffable source of live acts to the locals. The club features a bar and serves an eclectic range of spirits, which may not be found everyday, as the list changes regularly. With a seating capacity of over 800 and performances by both local and international artists, one can't imagine the fun mix of people this venue pulls in.”
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Finger Lakes State Park
1505 E Peabody Rd., Columbia, MO, 65202
“Spend some time away from the hustle of daily life at the serene Finger Lakes State Park near Columbia. The park offers a number of recreational and adventurous activities to visitors. If you’re looking for something fun, then try ATV riding in the motocross tracks here. Rejuvenate with a boating and fishing trip in the lake or take a swim or scuba dive in it. The camping sites and picnic areas are well equipped with restrooms, grills, and shelters. A perfect place for a weekend getaway, the place has much to offer.”
https://www.mostateparks.com/park/finger-lakes-state-park
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FearFest
6399 Highway 40 W, Columbia, MO, 65202
“FearFest! A Columbia tradition for 18 years! 4 attractions at one location! Hawthorne State Asylum, The Mortuary, Terror in the Woods and the new home of Necropolis! Speed pass, extreme scare and low scare upgrades available!”
http://necroplanet.com/index.shtml
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Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
5901 S Hwy. 163, Columbia, MO, 65203
“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.”
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Midway Golf and Games
5500 W Van Horn Tavern Rd., Columbia, MO, 65203
“Midway Golf & Games, formerly Perche Creek and Midway Golf Complex, is mid-Missouri’s premiere destination for family entertainment. After a full renovation and new attractions in 2018 and 2019 , we are proud to offer fun outdoor games with a new 18-hole miniature golf course; state-of-the-art electric go-kart track; updated driving range, 16-hole par-3 course; foot golf; batting cages; military themed outdoor laser tag course; archery tag; outdoor axe throwing booths; and a lawn area with a pavilion and yard games great for hosting events. Visit our Pro Shop for golfing gear, custom club fittings, and lessons.
Looking for some things to do this weekend, top-notch entertainment or even overall family fun? From age 2 to 92, Midway Golf & Games offers something for everyone — that’s why we’re the premier family fun center in the Columbia area! Race to the finish line on the go-kart track, visit magical lands and beautiful scenery as you putt your way through mini-golf and perfect your par out on our fairway. ”
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Museum of Anthropology
115 Business Loop 70 W, Columbia, MO, 65203
“The Museum of Anthropology collections were created in 1885 when the University of Missouri began accepting gifts of ethnographic materials. These items were organized into the Museum of Ethnology in 1902, and the name Museum of Anthropology was formally adopted in 1939.
The Museum is the only anthropology museum in Missouri and one of only a few in the Midwest. The archaeological collection comprises artifacts dating from around 9,000 BC to modern times, including the largest holding of prehistoric Missouri artifacts in the world. Among the thousands of objects the Museum curates is a collection of ethnographic materials and objects from many cultures around the world, the largest number being from Africa, Asia, and South America.
The Grayson Archery Collection is included in the Museum’s special collections. It is the largest and most comprehensive collection of archery equipment and archery-related objects in the world. Additionally, the Museum holds the Fay Library of anthropological books and periodicals, the Sutton Collection of African weaponry, and archival materials relating to various collections.
The Museum of Anthropology continues to serve the research and teaching needs of the University of Missouri, provide exhibitions and programs for the general public, and serve as an archaeological curation facility for the state of Missouri.”
https://anthromuseum.missouri.edu/
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Breakout Como
908 E Walnut St., Columbia, MO, 65201
“Breakout CoMo comes from the top-rated escape room in the world, Breakout KC. Your goal is simple: you have 60 minutes to breakout from one of our real life escape rooms. Crack the codes. Trust your gut. Solve the riddles!”
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Stephens Lake Park
2001 E Broadway, Columbia, MO, 65201
“Stephens Lake Park is the crown jewel of Columbia’s park system and is known for its 11-acre fishing/swimming lake, mature trees, and historical significance in the community. It serves as the center for outdoor winter sports, a variety of community festivals, and outdoor concert series at the amphitheater. It has reservable shelters, playgrounds, swimming beach and spraygrounds, art sculpture, waterfalls, and walking trails. This popular park houses numerous tree collections, including red bud, oak, conifer and nut trees, along with the Hindman Memorial Garden, Children’s Grove, and demonstration rain gardens, which have earned it a Level II Arboretum Accreditation.”
https://www.como.gov/parksandrec/park/stephens-lake-park/
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Twin Lakes Recreation Area
2500 Chapel Hill Rd., Columbia, MO, 65203
Twin Lakes Recreation Area includes a dog park and a kid splash pad, Little Mates Cove, and several trails!
https://www.como.gov/parksandrec/park/twin-lakes-recreation-area/
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Pride Fest
1013 Park Ave., Columbia, MO, 65201
“MidMo PrideFest will be located at Rose Music Hall. The galley will be on Park and Orr streets and the entertainment will be in Rose Park. The address to Rose Music Hall is 1013 Park Ave. Columbia, Missouri - The festival typically falls on the last Saturday in August, which is August 28th for 2021. The festivities begin at 12:00 pm and end around 10:30 pm.”
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Cleanup Columbia
“During the month of April, volunteers can work with Volunteer Columbia to pick up trash along a street, stream or trail or in a City park. You pick the date and time and we will provide you with a location assignment, bags, gloves, vests (if needed) and arrange to have your filled bags picked up! ”
https://www.como.gov/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/cleanup-columbia/
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Paint the Town
3309 Joshua Tree Ct., Columbia, MO, 65202
“Paint the Town is the upscale “Traveling, Paint, Drink, and Party” Paint and Sip class! In a few fun hours you can create your own work of art from any number of our fun and easy paintings displayed on our Art Calendar. Paint the Town will come to you and can help you celebrate Girls’ Night Out, Double Date Night, Birthdays, Bachelorette Parties, Anniversaries, Bridal Showers and Baby Showers, Book Clubs, Team Building, or just an evening out with that special someone!”
http://www.paintthetowncolumbia.com/
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Boone County Farmers Market
2300 Bernadette Dr., Columbia, MO, 65203
“Market is Open Every Saturday from 8am-12pm, May 1 through October 30, 2021. Located in the parking lot at the Columbia Mall. (Near Wendy’s)”
http://boonecountyfarmers.com/
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Katy Trail
“Columbia is not directly on the Katy Trail, but it is easy to reach from the trail. The MKT Nature and Fitness Trail connects the Katy Trail to the heart of Columbia. This scenic 9 mile trail takes riders through wetlands and wooded areas. The MKT Trail links to the Katy Trail at mile 169.9, just west of McBaine.”
https://bikekatytrail.com/columbia.aspx
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The Axe House
3910 Peachtree Dr., Columbia, MO, 65203
“This is the ultimate adventure for those of you looking to step at least a toe outside of your comfort zone. Axe throwing is a new popular sport to the United States and is growing with each passing month. Think of darts or bowling with real life sharp axes. You hurl these axes in lanes towards wooden targets and try to hit the bullseye. There are many games to play once you get the hang of sinking the axe into the wood.
We play regulation league games, tic tac toe, 21, Bullseye, knock out and even yahtzee with our games.”
Coming Soon: Kitchen Grill and Games
“The developers of Discovery Park announced the planned opening of The Kitchen Grill & Games on Monday, a restaurant and bar complete with several recreational areas. The Kitchen plans to have six indoor pickleball courts, four outdoor pickleball courts, three bars, cabanas and a large yard for cornhole, shuffleboard and other lawn games, according to a news release. During the winter, the lawn will be converted into an outdoor ice skating rink.
It’s set to open spring 2022 near U.S. 63 and the Discovery Park exit.”
Feeling Hungry?
Check out this list of local Columbia restaurants!
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Shakespeare’s Pizza - 225 S 9th St., Columbia, MO 65201
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Flat Branch Pub & Brewing - 115 S 5th St., Columbia, MO 65201
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Cafe Berlin - 220 N 10th St., Columbia, MO 65201
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Murray’s - 3107 Green Meadows Way, Columbia, MO 65203
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JJ’s Cafe - 600 Business Loop 70 W, Columbia, MO 65203
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Just Jeff’s - 510 E Green Meadows Rd. Ste 101, Columbia, MO 65201
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Mugs Up - 603 Orange St., Columbia, MO 65203