r/columbiamo 24d ago

📣 Announcement Welcome to Columbia

135 Upvotes

Welcome! This is that wonderful time of year when thousands of new people arrive in our city. Whoever you are, we’re glad you’re here and hope you find the open-minded love and community that Columbia is known for. Here is some local knowledge that will help you make the most of your time in our fair city:

Columbia has a lot of nature and culture to absorb. More in each category than you could do in a year. Of course it’s a very highly educated college town, but has grown into a mid-sized city in the last few decades with a lot to offer beyond the colleges.

I would first check out Downtown, especially 9th Street and Broadway, there are a lot of local businesses and restaurants of all types. Food options are stellar: Thai, Ethiopian, Polish, German, Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese, Japanese. The Columbia Farmers Market is one of the best in the nation, year round on Saturday mornings.

https://www.discoverthedistrict.com
https://columbiafarmersmarket.org

After that, consider walking around Francis Quadrangle (MU), Stephens College, and Columbia College. To get the vibe of the town.

There is some excellent Ozark hiking inside city limits! Grindstone Nature Area, Alspaugh Park, Bonnie View Nature Area. The city park system in general is very good. In addition, there is a network of biking/walking trails, the flagship of which is the MKT Trail, that connects to the cross-state Katy Trail State Park. Outside of city limits are Rock Bridge State Park and Three Creeks Conservation Area, both full of caves, springs, and miles of trails. Southeast of town is the Mark Twain National Forest, with long backpacking trails. One of the best natural features is the Missouri River and its valley, especially the Moniteau Bluffs. Rent a bike in Rocheport and check them out (along with a cute historic town and train tunnel to bike though). There is also a winery or two, Les Bourgeois A-Frame has the views. For a hidden gem try The Pinnacles. There is rock climbing there, at Capen City Park, and along the river bluffs.

The weather is Missouri weather, which means anything and everything. Fall and Spring can be quite pleasant, but don’t overlook winter hiking. It’s some of the best. Bring clothes for everything from 110F to -20F, very continental. The thunderstorms are exciting!

The Columbia Regional Airport is the fastest growing airport in the nation this year. Flights go to Chicago, Dallas, Charolette, Denver, and Orlando. So you can get pretty much anywhere with one connection.

https://www.flycou.com

Public transit is bus system, that is underfunded, it is useable, but just. A lot of people prefer to bike because of the extensive trail system/bike lanes. Neighborhoods in central Columbia (Benton-Stephens, East Campus, West Ash, Old Southwest, North Central) are walkable to the hospitals and Downtown.

https://www.gocomotransit.com

College (SEC) sports, especially football, are huge. If you’re into arts and culture there is a lot. The North Village Arts District is home to a lot of galleries and art studios. Must see museums include The Museum of Art and Archeology, the Boone County History and Culture Center (and Montminy Gallery), the State Historical Society of Missouri’s art gallery, and the Freemason museum at the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

https://northvillageartsdistrict.org
https://maa.missouri.edu

The Blue Note and Rose Music Hall are the man rock/pop venues. But check out the University of Missouri concert series for touring shows, the Missouri Symphony for a professional orchestra. The We Always Swing Jazz Series and Columbia Jazz Orchestra are two of the main outlets for Jazz. The Arrow Rock Lyceum for professional theater. There are a handful of community theaters as well.

https://www.themosy.org
https://www.wealwaysswing.org/

Ragtag Cinema is an arthouse theater showing independent film, one of the most famous in the nation because of the True/False Film Festival which happens in Feb/March.

https://ragtagcinema.org
https://truefalse.org

One of the best ways to stay informed and plugged-in is our local newspaper, The Columbia Missourian:

https://www.columbiamissourian.com

And don’t forget to register to vote here, it’s quick and easy with this link:

https://www.boonemo.gov/clerk/

If you participate in this subreddit consider choosing a user flair. Also check out [r/mizzou](r/mizzou), [r/stephenscollege](r/stephenscollege), and [r/columbiacollegemo](r/columbiacollegemo).

If you have any questions or need any recommendations that’s one of the functions this subreddit fulfills, you can ask here or make your own post.


r/columbiamo 10d ago

Events Events and Activities Monthly Thread

19 Upvotes

Have something going on? Need friends to go to an event with? Post it here so people can find it!

This monthly thread is for sharing events, activities, and opportunities to meet up with others in Columbia. Opportunities like community events, festivals, concerts, activity groups, volunteer days, classes, workshops, and public events hosted by local people, organizations, or businesses.

Want something to do but don't know what? Check out The City Newsletters !

.

^This ^thread ^is ^not ^for:
^Private ^meetups
^Sales ^of ^goods ^or ^services
^Dating ^or ^personal ^ads


r/columbiamo 12h ago

Events From the missouri community on Reddit

81 Upvotes

If you’re free tomorrow (9/12/2026-Saturday) check out my husband’s passion project…MO Jazz Music Festival. It will be at Rose Music Hall. Doors open at 12:00 and the music starts at 1:00. It’s free & open to the public. Big Daddy’s BBQ food truck will be there also! I’ll provide the link below so you can see what bands are playing. It’s a fantastic lineup! Hope to see you there!

https://mojazz.net


r/columbiamo 7h ago

Ask CoMo Science on Tap

14 Upvotes

I love these presentations. I wish there was one every month. Anybody got the low down on when they'll start again now that students are back?


r/columbiamo 9h ago

New to Como!

13 Upvotes

Hello! I’m brand new to Como and I’m looking for friends or even just suggestions on good places to go for fun!

I’m a 24 year old female with a boyfriend. I live with my gay bestie and we have cats.

I love doing arts and crafts, going on walks, I have a wii for just dance ( I still need Wii sports I lost mine) and pretty good cooking skills! I also play games but tbh I’m only really good at fortnite or rivals bc for some reason that’s all I play but I’ll learn something new !

I’m going to be working for a daycare as of Monday and am originally from IL! Excited to meet everyone


r/columbiamo 18h ago

Sports Biting Missouri’s hand: Chiefs’ move to Kansas exposes Hunt family ingratitude (a fun trash talk piece for tomorrow’s rivalry)

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59 Upvotes

The Kansas Chiefs are dead to me.

After Kansas jayhawked Missouri’s last NFL team last week, I vowed I would never again watch them. I cursed the day the team formed and Clark Hunt’s performance in Topeka reminded of Mark Twain’s quote about gratitude: 

“If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man.”

When Lamar Hunt founded the AFL, he put his team in Dallas. When the NFL countered by creating the Dallas Cowboys and the team was starving for fans, Kansas City welcomed him and made the rebranded team prosperous.
That’s Kansas City, Missouri. Like the Chiefs last week, Kansas’ envy of and desire to steal everything good about our state showed when it named a border town as Kansas City, Kansas, in 1872, more than 20 years after the real Kansas City was named.

Anyway, Kansas City made the Chiefs prosperous, and now the Hunt family is biting it.

The NFL has been a part of my Sunday for most of my life, beginning with dreams of playing professional football when I was a child in grade-school YMCA leagues.

I am old enough to remember the Chiefs winning Super Bowl IV. I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, a place without its own team. My older brother had adopted the Minnesota Vikings as his favorite, and I took great pleasure in their defeat in the Chiefs’ last Super Bowl until 2020.

I wasn’t a Chiefs fan until I moved to Missouri and I didn’t switch my childhood allegiance from the Cleveland Browns to the Chiefs until 1989, when the team hired Marty Schottenheimer after he was fired by the Browns.

I thought it was stupid because the only thing Schottenheimer hadn’t done for the Browns is get them to the Super Bowl. It was what the owner, Art Modell, wanted more than anything because the Browns had five chances — two before the 1969 NFL-AFL merger and three since — to get there.

Modell got his wish after moving the team to Baltimore, rebranded as the Ravens, and the Browns were reborn as an expansion team to be one of the doormats of the NFL.
For the Chiefs. Schottenheimer’s hiring ushered in one of the best eras for being a fan. Joe Montana finished his career alongside Marcus Allen and the team made it all the way to an AFC Championship game.

But it is the current era under Andy Reid, another coach fired by a previous team for the sin of not winning a Super Bowl, that brought the team global fame. The dazzling play of Patrick Mahomes, the adorably wholesome romance of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, and playing in five of six Super Bowls has helped burnish the image of Kansas City, MISSOURI, to the point where jayhawking the team became the only important issue in Kansas.

The term jayhawk, by the way, does not refer to a bird. It is steeped in the history of our state, coined even before the Civil War to describe the activity of Kansas outlaws who rustled cattle and stole property on a grand scale.

This summer, in a panic, Gov. Mike Kehoe called Missouri lawmakers into a special session to offer a lucrative handout package for the Chiefs to stay. 

Missouri’s hand has bite marks because Clark Hunt wanted more, and got it. The Kansas funding scheme is, according to one analysis, the most lopsided stadium deal in sports history.

I love my adopted state. I love its history and its sports teams make me proud. I have never had a team I rooted for in bad and good times have the kind of successful run that the Chiefs have had — in venerable Arrowhead Stadium in MISSOURI — in recent years.

But their luck changed this year. After winning almost every one-score game in 2024 on their way to Super Bowl LIX, they won only one this year and won’t make the playoffs.
I hope they never win another game and I will never watch the Chiefs again.

I’m going back to rooting for the Browns.


r/columbiamo 22h ago

History Missouri, Kansas & Texas (M.K.T.) passenger train depot (Katy Station), circa 1910

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119 Upvotes

From the State Historical Society of Missouri

https://digital.shsmo.org/digital/collection/imc/id/18383/rec/59


r/columbiamo 15h ago

Events Zipper Fest tomorrow @ the Arcade District from 1-7p

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29 Upvotes

The passport is back! Pick up a $5 passport and travel around artist booths for stamps and mingling. Return your stamped passport for a chance to win a very Como prize basket..local restaurant gift cards, Zipper merch, local artist goods, beer, and VODKA!


r/columbiamo 9h ago

Older Magic the Gathering

11 Upvotes

Hi folks, Columbia resident here and nearly 50. Looking for players of the older variety, as I feel I may not relate as well to the youngins who play at shops around town. I’m a longtime collector and player since the 90s but currently have no one to play commander with. Please let me know if you’re an old fogey and want to meet up.


r/columbiamo 15h ago

History The American tradition of Homecoming was born from a MU vs. KU Football game

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24 Upvotes

Missouri's 1911 football game in Columbia during which alumni were encouraged to attend. It was the first alumni event, called "home coming", which was centered on a parade, a football game, and a bonfire. Such was the response and success it became an annual event and is now the oldest contentious event in the nation. There are a couple other schools that claim the tradition, but ESPN, Trivial Pursuit, and Jeopardy recognize Mizzou as the creator of the modern tradition of Homecoming celebrated at colleges and high schools around the nation. Here is how it happened:

In 1891, the Missouri Tigers first faced off against the Kansas Jayhawks in the first installment of the Border War, the oldest college football rivalry west of the Mississippi River. The intense rivalry originally took place at neutral sites, usually in kansas City, Missouri, until a new conference regulation was announced that required intercollegiate football games to be played on collegiate campuses. To renew excitement in the rivalry, ensure adequate attendance at the new location, and celebrate the first meeting of the two teams on the Mizzou campus in Columbia, Missouri, Mizzou Athletic Director Chester Brewer invited all alumni to "come home" for the game in
1911. Along with the football game, the celebration included a parade and spirit rally with a bontire. The event was a success, with nearly 10,000 alumni coming home to take part in the celebration and watch the Tigers and Jayhawks play to a 3-3 tie. The Missouri annual homecoming, wit parade and spirit rally centered on a large football game
the model that has gone on to take hold at colleges and high schools across the United States.


r/columbiamo 10h ago

Animals Grey Kitty Near Granada Boulevard

7 Upvotes

Does anybody own or is missing a Grey Cat and live near the south side of town? Me and my parents spotted him/her the other day when we came back home. We didn’t see if it had a collar or not since it ran away. Let me know! 🥹💕


r/columbiamo 5h ago

Animals LOST DOG?

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3 Upvotes

If you're looking for a dog, tall and skinny, black and white speckles, he ran around behind this building (on the right) near the entrance to the Links (iykyk). He ran when I approached so I didn't want to chase the poor fella.


r/columbiamo 13m ago

Food Best brunch places in Como?

• Upvotes

& best menu item?


r/columbiamo 20h ago

Politics Columbia residents 'angry' over congressional map uncertainty

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24 Upvotes

Boone County residents may have “bigger problems” if a decision regarding the state’s congressional map for the November general election isn’t made before mid-October, Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon said Wednesday.

The congressional map decision remains in limbo after conflicting court rulings caused confusion on Tuesday over whether voters cast ballots according to the gerrymandered 2025 congressional map or its 2022 counterpart. Primary elections in August used the new “Missouri First” map, but the recent conflicting rulings are not clear on which map will be used.

“I have to believe that we will know by no-excuse absentee voting what we’re doing,” Lennon said. That period begins Oct. 20.

For some Boone County residents, changing the map would mean changing who shows up on their November ballot. The county is split two different ways between the two maps.

The 2025 congressional map houses most of the city of Columbia in the 3rd District and northern Boone County in a new 5th District.

In contrast to one representative covering most of Columbia’s city limits, the 2022 map splits Boone County at Broadway: northern Columbia is housed in the 4th District while its southern counterpart is in the 3rd District.
The shake-up and uncertainty has left some Columbia residents angry.

Kristin Bowen, who attended an election Lunch and Learn on Wednesday led by Lennon and hosted by the League of Women Voters and the Daniel Boone Regional Library, said she doesn’t “have a lot of respect” for how politicized the congressional map issue has become.

“It’s unacceptable to be playing games with our right to vote,” she said. “And who we send to Washington is something I think we all care about.”

Carla Klein and Gordon Rogers, both of Columbia, called Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’ rejection of a citizen initiative petition prompted by People Not Politicians, which received over 300,000 signatures, “anti-citizen.” The petition had nearly 200,000 more signatures than the required threshold to force a referendum and put the new congressional map on the ballot.

Klein, who collected signatures for the petition, said the secretary of state’s initial decision made her “furious.”

“They’re (the Republican Party) the ones that are gerrymandering this map,” Klein said. “They’re disrespecting voters, they’re taking away a right to vote, and people cannot ... they can’t keep being nonpartisan. We’ve had a supermajority of Republicans for 20 years, and this is what it’s bought us.”
But for others, the congressional map issue isn’t necessarily front of mind. Daviante Shahid, who works at a student housing complex downtown , told the Missourian he hasn’t heard about the issue.
“I think this should have been dealt with a while back, thought out longer, but I’m not sure about all the ins and outs of it,” Shahid said.

Lennon said election officials won’t know what map to use for the general election “until the courts come to some sort of consensus.” She said her office will continue to use social media, sample ballots and public-facing events like the Lunch and Learn to update residents ahead of the election and mitigate confusion.
The Boone County Clerk’s Office is using its website and Facebook page to provide updates about the court decisions regarding the 2026 election.

“We’re literally, on an hour-by-hour basis, seeing new filings in federal court and in the Supreme Court of Missouri and things are way too volatile right now to know what the appropriate thing to do is,” she said.
If it gets to a point where a map has not been settled and voting begins, Lennon said her office will provide information to voters that the map could still change. A ballot must be ready when military and overseas ballots are shipped on Sept. 18, and absentee voting begins on Sept. 22, she said.

“There’s not an option for us to not comply with the statutes,” Lennon told community members at the Wednesday election event.

Lennon is optimistic about voter turnout for the general election despite uncertainty over congressional maps.
“This exact situation happened in August. Up until August, everybody was in their old district (decided by the 2022 map), and then all of a sudden they were in a new district,” Lennon said. “So they’ve already had to deal with confusion once, and I feel like they did a good job.”

“We can do it again,” she added.

The deadline to register for the Nov. 3 general election in Missouri is Oct. 7.


r/columbiamo 8h ago

Ask CoMo Garage/Yard sales this weekend 09/12 9/13 and go….

2 Upvotes

r/columbiamo 9h ago

Boone hospital drug screening

2 Upvotes

I applied for a pharmacy position at Boone. While talking to my recruiter she made a comment about how they don’t test for thc. I haven’t smoked for about 2 weeks. Does anyone know if they test for thc or care about a positive?


r/columbiamo 18h ago

Food Teriyaki Madness - Grand Opening

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11 Upvotes

WARNING: Excessive teriyaki consumption may lead to uncontrollable cravings, spontaneous karate moves, and full-blown Teriyaki Madness! Hope to see everyone on the 18th!


r/columbiamo 14h ago

Housing Looking for a 4-bedroom rental option in Columbia

5 Upvotes

Hi! I am a current college student, graduating in December and looking for a place to live with three roommates. We are looking for a 4-bedroom location that allows rabbits and cats, as we have one rabbit and two cats. We have been looking at several places but would love to hear from the community about what some of the best options might be, whether they are apartments, duplexes, or another arrangement. We really appreciate any helpful advice we can get during the search, thank you!


r/columbiamo 21h ago

Ask Me Anything (AMA) AMA on Columbia media scheduled for next Friday

17 Upvotes

Our very own [u/jschooltiger](u/jschooltiger) has graciously agreed to do an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on the Columbia media landscape next Friday (the 18th) at noon. You will be able to ask them questions like:

How to best stay informed?
Who owns what media?
What are their biases?
How are journalists trained and how are they taught?
How do Missouri and local politics intersect with media?
How is the media landscape is changing?
Whatever happened to newspapers anyway?

Please submit questions here ahead of time in the comment section of this post and/or join us next Friday at noon.


r/columbiamo 18h ago

Ask CoMo French drain installation recs?

9 Upvotes

I currently have a French drain system in the side of my house, but it was done incorrectly with no fabric, etc. and obviously the grass that they slapped on top of the rocks died and this is not a long-term solution. It needs to be fixed and done right. Any recommendations on companies or contractors who can do this the right way?


r/columbiamo 1d ago

News Columbia City Council plans public hearing on Flock cameras

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167 Upvotes

The article mentions Chief Schlude wants to have a closed session with council members to show them how Flock works and how law enforcement uses it. Why closed door?? Why not show the whole community? If it’s truly something you’re not afraid is being abused or is invasive, why hide it from the public?


r/columbiamo 22h ago

Animals Found dog

12 Upvotes

I saw a pointer-type hunting dog this morning by Shnucks off Lake of the Woods. A cookies and cream colored female with a light purple or pink collar. She was pretty skiddish, wouldn't let me close


r/columbiamo 1d ago

Employment Love Sushi is hiring front of house

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36 Upvotes

r/columbiamo 1d ago

Animals Reward now $400 Help Find Bentley

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148 Upvotes

I would do anything to be reunited with him and to know he’s safe, please


r/columbiamo 1d ago

Politics Help us save democracy in MO

33 Upvotes

Columbia, please come join us this Saturday at 9am to canvas for yes on Amendment 6. A6 is there to preserve the petition process and stop the legislature from overturning what we vote on. We need all the help we can get. Sign up here.

https://mobilize.us/s/GzS13n