The Most Charming College Town In Missouri Is Home To Delicious Dining, Shopping, And More
Columbia, Missouri, offers a blend of natural beauty, vibrant college life, and diverse dining options, making it an ideal destination for both day trips and weekend getaways.
Exploring Missouri means drinking in its spellbinding natural beauty and strolling through the pages of time with visits to our many adorable towns. Truthfully, we’re never really far from our next adventure. Whether we’re scouting our next weekend getaway or planning a day trip, we can’t go wrong with a trip to Columbia, a charming college town of Missouri.
With a population of more than 126,000, Columbia technically counts as a city, but its small-town feel and friendliness are what attract Missourians, visitors, and college students.
Columbia is perhaps best known as the home of the University of Missouri, Columbia College, and Stephens College. This vibrant college town is also within driving distance of several dozen other colleges and universities.
Like most college towns, Columbia boasts plenty to do, including having a vibrant downtown that’s well worth a visit. Known as The District, downtown Columbia spans 50 square blocks and is home to nearly 5,000 residents.
Downtown Columbia is divided into five distinct districts – Flat Branch, Government District, North Village Arts District, the Sharp End, and the Stollway – where you’ll find everything from restaurants and shops to hotels and theaters.
If you’re a foodie, you’ll feel like you’ve landed in paradise in this town with an eclectic collection of restaurants that serve classic American, Cajun, and Italian fare.
Columbia’s a nature lover’s paradise, too, home to several neighborhood parks and natural sanctuaries. Carve out some time to visit Finger Lakes State Park.
You’ll find plenty to do at this popular Missouri state park, including hiking, biking, OTV-riding, boating, and camping. Soak up the sun on the swimming beach during the summertime, too.
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Whether you’re spending a day or a weekend, you’ll quickly discover that Columbia is dog-friendly, with numerous restaurants with patios that welcome your four-legged friends.
Have you been to the charming college town of Columbia, Missouri? What did you think? Let me know in the comments! While you’re in town, grab a delicious bite at Uprise Bakery, my favorite tiny bakery in Columbia, Missouri.
Missouri is a gorgeous state. Not only do breathtaking nature sights appear in the most surprising of places, but the big (and equally beautiful) cities of St. Louis and Kansas City serve delicious meals and are home to some fantastic shopping.
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However, the big cities aren't the only stars of the Show Me State. Some tiny towns shine just as bright.
Tucked away in the heart of Northeast Missouri is Kirksville, a charming town with a heart that just won't quit. With just over 17,000 residents, it’s a place where each one knows your name, your business, and probably your grandmother's gooey butter cake recipe.
In Kirksville, Missouri, the foodie scene is a fantastic representation of homemade charm and flavors. There is no need for fast food chains here; this town is filled with local spots serving dishes as unique as the folks who run them.
Start your day at Diner 54, where pancakes are served with a variety of toppings, and the coffee is strong enough to get you through a full day of exploring. If you’re feeling adventurous, try their “Alaskan Waffle”— it comes topped with strawberries... and two scoops of ice cream!
For lunch, you won't want to miss Wooden Nickel, known as the only "full-service restaurant in Kirksville. The star of their menu is their Smoked Barbecue Pork Ribs, which are prepared in a hickory smoker and served one of two ways: Kansas City-style or Cajun. Either way, you absolutely cannot go wrong.
Kirksville’s history is as rich as its local food. Founded in the mid-19th century, the town was named after John Kirk, Kirksville's first postmaster, as well as its first hotel- and tavern-owner. This Northeast Missouri gem was originally a hub for agriculture and education and is now home to Truman State University.
The main drag isn't the only star of Kirksville, Missouri -- the nature is stellar as well.
If you're feeling like a quick hike, Thousand Hills State Park is just a short drive from the downtown Kirksville area. With its stunning lake and scenic trails, this park offers everything from hiking and biking to fishing and picnicking... and just about everything in between. Whether you’re trying to spot a heron or simply wondering why that woodpecker has a more active social life than you, this park is a delightful reminder that nature knows how to throw a good party, and everyone’s invited... including you!
The town of Kirksville, Missouri, has not forgotten its history, however. In 1899. a cyclone hit the town, bringing over 200 MPH winds, leaving 1000 residents without homes and over 30 without lives. In the aftermath, residents banded together to rebuild, showcasing their resilience and determination. This tragic event is a poignant reminder of the power of nature and the strength of community in the face of disaster.
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And I can't mention this adorable Missouri town without discussing its arts scene. It's as vibrant as some of the local personalities. Most notable is the Kirksville Arts Association, which hosts various events throughout the year, showcasing local talent that ranges from impressive oil paintings to avant-garde interpretations of a cornfield. I'd love to see either one.
In a world increasingly dominated by the hustle and bustle of big cities and corporate chains, Kirksville offers a refreshing reminder of how different spending time in a small town can be. From tasty local eats to breathtaking natural views and a rich art scene, this Missouri hidden gem is proof that sometimes, the best things in life come wrapped in a small-town package.
Plus, if you want to stay overnight, there are quite a few vacation rentals nearby. We love this Kirksville VRBO - it's housed in a former church and has the vaulted ceilings to prove it!
Do you have a favorite small town in Missouri? Nominate it here... and you might see an article about it in the future!
Rolla, Missouri, offers the perfect balance of “big city” amenities balanced with small-town heart. The up-and-coming town is home to about 20,000 people, making it the "Goldilocks" of mid-sized towns.
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Let me count the ways we love this town: Rolla offers access to shopping, entertainment, and activities without big crowds or heavy traffic. It’s the kind of place that has just enough—one or two of everything you need, like a rec center, theater, and local shops—without going overboard. Personally, I find that refreshing.
The number of options for where to go and how to spend your time (and money) can feel overwhelming in bigger cities: Rolla, Missouri, keeps things simple and stress-free. And if you love the outdoors, you’re in for a treat: this area is right on the doorstep of the beautiful Ozarks, offering endless opportunities for adventure.
I went to school in Springfield, Missouri, in the southwest part of the state, so for four years in the mid-2000s, I regularly passed through Rolla on my way out of the St. Louis area. Back then, there didn’t seem to be much going on besides Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), a nationally ranked research university. Rolla felt like a typical college town, not much more.
But recently, as I've headed south to visit family in Springfield and Branson, I’ve noticed how much Rolla has grown. The up-and-coming town now feels like the kind of place where I'd want to spend time; I’d absolutely consider living there. Rolla has developed into a community with more to offer, from shopping and dining to the outdoor activities nearby. It’s definitely evolving in a way that makes it more attractive as both a weekend stop and a place to call home.
Let me start by telling you the best thing about Rolla, Missouri: the Mark Twain National Forest is only 15 minutes from the city center! This massive stretch of woodlands, streams, and trails covers over 1.5 million acres in the gorgeous Ozarks. Popular trails like Kaintuck Trail and Berryman Trail are perfect for hiking and biking, offering convenient access to the outdoors. This part of Missouri also has some of the clearest, bluest waters, especially at Maramec Spring Park, home to the fifth-largest spring in the state.
You can reach the Ozark Trail for a longer adventure, a scenic, rugged path that winds through the Missouri Ozarks. The Courtois Section, not far from Rolla, takes you deep into the woods for a more secluded experience. Spending time outside is immeasurably good for our bodies, minds, and souls, and living in Rolla makes it easy to enjoy the best of nature with a variety of beautiful landscapes.
What else can you do besides spend time outside in Rolla, Missouri? Missouri S&T’s presence in the town adds a lot of investment into the activities and culture scene because the university attracts engineers, researchers, and tech professionals, making Rolla a center for innovation. Stop by the campus to visit a half-scale Stonehenge replica created by faculty at the university. You can tour Missouri S&T’s experimental mine. Students get hands-on training in mining engineering, and tours for visitors provide a glimpse into mining technology and history. The university also hosts public lectures, research symposiums, and community events, enriching the local culture.
If you are into performing arts, the Rolla Civic Theater has regular productions, from musicals to local performances. There are festivals like Route 66 Summerfest, Rolla Arts & Crafts Festival, and the Old Iron Works Days, meaning there is always something to do seasonally.
Rolla, Missouri, is a community where neighbors know each other, and the slower pace of life appeals to those wanting to escape the hustle of larger metropolitan areas. With a low crime rate and a family-friendly atmosphere, it’s an ideal place to settle down. Missouri S&T produces a steady stream of highly skilled professionals, many of whom stay to work in local tech startups, engineering firms, and government research. The local schools are highly regarded, and the parks and recreation system offers plenty for families, with facilities like The Centre providing fitness programs, youth sports, and swimming classes. Rolla’s safe streets and affordable cost of living, with lower housing prices than in cities like St. Louis or Kansas City, make it especially attractive for families and professionals.
The small business scene is thriving. When local people make beer, create delicious food, and open unique boutique shops - it adds to the whole character of a town. Public House Brewing Company is a local favorite. They focus on sustainability with things like sourcing from local farmers, reclaiming water from brewing processes, and giving back spent grain from brewing for cattle feed for local farmers. Speaking of farmers, visit the Rolla Downtown Farmers Market, which is open spring through fall for produce, homemade jams, baked goods, and handcrafted products made by locals.
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Rolla’s downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods are home to various small independent shops. You’ll find antiques, women’s fashion, and gift shops. Restaurants like Just a Taste are tapped into the local wine scene and offer regional wines to drink or take home. Unsurprisingly, in a town of 20k, there are also “necessary” chain stores like home improvement retailers, grocery chains, pharmacies, and clothing stores.
But if you want to access a larger city, Rolla’s location along I-44 makes it convenient for travel. It's about a 90-minute drive to St. Louis, Columbia, Missouri, and Springfield, Missouri. Rolla, Missouri itself gives residents easy access to the entertainment, shopping, and dining that comes with a major metropolitan area while still enjoying the peace and quiet of rural living.
