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Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau

300 South Providence Road 65203

Columbia, Missouri - What You Unexpect

The Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau invites you to experience Columbia, Missouri. Conveniently located halfway between Kansas City and St. Louis, our distinctive blend of small town and big city offers an exciting venue for a well-planned and successful meeting. The sights and sounds of Columbia are ever-changing, from the talents of nationally known performers presented by the Blue Note and the University Concert Series, to a stroll through Columbia’s vibrant downtown, peppered with unique shopping, art and craft studios, museums and galleries. Columbia wants and appreciates your meeting business. The Columbia hospitality industry is ready and waiting to extend to you a warm welcome. Columbia is also one of Missouri’s best restaurant towns. Visitors never go hungry with over 200 restaurants to choose from! You will find that Columbia is big enough to accommodate all your meeting needs, yet small enough to give customized service and personal attention.

For more information, check out City Guides.

View City Guides

Overview

Hotels

Convention center

18,612 sq. ft.

Guest Rooms

3,517

Guest rooms at 1 hotel

298 guest rooms

Special event venues

Average room rate

$117.00

Restaurants

200

Daily food cost

$51.00

Occupancy rate

—

Tax rate

Venue type

CVB

Distance from airport

Columbia Regional Airport (COU)
13 mi. from city center
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
111 mi. from city center

Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
148 mi. from city center

Local Attractions

The Kitchen Grill & Games

Recreation

6 mi. away

The Kitchen features 6 indoor and 4 outdoor pickleball courts that are built to stadium and competition specifications. Our courts have up to twice the surface area of recreational courts that are common in other pickleball complexes. A full compliment of indoor games, outdoor games, ice skating, live music and a family friendly atmosphere will provide patrons a great experience. Many options for events are available. The Kitchen will be able to accommodate indoor and outdoor gatherings, from small birthday parties to large corporate meetings with up to 200 guests. Sports fans can enjoy the game on any of our multiple screens including the giant 30 foot screen located at the end of the central green. Live music will be an important feature as… More

3717 Discovery Parkway

Columbia, MO, US 65201

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The Arcade District

Business district

1 mi. away

The Arcade District is a thriving innovation hub in Columbia, Missouri, right in the heart of the Midwest. Dedicated to fostering collaboration and innovation, we actively support emerging businesses by securing financial capital and providing guidance on marketing strategies. Our environment is crafted to nurture creativity. Situated in a walkable area, our locale boasts a retro-style arcade, distillery, vinyl record store, and two restaurants. This carefully curated mix creates an inspiring backdrop, ideal for entrepreneurial endeavors. Additionally, the Arcade District annually hosts musical events in our Sentinel Park venue, further enriching the creative atmosphere. At the Arcade District, we believe in not only providing resources but also fostering an atmosphere… More

602 Fay Street

Columbia, MO, US 65201

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Missouri Theatre

Historical landmark

5 blocks away

The Missouri Theatre is mid-Missouri’s only pre-Depression era movie palace/vaudeville stage and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1928, the theatre’s interior is an ornate baroque and rococo style of the Louis XIV and XV periods. Designed by the Boller Brothers Architects of Kansas City, the theatre is modeled after the Paris Opera House. Much of the original detailing survives, including the Belgian marble wainscoting, plaster reliefs, stained glass art panels under the balcony, and an 1,800-pound Italian chandelier featuring crystal prisms and etched panels.

203 South 9th Street

Columbia, MO, US 65201

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The Blue Note

Nightlife

9 blocks away

Originally The Varsity Theater, films were shown in this historic building from 1927 to 1960, before being turned into a music venue. Beyond live music, The Blue Note also features stand-up comedy, dance parties, weddings, community events, and even “Brew n’ View” movie screenings. Look for even more live music and events at their sister venue, Rose Music Hall!

17 N. 9th Street

Columbia, MO, US 65201

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Stephens Lake Park

Park

2 mi. away

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 five reserveable shelters, three playgrounds, a swimming beach and spraygrounds, art sculptures, 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.

2001 E. Broadway

Columbia, MO, US 65201

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The District

Business district

2 blocks away

The District is the perfect place for visitors to explore! You’ll find locally owned shops and restaurants, along with art galleries, public art, bars, concert venues, and more. The District is bound by three colleges and encompasses 50 square blocks, more than 300 individual properties, over 300 residences, and over 600 businesses, non-profits and government entities.

11 South 10th Street

Columbia, MO, US 65201

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Columbia Farmers Market

Shopping

2 mi. away

Voted #1 in the nation, Columbia Farmers Market is a year-round producer-only farmers market! Shop local, with everything produced within a 50-mile radius of Columbia! Over the past few years, the Columbia Farmers Market has experienced tremendous growth. With the opening of Columbia's Agriculture Park, Saturday customer counts regularly surpassed 5,000, and the vendor membership expanded to 85 local farmers, producers, and artisans. The market is deeply involved in the community, regularly hosting musicians, artisans, non-profit groups, educational opportunities, and many other special events.

1769 W. Ash Street

Columbia, MO, US 65203

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Museum of Art and Archaeology

Museum

1 mi. away

The Museum of Art and Archaeology is the art museum of the University of Missouri-Columbia. The Museum of Art and Archaeology was founded in 1957 as the Study Collections for Art History and Archaeology. In 1961 it became the Museum of Art and Archaeology. In that year fourteen Old Master paintings from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation were given to the university, and the first gallery of the museum was opened in the university library building. In 1976 the collections became generally accessible when the museum moved to Pickard Hall, named in honor of Professor John Pickard. Pickard, who trained in Germany, was the first chair of the university’s Department of Art History and Archaeology, founded in 1891. Together with Professor Walter Miller, an… More

520 S. 9th Street

Columbia, MO, US 65201

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Additional Information

Over the years, Columbia has been recognized by numerous organizations and media outlets. Columbia has received the following awards/recognition: -Best Places to Live in the US in 2022 -2021 Top 100 Best Places to Live in America -2020 Top 100 Best Places to Live in America -2019 Top 100 Best Places to Live -2018 Top 100 Best Places to Live -2017 Top 100 Best Places to Live -2016 Top 100 Best Places to Live -Best Cities for Entrepreneurs - 2017 -Best Cities for Entrepreneurs - 2016 -#1 Farmer's Market in the Nation - 2021 -#2 Farmer's Market in the Nation - 2022 -#1 Farmer's Market in Missouri - 2022