A city in the US state of Missouri, Columbia is known for being home to the University of Missouri and the principal city of the Columbia Metropolitan Area. It is the fifth largest city in the state. The city is located along the forested hills rolling prairies of Mid-Missouri, in the proximity to Missouri River Valley, where the imposing mountains of Ozark begin to transform into savanna and plains. Surrounding the city is a greenbelt preserving rare environments with green areas such as Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, and Mark Twain National Forest. This college town is home to a plethora of art galleries, restaurants, shops, concert venues, and more.
Rock Bridge Memorial State ParkA state park located in proximity to Columbia, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is famous for its excellent examples of karst landforms including the sinkholes, rock bridge, and an underground stream at the cave called "Devil's Box". The park offers a number of trails for cycling and hiking. Visitors can enjoy horseback riding in the 750-acre Gans Creek Wild Area. The boardwalk on the Devil's Icebox trail makes visitors to enjoy the primary karst features of the park and visit the cave opening at Connor's Cave.
Mark Twain National ForestNamed after the legendary author Mark Twain, Mark Twain National Forest is public owned area with beautiful landscape and exciting wilderness. The forest is divided into six distinct ranger districts: Cedar Creek, Ava-Cassville-Willow Springs, Houston Rolla, Eleven Point, Poplar Bluff, Salem, and the Potosi-Fredericktown. These six districts comprise nine overall unique tracts of Mark Twain National Forest. There are seven wilderness areas where visitors can enjoy witnessing rare and exotic wildlife species. These areas include Bell Mountain Wilderness, Devils Backbone Wilderness, Hercules-Glades Wilderness, Irish Wilderness, Paddy Creek Wilderness, Piney Creek Wilderness, and Rockpile Mountain Wilderness.
Columbia Art LeagueAn excellent place to visit for art lovers, Columbia Art League is replete with displays including artworks by locals. The items on display often change due to show. Therefore, it is always a new experience of walking through the doors of the center.