Fabulous Mid-Missouri: Columbia, Fulton, Rocheport, and Lake of the Ozarks
Table of Contents
Story and photos by Scott Kendall (unless otherwise indicated)
Columbia and Mid-Missouri
Columbia, Missouri, and the surrounding area offer visitors the charm and friendliness of a small town as well as the amenities of a major university in a larger town. Columbia and environs include the great outdoors, culture and the arts, a happening food scene, sporting events, festivals, and other activities of a large city.
Columbia, Fulton, Rocheport, and Lake of the Ozarks are an ideal combination of small and large town attractions to satisfy every taste palette. We will introduce you to each town and describe some of the best attractions in Mid-Missouri. All of these destinations are within an hour of each other, so you could conceivably cover them all in one day. However, you’ll want to stay a bit longer to linger and truly enjoy what each has to offer.
Columbia is a town of 120,000 people about an hour west of St. Louis. This wonderfully eclectic town is known for being the home to the University of Missouri, the arts and theater, festivals, and an active downtown area. Let’s take a look around Columbia and point out some of the cool things to see and do.
Downtown Columbia
The downtown area of Columbia is tightly entwined with the University of Missouri, because of the school’s location in the middle of town. Many of the fun shops, restaurants, bars, and other venues appeal to both the college crowd as well as families, couples, and singles who live in the area. Wonderful traditional restaurants and breweries are mixed with new up and coming venues, making for a myriad of fantastic choices for any age, taste, or interest.
University of Missouri
Home of the fighting Tigers, The University of Missouri has a long and storied history, with NCAA Championships in Baseball (1954) and Indoor Track and Field (1965). Now a member of the Southeastern Conference, the football team started playing in 1891, and has been to 33 bowl games.
One of the highlights of the University of Missouri is the Francis Quadrangle, the oldest part of Red Campus on the southern end of Avenue of the Columns. The centerpiece is the main administration building which looks over the six ionic limestone columns, the only surviving part of the previous administrative building that burned to the ground in 1892. Take a stroll across the beautiful Quad, say hi to the statue of Thomas Jefferson, and admire some of the great architectural masterpieces of the oldest university west of the Mississippi River.
Eat at Ernie’s with Dick Tracy
When you’re hungry for a bite, there is no better place than Ernie’s Café and Steakhouse at 1005 E. Walnut. Since 1934, Ernie’s has been feeding hungry Columbians with specialties like custom omelets, homemade French Toast, hashbrowns, vegetarian specialties, and their world famous Pyramid Club and Chopped Cow sandwiches. Ernie’s is also well-known for the sketchings on the wall by Chester Gould, the creator of the Dick Tracy comic strip. While his daughter was a student at Stephens College in Columbia, Gould would come to Ernie’s and work on his comic strip. Visitors can enjoy Gould’s work while they’re working on their Chopped Cow sandwich.
Try Cajun American Dishes at Glenn’s Café
Glenn’s Café is a popular choice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on 9th and Cherry Street in downtown Columbia. With an interesting history and several iterations that date back to 1939, Ernie’s offers a nice range of Cajun American specialties.
Blackened Redfish, Jambalaya, Shrimp and Grits, or the Bourbon Street Meatloaf Sandwich are favorite lunch selections. Ernie’s also serves fantastic steaks, burgers, and many imaginative creations from their menu.
Stay at Courtyard Marriott
With many options for lodging in Columbia, the Courtyard Marriott at 3301 Lemone Industrial Blvd is a great choice. With free shuttle service from the nearby airport and only minutes to downtown and the University of Missouri, this modern, classic hotel has all the comforts and amenities you would expect from Marriott.
Explore Rock Bridge Park near Columbia
Rock Bridge Park is a fascinating natural area just a few minutes from downtown Columbia. With unique rock formations, caves, underground rivers, sink holes, and other geologic wonders, Rock Bridge Park is a great area to get in touch with nature. Learn about the fascinating scientific explorations and discoveries made in this wooded wonderland. We found the story of the local bats in the area especially entertaining, if not a bit eerie!
Fulton and America's National Winston Churchill Museum
Little Fulton was put on the world map when Winston Churchill delivered his famous Sinews of Peace speech, also known as the “Iron Curtain” speech, in 1946. America’s National Winston Churchill Museum now commemorates the man and the moment on the beautiful campus of Winchester University. Carefully crafted exhibits tell the fascinating story of the life of one of Britain’s most intriguing figures, including videos, photos, and transcripts of his life and famous speech.
To add to the attraction of this wonderful museum, it is housed in the basement of a 17th century English Church designed by world renowned architect Christopher Wren. Partially destroyed by German bombers during WWII, this iconic church was shipped to Fulton piece-by-piece and reconstructed at Winchester University. Next to the church is Breakthrough, the moving memorial designed by Churchill’s granddaughter, Edwina Sandys, sculpted from eight sections of the fallen Berlin Wall.
Brick District in downtown Fulton
The distinctive downtown Brick District of downtown Fulton features vintage cobblestone streets lined with nearly 100 locally owned restaurants, retailers and businesses. The 1940’s Soda Fountain at Sault’s Drug Store, Lulu’s Frozen Yogurt, Bek’s Restaurant, and GoPo Gourmet Popcorn are just a few of the unique businesses you’ll find in this charming town. See a show at the newly renovated Brick District Playhouse, or catch one of the farmer’s markets or fun festivals held on these charming cobblestone streets.
GoPo Gourmet Popcorn Bar
One step inside the GoPo Gourmet Popcorn Bar, and you immediately know there is something special about this family owned shop. As the owners say, “We’re a Mama + Pop popcorn shop following in Grandma’s footsteps and adding together all the things we like:
Farm Fresh Kernels + Real Ingredients + Inspiration = GOPO let’s redefine Gourmet Popcorn”
The smells, the taste, the games, and the family-friendly atmosphere of the GoPo Gourmet Popcorn Shop will bring a smile to your face and delightful sensations to your tastebuds. You can’t go wrong with creative flavors like Snapped Cheddar, Cookies and Cream, and Dark Chocolate Sea Salt.
Eat at Beks
Beks is one of the most popular restaurants in downtown Fulton. Located in the historic Brick District since 2005, diners can enjoy a casual but refined dinner of Seared Salmon, Crab cakes, Filet Mignon, Ribeye, or one of the special Pasta dishes on the menu. Beks also has a nice selection of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and other great choices on the varied menu. Lunch and Dinner are always a treat at Beks.
Rocheport and the Katy Trail
Rocheport is a tiny town of 254 people located about 20 minutes from Columbia on the mighty Missouri River. Rocheport has kept its quiet, tranquil setting over the years since being founded in 1825. A sprinkling of BnBs, restaurants, hiking trails – and a winery – offer a wide variety of options for spending a few days in nature. One big draw is the Katy Trail, a 240 mile bike trail running east-west from just east of Kansas City to just north of St. Louis. Make Rocheport your headquarters for a bike ride, a great bite to eat, a beautiful hike, and the relaxing splendor of nature and lots of friendly folk.
Meriwether’s Café and Bike Shop is a convenient place on the trail where visitors can rent a bike as well as get a wonderful breakfast, lunch, or dinner. For wine lovers, Rocheport has Les Bourgeois Vineyards for wine tasting or Les Bourgeois Vineyards Bistro for a memorable dining experience overlooking the Missouri River.
Lake of the Ozarks
Lake of the Ozarks is Mid-Missouri’s playground for families, couples, and anyone looking to take advantage of the beautiful landscapes, activities, and over 1,100 miles of shoreline on Lake of the Ozarks. Water sports, golf, horseback riding, shopping, and other activities are available throughout the Lake of the Ozarks. It’s no wonder Lake of the Ozarks was recently voted Best Recreational Lake in the Nation.
The Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail consists of 13 fabulous courses carved into the Ozarks. From beginners to pros, courses designed by names like Palmer, Jones, Weiskopf, Devlin, and Von Hagge will delight every level of golfer. One of our favorites is The Oaks at Margaritaville Lake Resort, with its undulating landscapes and picturesque lakes, bridges, and trees.
Play, Stay, and Eat at Margaritaville Lake Resort
Margaritaville Lake Resort is like a Jimmy Buffet song turned into the perfect playground. Relax around the lake, go boating, go for a swim, have a drink, go horseback riding, play a round of golf, and by all means – have a cheeseburger in Paradise! With eight restaurants and bars to choose from, a world class golf course, horseback stables, an indoor water park, outdoor pools, and a marina on Lake of the Ozarks, every member of the family can find something fun to do.
The Landshark Bar & Grill is the lakeside gem of the resort, with lots of indoor and outdoor seating, swim up bars in the swimming pool, and a pier out to the boat slips to park your boat while you stop for lunch, dinner, or just an afternoon snack.
Head to Mid-Missouri for Your Next Escape
So next time you’re looking to get way with your honey, need some alone time, or are planning that next family vacation, head to Mid-Missouri. Columbia, Fulton, Rocheport, and Lake of the Ozarks have everything you could want in a vacation destination.
Scott Kendall is the Founder, Editor, and frequent contributor to PlayStayEat.com. He is a former Navy Officer, teacher and tennis coach who is an avid traveler and writer. Scott has traveled extensively throughout the United States and overseas to Italy, France, England, Croatia, Slovenia, and others. In addition to his contributions to PlayStayEat, much of his published work can be seen at scottkendalltravels.com.