Its Halfway Between St. Louis and Kansas City
I have no idea why anyone would want to visit Columbia. However, here are some nice things about it.
1. Some really nice parks. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park - caves, sinkholes, bats, and cave tours during the winter. MKT Nature and Fitness Trail - 8 miles from downtown to the Missouri River. Walk or bike but share your time with lots of people, deer, turkeys, and coyotes. Douglas Park- this is the "black park." Real nice swimming pool, nice outdoor basketball courts, and a very good barbeque contest every spring.
2. Good for the performing arts. University of Missouri Concert Series - September - May. Missouri Symphony Orchestra - June to August.
3. Nice people and pretty diverse.

