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It’s today! (June 21st) The day we take fun (and sometimes awkward!) public photos because it’ll look perfect on our Snapchat story or Instagram timeline. It’s NATIONAL SELFIE DAY! So throw caution to the wind and take those selfies all day long. Here is a list of the must-have selfies to snag when visiting Columbia throughout the year.

The Columns

Photo from Mallory Scherer, Mizzou Class of 2020

Destroyed by a fire in 1892, Academic Hall left behind six symbols of strength on the David R. Francis Quadrangle at the University of Missouri. The columns are a favorite of locals, Mizzou students & alumni, and visiting families as they stop through Columbia. More history can be found here.

The Pinnacles or Rock Bridge State Park

Photo from Instagram user opens in a new window@pharmagal

Located in Boone County, opens in a new windowThe Pinnacles is a great way to explore Missouri’s diverse geological formations. opens in a new windowRock Bridge Memorial State Park is also a favorite of many because of its family-friendly trails and Devil’s Ice Box rock formation.

With a Slice of Pizza

Photo from Pizza Tree Facebook

Columbia has plenty of options for a great slice, and a must-have selfie is a picture of you just before you devour yours! Looking for your next great slice? Check out this list.

The Roof on top of The Broadway

Photo from Instagram user opens in a new window@gaby1b

This establishment is a nice place to stop by with friends or a special someone for a drink and a bite to eat. It’s the perfect spot to snap a sunset selfie as you watch the Columbia sky change colors.

Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field on Gameday or with Truman the Tiger

An iconic pair that are favorites of many. If you’re in town catching the game or see Truman on one of his many adventures around town, make sure to snap a quick picture to share.

The Keyhole at City Hall

Photo from City of Columbia, Missouri (Gov’t. Page) Facebook

Surely to be the ‘key to your heart,’ stop by City Hall for this iconic selfie located in The District.

Harlan the Big White Dog

Photo from Steven Ziegler, Mizzou class of 2018

You might think you’d stepped into another region when you see this smiling creature as many compare his appearance to a polar bear. Harlan is the remaining half of an iconic pair that greets people with gentle love. Harlan and Cris, his owner, can be spotted walking in The District or sitting in Speakers Circle, and Harlan welcomes hugs and scratches behind the ear. More information about Harlan can be found on his Facebook profile.

Share your CoMo selfies with us by tagging us on opens in a new windowInstagram or opens in a new windowTwitter, and use #ShowMeCoMo!

Blog written by Convention and Visitors Bureau intern, Grace Bommel

#ShowMeCoMo

Festivals and Events

First Friday | May 5, 6-9 PM | North Village Arts District

Each first Friday of the month, head to the North Village Arts District for a free gallery crawl – Galleries, shops and business will be open with music, art demonstrations, children’s activities, refreshments, and much more.

opens in a new windowHeritage Weekend | May 13-14, 4-8 PM | Douglass Park

The unofficial opening of the park for the summer! Activities include balloons, table games for kids and adults, live music and family fun. Gospel in the Park will be featured on Saturday and Annette Driver will entertain on Sunday.

opens in a new windowBike, Walk and Wheel Week | May 13-21st | Columbia

Bike, Walk, and Wheel Week is a week-long celebration designed to encourage Columbians to use active modes of transportation to get around town. There will be activities for everyone, whether you’re on a bike, on your feet, or in a wheelchair.

opens in a new windowSalute to Veterans Memorial Day Celebration | May 27-29th | Columbia Regional Airport and The District

Don’t miss this annual, free airshow, featuring WWI, WWII, and present-day military aircraft, both on display and performing stunning aerobatic shows. The parade will begin at 10 AM Monday in the District, ending with a mass jump by the US Army Golden Knights and the Canadian Skyhawks into the Columbia College Athletic Field on Rangeline and Wilkes.

opens in a new windowPedaler’s Jamboree IX | May 27-28th | Leaving from Flat Branch Park 

Bicyclists will ride the MKT Trail to the Katy Trail, which they will follow into Boonville. Along the way will be stops with live music and entertainment. Bicyclists will end up at Kemper Park in Boonville, where there will be live music, food vendors, and camping overnight.

Family Fun

opens in a new windowTons of Trucks | May 10th, 4-7 PM | Columbia Mall Parking Lot

Trucks and other vehicles of all shapes and sizes will be on display for you to admire, wander around, climb on, and sit in. This event is free and held rain or shine.

opens in a new windowFishing Night | May 12th, 6-8 PM | Jefferson Farm & Garden

Bring the family for a fun night of fishing! $5 will get you a rental pole and bait, a s’more, and a drink; children 4 and younger are free.

opens in a new windowMovies in the Park | May 12th, 8:30 PM | Cosmo Park

Bring a blanket and enjoy a movie on the large, inflatable screen under the stars! Concessions and food trucks available. May’s movie is Zootopia.

opens in a new windowFamily Fun Fest | May 17th, 6-8 PM | Cosmo Park

Entertainment for the whole family, including activities, music, hands-on learning, live entertainment, face painting, food trucks and more. This month’s theme is ‘Kindness is Contagious.’ Join Parks and Rec for music, fun, crafts and activities promoting kindness and mental health.

On Stage

opens in a new window“Dark Creation, The Mary Shelley Project” | May 5-7th at 8 PM | Muse Clothing

opens in a new window“Violet” | May 5-6th at 7:30 PM and May 7th at 2 PM | Talking Horse Productions

opens in a new window“Commedia Tonight!” | May 19th at 7:30 PM | Warehouse Theatre

opens in a new window“Pump Boys & Dinettes” | May 25-28th at 8 PM | Maplewood Barn Theatre

Live Music

opens in a new windowFleetwood Mac Tribute with Orchard Fire | May 13th at 9 PM | Rose Music Hall

opens in a new windowBonobo | May 15th at 8 PM | The Blue Note

opens in a new windowLive music at Les Bourgeois | Saturdays starting May 20th, 4PM – sunset | The A-Frame

opens in a new window‘Blind’ Boone Piano Concert with Audra Sergel | May 22nd at 7:30 PM | Boone County Historical Museum

opens in a new windowShooter Jennings | May 27th at 8:30 PM | The Blue Note

opens in a new windowTech N9ne | May 30th at 8 PM | The Blue Note

Keep an eye on our calendar of events and social media for updates on May events.

It’s only mid-June and we’re already seeing temperatures in the 90s – it looks like it’s going to be a opens in a new windowhot summer! From opens in a new windowpools to indoor fun, here’s how you can stay cool in Columbia:

Pools

Albert Oakland Family Aquatic Center | 1900 Blue Ridge Rd.

June – August hours: M-F 12-7 PM | Sa 11-5 PM | Su 12-5 PM (July 4th, 12-5 PM)
Last weekday: August 12th | open weekends 12-5 PM (Aug 13-14 | 20-21 | 27-28 | Sept 5-7)

Pricing:
Adults (16+): $3.75
Ages 2-15: $2.50
1 year or younger: free

Outdoor 50-meter pool with double-loop enclosed flume water slide. Includes a children’s play area with sprinklers and a slide. Concessions, shade umbrellas, and lounge chairs are available.

Douglass Family Aquatic Center | 400 N. Providence Rd.

June – August hours: M,W,F 1-7 PM | Tu,Th,Su 12-5 PM | Sa 11-5 PM (July 4th, 12-5 PM)
Last day: August 7th

Pricing:
Ages 2+: $1
1 year or younger: free

Outdoor facility with water slide and climbing wall. Includes concessions, a shaded shelter, and spraygrounds.

Flat Branch Park Spraygrounds | 400 Locust St.

Open until September 30th | free

Spraygrounds activated by push button.

Lake of the Woods Pool | 6700 St. Charles Rd.

June – August hours: M,W,F 1-7 PM | Tu,Th,Su 12-5 PM | Sa 11-5 PM (July 4th, 12-5 PM)
Last day: August 7th

Pricing:
Adults (16+): $2.75
Ages 2-15: $1.50
1 year or younger: free

Outdoor facility with a country club setting. Includes a water slide, shade umbrellas, and a concession stand in the clubhouse.

Little Mates Cove | 2500 Chapel Hill Rd.

June – August hours: M,W,F,Sa 11-5 PM | Tu,Th 12-7 PM | Su 12-5 PM (July 4th, 12-5 PM)
Last day: August 7th

Pricing:
Adults (16+): $2.75
Ages 2-15: $1.50
1 year or younger: free

Outdoor children’s water park with slides, sprinklers, water cannons, and falls. Concessions are available.

Stephens Lake Park | 100 Old 63 N.

Open until September 30th from dawn-dusk | free

Unguarded sand beach with spraygrounds and restrooms.

Indoor Fun

Empire Roller Rink | 1305 Business Loop 70 E.

You can still get some exercise without being out in the heat! Head to opens in a new windowEmpire to roller skate during their public sessions:

Wednesdays: 12-3 PM and 6:30-8:30 PM
Thursdays: 12-3 PM
Fridays: 7-10 PM (Family Fun Fridays)
Saturdays: 9-11 AM (9 years and younger), 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM
Sundays: 1:30-3:30 PM

Columbia Public Library | 100 W. Broadway

While you do need a opens in a new windowlibrary card in order to check out the materials, anyone can stop by and look through the books. Have your kids pick out something to read quietly to themselves for a bit, and then grab a snack at The Perk Desk.

Lazer Lanes | 3412 Grindstone Parkway

Bowling, lazer tag, bumper cars, snacks, an arcade… you can keep your family busy for hours at opens in a new windowLazer Lanes.

Going Bonkers | 3812 Buttonwood Dr.

opens in a new windowGoing Bonkers is a great option if you have young children – there is a multi-level ‘playground,’ arcade, food, and even a quiet room for you with WiFi where you can keep an eye on the kids.

Catch a movie: 

opens in a new windowForum 8 Theater | 1209 Forum Katy Parkway
opens in a new windowRagtag Cinema | 10 Hitt Street
opens in a new windowRegal Stadium 14 | 2800 Goodwin Pointe Dr.

Yogoluv | 201 S. 9th Street

If you’ve never been to opens in a new windowYogoluv, here’s how it works: grab a bowl, fill it with your favorite flavors of frozen yogurt, and then head over to the toppings and go crazy. Maybe not too crazy, though – the cost depends on how much your bowl weighs.

How do you stay cool in Columbia? Tweet us opens in a new window@ColumbiaMOCVB.