- The list below includes 41 free or cheap things to do in or near Columbia, Missouri, including 28 different types of inexpensive activities like Parks, Movie Theaters, Music Venue and Art Museum.
- From Shelter Gardens to Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, there are a variety of budget-friendly attractions in Columbia and in nearby cities within 25 miles like Boonville, Fulton and Jefferson City.
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0.0 Miles
18-hole mini golf course challenges both kids and adults, with a maze of obstacles and designs based on famous golf courses
1.8 Miles
Filled with tropical vegetation, Shelter Gardens is a botanical garden with waterfalls, rock gardens, koi ponds, and more. On Sundays, visitors can listen to live music from local musicians at the garden's gazebo.
4.7 Miles
97%
222 votes
5901 South Hwy. 163, Columbia, MO 65203
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Located in Columbia, Missouri, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is a hiking paradise. It is also popular with mountain bikers and novice rock climbers, who enjoy practicing on its rocky hills.
10.4 Miles
One of Missouri's most beautiful areas is Finger Lakes State Park, located in Columbia. It is especially popular with ATV riders and extreme sports enthusiasts, who use its open, packed-dirt areas for practice and competitions.
1.4 Miles
Stephens Lake Park is a great place to go for a picnic, winter sports, a hike or a swim in the summer, and more. It is also a clean and well maintained area that is perfect for kids.
2.7 Miles
Albert-Oakland Park is a 79.41 acre park that offers a range of recreational amenities and sports. They feature reservable shelters, a family aquatic center, baseball/softball fields, a basketball court, soccer practice fields, fitness circuit and a walking trail.
2.0 Miles
Attractive for bird and wildlife watchers, Garth Nature Area includes 52 acres of open space. Along with walking trails, the area is further equipped with a fenced in dog park for pets to enjoy.
2.9 Miles
At Twin Lakes Recreation, visitors can participate in outdoor activities like swimming, feeding ducks, jogging, and fishing. The lake has several picnic tables, a dog park, swim area, and playground next to it.
1.9 Miles
Also known as the Columbia Cosmopolitan Recreation Area, Cosmo Park is Columbia's largest park, measuring 533 acres. The park features athletic fields and courts, two fishing lakes, children's playgrounds, picnic areas and a trail system.
7.3 Miles
Located on 4,431 acres of land, the Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area is a area dedicated to preserving the wetlands of the state. Visitors commonly enjoy seeing the large variety of protected biodiversity during their trips to the area.
0.5 Miles
The Ragtag Cinema hosts, besides the latest Hollywood and independent movie productions, plenty of special events all around the year, such as the Found Footage Festival and the Trivia Nights.