Hotel at a Glance: The Tiger Hotel

The Tiger Hotel, Mid-Missouri’s only AAA Four Diamond hotel, is a short walk from the University of Missouri, and the campus’s fun, youthful vibe permeates the place. Though much of this 4-star hotel’s decor dates back to the 1920s (when the property opened), the chandeliers and terrazzo floors have been refinished in a more contemporary style, and guest rooms have modern layouts and amenities.

• Included with some options: a $25 dining credit and daily valet parking
• Throwback Candy peddles made-from-scratch artisanal treats in throwback flavors. May contain nuts.
• More food and drink options: Vault, a speakeasy where you can enjoy cocktails and small plates, and Glenn’s Cafe, which features French- and Louisiana-inspired cuisine and an award-winning wine list
• In-room amenities: LCD TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, and Molton Brown bath products
• Distance from Mizzou: less than a block from heart of the campus
• Music and dancing at The Industry, Tiger Hotel’s new live music venue and bar

Columbia, Missouri: College Town with Famous Film Festival

Located in the center of Missouri, halfway between Kansas and Saint Louis, the city of Columbia has been nicknamed College Town USA. It’s home to the University of Missouri, which has more than 70,000 students, and the activities tend to favor the young crowd. On Saturdays in the fall and winter, the focus is on college football—the Missouri Tigers play in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference.

Downtown Columbia is the cultural heart of the city, with shops, bars, music venues, and plenty of restaurants lining the streets. Check out UM’s Museum of Art and Archeology, where you can see Roman coins, Egyptian mummy masks, and paintings from ancient times to the present day in the extensive permanent collection. In particular, the ongoing Missouri Art and Artists exhibit is worth a look—it has paintings from local artists past and present.