Travel Tips - Mizzou

Originally published in the Maple Street Press Longhorns Kickoff 2011 guide...

Texas vs. Missouri • Faurot Field • Columbia, MO • November 12, 2011

Transportation: Columbia is located on I-70, right in the middle of Missouri, about a two hour drive from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL), and around 2.5 hours from Kansas City's MCI airport. There is a shuttle service called MoEx (moexpress.com) from both airports to the campus area, but renting a car and driving in is still optimal for convenience and flexibility. Also, Delta does offer a limited number of flights into Columbia (COU) through Memphis. If you book early, you may be able to fly round trip quite affordably.

Lodging: Faurot Field is located about a mile south of I-70 at the intersection of Stadium Blvd. and Providence Road. There are several lodging options in close proximity to the stadium and the hotels near the intersection of I-70 and Hwy 63 are relatively new. If there are no vacancies in Columbia, Booneville (casino) or Jefferson City are good alternatives.  

Hampton Inn & Suites, 1225 Fellow's Place, 573-214-2222

The Tiger Hotel, 23 South 8th Street, 573-875-8888

Holiday Inn, 2200 I-70 Drive SW, 573-445-8531

Restaurants/Bars: Just north of campus is an expansive shopping and dining area of town called The District (discoverthedistrict.com), featuring a host of locally owned and operated restaurants, brew pubs, and bistros. 

54b's Picks:

Shakespeare's Pizza, 225 S. 9th Street, 573-449-2454

Booches Billiard Hall (Burgers), 110 S. 9th Street, 573-874-9519

Flat Branch (Brew Pub), 115 S. 5th Street, 573-499-0400

Heidelberg, 410 S. 9th Street, 573-449-6927

Harpo's Bar, 29 S. 10th Street, 573-443-5418

McNally's Irish Pub & Grill, 7 N. 6th Street, 573-441-1284

CC's City Broiler (Steakhouse, $$), 1401 Forum Blvd., 573-445-7772

Tailgating: Tigers fans love to pre-game party and are friendly to any and all fans not affiliated with the Kansas Jayhawks. Nearly all the parking lots and garages on campus permit open containers on game days and the most popular tailgating spots are in the lots just south and east of the stadium near the Hearnes Center. Most of the students tailgate south of the stadium along Providence Street. Harpo's Bar is definitely the place to be before the game, and locals recommend stopping by Tropical Liqueurs (515 E. Broadway) to order a "Tiger Paw" or one of several other delicious daiquiris on your way to the tailgate.

Tickets: Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field can accommodate up to 70,000 and the grassy hill beyond the north end zone features open seating. If tickets can't be secured through Missouri's ticket office (800-228-7297, mutigers.cstv.com), try purchasing them at online auction sites or on the day of the game. Scalping is legal near the stadium and scalpers can be found in the tunnel under Stadium Blvd. that connects the Jones Dorm parking lot with the entrance to Faurot Field.

Gameday Traditions: The Big "M" comprised of whitewashed rocks on the hill beyond the north end zone was originally erected before the 1927 homecoming game as a stunt. The school's nickname was inspired by a group of vigilantes, also called the Missouri Tigers, who banded together to protect the town of Columbia from plundering guerilla bands during the Civil War era. And Mizzou's mascot, Truman the Tiger, was named after President Harry S. Truman, who grew up in Missouri.  

Local Attractions: Art buffs will definitely want to spend some time at the Museum of Art and Archeology (maa.missouri.edu) located in Pickard Hall on campus. And just west of Columbia near Rocheport is the renowned Les Bourgeois Vineyards where you can sample a variety of fine wines on a blufftop with a spectacular view of the Missouri River Valley.

Special thanks to the folks over at rockmnation.com