Fall is upon us and it feels so good! Cooler weather and changing leaves brings a whole new feel to the city of Columbia. Take this new season as a time to explore the city and enjoy all the events that come with the changing seasons. Columbia has tons of events and things to do including live music, festivals and farms, to name a few. Make sure to mark these events on your calendar so you don’t miss out!

The farm is open from September 14 to November 4th. Enjoy a seasonal corn maze, an expansive pumpkin patch, cozy campfires and the renowned gumball coaster. Shryocks owners debut a new corn maze design each fall! Shryocks Farm is a quick 20 minute drive from downtown, Columbia.

The fall farmers market has two locations, one at Forum Christian Church which is open on Thursdays 3-6pm through October. The Winter Market is open December through March and this year’s location is still to be determined. Browse tons of goods and vendors while supporting sustainable agriculture in mid-Missouri. The farmers market is a great opportunity to get fresh and delicious produce or just to browse locally produced goods.

Fall festivals are the perfect opportunity to try something new or enjoy something you already love. With an array of events involving food, music and culture, there is something guaranteed to pique your interest.

September 15-16: The Heritage Festival and Craft Show

September 28-30: Roots and Blues BBQ Festival

October 5: First Fridays (Available the first friday of every month)

October 13-14: Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival

Looking for something fun to do this weekend and for the rest of fall? You’re in luck, these are just a few of the upcoming things to do in Columbia, Missouri on the weekends. Many of the events listed below are within walking distance from The Lofts Ninth Street location. If you’re not seeing something that interests you, make sure to check out the Columbia Events Calendar for a complete rundown of Autumn festivities.

Not in the mood for something big? There are plenty of coffee shops to visit downtown if you are just looking to relax and unwind with a hot beverage in hand. Check out the locations below. Make sure to keep your eye out for each coffee shops specialty seasonal drinks too!

Born in St. Louis in 1994, Kaldi’s famous coffee can be found all throughout Missouri. Kaldi’s is dedicated to the creation of memorable coffee experiences in addition to executing sustainable business practices. Kaldi’s offers hearty coffees, exotic teas, delicious smoothies and a full menu for food.

Lakota Coffee loves that Columbia is a college town and embodies the special spirit and energy in their coffee shop. They hand roast small batches of coffee beans everyday in order to provide the freshest coffee possible.

This quaint location often has live music and open mic nights in addition to their delicious beverages. This stems from the owner, Dave Elman’s love of music. Sip on your favorite beverage while relaxing to some great tunes. Check out their website   

For a full list of locally-owned coffee shops, check out this list: http://savorcolumbia.com/articles/columbia-s-favorite-local-coffee-shops