Getting to Columbia
The boot camp seminars often fill up as the camp dates approach. Before you make your travel arrangements, please make sure that you have a spot in the camp by calling the IRE office at 573-882-2042.
By air:
You can fly with most major airlines to either Kansas City or St. Louis (each city is about a two-hour drive from Columbia), or you can fly directly to Columbia Regional Airport with Northwest Airlines beginning mid-August 2008. Columbia's airport code is COU.
Airport Shuttle Service: Mo-X (877-669-4826) offers round-trip shuttle service between the St. Louis and Kansas City airports and Columbia hotels. Note: Mo-X offers a discount for reservations made on-line. We recommend that you use the "door-to-door" service, which will drop off and pick up directly at your hotel.
Rental Cars at the Airports: most major rental car companies have counters and/or shuttle service at the Kansas City, St. Louis and Columbia airports. Please consult their national Web sites and/or toll-free numbers for more information and rates: The Kansas City Airport Web site, Lambert St. Louis Airport Web site, Columbia Regional Airport Web site.
By land:
From the Kansas City Airport: Take I-435 East (toward St. Louis) for approx. 25 miles, and take Exit 65B onto I-70 East (toward St. Louis - exit is on the left-hand side). Columbia is approximately 120 miles down I-70 (the entire trip is about 2 1/2 hours).
From St. Louis Airport: Take I-70 West about 110 miles to Columbia (approx. 2 hours).
From Columbia Regional Airport: Take Highway 63 north approx. 9 miles; then take Interstate 70 West (the trip takes about half an hour).
Directions from Interstate 70 to the Missouri School of Journalism (seminar location): From I-70, take the Providence Road exit (Exit #126). Go South on Providence Road (left turn from points east; right turn from points west) for about 1.4 miles. At stoplight at Elm Street, turn left. Missouri School of Journalism is at the intersection of Elm and Ninth Street.
Parking in Columbia: Metered street parking is available on Ninth Street. Parking is free on Sundays. Once you arrive, ask the IRE staff for a parking pass for the rest of your visit.
Renting cars in Columbia:
- Avis Rent A Car
- Corner of Ash Street and Providence Road
- About $35 per day with unlimited mileage
- 573-442-6945
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car
- 112 N. Providence Road
- About $30 per day with unlimited mileage
- 573-256-8000
- Joe Machens Ford (in Columbia only)
- $30 per day with 150 free miles + 20 cents every mile over
- $180 weekly with 1000 free miles + 20 cents every mile over
- 573-445-4282
Maps:
Map of University of Missouri-Columbia
Map of IRE Offices at S. 9th St. At Elm St., Columbia, MO 65201
Lodging:
Make your hotel reservations right away!Hotel with discounted room block:
Stoney Creek Inn (10-minute drive to campus): $75, plus tax, for standard rooms (campers attending the five-day seminars may reserve extended-stay cottages for $105 plus tax - small kitchen included). To make a reservation, call 573-442-6400 or 800-659-2220. When calling, please ask for the "Investigative Reporters and Editors" room block. The discounted room block is available until three weeks prior to the Boot Camp; after the block expires ask for the University of Missouri rate.
The Stoney Creek Inn offers free in-room, high speed Internet access, a fitness center including a small workout room and a large indoor/outdoor pool, and free breakfast. In addition, the hotel will provide shuttle service to and from the seminar location each day in a set schedule - if you are interested in this service, please e-mail stephanie@ire.org.
Courtyard by Marriott Columbia (10-minute drive to campus): 573-443-8000. Full-service hotel with on-site Bennigan's Restaurant.
Other recommended lodging:
Holiday Inn Express (15-minute drive to campus): 573-449-4422 or 1-800-HOLIDAY. All rooms include microwave, refrigerator and continental breakfast. Room prices range from $79-$99 per night plus tax. Please tell them that you will attend an event at the MU Journalism Department to get this rate.
Taylor Avenue Bed and Breakfast (short walk to campus): 573-256-5567. Queen room $97.75 or King room $117.50 both would include full breakfast. Please identify yourself as attending a University of Missouri Journalism training to obtain these discounted rates.
Also visit Columbia's Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Information about Columbia:
