Celebrate The Season With The Ultimate Christmastime Bucket List In Missouri
Christmastime is here, and that means we’ve got a ton to do – from shopping and cooking to making memories with family and friends. The days are short, so we’ve really got to pack in as much as we can when we can. If you’re not sure what you’re going to do this holiday season, consider trying one, two, or all of the activities/events that definitely belong on your Christmastime bucket list in Missouri.
Please note: Destinations typically have safety precautions in place due to the pandemic. Be sure to stop by their official website to learn more and to confirm days and hours.
Celebrate an Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City in Branson. The annual holiday event, which runs through December 30, is sure to get the whole family in the holiday spirit. Stroll through the park that’s illuminated by more than 6.5-million twinkling lights, climb aboard some of your favorite summertime rides, and indulge in seasonal goodies. You might also want to catch one of the more than 30 live shows that are put on each day. Plan your trip with a visit to the official website of Silver Dollar City.
Miracle Pop-Up Bar boasts two locations in Kansas City, and you can visit during adults-only time, or you can bring the kiddos along if you’re going before 7:30 p.m. Reservations are required for the pop-up bar that serves both holiday-themed drinks and a limited menu of such delicious dishes as pizza, tater tots, and meatballs. Read more about Miracle Pop-Up Bar.
The zoo isn’t just for the summertime. In fact, the Saint Louis Zoo transforms into a magical wonderland during the holiday season. The U.S. Bank Wild Lights Experience features countless twinkling lights, light displays, and selfie spots. You’ll need timed tickets for your visit to the zoo. Learn more about the U.S. Bank Wild Lights Experience.
Pile the whole family into the car for a leisurely drive through Fort Zumwalt Park in O’Fallon for its annual Celebration of Lights. The magnificent drive-thru light display stretches for one-mile of sparkling lights. If you’d prefer to sit back and let someone else do the driving, reserve one of the horse-drawn carriages for a ride around the park. Read more about Celebration of Lights.
Did you know that the longest light tunnel in the Midwest is right here in Missouri? Yep, Winter Magic at Swope Park in Kansas City lays claim to the longest light tunnel, definitely making it a bucket list-worthy destination. The light display boasts fun animated lights, and you can even purchase goodies – warm apple cider and kettle corn, for example – right from your car. Plan your drive through Winter Magic.
Most of us spend time at our local farm celebrating the autumn. However, have you been to Christmas on the Farm? Enjoy a full menu of Christmas activities – from hayrides and photos with Santa to making your own toys – at Country Roads Family Fun Farm in Stotts City. Spend a day on Country Roads Family Fun Farm.
You’ve never quite been to a holiday light display like Lot of Lights in St. Charles, a brand new event that stretches 1.5 miles. You’ll find all of the classic holiday cheer – twinkling lights and animated light displays. However, the drive-thru light show also features lasers (and an entire laser tunnel) and holograms. It, in fact, lays claim to the world’s only laser light tunnel. Find out how to get tickets to Lot of Lights.
The good news about this bucket list entry is you have several months throughout the winter to make a reservation for one of the heated igloos. Can you imagine, however, how pretty the Springfield skyline will be, from atop the rooftop at Vantage, as it’s shimmering in holiday lights? Igloos are heated, and you’ll have quite a few delicious dishes and drinks from which to choose. Read more about igloo dining at Vantage.
Breakfast with Santa is just the start of the fun at Old Kinderhook in Camdenton. A whole list of fun, family-friendly activities await at its Christmas Village. Go ice skating; have the kids join a gingerbread house-making contest; and roast marshmallows over a roaring fire. (That’s just a sampling of all of the fun that awaits.) Plan your visit to Old Kinderhook.
You have a couple of choices for Polar Express experiences. Union Station in St. Louis is offering a Polar Express experience without the train ride while you can catch a ride on the Polar Express in Branson, aboard the Branson Scenic Railway, if you’re lucky enough to snag tickets. Find more information on the St. Louis Polar Express Ride and the Branson Polar Express.
What else would you add to the ultimate Christmastime bucket list in Missouri? Join the conversation in the comments, and let us know!
Address: Silver Dollar City, Sunset Cove Township, MO, USA
Address: Kansas City, MO, USA
Address: STL Zoo, 1 Government Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
Address: Fort Zumwalt Dr, O'Fallon, MO 63366, USA
Address: Rancho D-Lux, Kansas City, MO, USA
Address: 15144 State Hwy 97, Stotts City, MO 65756, USA
Address: 2002 Arena Pkwy, St Charles, MO 63303, USA
Address: 260 E McDaniel St, Springfield, MO 65806, USA
Address: Old Kinderhook Dr, Camdenton, MO, USA
Address: Union Station, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
Address: Branson Scenic Railway, 206 E Main St, Branson, MO 65616, USA
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