Ah, 'tis the season: winter in Indiana is here, and it's time for all the fun stuff that comes with it. The Christmas light displays around Indianapolis are truly incredible and should not be missed! If you're looking for an easy way to view all of the best displays around the city, then check out our ultimate Christmas lights road trip for the best holiday lights in Indianapolis!
1. Circle of Lights
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Every year, Monument Circle lights up the day after Thanksgiving and creates holiday magic that lasts well through the New Year. This epic Christmas lights display in Indiana is a Hoosier tradition and is the perfect first stop on our holiday road trip.
2. The Indianapolis Zoo
What's the one thing that could make holiday lights even more exciting? Holiday lights surrounded by zoo animals, of course! This popular Christmas lights display is a truly exhilarating experience - pictures don't do this enchanting wonderland justice! The Indy Zoo was the first zoo in the US to host a holiday event and has finished in the top five of the USA Today's Best Zoo Lights List for multiple years. It's the perfect next stop for our IN holiday lights adventure!
3. Lights at the Brickyard
This huge light event is a tradition for many - and it's easy to see why! This awesome Indiana drive-thru lights show offers an incredible experience of unique lights along the hallowed road of the Indy Speedway. This unique event is one your kids will be talking about for weeks.
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4. Winterlights
The Indianapolis Museum of Art was fairly recently renamed Newfields and one of their new events is the enchanting and gorgeous outdoor lights display called Winterlights. With over one million lights, hot beverages, and s'mores stations, this light event is truly one-of-a-kind.
5. Lights Up
This annual Indiana holiday lights parade in Broad Ripple is on again this year! While you can catch businesses in Broad Ripple decorated for the holidays at any time, be sure to time your trip right so that you can enjoy all of the eclectic lights this parade has to offer.
6. Reynold's Christmas Lights Display
This free light show is just outside of Indianapolis, but well worth the drive. This light show can be enjoyed from afar or experienced up close as you drive through each exhibit. Keep an eye on the Reynold's Christmas Lights Facebook page for this year's info.
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This Christmas lights road trip around Indianapolis is sure to get your family in a festive mood. For more holiday fun, visit this Christmas town near Indianapolis that turns into a winter wonderland every year!
Wintertime in Missouri promises so many magical moments - from the peaceful silence after the first snowfall to strolling down snow-dusted Main Streets as we go Christmas shopping. While we might not all love the return of the cold and the snow, we can all likely agree that winter in Missouri offers a ton of fun and plenty of memorable moments, even if we're just curled up under our favorite blanket, watching the snow fall outside. When you're ready for adventure, here are some of the best things to do in Missouri in winter.
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Holiday Events In Missouri
Certainly one of the highlights of winter, the holiday season is usually jam-packed with things to do. While Christmas shopping, cooking, baking, and decorating can fill up much of our time, we sometimes need to slow down and soak up the season with family and friends. Get in the holiday spirit with one of the best walk-thru or drive-thru Christmas light displays in Missouri, and bring the whole family to one of the best Christmas festivals in Missouri. Here are some holiday events in Missouri to help get you started.
1. Winter Wonderland
Location: St. Louis
Popularity: Extremely popular, expect crowds, especially 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Price: Family vehicle $20
Make the car toasty; turn up the Christmas carols, and slowly drive through the Winter Wonderland of Tilles Park in St. Louis. The beloved drive-thru Christmas lights display in Missouri has been a staple since 1987. Marvel at the more than one million lights and 100 Christmas light displays as you drive through light tunnels and past beloved holiday characters. Tickets can be purchased in advance. Winter Wonderland runs daily, except on Christmas Eve, from late November through December 30. Hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
2. Christmas Lights In The Park
Location: Moberly
Popularity: Popular. Expect a wait, especially on weekends.
Price: Free
Start a new tradition with a drive through Christmas Lights in the Park at Rothwell Park in Moberly. The free event offers an idyllic way to get into the Christmas spirit as you wind your way past more than 100 Christmas displays and thousands of dazzling lights. Christmas Lights in the Park kicks off the season with a tree-lighting ceremony on Nov. 26, 2023. The drive-thru light display in Missouri will run on select nights through Dec. 23. Donations to Altrusa, the event's sponsor, are welcome.
3. Santa’s Magical Kingdom
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Location: Eureka
Popularity: Can get really busy, especially on the weekends
Price: $35 (family vehicle); $45 (passenger van, transport van, small bus)
Pile the whole family in the car for a magical Christmastime adventure at Santa's Magical Kingdom. The drive-thru Christmas lights display in Missouri boasts millions of twinkling lights, a tunnel of lights, and a lights waterfall. Keep the magic going after your drive by heading into Jellystone Park for more holiday fun. Santa's on hand to listen to Christmas wishes; visit Kringle's Store, and indulge in a seasonal treat. Climb aboard a wagon ride, too. Santa's Magical Kingdom runs from mid-November through early January. Hours vary depending on the day and the time of the season.
4. Powell Gardens
Location: Kingsville
Popularity: Can get extremely busy during the weekend
Price: $8-$16. Children four and younger are free.
Bundle up for a stroll through the Festival of Lights at Powell Gardens, an epic annual event that runs from mid-November through the end of December. Whether you're starting or continuing a beloved Christmastime tradition, take your time as you meander through light tunnels and past glittering Christmas trees. Powell Gardens lights up from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
5. Silver Dollar City
Location: Branson
Popularity: Extremely popular, especially on the weekends
Price: Tickets start at $89. Additional activities and events may cost extra.
Step into a winter wonderland of millions of twinkling lights, Christmas trees, and seasonal entertainment at An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City. Boasting more than 6.5 million lights, Silver Dollar City promises a ton of fun - visits with Santa, a Christmas parade, family-friendly entertainment, and delicious food. An Old Time Christmas runs from early November through the end of December. Hours vary depending on the day.
6. Grant’s Farm
Location: St. Louis
Popularity: Can get quite busy
Price: Ranges from $12-$29+
Make the most of the merry season with a visit to Grant's Farm in St. Louis. Whether you decide to drive through or walk through the farm that's aglow with more than one million lights, you're sure to get into the Christmas spirit. You can book a carriage ride that will take you on a magical journey to see the lights or warm up next to your very own VIP fire pit. Or how about surprising the kiddos with breakfast with Santa? Grant's Farm's Christmas celebration runs from late November through late December. (The drive-thru Christmas lights display in St. Louis, Missouri, however, only runs through mid-December.)
Christmas Towns In Missouri
Because the Christmas season is usually quite short compared to all there is to do, we have to carefully plan our calendars, so we don't miss out on any of the many Christmas events and activities in Missouri. If you have a free day or even a weekend, plan a getaway to one of these enchanting Christmas towns in Missouri, where you'll feel as though you've stepped back through the pages of time. (You'll even find some of the best free things to do in Missouri in winter in these picturesque towns.)
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7. Hannibal
Location: Hannibal
Popularity: Can get busy
Price: $2 admission to the Festival of Trees
Journey back through time with a Christmastime visit to <a href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/trip-ideas/missouri/old-fashioned-christmas-town-mo/" target="_blank">Hannibal. The charming small town in Missouri hosts the Victorian Festival of Christmas in Historic Downtown Hannibal, an epic holiday celebration that runs the first three weekends of December. (Events are also held on Small Business Saturday at the end of November.) Festivities include living windows, carriage rides, and a Festival of Trees. Earmark some time, too, to explore the historic downtown, where you can do a bit of Christmas shopping and indulge in a delicious meal.
8. Branson
Location: Branson
Popularity: Can get very busy, depending on the attraction
Price: Varies
With its jam-packed schedule of activities and events, Branson just might deserve the title of the Christmas Capital of Missouri. Visit Silver Dollar City for its epic Old Time Christmas celebration (and more than 6.5 million lights). Follow one of the town's drive-thru light displays, like Shepherd of the Hills' Trail of Lights. Go Christmas shopping in the historic downtown, or ride the Polar Express with Santa (and the Branson Scenic Railway).
9. Independence
Location: Independence
Popularity: Can get busy during the holidays
Price: Varies, depending on activity. Admission to Vaile Mansion ranges from $5-$10.
Celebrate the Christmas season with a visit to the bustling town of Independence. Get into the holiday spirit with a tour of Vaile Mansion, which gets all decked out for the Christmas season. Tours are offered from late November through the end of December. Put on your hiking shoes for the Annual Winter Solstice Torch Lit Hike in early December, and walk around town to admire the Christmas decorations.
Outdoor Activities
Some of the best Missouri winter activities offer us the chance to enjoy the fresh air and the freshly fallen snow (if we're lucky). Missouri boasts some of the best sledding hills - can you say Art Hill at Forest Park in St. Louis - and epic snow tubing parks that will transform those cold and snowy days in Missouri into action-packed adventures. Here are just a few of the best family things to do in Missouri in winter.
Billed as the largest ice skating rink in the Midwest with 27,600 square feet, <a href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/missouri/largest-ice-skating-rink-mo/" target="_blank">Steinberg Ice Skating Rink is the place to go for a day of fun gliding around the ice. The rink offers all-day skating. Take a break to warm up near the firepit, and recharge with a hot drink and a snack. Skating lessons are also available. The rink is generally open seasonally from mid-November through early March. (From May through October, the rink offers roller skating.)
11. Summit Rink
Location: Lee’s Summit
Popularity: Can get busy
Price: $11/$8 for Lee's Summit residents; skate rental $3
Glide around the rink at Summit Ice. The 8,000-square-foot outdoor skating rink also features fire pits and a patio with plenty of seating. When you need a breather, grab a bite to eat from the concession stand and relax on the patio. It's certainly one of the best cheap things to do in Missouri in winter. Summit Ice generally opens in mid-November.
12. Hidden Valley Ski Resort
Location: Eureka
Popularity: Two-hour sessions are offered to prevent overcrowding.
Price: Tickets are not yet on sale for the season.
Bundle up for one of the best family things to do in Missouri in winter when you go snow tubing at<a href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/stays/missouri/longest-snow-tubing-run-mo/" target="_blank">Polar Plunge Tubing Park at Hidden Valley Ski Resort. Tickets are sold in two-hour sessions, so you can zip down the hill as many times as you want. Catch your breath as the conveyor belt takes you back to the top to do it all over again. If you need more of a break, warm up by one of the roaring fire pits.
13. Snow Creek Ski Area
Location: Weston
Popularity: Extremely popular. Buy tickets in advance as they often sell out on the weekends and holidays.
Price: Tickets are not yet on sale for the season.
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Get ready for a day of fast-paced fun at Snow Creek, where you can go snow tubing or skiing. Timed tickets can be purchased in advance for your rides down the 700-foot hill. Go up the conveyor belt, and go back down again...and again. Skiing is also popular at this winter park. The season typically begins in mid-December.
Winter Getaways
While most people count down the days until their summer vacations, there's something so enchanting and tranquil about a winter getaway. Escaping to a cozy cabin or a lively resort the whole family will love adds an extra bit of magic to the season. Here are some of the best winter getaways in Missouri.
14. River of Life Farm
Location: Dora
Popularity: Can get busy
Price: Starting at $259
For one of the most romantic things to do in Missouri in winter, plan a getaway to River of Life Farm, where you can stay cozy in one of its treehouses or cabins. The Missouri resort offers a variety of accommodations for two to six guests. When you're not staying warm in your home-away-from-home, explore the farm on one of the snow-dusted hiking trails, or go stargazing. (River of Life Farm boasts some of the best stargazing in Missouri.)
15. Fair Winds Cabin Resort
Location: Cherryville
Popularity: Can get busy
Price: Starting at $159
Check into a charming cabin for a winter getaway at Fair Winds Cabin Resort. All cabins promise luxury with some featuring a fireplace or a Jacuzzi. If it's not too cold, sit on the rocking chair on the front porch and watch the snowfall.
16. Grand Country Resort
Location: Branson
Popularity: Popular
Price: Rates start at around $200 per night
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Treat the whole family to a blast of summer in the middle of winter with a visit to Grand Country Resort in Branson. While the snow's falling outside, stand under a tipping bucket or float in the crystal-clear pool. The resort offers a full menu of family-friendly amenities, including bowling, a movie theater, laser tag, and indoor go-karts. Dig into some of the best food in Branson, too, at this resort that has a buffet, a pizza joint, and a restaurant that grills all of the favorites, including burgers.
What are your favorite things to do in Missouri in winter? Let us know in the comments! On the hunt for more free things to do in Missouri in winter? How about going on a refreshing winter hike? Check out the best winter hikes in Missouri then, for more hikes, stop by AllTrails.
In today’s endless flow of stress, phone notifications, and longer hours at the job, folks are readily looking for more than just a meal when they leave the house. Why not lighten your mood as you satisfy your hunger by seeking out a fun eatery like Ruth’s Café in Indiana? Situated in Keystone at the Crossing in Indianapolis, Ruth’s Café is a cute and quirky restaurant serving big tastes in an eclectic setting that’s sure to brighten any day!
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Patrons of Ruth’s Café are met with friendly faces of fellow diners and staff, as well as the colorful and vibrant wall-to-wall décor that’s sure to lift your spirits.
Custom-made chairs and whimsical hanging ornaments make this café a dreamy option for hungry guests.
When the weather is nice, you can also find the restaurant offering outdoor seating.
You can’t help letting the bright mood of the café in as you select a spot to take in the cheery ambiance.
This place is simply inviting. Put aside your worries and choose from a large variety of fresh teas and coffee (some say the best in Indy!) to sip away your worries. The café even has a wall of zany mugs with attitude that you can choose from! Guests have a blast comparing their mugs and noting the fun designs.
Once you are ready to take a look at the menu, you’ll be presented with many delicious options. The breakfast platters are EVERYTHING.
Look for playful touches everywhere, like how their soups come in three fun sizes – baby bear, mamma bear, and papa bear. Paired with a tasty sandwich with eight different types of bread to choose from, and you’ll understand why Ruth’s is an easy choice for many!
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Feeling classic? You can’t go wrong with rich French toast, Canadian Bacon, or a delectable Belgian waffle!
Ruth’s is a locally owned local favorite for breakfast and lunch. Guests are happy about the large and satisfying portion sizes, and homespun spin on every dish. There are plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options as well.
Breakfast is served all day, every day! Have your eggs pretty much anyway you can think of and eat guilt-free as Ruth’s is a environmentally conscious establishment. They utilize composting for waste and only use free-range eggs in their recipes.
Ruth’s Café has grown in popularity over the years, so much so, it has opened two other locations in Indianapolis.
Don’t pass up a chance to take a load off and enjoying a bite at this friendly and eccentric eatery. Whether it is their heavenly meals or quirky and inviting décor, you will know you’ve stepped into a delightful café like no other.
To learn more about Ruth's Café, visit the official website for this Indiana restaurant.