Missouri is home to countless winter activities. Whether you want to brave the cold for an outdoor adventure or need a cozy getaway with your special someone, there’s something for everyone in the Show-Me State.
Outdoor Winter Activities in Missouri
There are plenty of spots in Missouri for outdoor winter adventures. Grab your coat and head to picturesque hiking spots like Alley Spring and Mill, featuring a bright red mill that serves as a glimpse of days gone by, or head to New Offenburg for the diverse ecosystem of the 1,094-acre Hickory Canyons Natural Area.
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, now a pedestrian and biking bridge, is an iconic St. Louis spot along Route 66. From there, head west for a stroll around Citygarden, an art- and architecture-focused park blending sculptures, plants and fountains near the Gateway Arch.
There are lots of scenic spots in Central Missouri too, from the expansive Ha Ha Tonka State Park near the Lake of the Ozarks, which features trails and the ruins of a stone castle, to the geological wonders of Columbia’s Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, including the spacious and always cool Devil’s Icebox. Then there’s the Katy Trail State Park spanning 240 miles – the longest rail-to-trail path in the U.S. – prime for hiking, biking and even horseback riding.
December through February is prime time to watch the skies for bald eagles, drawn to unfrozen water near dams and power stations after heading south for the winter. There are numerous spots across the state for eagle-eyed bird-watchers and organized events like Eagle Days, hosted by the Missouri Department of Conservation, and Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days feature opportunities to spot the majestic birds.
A fishing permit is also a ticket to some “reel” winter fun. The Show-Me State is teeming with bass, catfish, trout and crappie, offering many places to cast your line. From the Lake of the Ozarks and Lake Taneycomo to the Gasconade and Jacks Fork rivers, Missouri is swimming with waterways perfect for winter fishing. Looking for catch-and-release trout fishing through the winter months? Check out Bennett Spring State Park, Roaring River State Park, Montauk State Park and Maramec Spring Park.
Indoor Winter Fun
If you want to get out but don’t want to face the cold, Missouri has no shortage of indoor activities to keep you toasty. Take a winter trip to Branson for live shows to fit anyone’s taste, or check out bowling and arcade games at Fritz’s Adventure. There are also attractions like the Hollywood Wax Museum or the Shipwrecked Treasure Museum for indoor, family-friendly activities.
Kansas City has plenty of exciting spots to check out, including the Legoland Discovery Center and the Hallmark Visitor’s Center, where adults and children alike can learn and immerse themselves in iconic and beloved brands. There’s also The Rabbit hOle, a whimsical, multi-sensory museum, or music and art history galore in the American Jazz Museum, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and free-admission Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
If you’re headed to the St. Louis region, check out warm indoor fun and hands-on learning at The Magic House, or put your problem-solving skills to the test at Mastermind Room Escape in St. Charles. There’s also lots of architecture nearby to enjoy from inside, like the mosaics covering the ceiling of Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis with more than 41 million pieces of colored glass or the 17th-century Campbell House Museum, which showcases artifacts from the life of fur trader and businessman Robert Campbell. And, of course, there’s the innovative and interactive Museum at the Gateway Arch for a taste of pioneering history and spirit.
Springfield has ample historic spots to explore, too. There’s the History Museum on the Square, situated on historic Route 66, which tells stories of the city and offers immersive experiences, like a recreation of the first Wild West shootout. The Route 66 Car Museum shows off vintage sports cars and celebrity rides, too, but if you’re more in the mood for drama or a laugh, there’s always the Springfield Little Theatre at Historic Landers Theatre, the oldest and largest civic theater the state has to offer.
Family-Friendly Winter Adventures
Explore fun, affordable and educational winter outings for your family, like the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal and the Jesse James Home in St. Joseph, where visitors can step into the worlds of two famous Missourians.
St. Louis also offers options for family learning at the Saint Louis Zoo and Saint Louis Science Center. Or if your family’s headed farther south in Missouri, book a ticket to the Historic Rodgers Theatre in Poplar Bluff or get some hands-on education at Cape Girardeau’s Discovery Playhouse.
There are also educational opportunities for the whole family in Central Missouri, like the world’s largest collection of prehistoric Missouri artifacts at Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology and live critters and displays at Runge Conservation Nature Center in Jefferson City.
Looking for somewhere with an outdoor mix? The 207-acre Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park in Springfield offers a free-entry, authentic farm experience. Ever wanted to check out the latest movies while sitting in an airplane hangar? Maryville’s unique cinema, The Hangar, is as close as it gets.
In the Kansas City area, check out the free-entry crafting and creativity venue Kaleidoscope and learn about Missouri’s plants and animals at Lakeside Nature Center, featuring about 60 animals of all types. You can also tour the Economy Museum at the St. Louis Fed to check out vaults and coin collections and even walk away with a bag of shredded cash.
Winter Weekend Getaways
With so many destinations in Missouri to cozy up in besides home, plan your weekend getaway to Big Cedar Lodge near Branson for a cabin, cottage or even a glamping tent for your stay. Several options offer fireplaces to bundle up by as you take in the panoramic views of Table Rock Lake. For a trailside vineyard retreat, check out The Blufftop at Rocheport, featuring luxury and mid-century modern flair with plenty of amenities.
There are also many opportunities to elevate your stay in other ways, like in a tree house! There’s the whimsical Enchanted Forest Treehouse in Union, designed by artists to immerse visitors in a magical world. Then there’s rustic charm with wooded views at Branson Treehouse Adventures or the TreeLoft at BaseCamp near Perryville, which touts a wheelchair-accessible tree house for two with a fireplace and more. Near Hermann, The Cottage features a trio of adult-sized tree houses nestled close to wine country.
St. Louis also offers some cozy accommodations, including the colorful Angad Arts Hotel. With themed rooms inspired by the colors of the rainbow, the hotel sits in the heart of the Grand Center Hearts District for easy access to local eats and adventures. There’s also The Cheshire Hotel, with a homey atmosphere and rooms named in honor of famous authors.
Celebrating the Season in Missouri
The Show-Me State offers a wide range of festive activities to get on board for the holidays, like magical, festive train rides in St. Louis and Washington. There’s also the Hallmark Christmas Experience in Kansas City and Hometown Christmas in Warsaw for fans of festive décor and cozy small-town vibes.
For those looking to brighten up a cold winter’s night, check out holiday light displays like Carthage’s Sparkle in the Park, featuring about 26 miles of lights, carriage rides and delicious hot chocolate. Or head to the Missouri Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City for a candlelit tour and see the lighting of a tall exterior tree donated by a Missouri grower. Farther south in Branson, there are plenty of light tours and displays, including millions of lights and dozens of daily shows during An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City.
There’s no shortage of ways to make memories across Missouri around the holidays. Glide across the ice with glee at the Crown Center Ice Terrace in Kansas City or the Steinberg Skating Rink, the largest rink in the Midwest, on the other side of the state in St. Louis. There’s also Winterfest at Kiener Plaza in St. Louis every weekend during the holiday season, featuring a view of the Gateway Arch, thousands of twinkling lights and even s’mores stations and heated igloos to warm up in.
Whether you’re up for a cool outdoor adventure or in the mood for a cozy getaway, start planning your frosty fun adventures this holiday season in Missouri.