'Tis the season...for steaming cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows on top, sneaking kisses under the mistletoe, and tons of holiday celebrations. And, there might not be a better way to get in the spirit - and to kick off the holiday season - than with a magical drive through the largest drive-thru light show in Missouri. But, it gets even better. Santa will be there, too.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, at least at Branson's Lights of Joy, a spectacular holiday lights drive-thru display that features "super LED" lights.
Wind your way through the largest drive-thru light show in Missouri that features such popular scenes as Noah and the Ark, the Christmas tree forest, and...
Drive through the Lights of Joy between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. from November 1, 2019 through January 1, 2020. Tickets are $20 per vehicle (up to nine passengers).
Have you been to Lights of Joy, the largest drive-thru light show in Missouri? Let us know in the comments! Or, if you prefer a walk-through light display, you'll love this enchanting winter walk through the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Sometimes, going off the beaten path when looking for a restaurant in Missouri yields the best, most delicious results.
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Let me paint you a picture. You wake up one morning looking for a culinary adventure, having no real agenda or plan. You're just looking to try something new, something tasty, something different. At the start of your adventure, you're dreaming of white tablecloths and fine dining or maybe even a new-to-you waterfront spot with fresh seafood and cold brews.
You probably wouldn't expect to be eating the most flavorful food of your life in a building that used to be a gas station... would you?
And yet, this is precisely what Bixby Country Store is. This adorable, off-the-beaten-path restaurant in Missouri is located in Bixby, about a two-hour drive from St. Louis. This gas station-turned-restaurant is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Anyone who's eaten here will tell you that it is 100% worth the drive.
Now, the locals don't only visit Bixby Country Store to eat incredible food. This hidden gem in Missouri still operates as a general store! So you're just as likely to encounter a local picking up some supplies as you are another diner! Or getting gas outside, since this cute spot also has two working gas pumps.
If eating food so good it tastes homemade amid the hustle and bustle of a shop doesn't sound like the relaxing meal you had in mind, don't worry. The owners of Bixby Country Store have also turned the caboose next door into a dining room. Simple benches and tables line the log walls of this small dining room. I recommend snagging one of the tables near a window so you can watch the world go by.
If you're looking for down-home cooking, Bixby Country Store is the place for you. Comfort food reigns, with creative daily specials and staples that the regulars can't stop raving about. Word on the street is that the club sandwich at Bixby Country Store is second to none.
The regular menu of cold sandwiches at this adorable Missouri eatery also keeps the locals coming back. There's something comforting about having someone else make you a sandwich that makes it taste just a little bit better, you know?
This is also an excellent stop for breakfast, where biscuits and gravy are the first thing on the menu. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't have to look any further before I chose my morning meal: I love biscuits and gravy, y'all.
No matter what meal you decide to visit Bixy Country Store, I recommend stopping at the dessert case before you head back home. Everything looks delicious. However, if home-baked desserts are not your thing, you're in luck. One of the benefits of being a general store/restaurant is a wonderful selection of road snacks... including candy!
Stop what you’re doing right now and grab your calendar–set a date to visit Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard in Weston, Missouri. I cannot get over the cuteness of this family-friendly orchard, and it’s home to some of the best autumnal food in Missouri! Whether you’re loading up the kids, grandkids, grandma, or your girlfriends, this place is packed with outdoor fun and irresistible fall flavors. Located about 40 minutes north of Kansas City, Missouri, Weston Orchard & Vineyard sits on 50 acres of pure fun, with activities and play zones for everyone.
But let’s talk about the real stars of the show: their apple cider and doughnuts. When you step into the Cider Barn, the warm scent of freshly made cider doughnuts fills the air, and trust me—you’re going to want to try them. Cider donuts have a few special features I did not know about before being introduced to them at Weston Orchard & Vineyard. The doughnuts are typically made with fresh apple cider, giving subtle apple flavor and adding moisture to a cake-like texture. Yum! These doughnuts, made with seasonal fruit, are a perfect fall treat, especially when paired with a refreshing cider slushie or a cup of their house-made apple cider. There's something special about sipping cider made from apples grown right where you stand!
The Cider Barn is also home to a market, where you can pick up some goodies to take home. You’ll find fresh doughnuts, canned produce, salsas, jellies, sauces, pickles, pies, and fruit that make great gifts or a treat for yourself. If you’d rather skip picking your own fruit, you can grab pre-picked apples like Jonathan, Fuji, Golden Delicious, or Red Delicious by the pound.
There’s more to enjoy for the adults—try their hard ciders and wines, all made from their farm's fresh produce. Sample these with a hard cider flight or a wine tasting, and don’t forget to try a wine or cider slushie. Take your drink outside, find a cozy picnic table, and enjoy the live weekend music in the crisp fall air. Isn’t autumn just the best time to be outside?
Fall is when Weston Orchard & Vineyard truly comes alive. Alongside u-pick apples and pumpkins, you’ll find u-pick flowers and loads of seasonal treats like caramel apples, kettle corn, candied nuts, and pies. The two massive play zones are geared toward kids ages 2-12, with over 15 activities like apple cannons, a bounce pillow, ziplines, a giant slide, and even a petting zoo. But don’t worry if you’re not a kid—the young at heart are welcome, and I’m already excited for the hayride! And don’t miss the Candy Cannon, which goes off every weekend at 1 pm, making the day even sweeter (pun intended).
The farm is open from May through December, with reduced hours in the later months. If you’re planning a trip in September or October, you’ll get the best deal during the week with lower entry fees. The all-day passes include parking, access to the play zones, hay-rack rides, bags for fruit picking, and entry to the u-pick areas. Your picked produce is weighed and priced by the pound. Everything has been thought about; all you have to do is show up and be ready to have some fall fun!
Next time you’re planning a day trip in Missouri, consider making Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard a stop. Whether it’s for mouthwatering apple cider doughnuts, a refreshing cider slushie, or a fun-filled day outdoors, this charming farm offers something for everyone. Weston Orchard & Vineyard is a fall must-do, you’ll leave with full hearts, happy bellies, and plenty of memories to take home. And what is an autumn outing without the perfect fall look? Check out my favorite site for quality flannels and boots.
