Christmas wouldn’t quite be Christmas without the North Pole. The following magical places in Missouri will make you feel like you’re right in the center of all the Christmas and wintertime magic. Enjoy!
- The Polar Express - Branson
Brian Lewis/flickr The Polar Express ride along the Brandon Scenic Railway is a Christmas tradition in Missouri. Enjoy a festive ride as you listen to the story, “The Polar Express” be read aloud.
Address: 206 E Main St. Branson, MO 65616
- Katy Trail
Heath Cajandig/flickr The longest rail trail in Missouri can also be enjoyed during the winter. Over 237 miles of scenic trail runs from Machens to Clinton. With how beautiful this trail is, I wouldn’t be surprised if Santa decided to take a detour here, instead of flying in the sky.
- Big Cedar Lodge - Ridgedale
Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau/flickr Even the elves and Santa need a place to rest from time to time. Big Cedar Lodge is one of Missouri’s most beautiful lodges that features scenic views of the Ozark foothills.
Address: 190 Top of the Rock Rd. Ridgedale, MO 65739
- English Landing Park - Parkville
Vincent Parsons/flickr Take a morning stroll along the Missouri River at this gorgeous riverside park that’s just a 15-minute drive away from Kansas City in Parkville.
Address: 8701 Clark Ave. Parkville, MO 64152
- Holiday Park (Krug Park) - St. Joseph
Visit St. Joseph, Missouri/Facebook If you’re not having much luck finding a ride from reindeer this Christmas, then might I suggest a horse drawn carriage ride in Holiday Park? Krug Park is lit up with Christmas decor during the holiday season for visitors to enjoy.
Address: 3500 St. Joseph Ave. St Joseph, MO 64505
- Candy Cane Lane - St. Louis
Katie H./Yelp Since every North Pole needs a Candy Cane Lane, be sure to visit St. Louis’s very own Candy Cane Lane on Murdoch avenue. The houses along this street go above and beyond when it comes to holiday decor and Christmas lights. Address: 6500 Murdoch Ave. Saint Louis, MO 63109
- Ha Ha Tonka Castle Ruins - Camdenton
Ginger A./Yelp The Castle Ruins are already pretty cool enough, but when they’re covered in snow and ice? Well, that makes it look like something out of the movie, “Frozen” and I’m a big fan of that.
Address: 1491 State Road D Camdenton, MO 65020
- Twin Lakes - Columbia
Heath Cajandig/flickr Though it may be too cold now, you can still enjoy beautiful views of the mirror-like frozen lakes in Columbia.
Address: 2500 Chapel Hill Rd. Columbia, MO 65203
- Saint Louis Zoo - St. Louis
Saint Louis Zoo/Facebook Did you know that Polar Bears exist outside of the North Pole and Coca-Cola commercials? It’s true! And you can visit them at the Saint Louis zoo for free this winter!
Address: 1 Government Dr. St. Louis, MO 63110
- McLain’s Bakery - Kansas City
McLain’s Bakery/Facebook
McLain’s Bakery/Facebook Remember leaving Santa cookies as kids? I always wondered why he never seemed to finish them, with a few left on the plate. But I have a feeling if they were cookies from McLain’s Bakery in Kansas City, he wouldn’t have left a crumb. This is one of the most delicious bakeries in Missouri and you can order cookies for yourself or a holiday box to-go.
Address: 201 E Gregory Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64114
- Union Station - St. Louis
Holidays at Union Station/Facebook Last, but certainly not least, is Union Station in St. Louis. Each year, the former train station, now turned hotel, puts on “Holidays at Union Station” and turns into the most magical North Pole of all.
Address: 1820 Market St. St. Louis, MO 63103
What is your favorite place in Missouri that makes you feel like you’re at the North Pole? We’d love to know in the comments below!
Brian Lewis/flickr
The Polar Express ride along the Brandon Scenic Railway is a Christmas tradition in Missouri. Enjoy a festive ride as you listen to the story, “The Polar Express” be read aloud.
Address: 206 E Main St. Branson, MO 65616
Heath Cajandig/flickr
The longest rail trail in Missouri can also be enjoyed during the winter. Over 237 miles of scenic trail runs from Machens to Clinton. With how beautiful this trail is, I wouldn’t be surprised if Santa decided to take a detour here, instead of flying in the sky.
Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau/flickr
Even the elves and Santa need a place to rest from time to time. Big Cedar Lodge is one of Missouri’s most beautiful lodges that features scenic views of the Ozark foothills.
Address: 190 Top of the Rock Rd. Ridgedale, MO 65739
Vincent Parsons/flickr
Take a morning stroll along the Missouri River at this gorgeous riverside park that’s just a 15-minute drive away from Kansas City in Parkville.
Address: 8701 Clark Ave. Parkville, MO 64152
Visit St. Joseph, Missouri/Facebook
If you’re not having much luck finding a ride from reindeer this Christmas, then might I suggest a horse drawn carriage ride in Holiday Park? Krug Park is lit up with Christmas decor during the holiday season for visitors to enjoy.
Address: 3500 St. Joseph Ave. St Joseph, MO 64505
Katie H./Yelp
Since every North Pole needs a Candy Cane Lane, be sure to visit St. Louis’s very own Candy Cane Lane on Murdoch avenue. The houses along this street go above and beyond when it comes to holiday decor and Christmas lights. Address: 6500 Murdoch Ave. Saint Louis, MO 63109
Ginger A./Yelp
The Castle Ruins are already pretty cool enough, but when they’re covered in snow and ice? Well, that makes it look like something out of the movie, “Frozen” and I’m a big fan of that.
Address: 1491 State Road D Camdenton, MO 65020
Though it may be too cold now, you can still enjoy beautiful views of the mirror-like frozen lakes in Columbia.
Address: 2500 Chapel Hill Rd. Columbia, MO 65203
Saint Louis Zoo/Facebook
Did you know that Polar Bears exist outside of the North Pole and Coca-Cola commercials? It’s true! And you can visit them at the Saint Louis zoo for free this winter!
Address: 1 Government Dr. St. Louis, MO 63110
McLain’s Bakery/Facebook
Remember leaving Santa cookies as kids? I always wondered why he never seemed to finish them, with a few left on the plate. But I have a feeling if they were cookies from McLain’s Bakery in Kansas City, he wouldn’t have left a crumb. This is one of the most delicious bakeries in Missouri and you can order cookies for yourself or a holiday box to-go.
Address: 201 E Gregory Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64114
Holidays at Union Station/Facebook
Last, but certainly not least, is Union Station in St. Louis. Each year, the former train station, now turned hotel, puts on “Holidays at Union Station” and turns into the most magical North Pole of all.
Address: 1820 Market St. St. Louis, MO 63103
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Address: 190 Top of the Rock Rd. Ridgedale, MO 65739Address: 201 E Gregory Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64114Address: 8701 Clark Ave. Parkville, MO 64152Address: 1 Government Dr. St. Louis, MO 63110Address: 3500 St. Joseph Ave. St Joseph, MO 64505Address: 1491 State Road D Camdenton, MO 65020Address: 2500 Chapel Hill Rd. Columbia, MO 65203Address: 1820 Market St. St. Louis, MO 63103
