A guide to winter travel near St. Louis

Holiday Celebrations in the Cities

Festive attractions in nearby urban locales

Illuminate the Waterfront & More / Chicago

Situated just east of Millennium Park’s The Bean and across the winding pedestrian bridge designed by Frank Gehry, Maggie Daley Park features a quarter-mile ice-skating ribbon that brings an “alpine in the city” experience. This seasonal skating venue is a mere block from Lake Michigan and within walking distance of Navy Pier, which is transformed into a winter wonderland. Their Light Up the Lake event, taking place from November 29 to January 5, showcases interactive light displays, a skating rink, and creative workshops. Other holiday light displays can be found at locales such as Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago Botanic Garden, Morton Arboretum, and the Museum of Science and Industry; along with shopping on the Magnificent Mile, State Street, and the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza; plus a plethora of holiday performances at local theaters.

ICE! at Gaylord Opryland Hotel / Nashville

ICE! is back at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Hotel from November 8 to January 4. Guests don special blue parkas while exploring the enchanting 17,000-square-foot exhibit packed with over 2 million pounds of vibrant ice. Beyond ICE!, the expansive resort offers a variety of other holiday events, including a Country Christmas Breakfast Show, Santa photo opportunities, a gingerbread-decorating station, snowball fights, ice skating, carriage rides, a festive cruise on the Delta Riverboat, and the Darryl Worley dinner show. Other holiday experiences around Music City include Camp Bobby at the Bobby Hotel, which has a funky ’70s camping theme, and Chalet 27 at The Westin, reminiscent of the French Alps nestled in Tennessee.

Graceland’s Christmas Celebration / Memphis

After engaging with the recent cinematic retellings of Priscilla and Elvis’ story, you might find a fresh appreciation for “Blue Christmas” and feel compelled to visit Graceland. From November 21 to December 23, Graceland Opens its doors for special Christmas tours of the iconic estate, showcasing Elvis’ holiday decorations, memorabilia from the Presley family, and beautiful blue lights lining the driveway. Additionally, from November 21–23, the community is invited to the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony, where Elvis’ close friend Jerry Schilling will “flip the switch” to unveil Elvis’ Christmas lights.

Chilly Expeditions

Dog sledding adventures await

Nature’s Kennel Sled Dog Racing & Adventures | McMillan, Michigan

Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, just an hour from the Canadian border, Nature’s Kennel offers fully immersive experiences with various dog sledding options: a 10-mile ride (three hours), a 20-mile trek (six hours), and an overnight adventure (two days, one night in Musher’s Village). For the truly adventurous, guided ice climbing excursions are available in collaboration with Down Wind Sports in Munising, Michigan.

Cragun’s Resort | Brainerd, Minnesota

Situated two and a half hours north of Minneapolis, Cragun’s Resort lies on the shores of Gull Lake, a sought-after summer destination. However, in winter, it becomes a picturesque setting for outdoor adventures, including skiing and snowboarding at Mount Ski Gull. Guests can also partake in ice-skating (complete with a bonfire and marshmallow roasting), ice fishing (with houses provided), dog sled rides (most Saturdays with local mushers), and snowmobiling (with a designated track for kids).

Wolfsong Adventures | Bayfield, Wisconsin

Located on the shores of Lake Superior near the Bayfield Peninsula (home to the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race), Wolfsong offers an array of dog-sledding adventures: morning, afternoon, sunset, and late-season excursions. With a pack of approximately 40 Siberian Huskies, visitors have the opportunity to assist in harnessing, hooking up, feeding, sledding, and interacting with the dogs. Nearby Bayfield also features various lodging options overlooking the lake, providing a cozy retreat after a day of mushing.

5 Skiing Destinations Across 5 Midwest States

Experience the Olympic Luge

Muskegon Winter Sports Complex boasts one of only four ice luge tracks in the U.S. After a lesson in sled maneuvering, guests can zoom down a 650-foot kunstbahn track at speeds up to 30 mph—not quite the speed of an Olympian, but faster than a casual park hill.

Charming Small-Town Escapes

Historic Missouri towns provide a quaint setting for holiday memories.

Holiday Christmas Festival | Ste. Genevieve

Ste. Genevieve is rich in history, being established in 1750 as the first permanent European settlement in Missouri and recently recognized by the National Parks Service. Its holiday festival on December 7 and 8 is a cultural homage steeped in a 500-year tradition, featuring music in historic churches and other downtown venues, colonial decorations, open houses at historic sites, and the Art Guild Art Show & Sale, along with additional festive attractions.

Christmas Traditions | St. Charles

The cobblestone streets and historic brick buildings of St. Charles’ Main Street set the background for the town’s popular month-long celebration from November 29 to December 24. Visitors can enjoy the aroma of hot-roasted chestnuts, the sounds of Victorian carolers, historical interpreters, and a gathering of Santas dressed in traditional attire from their homelands. It’s a vibrant spectacle, perfect for shopping or a picturesque stroll.

Christmas Candlelight Walk | Augusta

During the first two weekends of December, the Deutschheim State Historic Site hosts Weihnachtsfest, featuring a German-style market alongside German-inspired delicacies and traditions. Similarly, Stone Hill Winery hosts its Kristkindl Markt the first weekend of December, featuring vendors with handcrafted items, festive treats, carolers, mulled wine, and much more throughout the weekend. The Annual Hermann Cookie Walk takes place the third weekend of December, with a variety of cookies available at local shops. Holiday carriage rides and tours are also accessible during the first three weekends of December.

Christmas Festival, Cookie Walk & More | Kimmswick

Blackberry Farm | Walland, Tennessee

The idyllic estate began as a rustic retreat for Ruby Tuesday founder Sandy Beall and his wife, Kreis. They lovingly renovated the main house, welcomed guests, and added cozy cottages and a spa on the stunning 4,200-acre property nestled within the Great Smoky Mountains. Their son Sam elevated the estate into a culinary haven, establishing farm-to-table cuisine at The Barn, a James Beard Award–winning restaurant renowned for its wine selection, housed in a grand historic structure, where executive chef Cassidee Dabney continues the legacy of groundbreaking culinary traditions. Nearby, Blackberry Mountain—a wellness-focused hotel—opens its doors for festivities, including a tree-lighting ceremony and toast on December 7, along with holiday mixology classes and wine tastings on December 23 and 24. As you might expect, the original estate radiates warmth, with crackling fires, fragrant wreaths, and enchanting gingerbread houses.

Big Cedar Lodge | Ridgedale

There’s always something new at Johnny Morris’ wilderness resort located overlooking Table Rock Lake in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. Particularly during Home for the Holidays in November and December, visitors will find numerous child-friendly activities, including breakfast with Santa, photos with Santa, storytime with Mrs. Claus, elf visits, an ugly sweater party with the Grinch, crafting classes (like gingerbread houses, holiday wreaths, festive centerpieces, and plush toys), ice-skating, holiday lights tours, a tree-lighting ceremony, and more. Adults can find relaxation at Cedar Creek Spa and Worman House Bistro. On your journey back to St. Louis, consider stopping at Finley Farms in Ozark, where the Ozark Mill Restaurant serves delightful farm-to-table dishes in a historic mill setting.

Deer Path Inn | Lake Forest, Illinois

Situated on Chicago’s North Shore, this 1929 inn evokes the charm of a 15th-century manor, complete with an elegant English garden. Dining options feature a distinctly British flair, encompassing afternoon tea, a refined dining room, and a welcoming bar. Historically, the inn has offered Chicago-inspired packages, including the previous “Lost in Lake Forest Suite Experience” which provided guests with robes, candy, pizza, and a viewing of Home Alone.

Fun for Families

Your guide to kid-friendly holiday excitement

Listening Forest by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer | Bentonville, Arkansas

Imagine an enchanted forest reimagined through an artistic lens. Up until January 5, the woods surrounding the museum transform into an extraordinary journey that intertwines time and space. During the day, children will enjoy the nearby Scott Family Amazeum children’s museum.

Holiday World | Santa Claus, Indiana

While not a winter-only destination, this amusement park perfectly answers the question of family activities when kids are anticipating Christmas during the off-season. The park’s name and the town speak volumes: a delightful mix of holidays. Various themed sections represent Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, with rides named after festive creatures and tantalizing treats like Polar Expresso and Sugarplum Scoop Shoppe. Is it a bit over-the-top? Perhaps. Will kids absolutely adore it? Definitely!

Silver Dollar City | Branson

This theme park goes all-in for An Old Time Christmas festival, currently happening until January 4, boasting 6.5 million lights and 1,000 Christmas trees. Enjoy the twice-nightly Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade and the Frisco Sing-Along Steam Train, in addition to an impressive eight-story animated Christmas tree on Town Square.