Most parts of the Midwest are off-limits to travelers in winter due to gale-force winds, piles of snow, and freezing temperatures.
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That’s where Missouri shines. It’s the most southern of the Midwestern states, meaning its winter temperatures don’t often hit Arctic levels. Though it happens, the Show Me State is leagues cozier than Michigan, Ohio, or North Dakota.
That means one thing: You have more things to do in winter in Missouri than you might think. And some of them involve the great outdoors… without needing to worry about losing a toe to frostbite.
Whether you’re looking for a little Missouri adventure or want to learn more about what makes Missouri a surprisingly cool and under-celebrated destination, keep reading. You’re in store for more booze, birds, and yoga than you probably thought.
Things to do in winter in Missouri that might surprise you
Treat yourself at Elms Hotel & Spa in Excelsior Springs
Excelsior Springs puts you close to some of Missouri’s top wineries. In winter, they’re at their most peaceful, letting you take tours and sip on reds and whites without all the crowds. A stay at Elms Hotel & Spa gives you other perks, too, as the hotel puts on tons of cozy winter activities.
Just check out their activity list to see what’s coming up. There’s a Valentine’s chocolate & cacao sound-healing retreat—count me in. The only thing I love more than wine and calming sounds is chocolate.
Aside from scheduled programs, you can join the hotel’s daily yoga offers, book a date night around the fire pit, or book one of the spa’s many treatments. The Grotto looks particularly appealing—it’s a Roman bathhouse-style area with soaking pools.
Improve your pickleball game at Pickle & Perk in Ironton
Pickle & Perk is a location ‘where coffee meets pickleball’. (I told you—Missouri will surprise you.) It’s a small café with a pickleball court in back, letting you order coffee, a lunch sandwich, and then head out back to whip your paddle around like a pro. They also host a Pickleball 101 workshop, which is perfect for anyone who’s sick of being holed up for winter… and anyone who loves coffee.
Get crafty at Finley Farms in Ozark
Similar to Elms Hotel & Spa, Finley Farms makes it easy to weather the winter with its dynamic programming. The hotel is set on a historic mill property and helmed by the founder of Bass Pro Shops and owner of Big Cedar Lodge (Johnny Morris), meaning you can expect a deeply country and cozy experience—one that perfectly bridges the indoors with the outdoors.
In winter, you can take stargazing courses, join the charming Valentine’s Day program, learn about herbal medicine, take a yoga and cacao ceremony, or a mixology course, or a cooking workshop, or watch the Super Bowl—and that’s just in February. Keep Finley Farms on your radar in winter and beyond. It’s one of the state’s cooler hospitality projects.
Learn something new at Big Cedar Lodge near Branson
Big Cedar Lodge is located on Table Rock Lake, near Branson, Missouri. It also has a long list of winter activities that are designed to make the cold, gray months exciting. If you’re on the hunt for personal wellness, book a yoga retreat. Or if you want to get hands-on and learn a skill, reserve a spot at their charcuterie and wood-burning class.
They also host trips to nearby wineries and also host a wine seminar where newbies and amateur sommeliers can learn the basics. Each January, Big Cedar Lodge throws nature retreats, too, so check back in next year if you’re interested in a multi-day wellness escape.
Spy on bald eagles at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge near Mound City
Located close to Missouri’s northwest border, Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge is a prime spot to watch winter geese and bald eagles migrate and hunt. This year, Loess National Wildlife Refuge saw a huge number of bald eagles pass through—around 1,015 in 2026 compared to around 833 observed in 2022, according to The Kansas Star.
Aside from bald eagles, the wildlife refuge is also a hotspot for snow geese and ducks, which arrive in the hundreds of thousands in late winter and spring. You can take a ten-mile self-guided driving tour and check out a few exhibits at the headquarters. You might even see a few conservationists performing their surveys.
Take a chocolate-wine tour at the US’s oldest winery in Hermann
Did you know that the country’s longest continually running family-owned winery is located in Missouri? Adam Puchta Winery was first founded in 1855 and has been passed down to seven generations of Puchta grape cultivators since then.
Despite its legacy, the Adam Puchta Winery is far from pretentious. (I recommend you read the history—it’s pretty cool.)
The Adam Puchta Winery is participating in the 2026 Chocolate Wine Trail, which takes place in Hermann, Missouri. You get to sample chocolate and wine pairings, including wines and sweets from Adam Puchta Winery. Plus, you get to sample wines from other local growers, including G. Husmann Wine Company, Hermannhof Winery, Reserve Cellars, Robller Vineyard, and Dierberg Star Lane Tasting Room.
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