With finals right around the corner, sometimes we simply need to take a break from studying. On Dec. 9, Mizzou gives its students the gracious gift of a day off right before finals week with Reading Day. You can spend the day doing what you will be doing every other day for the rest of the week, or you can go on a mini road trip.
Kansas City — in my biased, Kansas-City-area-native opinion — is the most beautiful place in Missouri to spend your holiday season, but St. Louis natives might disagree. So, flip a coin or play rock-paper-scissors and choose your location.
What are the holiday hotspots in St. Louis or Kansas City? I talked to some city enthusiasts, found the most iconic stops and did the planning for you. Grab some friends, gas up the car, choose your city and allow MOVE’s guide for the perfect Kansas City and St. Louis day trips end your semester with a bang.
####Kansas City
8:30-10:30 a.m.: [Drive to Kansas City.](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kansas+City,+MO/@39.0921167,-94.8559167,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87c0f75eafe99997:0x558525e66aaa51a2!8m2!3d39.0997265!4d-94.5785667)
10:30-10:45 a.m.: Take cute and flirty pictures at the [“Kansas City, I’m so in love” mural along the [Fortuity](https://www.fortuityusa.com/pages/kansas-city-mo) wall.
[Address:1919 Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, MO 64108](https://www.google.com/maps/place/1919+Baltimore+Ave,+Kansas+City,+MO+64108/@39.0896341,-94.5866839,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87c0f0419487496d:0xc47815941303804b!8m2!3d39.0896341!4d-94.5844899)
I love this city so much.
10:45-11 a.m.: Walk to [Town Topic Hamburgers](http://www.towntopic.com/) for lunch.
[Address: 1900 Baltimore, Kansas City, MO 64108](https://www.google.com/maps/place/1900+Baltimore+Ave,+Kansas+City,+MO+64108/@39.0907008,-94.5871556,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87c0f042263c7639:0xa6aa9569b64ae681!8m2!3d39.0906967!4d-94.5849669)
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Eat lunch at Town Topic — it is a must-do in Kansas City!
Killin some burgers with @oweeens at Town Topic #towntopic #kc #kclove #kansascity
12-12:30 p.m.: Ride the KC Streetcar (free) from the 19th and Main stop to Union Station at [the Pershing and Main stop.](http://kcstreetcar.org/route/stops-destinations/)
12:30-2:30 p.m.: Watch _Polar Express_ for $3 at Union Station’s Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre.
2:30-3 p.m.: Walk to the World War I Museum
[Address: 2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, MO 64108](https://www.google.com/maps/place/2+Memorial+Dr,+Kansas+City,+MO+64108/@39.0778587,-94.5871557,16.84z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x87c0f03da6644d33:0x44077a2cd39b6f0d!8m2!3d39.0777698!4d-94.584805)
3-5 p.m.: Celebrate the museum’s [10-year anniversary with free admission.](https://www.theworldwar.org/10years) Don’t forget to go to the top of
Liberty Memorial Tower to get the perfect view of the Kansas City skyline.
Looks almost fake #unionstation #gorgeousday
5-5:30 p.m.: Walk to [Jack Stack Barbecue.](http://www.jackstackbbq.com/)
[Address: 101 W 22nd St. #300, Kansas City, MO 64108](https://www.google.com/maps/place/101+W+22nd+St+%23300,+Kansas+City,+MO+64108/@39.0875832,-94.5872328,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87c0f0404d243a9b:0xd7568a58a08061f7!8m2!3d39.0875832!4d-94.5850388)
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Eat dinner at Jack Stack Barbecue. You cannot go to Kansas City without having KC barbecue.
6:30-7 p.m.: Walk to [Crown Center.](http://www.crowncenter.com/)
[Address: 2405 Grand Blvd., Suite 200 Kansas City, MO 64108](https://www.google.com/maps/place/2405+Grand+Blvd+%23200,+Kansas+City,+MO+64108/@39.0832916,-94.5834537,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87c0f015ab00db65:0x715f388c465d2589!8m2!3d39.0832916!4d-94.5812597)
7-8:30 p.m.: You can shop around Crown Center for a little while, but the best thing at Crown Center is ice skating at the [Crown Center Ice Terrace.](http://www.crowncenter.com/Attractions-Theaters-List/Ice-Terrace) Admission is $6, and rental is $3.
the sweetest thing you'll ever see in the whole world is a happy girl
8:30-9 p.m.: Walk back to the Pershing and Main stop by Union Station and ride the KC Streetcar back to the 19th and Main stop, where your car is (by the mural). Drive to the [Country Club Plaza.](https://countryclubplaza.com/)
[Address: 4750 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64112](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4750+Broadway+Blvd,+Kansas+City,+MO+64112/@39.0416161,-94.5940454,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87c0efb84aa91817:0xb58d214fedf6e870!8m2!3d39.0416161!4d-94.5918514)
9-10 p.m.: Walk around the Plaza and admire the Christmas lights. Do some shopping if you’d like, or enjoy a cup of coffee at [one of the six coffee shops in the Plaza.](https://countryclubplaza.com/merchants/eateries-coffee-shops/)
The #PlazaLights are illuminating Kansas City skies through mid-January. #instaKC #HowWeDoKC #instaholiday
10 p.m. to 12 a.m.: Drive back to [Columbia.](https://www.google.com/maps/place/University+of+Missouri/@38.9403808,-92.3299315,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87dcb79505ed8739:0xc18305329c07fb48!8m2!3d38.9403808!4d-92.3277375)
####St. Louis
8-10 a.m.: Drive to [St. Louis and head to the Gateway Arch](https://www.google.com/maps/place/St.+Louis,+MO/@38.6530165,-90.3838921,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87d8b4a9faed8ef9:0xbe39eaca22bbe05b!8m2!3d38.6270025!4d-90.1994042)
[Address: 100 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63102](https://www.google.com/maps/place/100+Washington+Ave,+St.+Louis,+MO+63102/@38.6287436,-90.1860526,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87d8b2e11ffbab9d:0xf087544f03c8a74a!8m2!3d38.6287436!4d-90.1838586)
10-10:30 a.m.: Look at the arch, go inside, visit the store, and watch the documentary. The arch tram is currently under construction, so unfortunately you can’t ride up to the top. However, it is still a must-do in St. Louis.
#stlouis #bargework #riverlife
10:45-11 a.m.: Drive to [Gioia’s Deli,](http://www.gioiasdeli.com/) home of the salami sandwich and St. Louisans’ favorite lunch spot.
[Address: 903 Pine St., Louis, MO 63101](https://www.google.com/maps/place/903+Pine+St,+St.+Louis,+MO+63101/@38.6283,-90.196184,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87d8b31909e213e9:0xa2f5a11c169366dd!8m2!3d38.6283!4d-90.19399)
11-11:45 a.m.: Eat lunch at Gioia’s Deli.
11:45 a.m.-12 p.m.: Drive to the [City Museum](http://www.citymuseum.org/)
[Address: 750 North 16th St., St. Louis, MO 63103](https://www.google.com/maps/place/750+N+16th+St,+St.+Louis,+MO+63103/@38.6336082,-90.2026299,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87d8b33ddca6757b:0xf51eeaefa3af1b47!8m2!3d38.6336082!4d-90.2004359)
12-2 p.m.: Play at and explore the City Museum. It’s a playhouse museum described as an [“eclectic mixture of children’s playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion and architectural marvel.”](http://www.citymuseum.org/visit/about/) Admission is $12 but totally worth it.
Yep, still scared of heights!!! #iwasshaking #citymuseum #stlouis #latergram
2-2:30 p.m.: Drive to the [St. Louis Zoo.](https://www.stlzoo.org/)
[Address: 54 Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Saint+Louis+Zoo/@38.636641,-90.294681,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87d8b55ccc04062d:0x6075080197e8e830!8m2!3d38.636641!4d-90.292487)
2:30-4 p.m.: Enjoy St. Louis’ free zoo!
4-4:15 p.m.: Walk to [Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park](http://www.steinbergskatingrink.com/)
[Address: 400 Jefferson Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Jefferson+Dr,+St.+Louis,+MO+63110/@38.6383405,-90.2731237,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87d8b524b6710967:0xdd87de8ce67eeb45!8m2!3d38.6383405!4d-90.2709297)
4:15-5:15 p.m.: Ice skate under Christmas lights at Steinberg.
Admission is $7, and skate rental is $6
5:15-5:45 p.m.: Drive to [Fitz’s Root Beer](https://fitzsrootbeer.com/) in The Loop.
[Address: 6605 Delmar Blvd., Saint Louis, MO 63130](https://www.google.com/maps/place/6605+Delmar+Blvd,+University+City,+MO+63130/@38.6562548,-90.3077357,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87df3553be69708f:0x981111f2b3c77c7!8m2!3d38.6562548!4d-90.3055417)
5:45-6:45 p.m.: Enjoy Fitz’s homemade root beer and American food.
reward yourself for studying this weekend by indulging in a delicious root beer float! #spoonfeed #rootbeerfloat : @mlfried
6:45-7:15 p.m.: Drive to [Anheuser-Busch Brewery](http://www.budweisertours.com/locations/st-louis-missouri.html).
[Address: 1200 Lynch St., St. Louis, MO 63118](https://www.google.com/maps/place/1200+Lynch+St,+St.+Louis,+MO+63118/@38.6003058,-90.2157253,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87d8b39a9fc561e9:0xd158df89a3fd5a1!8m2!3d38.6003058!4d-90.2135313)
7:15-9 p.m.: Get lit at the [Anheuser-Busch Brewery Light Display](http://www.brewerylights.com/).
Free tours and alcohol samples are offered if you’re over 21. S’more roasting is available for $2.50.
Hi it's @debfene wandering through the glorious holiday lights display at Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis. This is a free event, which includes samples They have fire pits and you can purchase smore's and hot chocolate. You can also go into the Clydesdales stables and see those magnificent horses. This is definitely one of my favorite things to do in St. Louis at Christmas time. #MWLtakeover #stlouis #homeofbud #explorestlouis #missouriadventure #brewery #fall
9-9:15 p.m.: Drive to [Anthonino’s Taverna](http://anthoninos.com/)
[Address: 2225 Macklind Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110](https://www.google.com/maps/place/2225+Macklind+Ave,+St.+Louis,+MO+63110/@38.6143804,-90.2800533,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87d8b50bbcb534b3:0x89967036e1c02b54!8m2!3d38.6143804!4d-90.2778593)
9:15-10 p.m.: Eat toasted ravioli at Anthonino’s Taverna for a late-night snack. T-ravs are a delicious St. Louis classic.
holy moly toasted raviolis
10 p.m.-12 a.m.: Drive back to [Columbia.](https://www.google.com/maps/place/University+of+Missouri/@38.9403808,-92.3299315,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87dcb79505ed8739:0xc18305329c07fb48!8m2!3d38.9403808!4d-92.3277375)
_Edited by Katherine White | kwhite@themaneater.com_