No town relishes in the autumn season quite like Weston does. Here is a list of must-see stops for a perfect fall day in the charming town.
Apple Fest
Every year for thirty-one years now, apple lovers have made the pilgrimage to Weston to indulge in apple dumplings, cider, pies, butter and cookies. The thirty-second year will look a little different: To eliminate crowds, Apple Fest will be taking place over a series of weekends in September and October as opposed to one singular weekend. Follow Weston MO Chamber of Commerce on Facebook for week-by-week Apple Fest updates.
Tobacco Barns
Weston has a flourishing tobacco history—until 2001, the small Missourian town was the only tobacco market west of the Mississippi. Today, Platte County honors their biggest cash crop through Weston Tobacco cigar lounge on Main Street and the old tobacco barn still standing in Weston Bend State Park.
O’Malley’s Pub
The historic bar alone is worth the hour or so drive up to Weston. It sits six stories below the limestone bones of the old Weston Brewing Company, which dates back to the mid-1800s. They plan on releasing a Festival Ale as an ode to Oktoberfest this fall. The bar will also host a pumpkin chainsaw carving demonstration on Halloween.
McCormick on Main
Whether you’re looking to snatch a bottle of lauded Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur to take home with you or want to try out the newest funky flavor in the 360 Vodka collection, this is the place to belly up to the tasting bar and do it.
Hiking
Also at Weston Bend State Park are trails with some of the area’s most scenic hiking views, especially in fall. The West Ridge Trail is known to be the best: A large portion of the two-and-a-half-mile loop abuts the Missouri River and gives hikers amazing sweeping views of the other side of the state line. There’s a lookout point a few feet from the West Ridge Trailhead—we recommend saving this for the end of your hike as a reward for your efforts. The scenic overlook, a planked deck tapered around a tree, gives panoramic views of the state line river and Fort Leavenworth’s imperial-looking clocktower.
Buffalo Ranch
If you’re one of those people who insists on drinking peppermint mochas and watching Hallmark Christmas movies before the leaves even change, Weston has its own little winter wonderland for you. Buffalo Ranch has two storefronts in little Weston. The one on Main Street is the traditional home furnishings store. The one on Thomas Street is their magical seasonal Christmas shop filled with all the handmade ornaments and yuletide trinkets, opening the first weekend of October.
Weston Orchard & Vineyard
Inside the bright red-roof barn at Weston Orchard and Vineyard is a spacious spread of caramel apples, house wines, bottles of apple cider and locally canned salsas and pickled goods. Rows of trees in ten apple varieties for picking stripe the fields outside.
Tin Kitchen
Located inside an old hardware store on the main drag, Tin Kitchen is a BBQ pit that smokes up competition-style ‘cue on straight pecan. The ribs are our favorite, but don’t skip the pimento cheese appetizer.
