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    Evolving Magazine

    PO BOX 3735

    Shawnee, KS 66203

    PUBLISHER

    Jill Dutton

    jill@evolvingmagazine.com

     

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    Judy Kirkpatrick

    Chrisi Spooner

    Polly Swafford

     

     

     

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    Karen E. Cowdry

     

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    © 2021 Evolving Magazine. 

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    Wanderlust- December 2016

    Day Trip by Rail: Jefferson City, Mo.

    By Jill Dutton

     

    Looking for a quick holiday getaway? Consider a day trip via Amtrak to Jefferson City, Mo.  When you don’t have time for a long train ride and a lengthy vacation, a day trip by rail offers the chance to escape and indulge your wanderlust while enjoying a holiday getaway. And Jefferson City offers small town charm, history, nature, and Midwest values—a great place to explore on a day trip by rail.

     

    If you take the early train (there’s also a daily 4 p.m. train), you’ll depart Kansas City’s Union Station at 8:15 a.m. and arrive in Jefferson City at 11:18 a.m. There’s barely time to settle in, watch the scenery, and maybe journal or read for a bit before you arrive. The train station is centrally located in this scenic, walkable town, so you’ll detrain right in downtown Jeff City where you can enjoy a day—or overnight stay—before boarding the train and returning back to Kansas City. 

     

    While you can buy food in the lounge car, on a trip to Jefferson City recently, my friend Pete and I brought our own coffee and muffins to enjoy during the ride.  We detrained in Jefferson City and spent some time exploring this quaint small town. Luckily, we took a back alley and wound up discovering an off-the-beaten-path place for lunch called Bones Lounge & Restaurant (also known as Bones in the Alley). This friendly venue has a small bar and dining area downstairs, with another bar and a roof-top patio upstairs. It was a perfect quick meal before heading to the Missouri State Penitentiary for a guided tour.

     

    After touring the penitentiary (they also have haunted tours at night) we went to check in at the Capitol Plaza Hotel. The hotel is just a few blocks from the train station, but still, we were glad we wore comfortable shoes as the hills in Jefferson City are tremendous. 

     

    Once checked in, and with only a day to explore, we had to choose between several historical sites and decided on the Missouri State Capitol. Inside the Capitol is the Missouri State Museum, plus there’s a Capitol tour. In addition, there is artwork throughout including pieces by such notable artists as Thomas Hart Benton and Sir Frank Brangwyn. 

     

    Pete and I built up an appetite walking all day and decided to try Paddy Malone’s Irish Pub for dinner. A historical brick building houses Paddy Malone’s, an Irish Pub showing off Jefferson City’s Irish Heritage with delicious, traditional Irish menu items and an extensive beer selection. 

     

    After dinner, we were ready to explore Jefferson City’s nightlife. For such a small town, there are an abundance of entertainment venues. Each within walking distance, we took the time to stop by Spectator’s Sports Bar, J. Pfenney’s Sports Grill, and Gumbo Bottoms Ale House. It’s a friendly town and we made friends at each place we visited. My favorite was Gumbo Bottoms. Owned by a young Irish man ,Gumbo’s is a small dark venue with chalkboards listing specialty beers and spirits. As soon as I would say, “What’s a habanero beer?” there was a shot glass with a sample in front of me. We tasted several of the specialty beers as well as learned the art of drinking fine bourbon (Add one ice cube. Swirl and taste before adding another). 

     

    Back at the hotel, Pete and I enjoyed a relaxing evening in our King Suite at the Capitol Plaza Hotel. The next morning, we indulged in the breakfast buffet at the hotel, then trekked back to the train station for our 11:36 a.m. departure (there’s a second train at 6:22 p.m. for a later departure) back to Kansas City.

     

    With so much to do and see in our short visit, we were tired but fulfilled as we boarded the train to return home.

    Jefferson City Holiday Attractions

     

    A Charlie Brown Christmas | Dec. 1-17

    See how Charlie Brown attempts to restore holiday spirit at the Stained Glass Theatre. 

     

    Governor’s Mansion Candlelight Tours | Dec. 2-3

    Tour of the beautifully decorated governor’s mansion in its holiday elegance. 

     

    Cantorum’s Annual Holiday Concert |Dec. 10

    Enjoy the glorious sounds of the season performed on stage at the Miller Performing Arts Center. 7 p.m.

     

    79th Annual Capitol Caroling | Dec. 13

    Few traditions are as joyous as the holiday selections performed in the capitol rotunda each year. 7-10 p.m.

     

    Skate with Santa & Winter Ice Recital | Dec. 17

    Join Santa for a lap at the Washington Park Ice Arena from 1-4 p.m. Stick around for a winter ice performance at 6 p.m.

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    Visit Jefferson City

     

    Bone's Lounge & Restaurant

    210 Commercial St. 

    www.bonesinthealley.info

     

    Capitol Plaza Hotel & Convention Center Jefferson City

    415 West McCarty St. 

    www.capitolplazajeffersoncity.com

     

    Gumbo Bottoms Ale House 

    221 Madison St. 

    www.facebook.com/pages/Gumbo-Bottoms-Ale-House/120603551287507

     

    J. Pfenny's Sports Grill & Pub
    217 E High St. 

    www.facebook.com/jpfenny2

     

    Missouri State Capitol

    201 W Capitol Ave

    573.751.3339  

     

    Missouri State Penitentiary

    115 Lafayette St

     866.998.6998 

    www.missouripentours.com


    Paddy Malone's Irish Pub  
    700 W Main St

    http://paddymalonespub.com/

     

    Spectator's Sports Bar & Billiards
    232 E High St

    www.spectatorsjeffcity.com

    Jill Dutton is publisher of Evolving Magazine. Follow her story, Wanderlust: One Woman’s Journey of the USA by Rail, at www.jilldutton.wordpress.com. 

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