Located 500 yards east of Missouri's Bennett Spring State Park
10 Area Attractions
Already caught your limit, floated the Niangua, and/or toured the Nature Center and looking for other fun ways to spend your vacation time? Here are some ideas in nearby Lebanon or less than a half tank of gas away. E-mail, call, or stop by for further information, driving directions, etc.
1) Take a scenic drive to Amish country. About 30 minutes west and north of Bennett Spring State Park is Lead Mine, a quaint little community of Amish farmers and craftsmen. You’ll find: freshly-picked garden produce at homes and roadside stands; the Ozark Winds Bakery, featuring homemade breads, pies, cookies and pastries; a bulk foods store; a greenhouse; handcrafted oak furniture, handmade wooden lawn and outdoor furniture, and more. Everything is closed on Sunday. The Ozarks Winds Bakery is open Wednesday thru Saturday only, and you’ll want to get there early for the best selection, especially on weekends. Highway 64 west to Highway T; turn right on T and go about 9 miles to Lead Mine. Check with us for more detailed directions and a shortcut, if you don’t mind driving on gravel roads!
2) Get your kicks in the Route 66 Museum. Housed inside the Lebanon-Laclede County Library, the Route 66 Museum and adjoining research center are decorated with murals depicting the close ties between Route 66 and the history of the Lebanon area. The museum includes a wide variety of artifacts from the famous highway, as well as other historic memorabilia. Also featured in the museum are re-creations of a classic old-time diner and a gas station that includes a rotating collection of antique cars. 915 S. Jefferson (across from McDonald’s). 417-532-2148.
3) Have a barrel of fun. The world’s largest barrel factory is located in Lebanon, where they make white oak barrels for the wine and beverage industries. Factory tours are offered, and viewing windows are available. The upstairs Barrels of Fun wine-tasting room and store features a large selection of wine and spirits, along with wine-themed accessories, party items and gift baskets. 1078 S. Jefferson. 417-532-7700.
4) Shop ‘til you drop at Lebanon’s outlet stores. There are 3 outlet malls in town: the VF Factory Outlet has 10 stores with name-brand apparel, shoes, kitchen wares, paper and party supplies, rain gear and more. The Heartland Farms Cheese Outlet & Country Store, located inside the Heartland Antique Mall, has over 100 varieties of cheese for sampling, plus specialty foods and gifts and gourmet gift baskets and boxes. A Russell Stover’s Candy outlet store, aisles of antique booths, and a craft section are also located inside this mall. The Shepherd Hills Factory Outlet is home to the largest Case knife dealer in the world and also has discount prices on Chicago Cutlery, Denby pottery, Spode china, Heritage Lace items, silk flowers, collectibles and much more. See us for locations and directions to each of the 3 outlet malls.
5) There are other shopping opportunities in or near Lebanon for antiques, home décor and furnishings, quilting fabrics and supplies, books, housewares, etc. Three favorites are: Home Traditions (in the Twin Oaks shopping center on North Hwy. 5 in Lebanon); Brier Patch Country Décor & Tea Room (3 miles from St. John’s Hospital on Hwy. MM in Lebanon); and Rosewood Farms Country Gifts & Grandpa Joe’s Chocolates (handmade), which is 30 miles south of Lebanon near Hartville. (www.grandpajoeschocolates.com).
6) Take me out to the ballgame. Hammons Field in Springfield is home to the minor league Springfield Cardinals, the Double A Texas League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Hammons Field is a new, state-of-the-art, 8,000 seats stadium, with ticket prices starting at $5. Visit www.springfieldcardinals.com for more information, or call 417-863-2143.
7) Let’s go to the races. Lebanon’s I-44 Speedway east of town has races every Saturday night on its 3/8 mile dirt track (417-532-2060), and Midway Speedway, 6 miles east of Lebanon (417-588-4430) offers Friday night racing, also on a dirt track.
8) Tour the home where the Little House on the Prairie books were written. Kids love this trip! Fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books can explore the author’s home, Rocky Ridge Farm, located in Mansfield, MO (about 45 miles south of Lebanon on Highway 5). Guided tours are conducted frequently throughout the day. The adjacent museum is filled with “Little House” artifacts like Pa’s fiddle and Mary’s quilts. A well-stocked book and gift shop is next door. Admission: free for kids younger than 6. Adult admission: $8; $6 for 65 and older; $4 for children ages 6-18. 417-924-3626, or visit www.lauraingallswilderhome.com .
9) Fore! Visitors are welcome to play golf on the beautiful 18-hole golf course at the Lebanon Community Golf & Country Club. Fully-stocked pro shop (417-532-2901 for tee time), snack bar and Andy’s Catch Restaurant are all open to the public.
10) If indoor pursuits are more to your liking, you might want to take in a movie at Lebanon’s Ritz 7 theatre. We keep a current schedule of what’s showing at our store, which changes every Friday. Or, stop by the store and pick up a book to read from our lending library . Also available for borrowing are puzzles, board games, magazines and movies on VHS tape. Stop by!
Happy exploring!
Compliments of Weaver’s Tackle Store
417-532-4618
e-mail: weavers@missouritrout.com