Harvest an autumn getaway at this hillside Missouri River town.
By Diana West

Located 35 minutes northwest of Kansas City, the Missouri River town of Weston takes pride in its more than 100 well-maintained homes and structures that were built before the Civil War. The hillside retreat also offers shopping, outdoor activities, fine dining, lodging and a cornucopia xof autumnal events.

Above: Find the perfect pumpkin at the Red Barn Farm. Below: Take in a moment of solitude and beautiful views at Weston Bend State Park. Missouri Division of Tourism photos

Explore downtown

Antebellum buildings within the 22-block historical district include the Weston Historical Museum on Main Street, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum has exhibits about life in Platte County from prehistoric days through the present. It’s a good place to begin your downtown tour, as long as you don’t visit on a Monday–the museum will be closed.

There are many downtown shops to explore, but remember that closing time usually is 5 p.m., and some will be closed on Mondays. Browse through items at Sebus Hardware, 405 Main St., which has been operated by the same family since 1947. Here you’ll find anything from Christmas decorations and toys, canning supplies and camping gear, to wash tubs and lye soap.

Other shops the town offers include unusual clothing stores, seasonal home décor and antique shops.

Take a break from shopping at the Main Street Galleria, 501 Main St., and choose between 30 phosphate flavors that are made, mixed and served at an old-fashioned soda fountain. Or sample some of the 10 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream used to create floats, sodas, malts and milk shakes. Take home some of the homemade fudge; you’ll have 15 flavors from which to choose.

Once your sweet tooth is satisfied, sip some spirits in McCormick Country Store, 420 Main St. McCormick Distilling Company has been making whiskey in Weston for more than 150 years, and is the oldest continuously operating distillery west of the Mississippi River.

Activities for autumn

Weston Bend State Park, with 1,100 acres overlooking the Missouri River just north of town, has camping sites, picnicking, and hiking and biking trails.

Families will enjoy a visit to Weston Red Barn Farm, 16300 Wilkerson Road, for the annual Fall Festival that’s offered on weekends beginning Aug. 30 and continuing through Nov. 2. Pick juicy apples and select a pumpkin or two to take home. Be a kid again on a hayride or in the corn maze. Little ones can pet the farm animals. Grab a bite at the Dinner Bell, or shop the country store.

Weston’s 20th annual Applefest this year will be Oct. 4 and 5. For this event, downtown becomes an autumnal marketplace with stands selling arts and crafts plus festival foods. Live music will be performed downtown as well. The Garden Harvest Market will sell seasonal produce plus gourds and Indian corn.

Children’s activities will be at the city park. Youngsters can get their faces painted, decorate pumpkins, ride ponies and play games.

Parking will be set up north and west of town, with shuttles–including one handicap-accessible vehicle–running on regular schedules. Applefest is one of Weston’s signature events.

Eat, drink and sleep

Pirtle Winery, 502 Spring St., is a family owned establishment offering wine tasting and tours seven days week. Try Weston Bend White, a light, semi-dry that’s made from locally grown fruit.

The Vineyards Fine Dining, 505 Spring St., serves Pirtle wines and country continental cuisine.

Bed-and-breakfast inns include Hatchery House, an antebellum home; Murphy House, a Victorian mansion; Laurel Brooke Farm, a refurbished barn in a peaceful country setting; Benner House, a Queen Anne; and Inn at Weston Landing, with Irish, English, Welsh and Scottish themed rooms.

The Saint George Hotel, built between 1845-1846, provided luxury lodging for riverboat captains and wagon masters. Twenty-six rooms were recently restored and accommodations include a continental breakfast. The time is ripe for a weekend in Weston.

Diana West is a contributor from Joplin, Mo.