Treehouse on the Magic Land (Missouri)
The Enchanted Treehouse on the Magic Land
Treehouse with firepit and hot tub!
Visit the “Enchanted Treehouse on The Magic Land and restore your soul!”
Unplug in nature. Connect, explore, and play.
Do you ever go on a busy trip and need a vacation to recover from your vacation? A stay at the Enchanted Treehouse is a true vacation, where you can let yourself relax.
On some vacations you feel guilty taking naps; you are missing all the sights and activities you should be packing in, but when you stay in an enchanted treehouse, napping is a great way to really enjoy the treehouse experience and the swaying of the trees. Relaxing in the treehouse is exactly what you should be doing. After almost 15 years of marriage, my husband and I really needed this chance to rest, recharge, and reconnect. Book your escape today.
Why Visit
While there is room for a crowd of close friends or family (which would be a blast), my husband and I booked it as a romantic getaway for 2. Perfect also for a girls getaway, celebrating a birthday, family getaway, bachelorette, boys trip, spiritual renewal, or even a solo retreat.
View of the kitchen table from the top of the ladder to the second floor. Note the live tree trunk!
Enchanted Treehouse
This two-story treehouse is nestled in a magic forest of tall pine trees. The treehouse is built around two of the trees but also on stilts allowing the trees to sway in the breeze with only gentle movement of the structure. All of the essentials are there: indoor plumbing with sink, toilet, shower, refrigerator, air fryer toaster, hot water pot, coffee, propane stove, and propane fireplace. Plenty of cozy spaces for your whole group to sleep: a bunk bed on the main floor, up a sturdy ladder find beautiful views and several beds and hammocks, including a comfy queen size bed, heaters, and window a/c.
The creaking of the timbers reminds me of being on an old wooden sailing ship. You can hear the dogs, roosters, and geese on the property. If you are a light sleeper, you may want earplugs, but we were able to sleep very deeply. The queen size bed was very comfortable.
There are so many cute decorative touches. You’ll continue to find more hidden delights each day.
Watch this quick video tour of the inside here! More photos in the gallery at the end of the post.
Fire and Other Fun
Relax in plenty of seating with chairs and tables around the central firepit and an old time tin hot tub: a large animal trough over a fire. This is a fan favorite. Fill the tub up with the hose, build a fire (you can buy wood onsite), let the water heat for 2.5-3 hours. Put out the fire and soak away your cares under the stars! It heats up faster on future nights if you reuse the water.
Explore the woods, enjoy sitting by the water (provide your own fishing poles), relax in a hammock, read a book, play with the animals, and connect with nature. You can add additional experiences to your stay, like individual, family, and couples coaching, massage, or a farm tour.
Friendly Dogs
Animal Friends
There’s a whole group of friendly dogs that are eager to greet you and hang out: Daphne, Skeeter, Barnaby, Velvet, Whistle Pig, and the giant neighbor dog: Davey. They will keep you company outside but don’t come into the treehouse. You can also feed the chickens. The geese are best admired from a distance. The dogs will lead you on expeditions into the forest and help with any dog-safe leftovers.
Food
Make sure to order the amazing big country breakfast at least one morning (or all of them). Laura Lynne, your host, makes the best breakfast potatoes. It is delivered to the treehouse with a parade of dogs and a cowbell.
There are lots of tools onsite to prepare your own food. Regular grill, fire skewers, a camp grill that goes over the fire as well as all the kitchen tools. We used a cooler to transport our cold items from home, but once there, there’s a refrigerator and freezer, or you can shop on the way there. We didn’t leave the property to check out any of the surrounding area since we had what we needed there.
Relax and listen to the wind in the trees
Tips
Bring cash or have Venmo/PayPal/Cash App for extras: firewood and breakfast for sure and any other extra services you might book.
Think through all your food. We got so excited bringing steaks, Italian Sausage, and hotdogs, and s’more makings that we forgot to bring side dishes except a bag of carrots and an orange.
You may want to bring a few paper plates if you don’t want to be washing dishes as often.
Bring a small firewood axe to chap the firewood up into some smaller pieces. There are lighter sticks, but if you want charcoal for the grill or firepit, bring your own.
Bring a couple pairs of shoes. Slippers/socks for inside, shoes that are easy to slip on and off to hang out by the fire, and sneakers/hiking boots to wander the grounds. You may even want rubber boots to tromp through the creek.
The main entrance is a steep set of stairs (much easier than a ladder) and the main level does have a bunk bed. There is a ladder to the second level, so if steep stairs are a challenge for your group, this might not be the best fit.
Download the gps map of the area in advance as signal can be intermittent in the area. You’ll get a comprehensive Magic Land Booklet that includes directions.
Bring a few of your favorite board games or card games (there are some there, too). There’s no wifi or tv, but you’ll appreciate the chance to unplug and stare at the fire and talk with friends, family, and nature.
There are plenty of outlets and charging cables for your essential devices in case you can’t entirely unplug. Keep your phone charged take some photos and communicate with your host by text. Signal can be a little iffy, but we didn’t have a problem. You can also walk down the hill to the main house.
Bring a box of plain Cheerios for feeding the chickens and dogs (the dogs will not eat carrots but love hotdogs).
Stop at Hermann
We were delighted to discover that stopping in Hermann, MO (the jewel of German Wine Country) on the way from Kansas City is only about 10 minutes off the direct route! Stop and pick up a few bottles of wine, enjoy a wineslush on a patio, or grab a meal on your way there and back. You could combine trips and spend Friday and Saturday in Hermann then move on to the the Enchanted Treehouse for a week or a few days to recharge. Read my Hermann post here to make the most of this opportunity.
Stop at the Central MO Renaissance Festival
Grubville, MO, where the treehouse is located, is a 2 hour drive from the Central Missouri Renaissance Festival near Columbia. Why not add a stay at the Magic Land before or after your weekend at the festival. Learn more about this truly fun festival in my CMRF post here, and check the dates.
Location
Located in Grubville, Missouri, the Magic Land is
1 hour from St. Louis
1 hour 15 minutes from Hermann
2 hours from Columbia
4 hours from Kansas City
The four hour drive from Kansas City is worth it. My husband, Brad, and I downloaded a playlist of tunes and a bunch of stand-up comedy to make the miles fly by. We also had the delightful stops in Hermann each way to stretch our legs.
Links to learn more
Learn More and Book the Treehouse on the Magic Land on airbnb
My Facebook Reel of the Interior of the Treehouse
My post on Central MO Renaissance Festival
Restore your soul on the Magic Land
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis: Blues, Soul, and Rock ‘n’ Roll
Enchanted Tea Lounge
Home of Blues, Soul, and Rock ‘n’ Roll
Good food and good music. Here are a few great things to check out for a weekend in Memphis.
Tea Time
Enjoy the tastiest scones at the lovely Enchanted Tea Lounge. Get dressed up and enjoy southern hospitality in this delightful tea lounge with your friends or treat yourself to a solo tea time! Great venue for a celebration: bridal shower, birthday party, Mother’s Day, etc.
Catherine and Mary’s
Beale Street
For the heart of the party, check out the nightlife of Beale Street.
Catherine and Mary’s
Enjoy a fancy meal at Catherine and Mary’s. Great cocktails and the gem salad is refreshing.
Renasant Conference Center
The Renasant Conference Center worked well for a Rotary multi-district event.
Memphis Chess Club
Grab a breakfast sandwich, coffee, or crepe (weekend only for crepes) at the Memphis Chess Club. Open to the public with membership options. Enjoy the ambiance or play some chess.
Location
Located in the southwest of Tennessee along the Mississippi River. The Memphis International Airport is conveniently located 8 miles from downtown.
Links to learn more
Home of Blues, Soul, and Rock ‘n’ Roll
Hermann, MO
Hermann, MO: wine country and so much more!
Lindsay at Copper Mule Distillery overlooking Hermann countryside
Wine country…and so much more
Spend a weekend in Missouri's Rhineland full of German heritage and wineries.
Girls Getaways and Romantic Escapes
Hermann is the perfect place to grab a group of gal pals and hit the wineries or grab your special someone for a romantic weekend. My husband planned us a surprise, magical anniversary escape to Hermann in 2021. We had such a good time, we plan on going again soon for another anniversary. I just came back from a delightful girls weekend at the end of the summer. Hermann also is bachelorette party headquarters.
Tastings, Patios and Stunning Views
Orange, the cat made himself at home in my lap at Adam Puchta Winery
Fill your weekend with wine tastings at Hermann’s many wineries.
For cat lovers, don’t miss the Adam Puchta Winery. Founded in 1855, it’s the oldest, continuously owned family farm winery in the United States, but more importantly to me, it has cats you can pet while sitting outside enjoying a glass of wine (or wine slush) and live music. Enjoy a truly affordable wine tasting, too.
Head over to Stone Hill Winery for an in-depth tasting (choose your own 6 wines from their double sided list). Stone Hill prides itself on their wines that have won over 5,000 medals and awards.
Copper Mule Distillery has the most delicious bourbon slushes, a great balcony view, and gorgeous new inside event space with big wooden beams.
The view from the patio is spectacular at Oak Glenn Winery.
For a great outdoor spot downtown, check out the shared patio between G. Husmann Wine Company and Black Shire Distillery Tasting Room.
Fernweh means wanderlust
More Drinks, Slushes, Food, and Fun
Grab a delicious meal at Fernweh Distilling Co with delicious brisket and smoked pork. You’ll understand why I’m especially attracted to them. Fernweh: from the German meaning wanderlust or literally farsickness, the opposite of homesickness. “We raise our glass to those compelled to live life as the journey it is, who dare to stay curious, and who appreciate fine spirits. Cheers!”
Cool off at Doxie Slush with a flight of cocktail slushes and a dachshund mermaid mascot. I recommend the strawberry amaretto shortcake and the rye berry bramble. Doxie Slush is also one of the few places open late to eat, especially on Sundays when Hermann completely shuts down. Doxie Slush is open on Sundays until 9pm (check current times to be sure). The fish and chips are fabulous with the skinny fries!
Bachelorette Central at the Piano Bar
A visit to Hermann is incomplete without stopping at the Wurst House for a great German Food experience: sandwiches, bratwursts, and the traditional sides.
1837 Cellar Bar has a great atmosphere with patios, live music, and a beautiful historical cellar with a bar (hence the name).
Grab counter service breakfast at Stomp’n Grounds Espresso Bar which includes gluten free and vegetarian options.
For cocktails including coffee cocktails check out The Bank Bar and Bistro or Seek Coffee.
For a great time, arrive early for seats at the dueling Piano Bar or show up later for standing/dancing room.
Transportations
If you plan to drink, find a safe way to get around. Downtown is walkable, but there are some cool things to check out at a driving distance, too.
We had a great experience with Debbie at Lyft You Up Rides. She offers a flat rate for van rides anywhere around the area or an unlimited-ride daily rate. She operates later into the evening than the trolleys and we were able to fit our group, luggage, and a foldable wheelchair inside her van. She went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time. There are barely any (if any) Uber/Lyft options, so Debbie is a great way to get around.
Hermann has a fleet of red Trolleys that you can ride around the local winery and distilleries with a one-day or two-day pass.
Both of these transportation options take cash or Venmo.
Tips
Bring cash or Venmo for transportation. It’s always a good idea to travel with cash for tips and avoid any atm fees.
Hermann has an open container law, so don’t wander outside designated patios with open alcohol.
Plan your activities around the fact that most things close early in Hermann, especially on Sunday. Check the current hours of operation for the places you want to visit and plan accordingly.
Pace yourself and hydrate if you don’t want to feel sick from over-indulgence. Naps are great as long as you don’t miss all the fun.
Hermann has many great seasonal festivals like Oktoberfest, Christmastime, Wurstfest, and Maifest. If you want to stay during those times, book early as things fill up fast.
The weather will make a big impact on whether you can enjoy the many outdoor spaces, so keep that in mind. Remember your umbrella, sunhat, bug spray, waling shoes, water bottle, and sunscreen.
For those with limited mobility be aware, many of the small town shops have a step up to get inside and most of the tastings are held at standing height bars without chairs. The downtown is mostly flat which does make things easier.
There is a clock tower in town that chimes out the hours. If you are a light sleeper, you may not want to book housing near it.
Accommodations
Check out tons of bed and breakfasts, Inns and Airbnb’s for groups of all sizes.
Location
Right on the Missouri River, Hermann is a three hour drive or four hour Amtrak train ride East of Kansas City. Located a one and a half hour drive West of St. Louis.
Links to learn more
“Little Germany” in Missouri.
Smithville, MO
Smithville: Outdoor adventures and more!
Smithville mural
Outdoor adventures and more!
My summer intern, Keira, helped me out a ton this summer. She was able to give us the insider’s look at Smithville.
Smithville Lake and Small Town Charm
My summer intern, Keira, helped me out a ton this summer. She was able to give us the insider’s look at Smithville.
Smithville offers hiking, biking trails, a public splash park, annual festivals, and swim beaches. The lake is known for boating, fishing, golf courses, and swimming.
Smithville Lake
Restaurants
Shrimp & Crab Ravioli
Keira, her mom, and I really enjoyed dinner at Aroma Bistro. My shrimp and crab ravioli had an amazing cream sauce, and the shrimp were perfect. Keira and her mom enjoyed the chicken alfredo. We saw another table order the house specialty, Ceviche, which comes in the most enormous martini glass. For special occasions you can even get edible gold on your dessert! The space is also available for events.
Other restaurants Keira recommends include Humphrey's Bar & Grill, Chops BBQ, Captains Corner, Kozaks, La Fuente Mexican, 169 Cafe, Westlake Chinese, and Pizza Shoppe.
Special Attractions and Venues
The Smithville farmers market runs June-September.
Check out Ladoga Ridge Winery for tastings (first come first served), entertainment, and special events, White Iron Ridge event space for weddings and other special days, and Raising Rust which in addition to being an event center, they have a photo booth and stage their property for you to take your own photos at their “portrait park” (by appointment only).
Accommodations
Smith’s Fork Campground and Smithville Historical Museum & Inn are nearby accommodations.
Location
A quick 30 minute drive North of Kansas City up highway 169.
Links to learn more
Smithville Historical Museum and Inn Facebook
Outdoor adventures and more!
Check out Chicago
Chicago: so much to see and do!
Wonderful treats at the Russian Tea Time Restaurant “Brunch Tea Service”
I went to Chicago often as a child, but it had been many years since my last visit. I was excited to visit again as an adult. Chicago is a vibrant and diverse city that offers something for everyone. Whether you're into art, culture, food, shopping, or nightlife, you'll find it all in Chicago. My trip in May was filled with rain and wind but also beautiful tulips and plenty of indoor attractions. Being centrally located, Chicago is also a great location for meetings.
Tea Time
I love trying different places for tea. There are a variety of different fancy tea options in Chicago. The best bang for your buck is the Russian Tea Time Restaurant. The brunch tea service is delightful and even better, it’s more affordable than other teas in Chicago. It includes scones, sandwiches, and sweet treats. I recommend the bottomless, house tea (a Russian, Black Currant). Reservations are smart, but I was able to get in without one. I saw several families with young children, men on a lunch break, and ladies celebrating a day out (they added sparkling wine to their tea service).
Other Tasty Treats
Chicago is a great place to eat, known for deep-dish pizza. This trip, in addition to teatime, I met a friend at the Nutella Cafe (so popular you have to wait in line to get inside) packed with Nutella-filled delicacies. I also enjoyed a great breakfast at Yolk, a tasty breakfast chain, and a delicious dinner with family at Miller’s Pub. Try them all! You won’t be disappointed.
Tiffany Stained Glass at the Chicago Cultural Center
Museums and Attractions
Chicago is packed with world class museums. On my most recent trip, I enjoyed a whirlwind visit to the Art Institute of Chicago. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth it. I highly recommend the Thorne Miniature Rooms (for all ages) and the Impressionists. Learn about art from across the world and throughout time. Spend a little time gazing at the gorgeous Tiffany stained glass window. You can find more Tiffany stained glass and mosaics at the Chicago Cultural Center. As a child I loved to learn about natural history at the Field Museum (especially SUE the T-Rex), engaged hands-on at the Museum of Science and Industry, and ventured under the sea at the Shedd Aquarium. Even people who don’t consider themselves interested in architecture recommend a Chicago River Boat Architectural Tour. (It’s been a few years since I went on it, so I don’t have a particular one to recommend.)
Shop ‘til You Drop
Chicago is a shopper's dream. You can browse the upscale boutiques and department stores along the Magnificent Mile or discover some hidden gems in the neighborhoods. You can find everything from vintage clothing to handmade jewelry to quirky souvenirs in Chicago. I got my husband a souvenir, funny taco cat shirt. (Did you know taco cat backwards is taco cat?)
Catch a Show
Online, I was able to get day-of, cheap, nose-bleed seats at the beautiful Nederlander Theater to see Into the Woods. What fun!
At least a rainy day makes for great pictures of mist topped skyscrapers
Transportation
You can get unlimited rides on the “L” (elevated train) and the bus with a day pass card purchased at the station vending machine. You can get from either of Chicago’s main airports on the “L” although it happened to be under construction from O’Hare Airport when I visited, making the route much longer. Chicago is quite walkable, and ride shares and cabs are also available. I’ve heard Chicago can be challenging for cars, especially finding and affording parking.
Location
Located on Lake Michigan in Illinois, Chicago is the 3rd most populous city in the US.
Links to learn more
Museum of Science and Industry
Nederlander Theatre: Broadway in Chicago
Chicago: so much to see and do!
