It’s hard to believe that the Thanksgiving holiday is just days away here in the U.S. This year we’re spending time with both of our families and attending a concert over the long weekend.

Whether you’re staying home and cooking for the holiday, are looking for a place to grab Thanksgiving dinner, want to visit with friends or family over a drink, brunch, or coffee, or you just want to get out of the house, read on for food, drink and fun happenings in the St. Louis area.

If your mouth waters at the idea of a traditional Thanksgiving meal, but you don’t want to spend hours cooking, there are plenty of establishments that offer dine in and to go dinner options.

There are numerous restaurants throughout the metro area doing takeout (pre-orders are required) and dine-in on Thanksgiving day. For those who want to skip cooking, this handy list gives you all the details on where to grab your turkey dinner on the big day!

If you like your turkey day meal with a side of gaming fun, head over to DraftKings at Casino Queen, located along the Mississippi River in Illinois. Try your luck at slots or table games and indulge in a full turkey dinner at Deli & Chips, located inside the casino. The holiday meal is available from the day before Thanksgiving until Sunday, the 28th.

Meet friends or family for coffee or brunch any time over the long weekend at a local coffee shop. A few of my favorite coffee spots in St. Charles are Picasso’s, The Crooked Tree, and Course Coffee Roasters.

Awesome brunch spots also include First Watch and Bar Louie, both of which have locations throughout the St. Louis metro area. Grab a drink with out of town family and friends at Lieferbrau Brewery in Red Bud, Illinois, Schlafly, or try a zero-proof cocktail at The Mocktail Lounge in St. Charles. Take advantage of the last of the fall scenery and make the trip to Augusta to explore the town’s wineries (and use the shuttle service to travel between wineries!). Or hit up Schorr Lake Vineyards & Winery in the cute and cozy town of Waterloo, Illinois.

If you really want to get into the holiday spirit, historic Main Street in St. Charles is the place to be when the city kicks off Christmas Traditions.

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The festivities begin the day after Thanksgiving and include horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers, and decorations that will make you believe in the magic of the Christmas season. Or if the glow of Christmas lights is something you wait all year for, head out to O’Fallon to drive through the city’s annual Celebration of Lights at Fort Zumwalt Park.

Whatever your plans for the holiday, have fun, take time to make some memories, and savor the moments (big and small). The holiday season always goes by way too fast.