Swap the Rec-Plex for the Smoky Hills
St. Peters is home to the Rec-Plex — the largest indoor recreation complex in the United States. It's impressive: Olympic-caliber facilities, acres of indoor space, and something to do every day of the week. But even the most dedicated Rec-Plex regulars need a change of scenery sometimes.
Smoky Valley Distillery offers the opposite of indoor recreation — open Kansas skies, Smoky Hills stretching to the horizon, and a craft distillery experience in a 1919 building where the owners know your name. It's 395 miles west on I-70, and every mile takes you further from suburban routine and closer to something genuine.
Getting Here from St. Peters
I-70 W runs straight from St. Peters through Columbia, Kansas City, Topeka, and Salina — nearly the entire drive on one highway. Exit at KS-4 W in Salina and follow it through Lindsborg to Marquette. About 5 hours and 30 minutes total.
Break the drive with a stop in Columbia for lunch (great college-town dining), or detour through Kansas City for BBQ. The last 25 miles on KS-4 are the scenic payoff — winding through the Smoky Hills into Marquette.
Buy Our Spirits
Vintegrity is expanding our Missouri distribution — ask St. Peters liquor stores to carry Smoky Valley Distillery products. The nearest current retailer is Brook's Liquor in Salina, KS. Our retail shop in Marquette has all 10 spirits plus exclusive limited releases, open Thursday through Saturday.
Your Weekend Reset
St. Peters families and friend groups looking for a weekend away from the familiar will find exactly what they need:
Friday:
- Leave St. Peters in the morning — arrive in Marquette by late afternoon or evening
- Check into Preston House (sleeps 11, perfect for groups — book on AirBnB)
- Pick up bottles at the distillery retail shop and enjoy the porch
Saturday:
- Morning: Tour and tasting at the distillery — $10/person, 30-45 minutes through the full lineup
- Midday: Explore Lindsborg's Swedish shops, galleries, and restaurants — 25 minutes east
- Afternoon: Kanopolis Lake State Park for hiking through sandstone canyons and bluff overlooks — outdoor recreation St. Peters style, but with real canyons
- Evening: Live music at our 140-seat venue with a 15x30 stage
Sunday:
- Visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene (45 minutes east)
- Begin the drive home, stopping in Kansas City for dinner
- Back in St. Peters by late evening
10 Spirits, Zero Artificial Shortcuts
At the Rec-Plex, you train hard and earn your results. We take the same approach to distilling. Every one of our 10 spirits is made grain-to-glass — no purchased neutral spirits, no artificial flavoring, no shortcuts. Our Kernza Whiskey starts with a grain that no other distillery uses, grown from a perennial wheat developed at The Land Institute in Salina. Our Smoked Jalapeno Vodka uses real smoked peppers, not extract. Our Bud & Dewey's wheated bourbon has earned its spot as our best seller through flavor alone.
Come taste what happens when a distillery puts in the work. Book a tour and see for yourself.