St. Charles (Missouri)

St. Charles, Missouri is outside of St. Louis on the bank of the Missouri River. It was Missouri's first state capital and was one of the first stops by Lewis and Clark on their journey to explore Louisiana Territory. The historic Main Street has largely been restored to its 1812-era appearance including gas lights a boardwalk and is lined with shops selling artwork, handicrafts, home decorations, antiques. There are also many restaurants. == Get in == St. Charles is on Interstate 70 with several new corridors and exits for more precise navigation from I-70 to the streets, college and entertainment 15 minutes West of St. Louis Lambert International Airport. There are new developments on highway 70 as well. With hospitals and lodging easily accessible for most. == Get around == The city's Historic District, Casino and new developments like Streets of St. Charles are easily accessible on foot from the public parking garage on North Second Street. next to the courthouse. Parking on Main Street (brick road) itself is often difficult to find during the day. The easiest parking opportunities are near the Lewis and Clark Boathouse and on Riverside Drive. Parking is usually free and open outside of special events. Little public transportation is available, but horse-drawn carriages make an enjoyable, if not entirely practical, way to visit the historic area. A cab service is available at 636-724-1234. == See == Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Nature Museum, 1050 Riverside Drive, ☏ +1 636-947-3199. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Historic buildings and parks. Adults $2.50, under 17 $1.50. Detailed exhibits and artifacts offer a great learning opportunity and view into the past.This is a must do stop. A recreated wooden vessel of one used on Lewis and Clark's exhibition is on display most of the time unless its out on the water! 1 First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, 200-16 South Main Street, ☏ +1 636-940-3322, moparks@dnr.mo.gov. A great place to visit. (updated Jan 2026) This site offers a historic look at daily life in St. Charles during its time as the State Capital. 2 Foundry Art Centre, 520 North Main Center, ☏ +1 636-255-0270. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-4PM.. Has a great collection of art and exhibitions along with art classes. Much of the space is partitioned and rented by artist to work their crafts. This site is also home to a farmers market during some day of the week. 3 Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center, 7295 Hwy 94 S, ☏ +1 636 300-2601, WSInterpretiveCenter@lm.doe.gov. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa Su 10AM-4PM, Closed on Federal holidays. (updated Feb 2023) == Do == 1 Ameristar Casino, 1 Ameristar Blvd (a 10-min walk south of the historic area), ☏ +1 636 949-7777. Watch the parades. (updated Feb 2023) Attend the many festivals on Main Street and nearby Frontier Park. St. Charles is home to the [ https://www.festivalofthelittlehills.com/ Festival of The Little Hills], from August 15th to 17th, 2025. 2 Main St. Boasts many great restaurants with patios overlooking Main St. The street itself is stone-paved with many shops and boutiques. The central parkette offers public restrooms disguised under a beautifully landscaped garden and gazebo. The many benches along the street allows for a break to rest tired feet. Hike or bike the Katy Trail, the longest rails to trails park in the U.S. The RecPlex in nearby St. Peters offers swimming, diving, a fitness center, indoor jogging, ice skating, and rock climbing and has been the home of U.S. Olympic Trial diving competition. There are a number of county and city parks offering a wide variety of activities [1], and [2]. 3 Swing-A-Round St. Charles. - located in St. Charles 4 J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts, 2300 W Clay St, ☏ +1 636-949-4433, Scheidegger@lindenwood.edu. Touring acts , exhibitions and other live events are held here. (updated May 2020) == Buy == Historic Main Street has largely been restored to its 1812-era appearance or remodeled interiors and is lined with shops selling artwork, handicrafts, home decorations, and antiques. These aren't all crafty folk type shops. Some offer antiques unique luxury items and local favorites. == Eat == There are many fine restaurants in St. Charles City and County. Among them are: On North Main St.: Llewelyn's Pub. Lewis and Clark American Restaurant and Public House. The Trailhead Brewery. Tony's on Main Street. Big A's. The Mother-in-Law House. Little Hills Winery. Others in the city: Pio's on First Capital Drive. Concetta's on First Capital Drive. Shogun Japanese Steak and SuShi. Vivian Vineyards North Second St. In the county: Rizzo's Mexico Rd. in O'Fallon. Erio's Jungerman in St. Peters. Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, 3020 Highway K, O'Fallon, 379-3994 Mellow Mushroom, 4716 Mid Rivers Mall Dr, Cottleville, MO == Drink == City Club Tavern, corner of First Capitol and Main Street. Loud, smoky watering hole for locals lacking anything in the way of class or style. An increasingly popular hangout for twenty-somethings looking for a bargain. Bands play on some Friday nights and pool is free in the back. $2 domestic bottles. $3 specialty. $7 pitchers. Open till 1:30AM. Cash only. Llewelyn's Pub, on Main St. is a converted bank with great food and daily specials. The outdoor patio offers a great place to eat while overlooking the Missouri River. The restaurant offers a variety of food with one of the best Caesar salads around. Private dining can be had in the vault with its original vault door nicely on display. Kubrik's Did you just step into someones mom's basement or a tribute to one of the best film makers to live. Ethyl's Smokehouse & Saloon, 8505 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, O'Fallon, ☏ +1 636 978-7755. == Sleep == Embassy Suites St. Charles, Two Convention Center Plaza, ☏ +1 636-946-5544. Connected to the 150,000-sq-ft Saint Charles Convention Center. 1 Best Western Plus The Charles Hotel, 1425 South Fifth Street, St. Charles, Missouri 63301, ☏ +1 636-946-6936. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Offers pet-friendly accommodations and services including an indoor swimming pool. Cheap accommodations—rooms match the price. Country Inn & Suites, 1175 Technology Dr, O' Fallon, ☏ +1 636 300-4844. Staybridge Suites, 1155 Technology Drive, ☏ +1 636 300-0999. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Belongs to the Intercontinental Hotel Group (with Holiday Inn). They have many facilities for customer convenience like free laundry facility use, pick and drop within 5 miles. == Go next == St. Charles County is filled with things to see and do. The Missouri Weinstrasse, State Highway 94, offers a lovely drive through the Missouri wine country, with many wineries to visit and scenic overlooks as it winds its way through hills and valleys and quaint villages along the Missouri River. The Daniel Boone Home and Village is nearby with tours for the public. The August Busch Conservation Area, a few minutes from downtown St. Charles, offers a multitude of lakes for fishing, hiking trails, a shooting range and a nature museum. Troy is a short drive from St. Charles and offers many places to shop and eat as well as Cuivre River State Park. The State Park offers acres and acres of hiking, fishing, hunting and swimming. Defiance, MO