Better yet, discover the allure of the upper porch which looks out over the town and the Osage River. From that vantage point, you'll learn that sunsets are one of the best kept secrets in town or just watching who goes by in an hour. Everyone agrees that the upper porch of the Dauphine is one the best ways to decompress. Bird watching is usually rewarded in the spring and summer with views of orioles and warblers while in the winter, you can see bald eagles flying over the Osage in the early mornings and late afternoons.
Fall colors are some of the best in Missouri.
Or you can simply make friends with one of the many Dauphine cats that Scott and Sandra have adopted since they've owned the Hotel. The first French settlers were in present day Bonnots Mill by 1805 and until the 1910s, the town was an overwhelmingly French island surrounded by a sea of Germans. For a spectacular view of the Osage and Missouri Rivers, hike to the overlook behind the Catholic Church, perched on the edge of a 200 foot bluff. Or, come during the second weekend in June for the annual Home and Garden Tour when many private homes are open. We boast over 100 miles of gravel roads that take you off the beaten track into some of the prettiest countryside in the Midwest.