'''St. Charles,''' Missouri [http://www.historicstcharles.com/visitors.aspx] is located just 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 the Louisiana Territory. Its historic Main Street has largely been restored to it's 1812 era and is lined with shops selling artwork, handicrafts, home decorations, and antiques. There is also a multitude of restaurants.

Get in

St. Charles is located on I-70 about 15 minutes West of St. Louis '''Lambert International Airport'''.

Get around

The city's historic district and casino are easily accessible on foot from the public parking garage on North Second St. next to the courthouse. Parking on Main Street itself is often difficult to find during the day, but lots on either side of this strip are 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.

See

  • '''Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Nature Museum''', 1050 Riverside Drive, 636-947-3199, [http://www.lewisandclarkcenter.org/]. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 12PM-5PM. Historic buildings and parks. Adults $2.50, under 17 $1.50.
  • '''First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site''', 200-16 South Main Street, 636-940-3322 (E-mail: moparks@dnr.mo.gov), [http://www.mostateparks.com/firstcapitol.htm]. A great place to visit.
  • '''Foundry Art Centre''', 520 North Main Center, 636-255-0270, [http://www.foundryartcentre.org]. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM Su 12PM-4PM. Has a rivaling collection to any top notch art museum.
  • Do

  • '''Ameristar Casino''', located just South, within walking distance of the historic area. Watch the '''parades'''.
  • Attend the many '''festivals''' on Main Street and nearby '''Frontier Park'''.
  • Hike or bike the '''[http://www.katytrailstatepark.com/ 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.
  • Buy

  • '''Historic Main Street''' has largely been restored to it's 1812 era and is lined with shops selling artwork, handicrafts, home decorations, and antiques.
  • '''Eat'''

    There are many fine restaurants in St. Charles City and County among them are:

    On North Main St.:

  • '''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.
  • '''Vista Grande''' Mid-Rivers Mall Drive, St. Peters.
  • Drink

  • '''City Club Tavern''', corner of First Capitol and Main Street. Loud, smoky watering hole for locals, lacks anything in the way of class or style, but is becoming 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. Open till 1:30AM.
  • Sleep

  • Embassy Suites St. Charles. wo Convention Center Plaza. 36-946-5544. ttp://www.embassysuitesstcharles.com. Located in the heart of the historic district and connected to the new 150,000 sq ft Saint Charles Convention Center, the hotel is ideal for business or pleasure.

    Get out

    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, just minutes from down town 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 place to shop and eat as well as Cuivre River State Park. The State Park offers acres and acres of hiking, fishing, hunting and swimming.