Just west of St. Louis, Saint Charles, MO, is a perfect destination for a short getaway, whether you plan to spend time exploring outdoor activities, historical attractions, arts and entertainment, the casino, shopping, or you’re in town for an event. If you live within driving distance, let this one-day itinerary inspire the perfect day trip to the oldest city along the Missouri River. Once you visit, you'll want to come back for more.
Morning
Start your St. Charles day tour in the heart of the city: Historic Main Street. Get a to-go cup of in-house blend made with 100% Arabica beans from Yemen at Mocha Point Yemini Coffee or stop at Picasso’s Coffeehouse for a cup brewed with fresh mirco-roasted beans.
You’ll find over 60 shops along the brick-lined, 14-block district, from boutiques stocked with clothing and accessories to stores selling books, antiques, home décor, gifts, and more. Stock up on specialty foods ranging from sauces and seasonings to sweet treats you can take home, or eat right away!
Check out the Foundry Art Centre, considered the region's arts and cultural hub, to see exhibitions, visit artist studios, and get information on upcoming classes and events. You can also find more art galleries nearby.
History buffs could come and spend the entire day just in this area. After all, it’s Missouri’s first and largest historic district. (Check out this history-specific itinerary for an excursion that’s designed completely for history lovers!)
But if you don’t have the whole day to devote to history, at least make sure you don’t miss visiting the Federal-style brick complex that is preserved as the First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site and the Lewis and Clark Boat House and Museum, where you can learn about the famous explorers at the starting point of their westward journey. Options include a self-guided walking tour or a guided Hit the Bricks tour, typically available Fridays and weekends April through September. Either way, you’ll uncover tales of the people, places, and moments that have made Saint Charles historically awesome since 1769, when French-Canadian fur trader Louis Blanchette settled here.
Main Street also offers more than 25 eateries ranging from outdoor dining options to coffee shops and dessert spots. Among long-operating favorites, there’s Magpie's Cafe for comfort food, including quiche, sandwiches, and soups, (don’t skip the legendary baked potato soup!) or a juicy burger at Big A’s on the Riverfront. Don't forget fresh-baked cookies from Grandma's Cookies!
Afternoon
Main Street runs parallel to the Missouri River. After lunch, take time to explore the portion of the 240-mile-long Katy Trail that runs along the river through St. Charles. The crushed limestone trail is on the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad bed and is the longest developed rail-trail in the country.
Popular activities on this part of the trail include walking, jogging, bicycling, birding, and fishing. You can go for miles, locals love to bike out to the Historic Missouri Wine Country — or stay close. If you don’t bring your bike with you, rent one from Bike Stop Cafe or Juiced Wheels.
It's easy to get around St. Charles, so you’ll be able to explore beyond Main Street during a day trip, too. Walk, pedal, drive, or hop on the free trolley (Fridays and weekends May through December) to explore farther afield.
North of the Foundry Art Centre, the Frenchtown borough attracts creatives with a mix of craft brewers (coffee as well as beer), quaint cafés, bakeries, restaurants, and the indoor rock climbing gym, Climb So iLL at The Steel Shop. Also in Frenchtown, the St. Charles Antique Trail takes you on a treasure hunt at Black Cat Antiques & Such, Frenchtown Antique Mall & Collectibles, and Secondhand Chic.
Evening
At the south end of Main Street you’ll find Riverpointe, home to Ameristar Casino Resort Spa and the Streets of St. Charles, a shopping, dining, and entertainment development just off Interstate 70. This is a good place to end your day before heading home.
Choose from more than a dozen dining options: the family-owned Napoli III for signature seafood, pasta, and steak dishes with an upscale atmosphere, Prasino, the Greek word for green, for fresh entrées featuring local, organic, and sustainably sourced ingredients, or Narwhal's Crafted for a flight of their seasonal signature frozen cocktails.
If you’re still not ready to call it a day, consider seeing a show at Funny Bone comedy club or playing a game of pickleball at Chicken N Pickle. At the very least, head to one of St. Charles’ yummy dessert stops before you depart. As you head home, you’ll likely find yourself already planning your next visit because St. Charles has a way of leaving you wanting just a little more.