When the summer temperatures rise and the Missouri humidity settles in, St. Charles offers plenty of ways to stay cool without sacrificing fun. Make the most of summer in St. Charles and splash around at local pools, explore air-conditioned attractions, or indulge in an ice-cold treat to escape the heat. There are plenty of things to do in St. Charles that are the perfect retreat from sweltering summer days. Explore our list below for ideas of how you can beat the heat this summer in Saint Charles.
Jump into a Local Public Pool
Make a splash at pools in St. Charles. A water play area and two public pools call Saint Charles home. Quickly cool off after a walk in the park or playing on the playground at Discovery Playground’s free nature-inspired water play area.
Enjoy nonstop summer fun with epic water slides, aquatic features, and kiddie pools at the Blanchette Aquatic Facility and the Wapelhorst Aquatic Facility. These St. Charles pools make scorching summer days feel like a breeze for the whole family. Don’t forget your sunscreen! Please note that advance ticket purchases are recommended, as some dates may sell out and certain days are not available to nonresidents.
Treat Yourself to Ice Cream
There’s no better way to spend a hot summer day than with an ice cream cone in your hand! Luckily for you, there are plenty of ice cream shops in St. Charles to choose from, leaving you with the sweetest dilemma: which one to try first. On Main Street St. Charles, stop by Kilwins, Riverside Sweets, or SugarBot Creamery for a scoop while strolling through the historic district. If you’re visiting the Streets of St. Charles, grab a cone from iconic small-batch parlor Clementine’s, located inside Chicken N Pickle. Over in New Town, Bonnidell’s Ice Cream and Molly O’s Sno Cones & Sno Tinis offer refreshing treats that make the summer heat easier to handle. You can’t make a bad choice with these options.
Unleash Your Creative Side at the Foundry Art Centre
The weather never ruins the fun at the Foundry Art Centre. This 36,000 square-foot community arts hub features rotating exhibitions, working artist studios, and engaging programs throughout the year. Monthly First Friday events offer extended hours along with live entertainment and special art programming. Looking to get creative yourself? The Foundry Art Centre offers art classes for all ages in a variety of mediums, giving you the opportunity to create a piece you can proudly display in your home and proclaim, “I made that!”
Escape the Heat with Indoor Recreation & Play
Just because it’s hot and humid outside, doesn’t mean that you have to put your adventures on hold. St. Charles offers plenty of ways to stay active while escaping the heat.
Bring your competitive spirit to Chicken N Pickle, where you can play a game of pickleball on indoor or covered outdoor courts before cooling off with a meal and refreshing drinks. For more games, head to Rec Hall, one of the top indoor attractions in St. Charles, where you can challenge your friends to jumbo Jenga, cornhole, ping pong, air bowling, and more. We recommend checking their website for the latest hours and policies, as age restrictions apply on certain days.
Little ones can burn off energy at Wild Sprouts, an imaginative indoor play space designed for children ages 0 to 6. With interactive areas and open play, kids can stay active and entertained in a comfortable, climate-controlled environment.
Reach new heights this summer at Climb So iLL, St. Charles’ indoor rock-climbing gym. The climbing walls are designed for all skill levels from seasoned climbers to first-timers. Young climbers can explore The Gravity Lab that features floating blocks, 20-foot-tall towers, and other fun challenges designed for kids.
Press Start on Arcade Fun
Beat the heat and your high score at St. Charles arcades this summer. Let the good times flow at Two Plumbers Brewery + Arcade, where you can play retro arcade games while enjoying a glass of their locally brewed beer. For family-friendly fun in St. Charles, visit Main Street Arcade at The Soda Museum. Sip on one of their 120 vintage glass-bottle soda pops while playing arcade games like pinball, air hockey, and Skee-Ball.
Chill with a Locally Brewed Cold One
Kick back and relax with a cold one at a local brewery in St. Charles this summer. Good News Brewing Company serves wood-fired pizza and local craft brews.
Try a pint at one of St. Charles County’s hidden gems, Third Wheel Brewing. Find unique flavors on their menu like the Peanut Butter & Jam Burger (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!) and the Ron Swanson Breakfast Burger.
Take a scenic drive through the rolling countryside to Historic Missouri Wine Country, where you can enjoy wine tastings, sip award-winning wines, and take in beautiful vineyard views. Whether you’re relaxing outdoors in the breeze or inside a cool, air-conditioned tasting room, it’s an ideal weekend escape.
Stay Cool and Caffeinated with a Frappe
Feeling drained by the summer heat? Recharge with an ice-cold Frappuccino, or frappe, from a St. Charles coffee shop. At Picasso’s Coffeehouse, you’ll find seven different flavors to choose from for a perfect icy pick-me-up to cool you off and power you through your day.
Find frappes loaded with flavors at Saint Charles Coffee & Creperie to help you get through the day, each topped with whipped cream! If you want a cold drink without the extra kick, both cafes offer smoothies, too.
On North Main Street, Mocha Point Yemeni Coffee Co has a frappe menu that includes unique flavors like the Adeni Chai Frappe and the Dubai Chocolate Frappe.
Make the Most of Summer in St. Charles
Don’t let the hot temperatures put your summer plans on hold. With indoor attractions, refreshing drinks, and fun aquatic facilities, St. Charles has plenty of ways to stay cool this summer. View our Summer Bucket List for more things to do in St. Charles this summer and start planning your trip today.