Don’t let the heat and humidity slow you down this summer. Many activities in St. Charles will help you stay cool while having fun. From exciting indoor games and interactive art events to refreshing dips in local pools, there’s no shortage of ways to beat the heat. Find family-friendly fun, a competitive game indoors, or an icy treat to make the most of the dog days of summer and stay cool in Saint Charles.
JUMP INTO A LOCAL PUBLIC POOL
One of the best ways to cool off is to swim in a St. Charles pool. Have fun under the sun all summer long at St. Charles’ two public pools and splash pad. Zoom into the pool on large twisty slides, plunge into the deep end from drop off slides, splash into the pool from a diving board, and test your strength on the climbing wall along the pool at the Blanchette Aquatic Facility. There’s also a kiddie pool for younger kids and lap swimming for people who want to get a workout in. Just don’t forget your sunscreen!
On the other side of I-70, Wapelhorst Aquatic Facility offers nonstop summer fun with epic water slides, an inner tube boomerang slide, a relaxing lazy river, a wet ledge, and a kiddie pool. This aquatic facility makes the scorching summer days feel like a breeze for the whole family.
If you’re looking for a fun splash pad, visit Discovery Playground at Jaycee Park. Quickly cool off after a walk in the park or spending time at the playground at this nature-inspired water play area. It’s accessible and free, making it a great spot to spend a hot summer day in Saint Charles.
TREAT YOURSELF AND COOL OFF WITH SOME ICE CREAM
There’s no better way to spend a 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. Three ice cream shops are located on Historic Main Street. Get a scoop in a freshly made waffle cone at Kilwins, enjoy house-made ice cream at Sugarbot Creamery, or get a cup of ice cream from Main Street’s oldest ice cream shop, Riverside Sweets. Beyond Main Street, there’s Bonnidell’s Ice Cream and Molly O’s Sno Cones & Sno Tinis in New Town and iconic small-batch ice cream parlor, Clementine’s, open in Chicken N Pickle for the summer season. You can’t make a bad choice with these options.
GET YOUR CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING AT THE FOUNDRY ART CENTRE
The Foundry Art Centre hosts a variety of indoor art events throughout the year, so you never have to worry about the weather ruining the fun. The Foundry Art Centre is open to the public five days a week for people to explore art exhibitions and meet studio artists. The lounge area even acts as a third-space in St. Charles. Equipped with comfy couches, tables, chairs, and a coffee cart, the lounge is that perfect place for a quick hang with a friend, a study session, or to get some remote work done.
On the first Friday of each month, the Foundry Art Centre hosts First Fridays, a free event with extended hours for visitors to spend time in the galleries, meet resident studio artists, and enjoy an array of art programming and entertainment. Kids (and the young at heart) can participate in a free hands-on craft activity as live music fills the Grand Hall and people explore new exhibitions.
Flex your creative muscles at an art class in St. Charles at the Foundry Art Centre. Find classes of several different mediums for all ages and try your hand at new techniques, explore different mediums, and create artwork that you can proudly display in your home and proclaim, “I made that!”
LET YOUR LITTLE ONE’S IMAGINATION SOAR AT INDOOR PLAY PLACES
It can be difficult to find a way for kids to get their energy out without being in the summer heat, but the indoor play place in St. Charles can help your little one stay active indoors this summer. Wild Sprouts children’s play place and event center is a space for children to learn, grow, and play. With open play designed for kids ages 0 to 6 years old, kiddos can run around and play in the pretend kitchen and farmers market, let their imaginations run wild in the construction corner, and burn off energy as they explore the climbing zone. There’s also a baby area with age-appropriate toys, sensory activities, and room to crawl.
ESCAPE THE HEAT WITH INDOOR RECREATION
Just because it’s hot and humid outside, doesn’t mean that you have to stop being active. Beat the St. Charles summer heat and bring your competitive spirit to Chicken N Pickle. Play a game of pickleball on their indoor or covered outdoor courts to stay out of the sun, then unwind with delicious food and refreshing drinks at their dining spaces and bars. It’s a mix of fun, fitness, and flavor, all in one spot.
Challenge your friends to a game of jumbo Jenga, corn hole, ping pong, air bowling, and more at Rec Hall. It’s one of the top indoor attractions in St. Charles, offering a variety of games to keep you entertained for hours. When you need a break, stop by the bar for refreshments, or grab a New York-style pizza to refuel. Step into another world at the Zero Latency VR experience and battle aliens, zombies, and other villains in a thrilling virtual world. Rec Hall is open to people 21 and older, but families are welcome to visit on Saturdays and Sundays until 5 PM.
Get ready to beat your high score on your favorite retro arcade games at Two Plumbers Brewery + Arcade. Find fan favorites such as Mario Bros, Ms. Pac Man, and Skee-Ball along with colorful pinball machines and keep the good times flowing with a glass of their own locally brewed beer. This establishment is 21+ only except for Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6 PM.
Main Street Arcade is a family friendly vintage arcade located in The Soda Museum. Find pinball machines, air hockey, bowling, Skee-Ball, shuffleboard, and other beloved games as you get a blast from the past in this retro St. Charles arcade. Play some games while you enjoy one of their 120 vintage glass-bottle soda pops to stay cool this summer in St. Charles.
Reach new heights this summer at Climb So iLL, St. Charles’ indoor climbing gym. Test your skills and scale the tall rock climbing walls in this former rail car factory. Designed for both new and experienced climbers, the climbing walls have a challenge for every level. Young climbers will have fun in The Gravity Lab, an indoor climbing space where they can climb floating blocks, 20-foot tall towers, scale the top-out boulder, and descend down the slide. Walk-ins or reservations are available and visitors are welcome to bring their own or rent climbing equipment to join the fun.
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, a favorite amongst locals, serves wood-fired pizza and local craft brews. Best sellers include their light and citrusy Local 636 Hazy IPA and the perfectly balanced Perfect Storm Pale Ale.
Or, try a pint at one of St. Charles County’s hidden gems, Third Wheel Brewing. Their menu features year-round offerings, seasonal brews, and a “beer for a cause”, a specialty brew with proceeds going to local nonprofits. 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 trip through the scenic countryside to Historic Missouri Wine Country. Do a wine tasting, sip on an award-winning glass of wine, and enjoy the view from breezy vineyards or air-conditioned tasting rooms on a fun day or weekend trip.
STAY COOL AND CAFFEINATED WITH A FRAPPE
Feeling drained by the summer heat? Recharge with an ice cold Frappuccino, or frappe, from a coffee shop in St. Charles. At Picasso’s Coffeehouse, you’ll find seven different flavors to choose from, including mocha, caramel, vanilla, and chai. It’s a perfect icy pick-me-up to cool you off and power you through your day. If you want a cold drink without the extra kick, Picasso’s offers smoothies, too.
St. Charles Coffee & Creperie has frappes loaded with flavor to help you get through the day. The Mocha Supreme is made with house made coffee concentrate, a milk base, and chocolate sauce blended with ice and topped with whipped cream. The Caramel Supreme comes with everything listed, plus caramel drizzle and caramel sauce. They also offer smoothies.
On North Main Street, Mocha Point Yemeni Coffee Co has an Adeni Chai Frappe that’s made of Yemen black tea, cardamom, ginger, and cream blended with ice to cool you off in a caffeinated way. Try Mocha Point’s caramel and mocha frappes for other options to cool off.