Saint Charles Things to Do

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There is plenty of parking along Riverside Drive the street that lines the Missouri River. This is a good place for a stroll through the Frontier Park to see the Katy Depot and the Lewis & Clark Statue.

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The exhibits in this museum gave us a sample of the exciting expedition of Lewis & Clark and the Corps of Discovery. Our tour included a good 15 minute movie.
We also saw a display about St. Charles, the oldest city along the Missouri River. Four model buildings show different types of structures during the early days of St. Charles.
One of the displays that intersted me was the Medical Exhibit. There was no doctor on the expedition. What is amazing is that only one man, Charles Floyd, died during the expedition, probably of appendicitis.
The admission fee is $2 for adults - $1 for children.

I've never been in another town that had such a LONG main street (10 blocks); I've never been in another town with so many restored houses and buildings (88 restored buildings dating from 1790 to the late 1800s.)
I've never been in another town that had so many QUALITY craft and speciality shops (125 different ones)!
It is true that here in Saint Charles Historic District, you will feel as though you were in a different era. Everything about it contributes to its historic ambience.
I'm glad that in 1961 the state of Missouri began a ten-year restoration project because that started the revitalization of Saint Charles.

It's difficult to concentrate on shopping when you want to check out the architecture of the shop or you want to know the date the building was built.
There are so many shops, restaurants, and museums that one day (that's what we spent) is definitely not enough time.
I certainly would love to go back and see all that I did not have time to see the first time

The phtograph shows how extensive the restoration has been in the Historic District. This Building was my all-time favorite.

He's the dude the city and county of St. Charles is named after.

St. Carlos Borromeo (1538-1584) was an Italian priest who worked with the poor and the sick in his home city of Milano. He became one the favorite saints of the Catholic Counter-Reformation, and was much venerated in lands under Catholic influence.

This statue was only "unveiled" in 2003. Apparently, there was a bit of a fuss when the county commissioners decided to put up a statue of a Roman Catholic saint on public property. Concerns were raised about "the separation of church and state" etc etc etc. Perhaps they should simply rename St. Charles "Borromeoville." Similarly, St. Louis could become "Louisville." (oops, that's already taken.)

First State Capitol of Missouri
200-215 S. Main St.
(636-940-3322)
St. Charles, Missouri

Restored Federal style buildings served as Missouri's first State Capitol until the permanent facility in Jefferson City was completed in 1826. Furnished as they appeared when St. Charles served as the capital from 1821-1826... Missouri State Department of Natural Resources gives tours daily.

Frenchtown Historic District
St. Charles, Missouri

The Frenchtown Historic District, located at North Second, Third, & Fourth Streets, is 26 blocks of unique French -Canadian Colonial architecture, a style found only in New Orleans, Quebec, & St. Charles dates from 1830 through 1920. There are 58 historic buildings of French & German architectural styles in the area. Known for its stores that sell antiques, it also has good restaurants.

Lewis & Clark Museum
Located at 2 Bishop's Landing
1050 Riverside Drive
(636)945-9828

This is a new home for the Lewis & Clark Museum here at the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles. It's on the upper level. There's also a classroom & gift shop.
This museum contains 3-dimensional exhibits that depict their adventures. Museum also dwells on the many amazing discoveries from their journals.

Haviland Museum
625 S. Main
ST. Charles, Missouri
(636)925-0745
This museum has nearly 1,000 pieces of Haviland china on display. What makes it special to visit this museum is that it is located in the historic Newbill-McElhiney House (Nationally Registered Historic House). All china is displayed downstairs throughout the Haviland Platter.
Tours Tues. & Thurs. 11:30am, 12:30pm & 1:30pm

Katy Trail State Park
St Charles Riverfront

The Katy Trail State Park developed from a former Missouri, Kansas, Texas railroad right-of-way. It's a 185-mile hiking/biking trail, which begins in Saint Charles. If you did not bring your bike , you can rent a bike at the TOURING CYCLIST, 104 South Main. Cost: $10 first hour, & $5 per additional hour. Call (636)949-9630

Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were in St. Charles for 5 days in May of 1804. They used the Missouri River looking for a water-way to the Pacific Ocean. Today, the city of St. Charles still makes good use of the Missouri River.
1. Ameristar Casino St. Charles is a Las Vegas-styling gaming which features 1,9000 slot and video poker machines, 30 table games, and live poker. It also has two AAA Diamond-rated restaurants. There is covered parking.
Phone: (636)949-7777or 1-800-325-7777
Sun-Thurs. 8am-5am
Fri-Sat. open 24 hours

2. Goldenrod Showboat
1000 S. Riverside Dr
(636)946-2020
www.goldenrodshowboat.com

See a Broadway show year-round on this
award-winning Goldenrod Showboat, a
National Landmark since 1968.
Box office open 7 days a week, 9am-5pm
Matinee shows and buffet lunch on Wed. and
Sun. Evening shows and buffet dinner on
Thurs. Fri., and Sat.
Prices range from $37.50 to $41.50 plus tax
Senior discounts available as well as group
rates.

3. St. Charles Princess Yacht
River City Charters
(636)946-4995
May-Dec.
Luxurious motor yacht offering daytime to
twilight cruises.

4. Spirit of St. Charles Excursion Vessel

This is a 3-decked riverboat, fully outfitted with rugs, tables, charis & serving areas. It was built at a shipyard in Utica, IN.
The boat makes several short sightseeing trips each day and will also schedule dinner cruises.

So, while in St. Charles, make use of the facilities on the MISSOURI RIVER.

The charming carriages will carry you through historical St. Charles and into the great adventures awaiting you in another historical district--Frenchtown! There are several antique shops to turn your head so be prepared to spend the afternoon browsing in the colorful shops on 2nd street!

While you are on Mainstreet be sure to dine at the ever popular Lewis & Clark Restaurant which has excellent food. The white chili is excellent as well as about everything else on the menu. Take it from me...

The Goldenrod showboat , built in 1909 by the Pope Dock Co., Parkersburg, West Virgina is the last of the origional showboats still around. It is owned by the City of St. Charles. And is the birth of many famous American actors and actors like--Bob Hope, Helen Hayes, and so many more. It did shows up and down the rivers in the early days to bring culture to the frontier. I did my MA thesis on showboats and am considered an authority on them. I do workshops on the boat shows.