St. Charles Historic District Reviews

The days we chose to visit St.Charles, MO were both extremely hot and humid. The heat made it not as fun as we had hoped. Quaint area with lots of shops, many the same, interesting nonetheless. I would recommend visiting in the fall or winter. It’s an okay place, but I don’t need to go back.

Walkable, friendly, quaint historic town. In our travels across America it is always special to visit towns that enjoy who and what they are and have made efforts to preserve themselves. There are too many small towns in decline or simply abandoned.

Good job to all who have worked to preserve St. Charles.

This town send everyone back in time before the hustle and bustle of big city environment. With small shop, brick roads, lost of entertainment throughout the year. A must see place to get away from the crime in St Louis. Very peaceful place to be in St Charles downtown.

We visited Historic St Charles on a Monday afternoon in which many of the shops were not open for business. Disappointing to say the least. There truthfully was not much open and not much to see. We had a very mediocre dinner before heading out disappointed. Won’t bother going back.

We decided to make a quick stop while driving from St. Louis to Kansas City. St. Charles is fairly close to St. Louis so we pulled off the interstate and drove into the historic district.

It is a well maintained multi block series of older buildings that is well decorated. The Mississippi River is about a block or two east of the main street and parking is available between the river and the main street.

We visited the Visitor's Center which does have public bathrooms and is adjacent to the old state capital building.

Unfortunately for us, we arrived before most stores were open and well before lunch time so our tour was primarily a short walk and drive thru the district. The shops were attractive and restaurants appeared inviting. With hindsight, we wish we had timed our visit better and allowed a few hours including having a meal

If you love history, you will love St. Charles Historic District. The street is paved with bricks. There are so many original buildings, housing businesses, etc. You can shop or enjoy the stroll.

We visited this quaint town on a last minute decision. Very nice down by the riverfront. We went before the holiday scene starts while was still nice. We do wish we would of planned it better and went between Thanksgiving and Christmas when they have more activity.

This is a nice place to walk up and down the street if your into shopping for original, one of a kind, items. There are a variety of shops and lots of pubs and restaurants. My favorite sops were Joys and Grandmas cookies. Prices were reasonable considering these are specialty shops.

The Historic District of St. Charles is wonderful. Christmas time is even more amazing! The shopping provides a variety of unique gifts and the restaurants provide delicious food and the desserts are awesome as well. No one beats "Grandma's Cookies," as well as wonderful ice cream. It is truly an awesome experience!!

The historic district is a great place to people watch, grab a quick meal, and do some shopping. Beautiful buildings and unique stores of all kinds. Parking is a pain, but once you get parked, it's great fun.

We try to get to Old Saint Charles Missouri every once in awhile it's close to Bass Pro and there's nice restaurants in a little shops on Old Saint Charles Main Street fun place to visit

We only had half a day in St Charles and enjoyed a lovely stroll along the street, the buildings are so nice to see with some interesting shops, cafes and the like, certainly worth a stop and free parking always a bonus

I probably could not have picked a worst time to go just before christmas and although they have a lot of parking there was not enough. And it was so busy and crowded. I was here a few weeks ago and the shopping experience was awesome

A lot of shops and places to eat. They have themed holiday events to enjoy. The restaurants were all good. I really enjoyed the antique mall. The Boat museum is a must stop to see.

This is a terrific way to spend a good-weather day. Main street is a couple of miles long, with plenty of small shops, good restaurants with outside seating and plenty of unique places to grab an ice cream or snack. The street is brick pavers, so it might be a challenge for strollers or wheelchairs.

After putting in 10 miles of exercise on the Katy Trail, we opted for a stroll up and down Main Street, and lunch. Others have described this street, lined with shops and restaurants, as quaint; we fully agree. Many of the buildings are dated, all appeared to be in good shape. And, on the late June Saturday morning we visited, all appeared to be bustling with activity. We parked under a shade tree on Main Street where it was free on weekends. An abundance of free parking was also available a block away along South Riverside Drive and in the huge public lots along the river.

We went to attend Christmas parade at St. Charles downtown Main Street and it was amazing. Everyone was dressed up in wonderful costumes. It was very entertaining and engaging. Kids had a good time collecting cards from all the characters. The cards are very informative. Some of the decorations were great for clicking pictures. We also enjoyed horse carriage ride and carol singing from the characters. We would definitely visit during holidays this year as well.

Fun shopping for knick knacks, spices, fun sweets and unique clothing. Cobblestone streets that can challenge the underside of your car and tight parking are all part of the charm. The Missouri River is in the background and offers occasional fests that offer more homemade house items, music and fun foods! We usually walk the length of the strip and have taken glass workshops, enjoyed wine tasting and were able to see civil war re-enactments. Stop by Grandmas Cookies for a fun treat and say hi to our favorite cashier, Sophia, who was so welcoming and gave us great suggestions on where to dine. A lot of fun eateries along the strip as well...make it a must go part of your St Louis adventure!!

I used to bring my grandchildren here for the Christmas parade with all the colorful characters in costume. That was always a big treat, but this year came for lunch and shopping on s Monday . It was just as satisfying to browse beautifully decorated shops, enjoy a Christmas cookie treat, and look at all the lovely gift options too. Of course by evening the lights all came on and the horse and buggy rides picked up as did the foot traffic. Take a break from the bustle of the hills at and come here.

Downtown st. Charles has something for everyone. Lots of small shops, restaurants and historic buildings. Go toward the river and have a picnic in Frontier Park and watch the river flow by. Walk the Katy Trail or bring your bike and ride along the river. Lots to do for families. Enjoy.

I came to town as part of a ghost hunting tour. I returned because I had to see all the shops and restaurants by daylight as well. What a place! It's relatively easy to walk (just mind the cobblestone dips). The shop owners I met were kind and knowledgeable about the history of the area. And as for parking: I parked on a side street up a hill and walked down easily. No fighting to park on Main Street itself.

Used to live just a couple miles from here. Loved coming to the historic district for date nights, business lunches, girls night out, and family gatherings. The bars, food, shops, ice cream; something for everyone. So many fun festivals and the Christmas Stroll is a must do.

There is so much history preservation of the old buildings that a quick walk down Main Street was enjoyable. Lots of cute specialty shops and all the restaurant and bars you could want. Even a couple ice cream parlors and coffee shops to stop at.

This is free assuming you don’t buy anything shopping:) Great view along the Missouri River. This is about 2 miles of walking along a cobblestone street that dates back to 1769. Remarkably quaint buildings house all varieties of shopping from homemade soaps, to clothing, to yard art. There are fantastic restaurants and candy shops that line both sides.

There is parking on both sides of the street for free, and free lots at both ends. The Lewis & Clark Boathouse Museum is around the corner. Unfortunately it was flooded on our visit. There are also ample bike/walking trails along the river.

I should mention the walk is hard for the handicapped due to the uneven streets, and the shop entrances are generally not handicap accessible. Some of the stores will get fairly warm in the summer because of their antiquated nature. Be prepared for closure as early as 5:00.

It’s a fantastic, fun way to spend the day!

A must visit for anyone from out of town....historic and fun with all the shops and attractions right on the river!

Loved this step back in time! Lots of great restaurants—Braddens, Magpies, Bella Vino—lots of quaint outdoor seating with plenty of shade. A few Ice cream shops and Grandma’s cookies is a must stop! Lots of cool shops, gifts, clothing boutiques(loved Moss!). Brick sidewalks—beware and wear good shoes! We rented bikes from Bike Stop Cafe for reasonable rate and rode the Katy Trail right across the street. Spent 8 hours there over the course of 2 days and did not go in all the shops. Such a nice area to visit!

A great place to explore! What history is there. from the roads to the historic buildings. It is a great way to spend an afternoon. You can eat, explore the many shops and sit on a bench.
The brick road as well as gas lights on Main Street is worth your time to check out.

So much fun walking into all the small stores along historic buildings and brick sidewalks/streets. All shop owners are friendly, but 90% of the stores close around 5p- so have time before dinner.

Though businesses try to encourage mask wearing it is not enforced within the stores and a lot of people feel they can stand right outside doorways with no masks on while other patrons are trying to go in. This is due to the county executive feeling everyone can do the right thing

The historic district in St. Charles, Missouri is located on the banks of the Missouri River. It was from this river port in 1804 that Lewis and Clark embarked on their famous expedition of the Louisiana Purchase. Unique shops featuring eclectic gifts and Missouri-made crafts are interspersed between eateries that offer a variety of fare. This historic area is also home to Missouri’s first capitol building. The paved-brick streets complement the many restored and repurposed structures that line them. The Katy Trail passes between the river and the historic downtown. This was our second visit to the historic district but not our last. We fell in love with this old river town on our first visit several years ago. The area is decorated for the Christmas season which accentuates the district’s nineteenth century charm. If you’re traveling through the Show Me State, the historic district of St. Charles is a must-see!

Downtown St. Charles is really cool. You can enjoy as little as a 15 minute drive down the main cobblestone street, or you can spend all day going through shops stopping for lunch and walking through more historic buildings and shops. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas when they decorate the trees with lights take a horse drawn carriage ride after dark. You will never forget it, and you’ll want to come back every year.

My favorite place to visit is Grandma's Cookies. Make sure you stop in for cookies. Parking can be a pain and have your walking shoes on. Shuttle is nice to take from local hotels. I would recommend it. Nice shopping and eating establishments.

Loved strolling along Main Street of the St. Charles Historic District and being so close to the Missouri River. There are lots of great shops with unique items plus some great places to eat or have a pint.

Love to shop at The Flower Petaler. Unique, quality wreaths, home decor, clothing, Tyler candles & holiday shopping.
Linda will take requests.
Staff are always friendly and helpful.
Valenti’s has delicious, quality sandwich’s, house salad & house made dressing.
Grandma’s cookies are delicious & tasty.

Took the family of 6 for several leisurely walks along main street. The shops to pop in and out of were enjoyable, especially loved the MO artists and Polish pottery. What was a pleasant surprise were the placards on each historical building telling the tales of years past. Definitely reminded me of old town Boston, yet right in the heart of USA!

Decided on three nights stay during the week (in winter). Really didn't know what to expect and was very surprised (overall) how large the city of St. Charles was. However, we stayed just a few blocks from Main Street (Historic District) and loved that it was quiet and within walking distance to all of the shops and restaurants the district has to offer.

Shopkeepers all kept telling us to return in the summer when there would be lots more "festive" things to do. We were okay with a winter visit as well just be aware many places are not open daily or close earlier than summer due to it being a slower time. Definetely make dinner reservations ahead of time there in the district. Bradden's and Tony's were are favorite places to eat.

This was approx 30min drive from St. Louis Mo. Enjoyable walk by all the shops and restaurants. Very unique treasures to be found!

We still enjoyed our trip to the historic district in St Charles in spite of the floods. The Main Street fine, but the Katy Trail parking lot and area museum in the photo were water logged or closed, hope things dry out soon. We strolled, window shopped, had a great shaved ice and people watched. The area reminds me of Galena, IL. which also floods. This area is great for adults who are good walkers. I wouldn’t want a stroller, toddler or a wheelchair because of the uneven sidewalks and crowds.

I'm so very impressed by this small town, so close to the big city of St. Louis. There is lots to see and so, places to eat, and places to shop. The Katy Trail, Frontier Park and Missouri River are at the back door of this quaint little town. We have really enjoyed our stay, and like walking the town each morning to see all the sights and sounds.

My son plays Pokémon Go, this area is great for a walk and doing some shopping. We have eaten in many of the restaurants while there.

We arrived in the Historic District, first thing you see is the brick streets, and about a mile long of buildings on both sides of the street. Plenty of shops to shop and eating places, art shops, museums.

We had a wonderful time in downtown St. Charles. The area is a very charming and laid back district near the Missouri River. It features a variety of cool and unique shops, lots of great places to eat (meals and snacks), great bars, and lots of history. We loved the cobblestone streets.

We spent a wonderful, relaxing day here and are looking forward to returning soon. Two big Power Trippers thumbs up!

- The Power Trippers

The historic district is a really fun place to visit for Christmas. If you have kids, make sure you visit here. They will have a blast!

This is a fabulous day trip!! So many shops, Little restaurants, and so much to see!! A great way to spend a Saturday

This is a St. Louis area gem full of history and interesting places to shop and eat. My personal favorite is the Mother-in-Law House resteraunt. It is one of the oldest and very charming.

First signs of warm weather. Walk on the riverfront. Dinner at Toni's. Great food reasonable prices. Buffet during the week. Shopping at stores.

Excellent waterfront, nice stores, road I harsh as its original brick so go slowly! Nice people, great sites if you like tourist things.

The Lewis and Clark park and trail along the Missouri river are perfect for a stroll, run, or picnic. Directly beside, the Main street offer cafes, shops, and great dining and bars.

I grew up in St. Charles and now live out of state. I love strolling down Main Street and make an effort to do so each time I return to visit my family and friends. Their are many great boutiques and restaurants lining Main Street. Main Street is just one block from the St. Charles Riverfront were many visitors and locals alike also stroll. This area is a popular Wedding venue as well as Photo site. There are several B&B's as well as rental homes in the area. Just beware that you will be walking on uneven bricks so choose your shoes wisely.

Cobble stones, rustic businesses, and parks throughout. The stores are quaint and welcoming. We had a hot day to visit and we had our dog with. There were bowls of water sitting out on the sidewalks for the dogs.

The cobble stone streets and amazing number of unique shopping, eating, dancing, and drinking establishments make this an attractive place to spend an entire day. Then there are the festivals. Christmas is my favorite.

Neat little town. Cobblestone streets are kind of cool. Plenty of bars and restaurants and little shops to choose from. Parking was very adequate when I visited. Put this on your list of things to see when in St. Louis.

We had a wonderful afternoon of strolling and shopping the beautiful down town area.

The variety of shops will meet whatever everyone in your group is looking for.

St. Charles is an easy 20 minute drive from St. Louis and is a great way to spend a few hours. The pictures online do not do the historic street justice as it is much longer. The street has a ton of shopping and dining options, which are all set in a historic setting. Many of the buildings have plaques that provide info on the origins of the buildings and prior owners. There is also free public parking by the Lewis and Clark Boat House Museum and free restrooms scattered around. I enjoyed the history, the architecture, the weather, and the ice cream!

I live in St. Charles and when people visit, this is a favorite spot to spend a few hours. There are a number a good restaurants here as well as places to get ice creams, fresh baked cookies, or other sweets. The locally owned shops offer a unique shopping experience from antiques, to books, soaps, clothing to Missouri artists. The cobble stone streets and original brick buildings that run along the Missouri River give you a glimpse back in time.

Enjoyed walking the area, eating and shopping. We went back a second time. I highly recommend a visit to the historic area.

The attention to detail in this entire area is awesome. Many interesting shops and wonderful restaurants. We love it there!

This is a great historic area. Well preserved and revitalized with great shops of every kind. Spend the day strolling along the street or sitting and people watching. Either way it makes for a fun day.

A lot of history at the First Capitol Building. Lots of good eating and even more fun shops to explore. South end of Main (about 7-8 blocks is historic with nice small dining places (many with outdoor seating as well as indoor), many craft and artisan shops, and many unique apparel shops. The North end (also about 7-8 blocks) has lots of restaurants, bar and grill eating places, and some interesting retail shops. This end of Main Street is good for evening entertainment as most of the eating and drinking places stay open late and have live entertainment.

This is one cute little town. Lots of interesting old architecture and plenty of interesting stores and restaurants. The park along the Missouri River is a nice place for an evening stroll or a jog/bike ride along the Katy Trail. Be sure to stop in Grandma's Cookies. Excellent cookies, friendly staff and a great price. Several of the restaurants have very nice patio areas for dining outdoors. Magpies Café was excellent and had two wonderful musicians. The Old Mill Stream Inn was another excellent restaurant.

This place has unique shopping and dining available. I visit multiple times each year. They have great outdoor seating with pleasant views, along with events. Christmas time is super cute, but dress warm as you'll be in and out of the shops.

We really loved the downtown historic district. The shopping was so wonderful and the restaurant were amazing. I can’t wait to come back.

This area is clean and has such great ambiance for strolling a historic street. The businesses are sole owners and off a wide range of items to shoppers. A park along the river is a great place to stop to rest, hike, or bike. Beautiful!

What a cute street, its almost unreal. It reminded a lot of Salem, MA but without the tourists. The shops looked to cute, and the ice cream was good. Great place to walk around and shop out have dinner.

Great way to spend an afternoon walking and looking. Worth visiting, but be careful as there are a number of places with neat stuff to purchase.

If you’re a young family, can grab a burger at Big A’s, explore the historic riverfront, rent bikes for some exercise, grab an ice cream, stop by a candy store and take some gorgeous family photos. If you’re a couple (old or young) there are some romantic cafe’s like Braddens, or casual dining like Bread Co. or Llewelyn’s Pub. Shops with great unique gifts, some vintage finds, organic foods and beauty products, environmentally friendly packaging at most stores, friendly owners and staff. Definitely stop by Happy Camper Clothing for the softest T-shirts and sweatshirts you’ll ever find. Also, Joy Collective is amazing - be sure to get past the overcrowded, kitschy front building and explore the garden and back building where the really unique items are displayed. It’s just a beautiful relaxing day to explore together. My husband enjoyed people-watching on a comfy bench while I went into some ‘girly’ shops. We took some great photos of plants, historic architecture, brick roads, gazebos, vintage train cars and some beautiful portraits. In the winter it is just as enjoyable with Santas in historic garb, lights and greenery everywhere. Park on the street or in one of the free public lots along the riverfront. Trolleys are available from further parking lots. Come prepared to spend the day exploring and saying “Honey, look at this!” There really is something for every generation. Whether you prefer a tea room, a pub, a microbrewery or a picnic lunch, you won’t be disappointed.

Took trolley from Ameristar to the historical district. Lots of Restaurants. If you can't find anything, your not hungry. Many specialty shops and historical sites. It's ok to take your dog on the streets as vendors provide water. I enjoyed Grandma cookies. Large cookies that are tasty so make sure you get some.

Old town St. Charles goes all out for the holiday season. The streets of old town St. charles has Christmas characters rooming the streets entertaining visitors. If you are planning a visit, go early in the day.

The Saint Charles Historic District is great year round! From the many festivals throughout the seasons to the annual conclusion with Christmas Traditions and nearly every weekend in between, this is a great spot to go for shopping, eating, and entertainment with nearby overnight accommodations.

From the Festival du Glaces (sp?) Ice block sculpting in Jan, to Spring and Summer events wrapping up with Festival of the Little Hills then becoming a hotspot during Octoberfest leading up to Christmas Traditions. There are events for every interest and for those bored with what's on the streets, can step into any of the numerous shops, restaurants, bakeries and museums (including The Foundry).

If you are visiting the STL metro or Saint Charles County area, be sure to check out the event calendar to see if there is something that piques your interest. If you don't like crowds, it helps you avoid those too so that you can visit the area and enjoy it like us locals.

Over the years, the Riverfront Park has continued to improve. And the Historic Main St. offers both historical and current day vibes in a wonderful mix of venues. We enjoy the events each year because there is always something new to experience.

After driving a bit to find a parking spot, we had a very enjoyable time walking up one side and down the other on Main street. We visited a number of shops. Our favorites were the Flower Petaler and Grandma's Cookies. Had a relaxing late lunch at R.T.Weiler's.

Had a great time visiting St. Charles Old Town and eateries! Once for a conference and secondly for a high school reunion (I will NOT give the number of years). The free Trolley around town was the best discovery of all - from our hotel to Old Town and back...keep that in mind if you visit.

Auch a beautiful historic place with lots to do. Lots of shops and places to eat. Would highly recommend visiting and apend so time there

There are so many restaurants that are great to eat at, lots of fun shops, and a lot of places to learn about the history of St. Charles and the surrounding area.

Walked around this downtown area and really enjoyed the historic buildings and great places to eat. Make sure you stop by if you are in the area.

Historic St Charles is very quaint and full of many wonderful shops and restaurants! Will surely visit again!

What a charming downtown by the Missouri River, surrounded by Victorian homes converted into businesses or still housing families, St. Charles is a suburb
of St Louis, MO. Historical St. Charles has wonderful shops to step into and delight in the sights and smells. Make sure to stop by the Little O’s Ice Cream Parlor. From the turquoise walls to the red booths, old fashioned candy counter, memorabilia and wrought iron sweetheart tables, you’ll step back into a simpler time. Drink in the ambiance with a soda, shake, iced coffee, sundae or other homemade treat. I sat a spell waiting on my old fashioned root beer float. Memories of the soda parlor in my parents’ small, Texas hometown and good times with grandparents played before my mind’s eye. I left feeling hugged by my family with a delicious, cold treat on a warm, humid Missouri day. It was a sweet, joyful day.

One of my favorite things too do in December is go to the historic part of St. Charles near the river. Here yout will find people dressed in costumes for the Christmas holiday (Mr. Scrooge, Tin Soldiers, Christmas Tree Angel, different Santas, etc.). It's a fun time to stroll and shop in these quaint, local shops.

We were in the area and had an hour to kill. We were only able to visit 4 stores in that time span. Left us wishing we had planned our day differently, and wanting to go back!

Very charming, living Christmas card ! Lots of seasonal decorations on the street and businesses,unique shopping and several delicious dining establishments.

My wife and I absolutely love going to historic Saint Charles. Always fun during the summer time in the fall. Our absolute favorite time is Christmas. The atmosphere is completely amazing. Everyone should experience this during the holidays. From the carolers in period outfits, to the Santa Clauses of the world, to the beautiful decorations this is a MUST SEE!!!

If you ever plan a getaway to St. Louis you must stop by Historic Saint Charles. From the cobblestone street to the many shops, restaurants, and bars, you will have a great time! The shop store owners are all super friendly and will help you with any questions you may have.

Very nice historic area with many shops, restaurants, and bar/pubs. Close to the casino if interested in that. Also near the riverfront park.

We spent a Saturday in the historic district. It was one of those perfect spring days and it was very busy. There is plenty to see and do. It was just fun to people watch. There are plenty of places to eat and drink.

We found this BBQ and side dishes to be outstanding! Delucious! The dining in area is small. Prefer to carry out.

We stopped for our anniversary and were nicely surprised to be there during an art festival complete with a live band. We were rather disappointed that shops closed early on a Saturday evening particularly when there were so many people walking around. We will plan on coming back but will check on shop hours first. Definitely worth visiting!!

Many stores were vacant or closed on the rainy Friday afternoon when we arrived. Definitely check out Grandma's Cookies!!

Very hot and humid this weekend in the shops was a nice retreat from the heat. Lots of great varied shopping. Several restaurant choices, near the bike trail and park, just off the river.

Was n the area for business. Everyone recommended me to go to Main Street. Well worth the trip. Beautiful Scenery & Quite. Good eating establishments. Shopping was not the best.

This was our 2nd year in St Charles historic district for Christmas and absolutely love it!! The carolers, lights, horse drawn buggies, shopping, food & drinks. This place has it all!! Even chestnuts roasted on an open fire! Highly recommend checking it out for yourself.

Very charming town with quick and easy access by Uber for those who are staying in hotels nearby St. Louis airport.

Had a good time checking out all the shops, art galleries and restaurants in historic St. Charles. There is something for everyone.

Walking is a great way to enjoy the many shops sure to please every shopper. You can enjoy the ice cream and fudge shop for your sweet tooth. Also, a spice shop and many antique shops to find unusual items. There are sports bars and also many places to dine outside to enjoy yourself.

The street is really a fun stop or day trip when visiting the area. There are some wonderful shop owners who are wonderful to talk with and get an idea of the area. Look in at the bookstore for a real "You've Got Mail" Shop around the corner experience. And, I especially enjoyed the antique shop "Judy's?" (look for the VW Bus in the courtyard outside). There is an old-fashioned soda shop and some unique stores with great St. Louis souvenirs. Big July 4th Festival to enjoy.

A leisurely stroll down main street takes you back in history. Also the shops are some of the best. The furnishings are those used in the Frontier days.

The historic district is incredible. The amount of interesting things to see, shops to explore, and food to eat is extensive. There are shops specializing in different things, bakeries, bars, restaurants with patios and fire pits to keep you warm, art galleries, and just something for everyone. There were many dogs out and about too. Parking can probably get pretty busy and I would imagine on a beautiful day, this place is extremely busy.

It is hard to put into words how charming this area is. Rich in history, cobblestone streets filled with charming stores and delightful restaurants. Fantastic spot to recharge.

Went on a Monday and a number of stores closed, but enjoyed the ones we visited. I was unaware of the history and it was a bigger street than I anticipated. Would go back sometime when ready to get some gifts.

What a great way to spend an afternoon wondering thru the shops. You could spend a lot of time here going in and out of all the shops . We didn’t get to all of them but really enjoyed our time here.

A wonderful, charming, quint street in old town St Charles. Many shops, restaurants and wineries. Very busy on Saturday nights.

First time I had been in a couple of years. They changed things around so it wasn’t as crowded; perhaps they tried not to duplicate exhibits; but it was much easier to navigate this year

Shopping and nightlife!. Interesting, cute shops. Great dining - Lewis and Clarks, Trailhead and many others. Free summer outdoor concerts. Just a fun atmosphere.

Quaint and charming with unique shops and restaurants. There are many activities and festivals. Great place to roam, relax, shop and eat.

Really nice area especially during the pumpkin glow near Halloween. Every kind of shop you can think of in a beautiful setting in cobblestone streets. Parking can be tricky but there’s a large public lot by the water. Well worth a visit

My wife and I went to Saint Charles for our wedding anniversary. We spent the day wandering the streets, stopping in different places and having a very enjoyable time. We stopped at The Main House for a great plate of barbecue chicken nachos and a couple of beers. Then we entered through the shops. Very laid-back, very polite people. Really enjoyable time we will be back.

I was in town training for work and my trainer is a local. He drove me through the town and we got out at the Lewis & Clark boat museum. Cute town to come to if you're in the St. Louis area. It has a lot of history and worth the drive from St. Louis.

This is a great place to visit any time of the year! They have so many events and festivals that there is always something different going on. The shops are cute and decorate beautifully. There are also many excellent restaurants and bars.

Loved this little, old historic town! Very quaint, nice but tourist, pricey shops - but fun. Favorite thing was outdoor lovely patios for eating, relaxing, and watch the world go by. Impressed by how many beautiful dining patios there were! Spent the perfect day looking into shops, patio hopping and enjoying the entertainment. Also wine sipping patios. Parking can be difficult. Be very careful on old brick sidewalks and streets, they have heaved around and are bumpy and wavy. The Halloween festivities were going on, but were family friendly, fun and not scary. The masked violin player was so much fun; lively and playful and sweet to the little kids. Extremely talented and entertaining. Can't wait to come back in December.

Adorable “cobbled” Main Street with cute shops and a variety of restaurants, all along the Missouri River. Perfect for girls trip or romantic getaway.

The 10 block historic district has somewhat of a feel of the French Quarter in New Orleans, with its early 19th century brick and stone buildings. Too many of the shops are stocked with pretend antiques and "cute" gift items, so there was little to hold attention inside most of them. But there are some architectural gems to catch the eye.

There are way too many shops to check out in one afternoon. Lots of vintage things, several places for foodies to shop, good ice cream shops, bakeries, etc. There is a place to taste various olive oils (I bought a bottle of Arbequina [from Spain]) and balsamic vinegars (bought a bottle of four leaf). An ice cream and candy store was a pleasant stop. There is a spice shop there that sells more spices than I can count, along with teas and other goodies. It's well worth your time.

We only had about an hour, but made the most of it.......a jewelry store, ice cream shop, olive oil/vinegar shop

The restaurants are great. It is so picturesque. Fun walking around.
It is a good place to be. We ate in Louis & Clarke. It was really good. There are so many things to see and do in that area. We went to The Arch in St Louis. That is a full day to see and do there.
My husband lived there several years and really loved it.

Enjoyed all the unique food and one of a kind shops! It is a little crowded. That is because of the original roads and side walks. Plenty to see. A very short distance away is the river front. We walked along the Missouri river. Plenty of space to have a picnic.There is a walking tour that is only 7 dollars per tour.

Nice quaint area that can get rather busy during the day...park your car and walk to avoid all the pedestrian traffic

Nice variety of quality gift and antique stores. Don't miss the hidden gem, Joy's Cooperative Market, a collection of many different artists and vendors, and you will not fail to find unique clothing, jewelry, or home goods at affordable prices. The Sugar Cubed candy store has bins and bins of loose candy, most at $4 a pound.

This is a great place to go window shopping strolling in and out of stores in an old time main street atmosphere. Great place for a historical views of time gone by. Also just a block off of the river front.

Nice looking buildings, some restored and some undergoing renovation. Shopping was just OK--strange stores and way overpriced merchandise.

The historical signs about the buildings are a great addition. I had forgotten how cool this place was- definitely worth stopping by

Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. Blocks and blocks of original buildings featuring small business arts and artisan..interspersed with some amazing eateries, restaurants, and sweet treat shops. It’s almost a sensory overload. The cobblestone streets and sidewalks are the icing on the cake. It’s a step back in time with something for everyone.

On the Missouri River, more history and culture than can be taken in in one visit, ah heck with that..there are people making wine here! There are more types of magnificent food of all places I have been! Anything from a 1940's soda fountain to a high end steak, this place has it all. Best of all though I found everyone here as pleasant, as friendly as can be. You can see a lot, eat a lot, drink a lot (if you wish) and learn a lot! I love it!

While at the Festival at the Little Hills in St Charles all located on Main Street with vendor booths lining the streets and park. We visited a number of the shops on Main Street. Each shop specializing in antiques, home decor, art, clothing and just about anything else you could be looking for. The streets are all cobblestone with beautiful historic building and sites. The selection of restaurants, bars and wine parlors gave everyone a choice to enjoy. All the shops we went in were friendly with helpful staff. Because we were there during the festival I’m sure we missed many unique places to browse. Recommend a afternoon to shop historic Main Street in St Charles.

It was a scorcher, but we enjoyed all the shops. Note: get a map of Main St and see which shops you really want to see. Some of them are not open on Mondays. The street is uneven, but it's old. The buildings the shops were in were as interesting as the shops themselves. The operators/owners will tell you about them if you ask. Would love to go back when cooler and had more time.

We love visiting the St. Charles area! This little town truly offers something for everyone! Along with the historic downtown area which goes all out for both Christmas and Halloween with shops and special events most weekends, there is also the riverfront area, where you can find a nice park, the Lewis & Clark museum, etc. Definitely a must see and do!

A very enjoyable experience. Love the brick street and walk ways but be careful as they are old and uneven. Lots of great shops and many restaurants. Be aware of shop hours as some are not open late or on Monday and Tuesday. So much history and ambience. Wonderful old buildings. I would plan 2 days and possibly 3 if you do night life.

We enjoyed three nights in St. Charles, including a full day plus an evening on the Main Street. The charming ante-bellum downtown buildings have been well-preserved and enhanced with various pubs, restaurants and retail shops. We visited pre-Halloween, and there were a variety of activities occurring on the street. The town also has a large Christmas holiday celebration in November-December which we are hoping to visit. Highly recommend for couples, families and groups of friends.

It's a great downtown area. Lots of quaint shops and restaurants. Easy parking and a huge park along the river too. Tons of charm, and I enjoyed seeing the older buildings and brick streets.

Slow down and take a step back in time to re-imagine how the settlers lived. The old stone buildings and storefronts are absolutely breathtaking.

We were visiting friends in Missouri and they brought us here. Seems like we hit this place with perfect timing. When we arrived, a Christmas parade was going on, which seemed to have an international theme. The costumed characters walk around afterwards interacting with the kids, and handing out what looked like souvenir cards. We walked up and down the streets and our wives enjoyed the Christmas shops. Would recommend.

There is the opportunity to learn about this historic city on the Missouri River, plus enjoy some of the best restaurants to be found in eastern Missouri .

Wandering around on a summer weekday after lunch I thought the place would be dead - but all the store fronts were open, people were mingling, eating ice cream, riding bikes, sitting in patios. It’s a wonderful place to walk around.

Staying nearby, my wife had a business meeting all day, so I went here to check it out on Friday, March 10, 2023. I arrived at 8:30AM, but everything was closed until 10AM. It was a cold day, brisk wind, threatening rain and about 32 degrees. I walked around for a half hour, then had to warm up in the car. Finally, after going for another walk in the park area and visiting the Lewis & Clark Boathouse, I came back to see it again. I visited mostly antique stores and had lunch at a cafe. Great looking architecture and most buildings are well kept or restored. There is also an old vertical log church from 1791. There are plenty of parking lots one block off the main street all along the village. Also one can park on both sides of the street anywhere for free. I'm sure this is great for the disabled and the lazy ones. What would make this historic village much better and enjoyable, is to make the entire cobblestone street the full length of the town a pedestrian walkway. Cars passing through can easily bypass the main street, off street parking is very convenient and close by. Too many historical villages around the USA are spoiled by too many cars, this is another one.

Came to St. Charles with our Winnibago caravan group. The historical area on Sunday a free day. It was average like other historic cities. Only fair. Recommend if you like downtown cities. Rating... fair.

The weather gave us a couple of days of great fun. Shopping here is a blast. Such a variety of things. Lots of historic information and sites.

Cobblestone Streets make the Period Kept District pleasure to strole and shop.. Very Sweet Holiday Atmospheres are a plus to this quant area.

If you like walking along cobblestone sidewalks and enjoy unique shops you are going to love St. Charles. No matter the time if year it is a great place to visit. Wide range if shops, wine shops, restaurants, bakeries, all located in historical buildings. There are also hotels, houses and rooms to rent nearby and are in walking distance. During the winter season, they have a parade, and characters in costumes that walk amongst the crowds and sing, dance do magic tricks to entertain the little ones and some if us older folks as well. So if you are looking for a great place to visit put this in the list. Also take time to eat some of the this food, grandma's cookies, Donnas famous Coconut Cream pie, etc.

If you are within 100 miles, spend the day in St. Charles! As the title says - cutest town ever! Brick sidewalks (watch your step) and brick roads lined with old homes full of shops & restaurants. We spent 5 hours here & didn't fully cover just one side of the street. I'd love to go back, stay at one of the B&B's and spend a couple of days here.

I live in St. Charles, and my wife and I are justifiably proud of the Historic District here in St. Charles. Cobblestone streets, and MANY buildings of historical significance, including the first Capital of the State of Missouri, fully preserved. Dozens of little boutique shops and restaurants along the main street. Just downhill is Frontier Park, looking out onto the majestic Missouri River. When we go downtown, I look and count how many cars I see parked with license plates not from Missouri. Last time was 15! People come from all over the US to see our Historic St. Charles!

I took my family to Historic St Charles mid-October to see Legends & Lanterns. It's a Halloween-based production that runs the length of Main Street. WE LOVE CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS and go every year. So, we had to try out the 2nd annual Halloween version.
I'm sure it will grow over time, but Legends & Lanterns was still a lot of fun. Historic re-enactments of historic icons (Edgar Allen Poe, Blackbeard, Sweeny Todd, Lizzy Borden, etc) with a touch of humor combined with the historic charm of St Charles made for a great afternoon. We will come again!

This charming city boasts the Main street replete with shops, restaurants, bars, wine stores, a cigar store, and historical markers and statues.
Big trees, plentiful parking (along the street AND behind the buildings, along the river), and cobblestone street.

Our family has been going to Put St. Charles during the Christmas season as an annual tradition for years. Our kids are all older now but they all still look forward to the event! Wonderful!

Overpriced yuppie area. They have your restaurants,bars,clothing,art stores, flea markets and other things. Not my thing but it’s nice to walk around it’s close to the river. They could use more police presence it feels a little sketchy at night.

What a cute community! All the pumpkins and Halloween decorations were so great and fun to see while walking around downtown!! Loved the police presence on horseback, all the dogs and pet pig, the great shops with very friendly owners just waiting to greet u, and the beautiful river! We were fortunate enough to have a gorgeous fall day full of sunshine for our day and a big moon for our evening while visiting. The shops were awesome and the bars were just as fun! We definitely want to come back when we have more than one day and maybe during a warmer month so we can take advantage of the bike trails!!! Well done St. Charles!!!!

We enjoyed walking the brick sidewalks in the historic area lined with shops for all tastes, from antiques to tobacco, specialty gifts and wine,

Very charming area, love the variety of shops!!! There is also a lot of great restaurants with something for everyone.

Wear comfy walking shoes! Be sure to stop by the Bike Café if you are cycling the Katy Trail. If you don't feel like walking, there is a trolley that will take you from point to point.

So many restored old main streets are just a few blocks. This area goes on for many blocks!! Full of great local shops and restaurants

This was a great way to spend a friday before the concert at Busch Stadium. The shops are so neat and the cobblestone streets are great. The buildings are old and very much remind us of New Orleans. There are restaurants, bars, bakeries, and ice cream shops also.

We visited on a Tuesday evening. This is such a cute area and quintessential Main St Americana. The Missouri River flows nearby with walking paths. I was a little surprised at how quiet the downtown area was for the offerings there. I imagine it must be hopping on weekends. Be advised many of the restaurants are closed on Tuesday. We were able to eat at Tony's which was fabulous.

We have visited this area twice and both times we have had a great time... The restaurants and bars in the area are unique and very good and there is plenty of shopping and unique shops to check out... This would be a great overnight stop if passing through, or could make this into a weekend trip to St. Charles. Highly recommend it...

Very cool place to visit. The old buildings and the shops. Really loved walking around that place. It was cold and still Winter technically so not all the shops were open.

We visited the historic district on our first time in St. Charles and just happened into the Tourist Information building. A very nice volunteer suggested we take the FREE Trolley around St. Charles and what a magnificent tour. It lasted just enough time to see the sights, get the lay of the land as it were and returned us back to the parking lot. Well worth the time. The Trolley driver was funny and very well informed. Would do it again in a heart beat.

We thoroughly loved our time in St. Charles and especially the historic town. They have done a great job preserving and maintaining this area. Lots of great shops, food and a lovely place to just stroll the streets. Would love to come visit during Christmas.

Spent a nice long weekend, shopped and ate at restaurants. Enjoyable experience. We were here in an off week, so not crowded

My daughter took us to St. Charles for a day of strolling. The downtown area is beautifully restored. Lots of stores to shop in. There are lots of choices for eating and drinking. There were several carriage rides available going up and down Main Street. The sidewalks are pretty crowded which makes pushing a stroller a challenge. I was surprised that they did not close off Main Street to vehicle traffic which would have been helpful. There is plenty of parking off Main Street but the lots filled quickly.
All in all it was a pleasant afternoon and I look forward to returning.

We have lived in Missouri all our lives and this is the first time we have stopped to visit St Charles. It's a beautiful place. The waterfront park, the historic buildings, the walking tour. We loved it all. We are already making plans to go back.

We we weren’t able to walk the area due to poor weather but plan to return. Very charming. Our friend who lives in the area gave us a very interesting tour.

There are plenty of stores with a variety of items. Store owners were friendly. Several blocks of walking but there are restaurants you can stop at to rest and get something to eat. There are plenty of places to sit along the way

We were in town for The Black Keys concert and decided to make a weekend of it. We visited the historic downtown St. Charles, which was a lot of fun. There are many different shops and restaurants to enjoy. The old brick street was something to see. We managed to make a whole day out of that area, which was quite fun!

Spent several wonderful hours enjoying the historic district. Strolling the street visiting other shops watching the horse-drawn carriages and enjoying the various entertainment including all the characters. A beautiful day spent enjoying the sites with family the oldest in our group was 66 the youngest was 21 months. We all had an enjoyable time.

We moved to the area over 20 yrs ago & have watched this great historical town get better with each year! Renovating, and preserving this place was smart & worth the time & money .They have all kinds of festivals, parades, as well as the restaurants , Bars and shops are fun to go to more then once!! Halloween & Christmas both have amazing decorations & fun activities! Glad they saved this wonderful place!!!

We loved the historic district! There are things for people of all ages. Nice restaurants, walking areas and beautiful view of the river.

Went with group of friends in the evening and stayed until dark. Neat atmosphere but more for adults. Variety of restaurants. Weekends often have events in park

St Charles Main Street has something for everyone. Couples , friends, families. Cute shops, restaurants, ice cream. 3rd weekend every August is Little Hills Featival full of crafters food music

Have to say, the people here, including locals, are not that friendly. I'm from the deep south where we at least give a polite nod and 'hello' but the people here do not practice simple hospitality. This experience wasn't isolated or just one particular place. It was all over especially when I toured the historic district. I thought maybe they're having a bad day, but then realized most people, particularly businesses, were just snooty and not friendly. Maybe they need to visit the dep south for a lesson in politeness and hospitality. Just saying.

Easier walking than driving since the charming cobblestone streets are in need of leveling. Lots of cute little shops and restaurants.

We were visiting the St. Louis area for spring break with our family and booked a hotel in St. Charles without even knowing anything about the incredibly quaint and charming historic downtown area--such a pleasant surprise!

Our first night in town, the staff at our hotel front desk gave us a couple of restaurant suggestions and that's when we stumbled upon downtown. Of course by dinnertime, all of the stores were closed for the evening which was disappointing, but only gave us a reason to come back to explore in the morning! We did walk several blocks of S. Main Street, as well as down through the park along the river.

We ate downtown nearly every night--we enjoyed meals at Hendricks BBQ, the Trailhead Brewery and Lewis & Clark's. We absolutely loved Grandma's Cookies, making several stops there over the course of the week. And I personally could've spent all day in Main Street Books browsing the shelves and chatting with the owner.

Overall, it's a very sweet downtown and kept up so impeccably well. Perhaps because it was still early spring and the off season, the stores kept very limited hours, so we never did get a good opportunity to browse the shops.

I would have given this one star because hardly any place is wheelchair friendly. The sidewalks are unmaintained bricks. The stores have steps. I didn’t see any ramps.
On the other hand, if I could have rated just the trolley, I would have given five stars! It’s wheelchair accessible. The driver was friendly and knowledgeable. The trolley is free, air conditioned, and 30 minutes long.
I know that historical places have to maintain their historic structures. It’s unfortunate that we weren’t able to experience everything due to its lack of accessibility.

Lovely historical city area,. Just sad so many store fronts shut down and they do not open, when they do until at least 11. Covid is over, go back to work!

We have been to Main Street in Old St Charles many times, including last weekend. There is something for everyone of all ages. Cool history, lots of fun and eclectic shops, good restaurants, a winery, brewery restaurant and park. Lots of fun things going on around various holidays including Christmas, but a good time whenever we go. Highly recommended.

We love to visit St. Charles and walk around to visit the various shops. The holiday season is especially fun! We enjoy listening to the carolers, drinking cider, and taking a carriage ride along Main Street. This year it snowed and Main Street was so pretty, we took pictures to use for our Christmas cards.

Side note: We also enjoy visiting St. Charles for the St. Patrick’s Day parade. My nieces love gathering the necklaces, candy, and food thrown along the parade route.

Main Street always has something fun going on. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in town.

St. Charles has done a wonderful job of turning a small town shopping street into a historic walk with fine food. It's a lovely riverfront walk that's definitely worth the time for exploring. Parking is convenient and close to both the historic stretch and the riverfront. Sunrise over the Missouri River would be lovely. There are occasionally public celebrations and festivals along the riverfront, which also has an historic hike/bike trail pass through on what was a railroad bed.

This area is a very beautiful place to take walks, picnic and pose for pictures. A lot of Prom, Engagement and Wedding pictures have been taken in this part of St Charles. Festivals are abundant on the riverfront. With Christmas just around the corner you don't want to miss all the characters dressed up as Santa's through history, Jack Frost, Princesses, chestnut roasters, too many to name. I love St Charles, MO!

August 17-18-19 I believe is the festival. Talk about any craft or entertainment you could think of it is there. Good food too!

The roads are terrible but the historic structure and architecture is nice. Good selection of shops and food.

Old town St. Charles Main Street is always a fun place to go.
Boutique shops, snack shops, Then Center of Holiday Events expecially Christmas is a Must!!
Something for everyone!!

Check out St. Charles MO website for special family-friendly public events, concerts and festivals such as Octoberfest, Halloween and the Fourth of July or just enjoy Main Street any way you want and you can't go wrong on any budget.

St-charles downtown is a very quaint place with plenty of things to do with shopping and great restaurants. I would recommend taking the free trolley ride to get the lay of the land and then venturing out on foot.

Long cobblestone street with early 19th century buildings and atmosphere. Lots of restaurants and shops. Good for a leisurely stroll and a meal or a drink. The neighborhood doesn’t go beyond the main street however.

You will enjoy Main Street. From the England shop, with food and all things English from England, to the spice sauce and tea shops, the sweet shops, ice cream shos and all the restaurants. Nearby is the riverfront and Frontier Park. You will enjoy this busy place along with people from all over!

Historic St. Charles is just a real gem for locals as well as visitors. I love the brick streets and period buildings. There are numerous fun and unique shops and restaurants. Christmas is a special time with carolers, horse drawn carriages, and Santas from around the world. Fun for the whole family and a place where you can visit many times and still find new gems.

Love St. Charles HDistrict. Loads of fun shops with unusual items you can't find anywhere else. Unique restaurants and cafes that serve delicious homecook food. The shops have all the fun items you can't wait to purchase for gifts. Go everytime I'm in town.

We visited during the Christmas holiday and it was so fun and festive. Be prepared for crowds on the weekend?

My husband and I have visited the Historic District in St. Charles several times. From late spring through the early fall weather, we can sit outside and enjoy something to eat and drink while we watch the visitors walking around. In December, they really get into the Christmas spirit with colorful characters in costumes, caroling, and parades.

No matter what time of the year you visit, you will have cool and unique shops to enjoy and there are plenty of choices for a meal while you are there.

We were interested in the downtown area primarily because of the geocaches in the area but loved all the quaint shops lining the streets. There's a lot of interesting history in the area. We visited several interesting places and plan to return for a more thorough visit.

As soon as we found Main street (which is where all the action is), we turned to each other and said "Galena".

Galena, Illinois is a similar place. Small shops, quaint restaurants, touristy in that special way that "those kind of towns" tend to be. St. Charles is very much like that. And generally speaking, that's fine. You can find some interesting stores, make some impulse purchases, and have a good, albeit pricey meal.

The problems we encountered during our four day excursion were beyond frustrating. Shops that we hoped to visit were closed. Places that gave OPEN hours of operation didn't follow through. The further we ventured in one direction, the fewer shops there were - even though the brochure promised "x,y, and z".

We understand that businesses close. We also understand that late December can be a little on the "hit and miss" side. But if that's the case, then UPDATE your websites. Re-do your brochures. Don't have a CLOSED and OPEN sign on your door or window at the same time. It's confusing to customers and gives your business an unprofessional vibe. If this happened at one or two places, we could give it a pass. But this happened over and over again. Not cool.

So, overall? 3.5 stars. The places that we did visit were good, and most of the folks were nice and welcoming. I'd suggest to do your research before you go...but I did and we STILL had the issues I mentioned above. My best suggestion? Have alternative plans in the surrounding area just in case.

Recommend with caution.

A must see in St. Charles, shops and restaurants for everyone. Friendly and knowledgeable staff everywhere we went.

Great, fun place to browse and shop. Quaint and cute, lots of character and history. We rented bicycles and road along the river. Excellent restaurants.

We went the opening weekend of the Christmas celebration. The stores had so many items and it was a quick way to get in the Christmas spirit. My daughter loved to watch the parade and collect cards from the characters. It wouldn't be Christmas in our family without going to this amazing celebration.

We had a couple of hours to spend in St. Charles between tournament games. We looked around at some of the shops and walked down to the Lewis & Clark landing to see the River. Ate lunch at Salt & Smoke on the patio. Great food and selection of local beer and bourbon.

We spent a lovely afternoon looking in shops and studying the architecture. The flowers were in bloom and the people were friendly.

This is definitely a must see if you are visiting Missouri and I actually live in one of these buildings 65 years ago it’s amazing how they have preserved these buildings there is definitely something there for the old and the young to see

St Charles is a little difficult to find for lack of signage along the freeways...but luckily we had done some print-map-work and research about the area before we came. Parking was ample, free and easy. The Visitors center a great first stop. Then followed a morning walking, taking photos all along several blocks of nicely maintained old buildings...now housing many different and unique shops/cafes/bakeries/candy shops of all kinds. Fall colors in the trees and the Halloween and Fall decor all over the area made it extra special.

The streets are all old brick and the sidewalks uneven, so watch your step....its quaint and just special in comparison to many old historic areas that are...yes, old but sadly neglected.

St Charles is where the beginning of the Lewis and Clark Expedition took place. There is also a museum on the river behind the shop-lined historic area. It too has good and free parking.

Thank you St Charles for maintaining the area, and keeping it beautiful and feeling very safe.

This is really picturesque and worthy to see. Take the trolley and you will learn a lot about this historic place. Very nice narration. The driver is a character!

This outing was my second to the area and it was as I remembered, variety of sweet shops, restaurants, micro brewery and the park on the river is pretty cooool. We stopped at the brewery and we both tried different beers and had to try them again!

The restaurants are excellent ate at "Quintessential" pm Mail street the food was excellent they also had live entertainment that was good

If your travels take you near St Louis, you owe it to yourself to stop in this historic town. Brick streets and historic buildings make this a pleasant walk (not for wheelchairs or strollers though). The shop owners are very pleasant and each one offers something unique. Lots of restaurants that will please all appetites and budgets. Be sure to stop at Grandma’s Cookies! This town is on the bank of the Missouri River which had flooded out the street closest to the river while we were there, so make sure you check to make sure the shops are open. Parking abundant on the street or in parking lots one street off the historic Main Street. It’s like you stepped back in time here. We ate both lunch and dinner here...and spent several hours just walking and reading all the historic markers on the various buildings.

Recently spent a lovely Sunday afternoon with my teen daughter here after a soccer tournament. We were looking for a place to spend some quality time while staying near the airport since we were waiting for a flight. Loved the Lewis and Clark history! Also enjoyed window shopping! Our favorite places were the Christmas store and the coffee shop. Amazing “fancy” coffees!

We come to St Charles every year and have been for the past 15yrs. The Christmas Traditions which runs from the day after Thanksgiving up until Christmas Eve is a must see for everyone. The characters, the atmosphere and historical buildings make you feel you are a Dickens Christmas Carol. We absolutely love it and it gets you in the Christmas spirit.

Wear your walking shoes! There are so many quaint shops and restaurants in historic buildings. There is something for everyone to enjoy. Everything was very friendly. We stayed busy all afternoon.

We held a reunion in Old Town St. Charles that was a great success. We stayed at a hotel right on Main Street within walking distance of lots of restaurants and all the shops. A car wasn't needed to get around and walking was a pleasant experience as the landscaping was beautiful There are a few benches at which to sit and enjoy the old town atmosphere. In the evening, we enjoyed a carriage ride.

We visited the downtown Historic area of St Charles in June and in August. We love the area. I feel it is a peaceful get away out of the city. We love the Missouri River there. We love the restaurants and all of the history there.

Fun things to look at, there’s a really fun British shop, just a great place to spend a couple hours or an afternoon if you like shopping :)

What a lovely historic district. Stumbled on this lovely historic district thanks to the front desk agent at the Holiday
Inn Express. Colonial buildings and cobbled streets galore. Many buildings original. Great shops and great food.

Tough to make three generations in a family happy at the same time, but all from 6 to teenagers to 70+ grandparents enjoyed this visit. Oddly, everyone probably enjoyed the tour of Missouri’s First Capital more than the shops. We have visited here many times thru the years, and will come back again and again. Great history, great food and drink, friendly staffs everywhere, and from the number of sacks in my car trunk, apparently great shopping

We have not been to old Saint Charles in a couple years, and we were disappointed in a recent visit. It's not what it used to be. It seems that all of the good browsing stores have turned into clothing stores. Gone are the chocolate shops, home decor, nick-knack, craft and antique shops. They have been replaced by clothing stores. It's still a nice place to take a walk and check out the restaurants, but other than that, not much to see here any more. Perhaps things will turn around again and the interesting shops will come back. We can only hope.

Historic St. Charles is a great place to park the car on a pretty day and take a walk. if you shop and eat and go up both sides of the street, you can cover the entire area in about three hours. Lots of shops of various variety, bars, restaurants and ice cream shops. The street and shops are well maintained and adorned with flowers and plants.

There is street parking bu near by public parking is amble and free. It's an easy walk from the parking lots to the historic district. There are often festivals throughout the year which bring in more vendors and entertainment and foot traffic.

A nice place to spend and afternoon or morning. Lovely street, nice stores, delicious food and a safe place to visit and enjoy casual time with family and friends.

We spent the day in the historic district of St Charles. We love just walking down the street and window shop and having lunch. The old spice shop is a fun store. We like Lewis and Clark restaurant.

Lovely historic area for walking & browsing. Also within walking distance to Frontier Par. Highly recommended if headed to this area!

Whether you're looking for cooking supplies, sit-down dining, art, baked goods, coffees, teas, got sauces, stone work, clothing, metal craft, and everything in-between or the occasional pop in for a quick beer or cocktail with friends or a classic malt or milkshake while listening to good music and chilling in the river vibe, there is something here for everyone!

Festival de Glace, Frontier Days, most holidays, and several other big annual events and frequent street markets all capped off with the best Christmas event of the year - Christmas Traditions!

You owe it to your personal life's library to check it out and build your own wonderful memories and experiences.

I always love going to Old St. Charles for the shopping and restaurants. The Trailhead Brewery is a great lunch and dinner spot. If you want a lighter lunch I recommend the Magpie Cafe. The Hershey bar pie is amazing! The shops vary from older antique to more modern decorating decor. By far my favorite shop is the Old Spice Shop. During Christmas the place is decorated so beautiful and the town takes a step back in time. It’s definitely worth seeing.

Went with friend for a short gertaway. We shopped , ate, walked the riverwalk and ate lots of great food

There's a lot to see here. Plenty to eat. If it weren't for the cars, it would be darn near perfect. Brick streets. It feels like going back in time to early America. It's worth a stop. Be warned, we accidentally went while octoberfest was going on in the river park and it was insanely packed. Go when no events are going on and stroll down the street.

A really fun time for every age. Historical Main Street St Charles was beautiful, alit with pumpkins and other decoations. Various Halloween themed costumed characters were scattered throughout, all ready to entertain you with tales and stories. My family and I will certainly be returning next year.

Everything was overpriced to drAIN THE CROWD, BUT WAS ENTERTAINING. THIS WAS ONE OF THOSE THINGS YOU DO ONCE A YEAR, AND PAY A LOT FOR IT BUT AVERAGE FAMILIES CAN'T ENJOY IT BECAUSE OF THE COST..a FAMILY OF 5 WOULD PAY OVER $100.00 for visiting this festival, if they only got the cheaoest eats and drinks..much too expensive, but people still pay it..If they raise hamburgers to $10.00 each there will always be the idiots that will buy it..Mainly a RICH PERSONS EVENT.. We enjoyed it except for eating there, it just wasn't that good and overated..Small portions for a large some of money..I can see this event eventually fading out as they are pricing themselves out the door..We prob. won't go back unless we eat first aomewhere else..Not sure the exact date they had their last Festival.

Neat area with a lot of local restaurants and shops. We love to go down to main street to have dinner and drinks. Afterwards we take a walk down main street and grab a coffee at local coffee shop, stop in to listen to some live music or window shop. Fun area to visit.

I love the small town atmosphere and all the different shops. There are no big box stores no ally owned.

If you haven't visited Old St Charles, you must! Cobblestone streets, the Katy Trail Bike Path, old train cars, the Missouri River, charming shops, statues of Lewis and Clark (and their giant dog!) and Daniel Boone, etc... it's not far from the Embassy Suites Convention Center and Ameristar Casino. There are lots of restaurants to choose from, ample parking on the street itself and lots one street over across from the river. At Christmas they have it all lit up, with carolers strolling, dressed in period costume, a weekly Santa parade (Santas from around the world) and carriage rides. You must stop in at Little O's (a 50's diner) for an ice cream cone!

Great all year but is especially wonderful during their Christmas Traditions Festival. I truly believe it is the best Christmas Festival in St. Louis.

We enjoyed the holiday parade of characters and all of the beauty in the historic district. It was fun for the children in our group to find the characters around the town and gather the cards they handed out. The stores were all delightful and we would have stayed longer had it not rained. The free trolley makes it so easy to get around.

If you ever come to St. Louis go to St. Charles Main Street. You will find an abundance of unique shops, wineries, and restaurants. You can literally spend an entire day going up and down Main Street eating and shopping along the way. It is a great way to spend a day.

This is a nice place to visit. You can have a drink outside and watch the river. Grandma’s Cookies are excellent. There are bars for the night life too. And of course there is the shopping.

Oh my goodness! This was an amazing QUAINT place to visit for a couple of days. Blocks of cobblestone streets, tons of unique shops, restaurants, & places to stay. Lots and lots of FREE parking. So pretty and all dressed up for Christmas! If that’s not enough, it sits on the banks of a river. We enjoyed every minute.

Worth a trip to see the beautiful and historic architecture. A good selection of nice restaurants, shops, and cafes, too. I was impressed at the historical preservation and sensitive planning here. The Missouri River is just steps away, and the view is straight from the 1700's: no industry or condo developments in sight, just the beauty of the landscape.

We visited on a day for the Christmas Tradition, Christmas Eve. There was a lot to do, a lot of people were there. We collected cards from the actors.

You have a huge riverside Park that borders the District and informative signs everywhere reminding you of the historical setting and significance. Lots of shopping in restored properties if that’s your thing. How many soap shops can you visit? I enjoyed wandering the cobblestone streets watching women going in and out of shops while men followed at a respectful distance. Very nicely done.

The shops are fun and you can find just about anything, especially the specialty stores that sell all types of Hot sauce or BBQ sauce, it is a man's paradise. There are several local bars, restaurants, desert shops, and Picasso Coffee. It's a great place for families, girls day, and adult night-time drinks.

Taking a walk in the Historical District is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. We were fortunate enough to see the Fall/ Halloween decorations that were everywhere. Period dressed entertainers were telling stories or singing throughout the town & there was a guide book which explained who they were.
I am not a big shopper but I enjoyed popping into the stores that offered hand crafted items which included the "Missouri Artists on Main" building & I did buy a pair of beautiful earrings.
Make sure you take the free trolley which will drop you off in the District. It makes a half hour loop through the St. Charles area.

So happy that St. Charles has kept its historic feel. What a beautiful place. We could've spent so much more time here. Very nice people as well.

As an amateur historic preservationist, I was truly surprised by the outstanding historic district in St Charles, perhaps the best I’ve ever seen. The early 19th Century streetscape is powerfully evocative of another era of this spectacularly preserved river town. Well worth a few days of exploring. Bring your bicycle or your kayak

Main Street in Saint Charles is always amazing at Christmas! We live close so go several times between Thanksgiving and New Years. My teenagers still enjoy going out to eat or getting a dessert and walking a bit. Great place to get gifts especially for hard to buy people.

Such an enjoyable time exploring here! River side parks are beautiful and restoration of buildings and streets is amazing.

While coming back through the St area my wife discovered about the historical tour of Saint Charles Missouri.

We parked across from the Katy Trail after seeing information about Lewis and Clark. Seeing the park along with Old Train depots along the Missouri river first then we discovered to walk up the block to enter the welcome center. We went next door to the gift shop and purchased our five dollar tickets for adults and three dollar ticket for a child. You can round up your ticket price to help your change for preservation efforts of the Saint Charles Historical society.

The tour shows you the original capital building and grounds from 1820 prior to Jefferson City becoming the State Capital of Missouri. You will tour the governor's office, the jury room, the state representative chambers and Senate chambers. That floor was called the Great Assembly Hall Plus t the home of the Peck Brothers who lived there and operated the general store and were responsible for the construction of the buildings. Discover so many historical aspects about Missouri. Of them and some obstacles of Missouri becoming a state and then the tour guide will tell you about disease that took the lives very early of Missouri governors and he will demonstrate and explain the primitive artifacts they used in their every day lives and business during that era.

Then stroll along South Main Street and visit many neat antique shops and boutique shops with numerous eateries and cafes. Very fun time for the whole family!

The St. Charles historic neighborhood was one of my favorite stops in the St. Louis area! It consists of stone streets lined with historic buildings, each filled with a unique restaurant or shop. This a wonderful spot for a walk with friends! Just be warned- things in this area close early. Many shops are closed by 5pm.

We enjoyed walking through the lovely Historic District of Saint Charles. The shops offer one of a kind gifts where I found most of my presents for family and friends. During the holidays there is a parade featuring horse drawn carriages, several groups of singers, and characters such as Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the Sugar Plum Fairy. A number of Santas are also featured representing various countries across the world. Come catch the spirit of the holidays!

We visited for our anniversary & were delighted by the number of shops, restaurants, & fun things to see & do! We especially enjoyed the historical commentary that many business provided or were posted on the buildings or near statues. You can easily spend a couple of days wandering, shopping, eating & drinking here!

I grew up in St Charles, lived here for 50 years plus. Historic Main Street is one of the coolest places to visit. From the shops, some of which are iconic, to the bars and other entertainment venues, there is a lot happening in downtown St Charles. It has evolved over the past 30+ years into a hip spot. There are even some great restaurants downtown on Main St, like Llewelyn's pub, a Celtic-themed spot with an awesome patio that is full beyond capacity in the warmer months.

Step back in time to historic St Charles with a walk down Main Street and visit stores, restaurants. Walk or ride a bike on the Katy Trail that strolls along the Missouri River.

Olde Towne St. Charles is a lovely area to spend a day or a weekend. This is an old preserved part of a historic city which thrived through the years on the shores of the Missouri River. Old homes transformed into shops, restaurants, galleries, bed & breakfasts and a winery. Quite a presence everywhere from the Lewis & Clark Expedition as they embarked to discover “the West”. Though one may drive slowly along the cobblestone streets, highly suggest parking the car and walking Main Street. Check Calendar of Events as there are always parades and festivals - usually with a theme of a much simpler time. Many festivals highlight characters dressed in and portraying the time period of the L&C era. Plenty of places to eat and shop. Parking is free. Horse-drawn carriage rides. Or just walk down and have a picnic near the old train depot while watching the mighty river flow by. Christmas is also a very special time to visit as the decorations transform the area. This area is very close in proximity to reality when you are ready to “come back” to 2018. Within a few minutes drive to Ameristar & Hollywood casinos, an outdoor concert venue in Riverport and multiple restaurant & hotel chains. A 20-25 minute interstate drive due west from downtown St. Louis and about 10 minutes west of St. Louis Lambert Int’l airport. Very safe suburban area. Enjoy!!

Make a special trip to St Charles just for this quaint area full of shops and restaurants/bars you don't want to miss!

We came here to take a look around. What a great place to visit! We will be back, with friends. There are many shops and dining options here.

Been here many times and live in the area. Many shops and restaurants on historic Main Street. Some from the 1700s, many from the 1800s. Some buildings have historic markers. Lewis and Clark departed from St Charles in 1804. Come and enjoy this piece of history! Worth a trip if you are visiting St. Louis.

Last Sunday my grand-daughters really enjoyed going downtown St. Charles to "Main Street In Bloom". They loved watching the fife & drums parade up & down Main St.. They also loved watching the girls dance around the Maypole!! This festival catered to children by having a craft area and a scavenger hunt and passed out mini Maypoles for them to wave plus real flowers & tissue ones!!! Lots of flowers on buildings, lamp posts, the trolley had a wreath of flowers & there were photo opportunities. We had a great time and have some great photos!

I was asked to come back in December when we visited in July. The locals explained the Christmas Traditions as magical and truly it is!! Brought along my parents as they love Christmas, we all had a wonderful time.

Cute interesting to ok an. Old town Claire,. Nice shops, lots of history. The people are great too. Home of Mark Twaine. Lots of history

Love this venue. Great places to eat and lots of nostalgia. Big A’s, brewery and many more. You can’t go wrong no matter what you’re taste. Plus so many places to shop.

Worth the drive to St Charles from
The city, it was fun, beautiful and historically charming! The riverfront park is nice but dont bother to bring a kite they are not allowed

Beautiful place to shop, dine, or go for a pleasant walk. Be sure to see the Lewis and Clark statue along the river.

Many of the shops were not open at 4pm on a weekday. We would have loved to have shopped more but with so many stores closed, we turned around and went on our way. The shops that were open were lovely. And it's definitely worth a stop. But frankly it gets old when stores are closed at 4pm on a Thursday.

This is what brought us to St. Charles and we were not disappointed. St. Charles is the third oldest city in Missouri and the old downtown is on the Missouri River which is beautiful. The river was at flood stage so the park between the river and Riverside Drive were closed to the public for safety reasons. Otherwise, you can hike, picnic or hangout The Louis and Clark Museum which I wanted to see was closed due to the flooding. But downtown is far enough away and high enough that it was open and safe. There is quite a lot of free parking in the area and they also run a free trolley in a loop that runs the length of Main Street and includes the Casino and the Convention Center/Embassy Suites so while the area is somewhat compact parking isn't a problem unless there is a big event. We loved walking down the quaint brick street, going in some stores (several to choose from), trying foods at the many restaurants and shops.

10 blocks of wonderfully preserved 1800's period architecture, with many great shops and eateries. We loved the art galleries too.

Loved visiting St. Charles Historic District place---such cute shops. I purchased a bunch of things from many local shops there--a must go to place for sure.

This is simply one of the most beautiful "historic districts" in the country. There is a wide variety of shopping, eating, drinking, and touristy sites along the several blocks. There is a little bit for everyone. A block over from Main Street, the Missouri River presents a scenic backdrop to this district. It is evident that the Tourism bureau puts in a great effort to do this right. It also seems really safe at all hours.

Had a great visit to Main Street during the Halloween Legends on Main Street. Would really recommend Vintage Rose shop as this is a nice shop.

This is one of those places that you just can’t experience everything in one visit. So many eclectic little shops, most multilevel. Numerous eateries, from seasonings to ice creams to full sit down meals. Wine shops and bars abound.

Filled with Shops and Restaurants. Several festivals during the year. Great place to visit And Ameristar Casino a mile away. Go Enjoy Don't miss St Charles Old Town.

Absolutely loved this cute downtown area! Historic bldgs with signage on the bldgs telling you what they were years ago. Brick roads. Cute shops and restaurants on the main road. I would return. Right near the Mississippi River too. A real gem!

Everyone should experience old town St Charles with its cobble stone streets, small shops and old town trolly to take you to Lewis & Clark’s museum

The day we went the forecast was for rain. THis was a great day to go as some were discouraged by the weather forecast. The merchants were friendly and there is a lot of variety in shopping and restaurants.

We absolutely love strolling around the historic district. The houses are so cute and the little shops are plentiful and you can find almost anything you need. There is plenty of food, fun and shopping!

Great place to go to be able to walk from place to place. There is truly something for everyone here. Books, gifts, clothing, sweets, food etc.

I like to walk the streets, enter some of the home/shops and just try to contemplate the dreams, charators, hustle and bustle of by-gone years. AS as jumping off place for the western expansion, just think of the mixed emotions, leaving 'loved ones and home', and embarking on a forboding journey, never to return. Wow, our founders were tough! Do we appreciate what they gave us?

Main Street on a sunny day is a great place to wander in and out of the shops, as you meander down the cobblestone street. But this is worth a special trip at Christmastime! Civil War-era Santas and wandering carolers dressed in period costumes, with the entire street decked out in unified white lights and greenery. Horse and buggy rides up and down the street. It is sure to put you in a festive mood!

While the area is great any time of the year it is fantastic for Christmas with it's Christmas traditions experience. Yes! It will be crowded as heck and yes parking will be rough sometimes but if you have children - or love this time of year and all it entails - you will thoroughly enjoy yourself. I love seeing the characters and some of them really get into character. Kids enjoy getting the "trading cards" of the characters and interacting with them. The sugar plum fairy is just so bubbly I think she has had one too many sugar plums :)

It is the most wonderful time of the year in the historic district when it's Christmas traditions time.

Any traveler will enjoy an afternoon walking around Main Street Saint Charles. Shopping is great and there is a lot of history to be found. Lots of great restaurants to choose from at all price ranges. Particularly fun when the weather is nice and you can eat outside!

I love Old St. Charles. I love the atmosphere, the many restaurants and the shops that go on for blocks and blocks. It seems like every time I go there are more places to shop at. I especially love The Festival of the Little Hill every 3rd full 3 day week-end in August. If you haven’t gone, it’s a must, the festival of all festivals.

Commonly called Old Town St Charles this is a great shopping, dining, people watching place. Lots of antique shops, trinket shops, spice shops and very good restaurants. Great place to walk by the MO River with its parks, trails and parking. It is worth your time to go.

You can't leave unhappy after a visit to Historic Saint Charles! The shops on Main Street, the tree lined streets and historic buildings are must see! Make sure you check out the many festivals, favorites Festival of the Little Hills, Legends and Lanterns, and Christmas Traditions!

Great shops on this street and a beautiful view of the river. Plan for a day or so, depending on your interest in boutique/quilt/antique shops. Also lots of great restaurants. I live near by and go often for shopping and dining. Also many great festivals. Parking can be tough during those festivals.

We were here on a nice fall day. We had great food, walked on Main Street and the Katy Trail, learned some history - there's something for everyone. It's a place that will take many visits to see everything.

Historic buildings dating from the early 1800's and the Lewis & Clark Boat House were great hits with our out-of-town visitors.

Maybe it's the cobblestone main street or the numerous quaint shops that cater for all needs be it personal, fashion, food or even your pet but St. Charles is a lovely place to visit and enjoy.

It has the historic element of Lewis and Clark through to the more modern bistro style restaurants and other fine eateries.

It's enjoyable in the daytime with the family and as it gets later in the evening, it's great for both romantic couples to stroll under the authentic street lighting or for a group to enjoy some of the more reserved bars and restaurants.

Then there's the Annual 4th of July Fireworks (postponed until later in the year due to floods in 2019) with lots of fair stalls serving food, drink and all other things might want to get ie t-shirts, gifts etc

Definitely well worth a visit and be better once Park area has dried out and grass regrown after the afor mentioned flooding.

Check it out and enjoy! 👍👍

We really enjoyed walking through the historic district. It was well maintained. Charming with brick streets. Many shops to stop in. Old building were well labelled and we enjoyed seeing old photos and reading the history.

Although the locals have moved away and sold their properties to local businesses, Main Street is lovely and offers splendid shops and restaurants within view of the Missouri River. Go there to enjoy a beautiful stroll and include a peek at a spot on the river where Louis and Clark stayed for several days. This area is relaxing - and geared to please whether you are a local or a tourist.

I was pleasantly surprised at the quaintness of this charming little area! So many cute shops on this brick paved strip!

We loved the shops and winery's we visited. was only able to see half of it due to sheduling but we are already planning our next trip there.

The day I strolled the district, the temperature was 8 degrees. The outdoor temperature just made the indoor visits seem even more welcoming. I was impressed with the variety of architectural styles that lined Main Street, both outdoor and indoor. There is a nice variety of shops, restaurants, crafts, and historic sites.

This is our third trip to St Charles. This time we ate lunch and walked around the historical town. Centuries old houses, restaurants and shops. It’s very charming. See the giant L and C statue along the riverfront Park.

This is a GREAT Place to visit! Has that Old Town feel with the Buildings, street, sidewalks, and stores. Has a Nice Selection of both Restaurants, and Shops to spend a few hours.

Went to visit my cousin Dan Baddock who is the owner of Lewis and Clark restaurant in the Saint Charles historic district. We got there early and walked around to see the many beautiful shops. Later in the day Dan took us and introduced us to a few of the shop owners. Lovely day spent eating, drinking wine, and shopping. Also, a lovely River Walk in the park.

This historic area is a hidden gem. It consists of a river side Main Street main of restored buildings which today contain numerous shops and restaurants. It is rooted in the early history of Missouri, and the Corps of Discovery led by Lewis and Clark. Highly recommend.

We have walked through downtown Saint Charles along the riverfront a few times. Each time we enjoy seeing the shops and enjoy a restaurant or some pastries as we tour the area. Watch to see and very enjoyable. Definitely something you want to do. Also, there’s free public parking along the riverfront.

great antique shops lots to do and see they have events througout the year with different vendors also a great fireworks show

lots of shop's and good Restaurants too chose from. We definitely will be back when we have more time.

Attended the Mosaic Art Fair this weekend in Old Saint Charles, Mo. Beautiful evening and great quality items from around the country as well as local artists. Get to meet the artists/craftsmen and learn how they made items and what inspired them to get started. There's always something special going on in Saint Charles.

This was my first trip to the Historic District, I loved it. I would love to go back in the fall when the weather cools down.

Stopped in a few stores as we walked through the area. We were here years ago. Stores have changed I’m sure but I wouldn’t remember. It was 20 years or more.

Charming St. Charles Historic District is an absolute Christmas wonderland, decked out with garland and lights, and buzzing with festive holiday shoppers. Amazing window shopping, great restaurants and horse drawn carriage rides.

Fun to walk down historic Main Street full of unique shops and restaurants! Great for shopping for unique gifts and stocking stuffers. Brick street and sidewalks with plaques outside of some stores telling you the history behind it. Perfect for a ladies or couples weekend!

Beautiful old homes. Love the brick streets. Very friendly shop owners. Some places have good prices. Others, unique items. You’ll walk a lot so wear comfortable shoes I recommend Grandmas cookies, for sure. Also, check out the sweet spot candy store at the end of the street and the old fashioned soda fountain. You will climb a lot of stairs, be o uneven surfaces. The buildings are not handicap assessable

This downtown area was quaint because of the historic buildings and brick streets that have been well maintained.
Blocks and blocks of shopping, snacks, dining and photo opportunities. Throw a State Park right in the middle of it all and it couldn't be any better.....but wait, just a block away is another State Park!!!......A trail system with picnic areas right on the river. Yes, yes it did just get better.

Loved walking through this beautiful place. It wasn’t hard to imagine the steamboats on the river and the people who lived there in the 1800. Warm and friendly people all around.

We stayed in the center of the St. Charles Historic District at Boone's Colonial Inn (c.1820) and felt like we had a front row seat during our visit. These 16 blocks that are on the National Register of Historic Places is something right out of a Hollywood movie set, particularly at night. With the Missouri River flowing in the short distance, the red brick road and loaded with historic properties, St. Charles is an American treasure of the highest level. Our Inn was in the "Stone Row" section, and we marveled at all the shops and restaurants that were there in this easily walkable area.
Founded in 1769 by a French Canadian fur trader, calling it "The Little Hills", it soon became St Charles after the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark's expedition. The full history is very interesting, and St. Charles should be on every travelers to visit list.

Main Street St. Charles has a great combination of dinners, small shops and restraunts. The restraunts vary from 4 star steak meals to ice cream and shake shops. The shopping also provides a great variety that ranges from an American Indian store, candle store and BBQ sauce store.
I do not know the exact number of shops but put on your walking shoes because there are plenty of stores and restaurants. Pick a nice day and give your self a minimum of 4 hours to explore Main Street st. Charles.

Great walking area and lots of different shopping to do. Fantastic assortment of restaurants with outdoor seating. Will be back!!

I didn't stay overnight but there are so many things to do & see in the area. Restaurants shops museums art gallery to name a few

This quaint strip is a perfect place to roam around. There are cute and one of a kind shops to visit. There are plenty of places to eat and drink. The food is very good a several of the places along the strip.

First trip to this area and it was wonderful! The downtown district is beautiful. The stores are wonderful and the atmosphere was warm and friendly. I highly recommend visiting this area if you are ever in St Charles.

While most have heard of St. Charles for their remarkable Christmas festival, it hosts many festivals year round and is a great place to shop and eat anytime. Their riverfront park is beautiful and the historic main street is worth walking anytime of year. Parking can sometimes be a challenge, but I've never failed to find a spot in the 10+ years I've been coming to St. Charles.

We stopped on a Friday. It was much quieter than I had expected. We stopped specifically to see the First Capitol of Missouri. The downtown area is very well preserved. The historic buildings are well-maintained and a great look back to the frontier of the 1820’s. We also visited the Lewis & Clark museum which is small but nice. The area was still recovering from the flooding of the Missouri River.

What a treat to travel cobblestone streets, see the keelboat (replica) used by Lewis and Clark, and drink in the ambience of our nation's historic architecture. All that and the charm of seeing those lovely homes restored and the mercantile shops utilizing the smaller homes and business structures along main street for the most charming of retail shops and restaurants.