This Quaint Missouri City Near St. Louis Has A Historic Downtown With A Cute Main Street

Missouri isn't called the Show Me State for nothing, and if you come here for a quick look, you're likely to stay longer than planned because there's so much to see and do. While most visitors head to St. Louis — home to the Gateway Arch, the unexpected National park in the Midwest rated the safest in America, and the most-visited tourist attraction in the state — quieter gems sit within reach of this major metropolis. One such destination is St. Charles. Sitting along the banks of the Missouri River and just a 30-minute drive from downtown St. Louis, this quaint city is a hotspot for history lovers, filled with 1800s buildings, many listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

St. Charles was established in 1769 as "Les Petites Côtes," meaning "The Little Hills," a name given by fur trader Louis Blanchette. It later became San Carlos Borromeo under Spanish control. Its most defining chapter came in 1804, when Meriwether Lewis and William Clark prepared here for their expedition of more than 8,000 miles. Shortly after they departed, and following the Louisiana Purchase (when France sold the western half of the Mississippi River to the U.S.), the town became known as St. Charles.

This city is an easy day-trip, thanks to its location less than 10 miles from St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL). The Metro St. Louis train runs several times a day and gets you there in about 30 minutes for roughly $3, or you can drive via I-70 West and arrive in under 20 minutes. Once you get into town, the Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum makes the perfect first stop and sets the tone for everything you'll explore next.

If the Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum demonstrates anything, it's how one expedition shaped American history. Located along the Missouri River, this museum draws most visitors to St. Charles and opens year-round except on four major holidays (New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). With an admission fee of $7 for adults and $3 for students and children, you get access to both floors.

Start on the ground level at the Boat House, where three carefully handcrafted replica boats sit on display: a keelboat and two pirogues based on Captain William Clark's original drawings. A 30-minute video gives you a window into what the Corps of Discovery experienced during their journey from 1803 to 1806. Head upstairs to the museum and visitor shop, where you'll find artifacts from the expedition, displays about Native American relations, and exhibits on the Missouri River habitats the Corps encountered. The highlight is "Missouri River Walk," Missouri's largest indoor mural. The visitor shop stocks more than 150 books on the expedition and related history, a collection you won't find easily anywhere else.

About half a mile from the Boat House sits the First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, where Missouri's legislature met from 1821 to 1826. Daily guided tours take you through 11 restored rooms, and exhibits here help you understand what government and politics looked like in early Missouri. If you want to dig deeper into the city's architecture and preserved 19th-century landmarks, Hit the Bricks offers seasonal guided tours covering everything from the town's 1769 founding to the Revolution, Civil War, and even its darker history. Tours run $7 to $20, and you can reserve spots online. They offer full refunds if you cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled tour.

Strolling down St. Charles' brick-lined Main Street feels like stepping onto a movie set, with the Missouri river running parallel to the street. Shopping here feels endless, with boutiques, flower shops, souvenir stores, and art galleries lining the blocks. First Capitol Trading, operating since 1967, is packed with gifts, jewelry, and home decor. For vintage finds, Centuries Past Antiques offers unusual collectibles and memorabilia that are worth taking your time to browse.

Main Street's appeal also lies in its authentic local flavors, and visitors have more than 25 restaurants to choose from. If you're looking for a great lunch spot and want something quick and tasty, Salt + Smoke offers perfectly made St. Louis-style BBQ. For solid Midwestern comfort food, check out Lewis & Clark's American Restaurant, open every day except Tuesday. Some of the establishment's signature dishes include soup and salads, French fries, coleslaw, and seafood entrees. For overnight stays, the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson sits in the heart of the historic district and holds a 4.5-star rating with more than 1,500 mostly positive TripAdvisor reviews.

For those still feeling like there's more to explore (which is absolutely true), the 240-mile Katy Trail starts right here in St. Charles and stretches across Missouri. Rent a bike from the nearby Bike Stop Cafe and pedal your way past historical landmarks along the route. If you're still up for more adventure, less than two hours from St. Louis is Missouri's coolest waterpark with a natural golden sand beach you won't want to miss.