1. Boone’S Lick Trail Inn
City: St. Charles, MO
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (636) 947-7000, (888) 940-0002
Address: 1000 South Main Street
Description: This 1840s Federal-style building houses a charming bed-and-breakfast in St. Charles’s historic district. Located just 8 miles from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, the inn is tucked in among the shops and restaurants along a brick street, the inn includes two gathering rooms and six guest rooms, all with private baths and air-conditioning controls. The house is furnished with regional antiques, and guests are treated to full breakfasts each morning. It’s conveniently located within minutes of Katy Trail State Park, as well as many of St. Charles’s popular dining, entertainment, and gambling options.
2. Lindenwood University
City: St. Charles, MO
Category: Education
Telephone: (636) 949-4949
Address: 209 South Kingshighway
Description: Lindenwood University is a four-year liberal-arts college situated on a historic 500-acre campus in St. Charles. Lindenwood offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs that include everything from art history and computer science to fashion design and pre-law. The school has an annual enrollment of nearly 15,000 students and features on-campus housing in traditional residence halls, apartment-style housing, married and single-parent, and nontraditional student housing options. The university, which is regularly named one of America’s best Christian colleges, is accredited by accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
3. The Family Arena
City: St. Charles, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (636) 896-4200
Address: 2002 Arena Parkway
Description: The Family Arena hosts a number of events each year, the majority of which are designed to appeal to family audiences. In addition to an assortment of ice shows and holiday events, the venue books some country-music artists, such as LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban, and Phil Vassar, as well as a number of touring rock bands, stand-up comics and special events.
4. Home Nightclub
City: St. Charles, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (636) 940-3707
Address: 1260 South Main Street
Description: Located inside the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa, Home is a lounge/dance club featuring decadent decor, state of the art audiovisual technology, a full bar, dance club, and unique special events that include appearances by celebrity guests. Everyone from Paris Hilton and Benji Madden to Jaime Pressly and DJ AM has mixed and mingled here, and it’s a popular party spot even without the imported personalities. Reserve one of the oversized booths with Xbox systems. There’s usually a line to get in on weekends.
5. Ameristar Casino St. Charles
City: St. Charles, MO
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (636) 949-7777, (800) 325-7777
Address: 1260 Main Street
Description: The $360 million Ameristar Casino in nearby St. Charles boasts the largest selection of slot machines and table games in the St. Louis market. Docked on the Missouri River, the St. Charles venue features a 130,000-square-foot casino with more than 3,000 slot machines, nearly 100 table games, a live poker room, and Home, a hip and trendy nightclub. The property offers a wide variety of entertainment, dining, and casino gaming amenities, including seven restaurants that provide innovative selections at affordable prices. The Bottleneck Blues Bar hosts such name performers as .38 Special, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Bo Bice and Buddy Guy, along with comics Sinbad and Kathleen Madigan. There are also weekly karaoke nights and late-night dancing. Ameristar offers free valet and covered parking.
6. Greater Saint Charles Convention And Visitors Bureau
City: St. Charles, MO
Category: Relocation
Telephone: (800) 366-2427
Address: 230 South Main Street
7. Bass Pro Shops Sportsman’S Warehouse
City: St. Charles, MO
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (636) 688-2500
Address: 1365 South Fifth Street
Description: The mother lode of sports gear for hunters and fishers, the Bass Pro Shop has more than 70,000 square feet of outdoor gear. From fishing (including saltwater and fly fishing) and hunting to all the latest boating and camping supplies, Bass is heaven to those who love the great outdoors. There’s an abundance of outerwear, footwear, and gifts, as well as all the accoutrements for life in the great outdoors, and there’s even a supply of hunting- and fishing-themed home decor items. The national chain features a number of in-store activities and promotions throughout the year, including the Outdoor Skills Workshops, and special events like the Camping and Boating Classic and Turkey Week. Open daily.
8. Demolition Ball
City: St. Charles, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (636) 940-7700
Address: 1875 Old Highway 94
Description: This family-style amusement center offers a unique activity that combines hockey, football, polo, and basketball into bumper cars. The object of the game, which is played in a supercharged bumper car on courts with two five-player teams, is to shoot a wiffle ball through a 16-inch circular goal using a track ball scoop. It’s a high-energy activity for both kids and adults, but it might not be suitable for younger children. The facility also includes video games, foosball, pool, and the Adrenaline Zone laser-tag arena. Open daily.
9. Foundry Art Centre
City: St. Charles, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (636) 255-0270
Address: 520 N. Main Street
Description: Located in nearby St. Charles, just north of the city and overlooking the Missouri River, the Foundry is dedicated to contemporary visual and performing arts. The four main galleries feature an on-going rotation of special touring exhibits, and juried competitions devoted to photography, pottery, painting, metalwork, glass art, fabric art, and more. There is also an art gallery and studio designed especially for children and families. The galleries are free, as is observing the artists-in-residence at work in their studios. Some exhibitions charge admission, usually $5 or $6 per person, and children under 12 are free. Open Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday.
10. Lewis And Clark Boat House And Nature Center
City: St. Charles, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (636) 947-3199
Address: 1050 Riverside Drive
Description: The Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center interprets the expedition through exhibits, literature, and educational programs that focus on the unique role St. Charles and its townspeople played in its success. Other exhibits include information about the members of the expedition, the tools they used, the journals they kept, and the many Indian cultures they encountered. Detailed dioramas show the explorers traveling the entire length of the Missouri River, crossing the Rocky Mountains, and proceeding to the Pacific Ocean. This certified site on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is located in historic St. Charles near the 1804 campsite of the Corps of Discovery.
11. Lewis & Clark Boat House And Nature Center
City: St. Charles, MO
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (636) 947-3199
Address: 1050 Riverside Drive
Description: The center, located in quaint downtown St. Charles, interprets the famed Lewis & Clark expedition through a collection of exhibits, literature, and educational programs. Museum exhibits focus on the role St. Charles played in the expedition, as well as the members of the expedition, the tools they used, the journals they kept, and the many Indian cultures they encountered. Detailed dioramas show the group’s journey along the entire length of the Missouri River, crossing of the Rocky Mountains, and the continued trek toward the Pacific Ocean. Each May the city hosts the Lewis and Clark Heritage Days, a reenactment of the encampment, complete with historically accurate costumed participants, black-powder rifle shoots, and frontier craft demonstrations. There are also three replicas of the boats used by the Corps of Discovery and additional exhibits about the expedition.