27 Best & Fun Things to Do in St. Charles (MO)

Looking for the best and fun things to do in St. Charles, MO?

Saint Charles, commonly shortened as St. Charles, is an exciting city and the county seat of St. Charles County, Missouri, in the United States.

Located on the Missouri River, the city is a northwestern suburb of St. Louis. Saint Charles is the third-oldest city in Missouri with a great historical perspective, friendly people, scenic sites, and other beautiful places it features.

With an incredible blend of 19th-century architecture, intriguing historic sites, and one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants, historic St. Charles, Missouri, is the destination where the essence of life and history in a simpler time envelops you.

Here are the top things to do in St. Charles, Missouri.

Things to Do in St. Charles

1. St. Charles Historic District

St. Charles Historic District
Credits: Avik / Shutterstock
St. Charles Historic District

The St. Charles Historic District consists of a beautiful area measured eight-and-a-half blocks long and one-and-a-half blocks wide, including buildings constructed between 1807 and the 1890s.

The St. Charles Historic District is a national historic district located at St. Charles, which is the site of the initial permanent European settlement on the Missouri River and the embarkation of Lewis and Clark’s journey of exploration along Missouri.

The St. Charles Historic District increased the district in 1987 as they added a Greek Revival specialty store; as the year passed, new buildings were added to the community.

Enjoy walking around the area, shopping, and eating with your friends and family at the St. Charles Historic District.

2. Fast Lane Classic Cars

Fast Lane Classic Cars
Credits: Fast Lane Classic Cars / Facebook
Fast Lane Classic Cars

The Fast Lane Classic Cars is a family-owned classic and collector specializing in cars. Founded in 1994, the Fast Lane Classic Cars is open to free tours around the area.

The Fast Lane Classic Cars consist of three large showrooms filled with 180 high-quality trucks, cars, and motorcycles. You will also find a state-of-the-art service facility, an auto detail facility, and restoration shop,

There’s always something for everyone in Fast Lane Classic Cars: automobile art, antiques from around the world, memorabilia, and a gift shop for all auto enthusiasts.

You can also plan your event at the beautiful event venue of Fast Lane Classic Cars, including corporate events, meetings, and others.

A stop at Fast Lane Classic Cars should be on your bucket list of things to do in St Charles.

Address: 427 Little Hills Industrial Blvd, Saint Charles, MO 63301-3712

3. Ameristar Casino St. Charles

Ameristar Casino St. Charles
Credits: Fer Gregory / Shutterstock

Ameristar Casino St. Charles opened its doors to the public in May 1997, then owned by Station Casino St. Charles. The casino is situated west of Lambert-St. Louis International Airport in historic St. Charles, Missouri.

Ameristar Casino St. Charles provides an outstanding gaming and entertainment experience in St. Louis metropolitan area. The casino consists of the 130,000-square-foot casino, an indoor-outdoor pool, 12 bars, seven dining venues, a spa, and others.

Ameristar Casino Saint Charles is one of the several casinos in St. Louis and the most visited destination in St. Charles; it attracts millions of people every year.

Visit the Ameristar Casino St. Charles for an exciting and memorable experience as you will enjoy games, drinks, and other exceptional services.

For an interesting experience, add a visit to Ameristar Casino St. Charles to your list of things to do in St Charles, MO.

Address: 1 Ameristar Blvd, Saint Charles, MO 63301-3500

4. Lewis and Clark Boat House & Nature Center

Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum
Credits: Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum / Facebook
Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum

The Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center is a museum dedicated to the journey of explorers Lewis and Clark.

The Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center bring the remarkable journey of 1803-1806 to life at the riverfront base of operations in the historic St. Charles, Missouri.

The museum also shares the expedition’s story throughout the Midwest through the unique travel king fleet of replica boats and their experienced corps of re-enactors, the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles.

The museum hosts virtual tours that offer field trips, classroom presentations, and other programs for all ages. The museum provides various resources for educators and Home School programs for history instruction and education.

You’re sure to enjoy a fun, interactive, and informative experience in the Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center.

Address: 1050 S Riverside Dr, Saint Charles, MO 63301-3481

5. Katy Trail State Park

Katy Trail State Park
Credits: Gvolk[CC BY-SA 3.0], Wikimedia Commons
Katy Trail State Park
Katy Trail State Park is the longest-developed rail-trail in the country. Katy Trail State Park draws people of all ages, kids, adults, and interests.

Suppose you’re a bicyclist, equestrian, nature lover, Walker, or history buff. In that case, you will love the Katy Trail State Park as it provides opportunities for recreation, a place to enjoy nature’s beauty, and an avenue to discover the past.

The trail is part of the American’s Discovery Trail, designed as a Millennium Legacy Trail and listed in the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame in 2008.

Trail users have the excellent opportunity to meander through some of the most picturesque areas of the state, with most of the trail closely following the Missouri River.

The trail also leads users through a slice of rural history as it follows through the little towns that once thrived along the railroad corridor and reflects the rich heritage of Missouri.

6. August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area

August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area
Credits: Anantha V [CC BY-SA 2.0], Wikimedia Commons
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area
The August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area consists of over 30 lakes, from large to small, which offers anglers varieties of fishing experiences. Depending on the lake they visit, they can chase crappie, black bass, white bass, catfish, and sunfish.

You will find trout available in several lakes from November through February. The August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area also offers fishing access for anglers with disabilities.

You will find an on-site vendor which enables guests to purchase permits, fishing supplies, bait, drinks, and snacks from April through October.

The August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area encourages its visitors to walk the hiking trails, take lovely wildlife pictures, drive the auto tour, or relax under a tree and enjoy the outdoor views. Hunting for varieties of wildlife species is also allowed in the area.

Address: 2360 Highway D, Saint Charles, MO 63304-2215

7. First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site

First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site
Credits: Michael Pittman [CC BY-SA 2.0], Wikimedia Commons
First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site
The First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site is situated within a stone’s throw of the Katy Trail State Park & the Missouri River, in the heart of the historic Saint Charles.

The First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site is known to be the first seat of the state’s government, and its rough-hewn timbers and dark wood floors tell the tales of the state’s first Legislature. The interpretative programs at the site help visitors understand the formation is the state’s government and their system of life in the early 1800s.

The site is a state-owned property in St. Charles, Missouri, which preserves the building that served as Missouri’s capitol from 1821 to 1826. The First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site is part of the St. Charles Historic District in the city’s Riverfront neighborhood, acquired in 1960 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.

Address: 200S Main St, Saint Charles, MO 63301-2855

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8. The Family Arena

The Family Arena
Credits: Johnmaxmena2 [CC BY-SA 3.0], Wikimedia Commons
The Family Arena
The Family Arena is a unique multi-purpose event venue and an arena in St. Charles, Missouri. The Family Arena hosts concerts, ice shows, circuses, and sporting events.

The Family Arena is also used for graduations, trade shows, conferences, and exhibitions. The retractable seating rings on the Family Arena event floor allow maximum conventions and trade shows flexibility.

The arena accommodates 9,643 persons for hockey, 9,755 persons for football, 10,467 persons for basketball, and other sports, concerts, and many other events hosted in the arena.

Recently, the arena has been home to the St. Louis Ambush of the Major Arena Soccer League. You can also host your event in Family Arena.

Address: 2002 Arena Pkwy, Saint Charles, MO 63303-6590

9. Missouri Artists on Main Gallery

Missouri Artists on Main Gallery
Credits: Missouri Artists on Main / Facebook
Missouri Artists on Main Gallery

The Missouri Artists on Main Gallery is a creative and talented artist in Charles, Missouri, who creates impressive and stunning artworks.

You will find many unique artworks of talented artists when you visit the Main Gallery. You will also discover good-quality ornaments and gifts you can take home to your loved ones.

There are lovely pictures of glasses in the gallery. You can feel the textures of the artworks, smell the flowers and taste the fruits in their still-life works.

The Missouri Artists on Main Gallery opens every Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, on Saturday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, and on Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm.

Address: 315-321 S. Main Street, Saint Charles, MO 63301-3434

10. Jaycee Park

Jaycee Park
Credits: Jaycee Park – Discovery Playground/ Facebook
Jaycee Park

Jaycee Park is a great place to visit for some recreation, and it is worth adding to your list of things to do in St Charles, MO.

Jaycee Park is popularly known for the Discovery Playground that opened in 2012. A paved trail offers access through the park from north to south; it also connects all the major components and provides multiple access points.

The north end of the Jaycee Park includes the City of St. Charles fire station and public art, wooded creeks and swales, an open space with open lawn areas. You will also discover a famous sledding hill on the west part of the park.

The water feature in Jaycee Park is open from 1st May through 30th September from 7 am – 9 am, depending on the weather. There are playground, picnic shelters, trails, two baseball/softball diamonds, restrooms, a swing area, and slides in Jaycee Park.

The park is a great and enjoyable place to visit with your kids to have some enjoyable and exciting fun.

Address: 2805 Elm St, Saint Charles, MO 63301-4617

12. Weldon Springs Clark Trail

The Weldon Springs features the Lewis and Clark Trail situated close to St. Charles, Missouri, which consists of a river known to be moderate.

Weldon Spring Clark Trail provides several activity options accessible all year round. Dogs kept on a leash can also use the trail.

Hikers and mountain bikers are sure to enjoy the Whedon Spring Clark Trail as it offers hikers a five-mike or eight-mike loop, which includes a few challenging hills and magnificent overlooks of the Missouri River.

Visit the Weldon Spring Clark Trail with your friends or family to enjoy the picturesque view of the Missouri River and the beautiful landscapes, marked trails, hiking, and others.

12. St. Charles Antique Mall

St. Charles Antique Mall is a famous antique mall in St. Charles County, and it has been in operation since 1994. In St. Charles Antique Mall, you will find beautiful large varieties of antiques, collectible merchandise, and vintage at an affordable price.

The over 200 vendors in St. Charles Antique Mall offer quality antiques, household items, furniture, sports collectibles, and lots more.

The staff in St. Charles Antique Mall are friendly and helpful, and they are committed to offering customer satisfaction and an outstanding shopping experience.

There are numerous and well-maintained display booths and many antique mall showcases that offer different things for sale. Some of the things you will find there are vintage jewelry, lamps, gifts, linens and quilts, and many others.

Address: 3004 S Saint Peters Pkwy Suite U, Saint Charles, MO 63303-6354

13. Frontier Park

Frontier Park
Credits: Kyle Rainey / Shutterstock
Frontier Park

Frontier Park is a unique and exciting park home to many special events held by local organizations throughout the year.

Some of the special events hosted in Frontier Park are the Riverfest- which is a Fourth of July Celebration, Festival of the Little Hills, St. Charles Oktoberfest, and others.

The St. Charles Oktoberfest is situated in historic downtown in the beautiful Frontier Park between the Missouri River and the Historic Downtown District. There is a Jaycee Stage in Frontier Park, an incredible platform that is an excellent venue for concerts, weddings, and other special celebrations.

You will also find a 15-foot Lewis and Clark status, Katy train Depot, two picnic shelters, paved hiking and biking trail, benches for relaxation, and restrooms, in Frontier Park.

Address: 500 South Riverside Drive, Saint Charles, MO 63301

14. Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center

Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center
Credits: Atomic Tourism / Facebook
Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center

The Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center provides access to the past and demonstrates the U.S Department of Energy’s dedication to the future.

The Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center exhibits address the history of the Weldon Spring area, the site’s contributions to the Cold War and World War II, continuing long-term stewardship and cleanup.

The Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center offers educational programs, research opportunities, tours, and meeting rooms for public use. The surrounding gardens, trails, prairie, and disposable cell viewing platforms are accessible to the public to explore in the Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center.

You can enjoy hiking along the Hamburg trail and view the native plant gardens alongside outdoor benches and picnic tables at the Weldon Spring Site.

Address: 7295 S Highway 94, Saint Charles, MO 63304-2203

15. Bangert Island Park Trail Wildlife

Bangert Island Park Trail Wildlife
Credits: Gvolk [CC BY-SA 3.0], Wikimedia Commons
Bangert Island Park Trail Wildlife
Bangert Island Park Trail Wildlife is located on the Missouri River south of the Blanchette Bridge. Visitors can access the 160-acre park from the Katy Trail entrance along Old South River Road in St. Charles, cross a slough that links Bangert Island to the mainland.

Bangert Park’s four-mile trail features a natural hiking and mountain biking surface. Visitors to the Bangert Island Park Trail Wildlife will find turkey, raccoons, white-tailed deer, opossums, and varieties of songbirds.

The land at Missouri River island features box elder, silver maple, cottonwood, sycamore, and black willow trees.

You will enjoy hiking, bird-watching, bicycling, and taking lovely pictures; you can also fish at the banks of the Missouri River, which flows below the Bangert Island Park.

A visit to Bangert Island Park Trail Wildlife is worth adding to your list of things to do in St Charles, MO.

Address: 1704 S River Rd, Saint Charles, MO 63303-4123

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16. Foundry Art Centre

Foundry Art Centre
Credits: Foundry Art Centre / Facebook
Foundry Art Centre

The Foundry Art Centre rests in a former train car factory center, a 1920’s structure previously owned by American Car and Foundry. Established in 2004, Foundry Art Centre is an interactive and interdisciplinary art center.

The Foundry Art Centre is home to artworks and raises appreciation and awareness of the arts throughout the region.

The Foundry Art Centre is dedicated to reinforcing the importance of the arts and helping ensure that culture and arts remain vital. The art center is committed to connecting people with skills through performances, studio artists, exhibitions, and education.

The public’s continuous participation, including the artists, patrons, and young people, brings massive success to the Foundry Art Center. The grace hall is available for community events, movie showings, parties, performances, fundraisers, and other events.

You will also find gorgeous galleries and the Whittaker Homes Gift Shop in the Foundry Art Center.

Foundry Art Centre is the right place to visit if you love art, and it is worth adding to your list of things to do in St Charles, MO.

Address: 520 N Main Ctr, Saint Charles, MO 63301-2182

17. Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area

Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area
Credits: John Sawhill / Facebook
Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area

Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area is situated in north St. Charles County. The conservation area is a 918-acre area that was once part of an expansive marsh varying from St. Charles to Alton.

The Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area is an old oxbow of the Missouri River formed before the arrival of European settlers. The Marais Temps Clair means the ‘fair-weather marsh’ in French, situated in a river floodplain; the conservation area has served as a feeding and resting place for waterfowl for centuries.

The conservation area features ten pools with electric pumps for maintaining water levels which provide habitat for water birds. The Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area is home to plants, mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish.

In Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area, you will discover Eurasian tree sparrow, black-crowned night herons, ospreys, king rails, bullfrogs, spring peepers, painted turtles, softshells, yellow-headed blackbirds, and many others.

Address: 5134 Island Road, Saint Charles, MO 63301

18. Boone’s Lick Park

Funding for rubberized tile surfacing on the playground in Boone’s Lick Park was offered by St. Charles, Missouri Department of Natural Resources Scrap Tire Surface Material Program.

Boone’s Lick Park is a hidden gem in St. Charles, Missouri, and is excellent for kids to have some fun. The local kids also visit Boone!s Lick Park to have a good time having fun with one another.

Visit Boone’s Lick Park with your kids, as they will love the park. They can also engage in baseball practice and other exciting games; you can as well take a walk on the paved trails while waiting for your kids to be through with their games.

Boone’s Lick Park is an excellent place to visit and relax as there are lots of green spaces and playground areas. You can grab some snacks while relaxing in the park.

Address: 1000 Rosebrae Drive, Saint Charles, MO 63301

19. Webster Park

Webster Park
Credits: Pressmaster / Shutterstock

Webster Park is a beautiful nice large park with lots of green space, forested areas, and hills. Webster Park is well maintained with lots of parking space.

Your kids will love the park as there are fields and a playground. Webster Park opened its doors to the public in 2013, and it offers both passive and engaging recreation plus area connection by the park’s internal loop trail system that also links the park to Heatherbrook Park.

Webster Park is a 22-acre park that consists of a shelter, playground area, Community Building, well-kept trails, and scenic views with a natural setting.

Restrooms are available in Webster Park throughout the year. The park is open for visitors from morning to dusk.

If you are looking for things to do in St Charles with kids, do not forget to add a visit to Webster Park to your checklist.

Address: 2201 S River Rd, Saint Charles, MO 63303-5715

20. Woodlands Park

The Woodlands Park features a natural resource area park, an undeveloped natural area situated within a residential development with signage and a public entrance off Harvest Ridge Drive.

Woodlands Park is wooded and also contains areas of steep topography. Woodlands Park is an 8.5-acres and natural space. The park is accessible from morning to dusk.

You can visit Woodlands Park to relax while reading a book or admiring nature’s beauty if you are a nature lover. Woodlands Park is a lovely area to explore.

Address: 125 Harbor Drive St. Charles, MO 63301

21. Schaefer Park

Schaefer Park
Credits: ArtFamily / Shutterstock

Completed in 2005, the Schaefer Park is an exciting park that offers fun and engaging activities in the garden and active recreation amenities in an open park setting. It makes our list of the best things to do in St Charles, MO.

A central parking lot in Schaefer Park provides direct access to the restrooms and playground area that contains a large play structure, climber, and swings.

The east and south edges of Schaefer Park are a natural area filled with natural wildflowers. In

the 8.6-acre Schaefer Park, you will also find a picnic shelter, playground for kids, paved trails for biking, hiking, and restrooms.

Address: 1647 Wilshire Valley Boulevard, Saint Charles, MO 63303

22. Kister Park Gazebo

Kister Park offers a quiet and incredible place to enjoy the atmosphere of historic St. Charles. Situated along Historic Main Street, Kister Park is a popular location due to its beautiful walks, rolling landscape, and accessibility from every direction.

There are seating opportunities provided in benches, lawn hillsides, and stone walls in Kister Park. The park offers a shady spot for Main Street Shoppe to relax and enjoy the area.

Kister Park is a 0.4-acre park that is not difficult to access from Main Street; Kister Park offers a public play area and water fountains, and the vast gazebo in the middle of the park is a well-known picture slot.

Address: 408 S Main St, Saint Charles, MO 63301-3437

23. Fox Hill Park

Fox Hill Park
Credits: fukume / Shutterstock

Fox Hill Park is broken into two main sections linked by a paved loop trail. Fox Hill Park features an open native landscape area alongside a loop trail around two interconnected lakes, and along the path, you will find the park’s Storybook Walk.

The Storybook Walk close to Fox Hill Park is a partnership between the St. Charles Parks and Recreation Department with the St. Charles City-County Library Foundation.

There is a 16 post-walk situated around the two lakes in the park, which is updated every month. The north area of Fox Hill Park consists of a half basketball court, two small shelters, a playground, restrooms, and a ball field.

There are two play structures on blue poured rubber in the park: a rock wall, a slide, a chain climber, and a bouncy thing, while the second play structure is on wood chips.

Address: 3400 Kisker Dr, St. Charles, MO 63301

24. St. Louis Distillery

Credits: Mariyana M / Shutterstock

If you are a liquor fan, one of the finest things to do in St. Charles, MO, is to check out the St. Louis Distillery.

The Distillery produces the very best vodka for your to enjoy. You can try out their Cardinal Sin Starka or Cardinal Sin Vodka, produced with the best ingredients. 

Their Cardinal Sin Starka is the first barrel-aged Starka distributed in the country. It is such an excellent amber spirit with a smooth taste that you sure will not want to miss out on it.

They have a great staff who are always available to guide and answer every question about the processes involved in producing these fine spirits. After that, you will sample some of their favorite Cardinal Sin Spirits.

Address: 755 Friedens Rd #3815, St Charles, MO 63303, United States

25. Mastermind Room Escape

Mastermind Room Escape
Credits: Jerome.Romme / Shutterstock

If you are looking forward to doing something even more adventurous, then make sure to visit the Mastermind Room Escape in Charles, MO, with friends and family to have a great time.

An escape room is also called an escape game, exit game, or puzzle room. It is where a group of players find clues, decipher puzzles, and fulfill tasks in a room or more to attain a particular goal in 60 minutes or more.

The Mastermind Escape rooms are an ideal place for you to host team-building events. They can house roughly 8 to 60 people in their escape room facility at a stretch.

They also have a conference room space for rent and catering services. Making reservations before visiting their website is ideal, as they work based on a schedule.

Address: 3900 Old Hwy 94 S #1, St Charles, MO 63304, United States

26. Play Street Museum – St. Louis

Play Street Museum - St. Louis
Credits: ercan senkaya / Shutterstock

Give your kids the best holiday experience in St. Charles, MO, at the Play Street Museum. It should make up your itinerary list of things to do in this city.

It is an interactive kiddies’ place and indoor play area designed to provide children with a sense of being independent, creative, and able to explore.

There are lots of wonderful opportunities for kids to be a part of during their visit due to the numerous hands-on experience exhibits and children’s activities in their educational play area.

Adults are not left out of the fun as they can be part of the adventure or choose to relax and watch their kids have all the fun.

Address: 1650 Beale St #138, St Charles, MO 63303, United States

27. Top-Notch Axe Throwing

Top-Notch Axe Throwing
Credits: Aldo_Parrotta / Shutterstock

Axe throwing is a fast-growing activity in the United States. If you are planning a visit to St. Charles, here is an opportunity to try out this sport.

Top Notch Axe throwing is located in the downtown area of St Charles. It has an energizing and vibrant atmosphere with plenty of food and drink.

It is a perfect place to host special events such as birthdays, workers’ team outings, date nights, family and friends gathering, and many more.

The staff here are knowledgeable about this sport. They are readily available to assist you, no matter your skill level so that you can hit the bull’s eye. Reservations should be made before visiting to ensure a great axe-throwing experience.

Address: 5055 State Rte N Ste.114, St Charles, MO 63304, United States

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Plan Your Next Trip to St Charles

St. Charles, Missouri, is a spectacular city in the United States with many amazing things to do and places to visit. The town welcomes visitors to come to explore and have a good time.

You will discover interesting and exciting things like historical structures, wildlife, birds, artworks, exciting events and concerts, outdoor games and activities, hiking, biking, strolling, playgrounds, nature’s beauty, antique stores, and many others.

St. Charles, Missouri, has 26 parks with well-maintained trails for both residents and visitors. Start now to plan your next holiday to the city for a memorable adventure.