This Walkable Stretch of Shops and Restaurants in Small-Town Missouri is the Perfect Day Trip Destination

Most of us savor every sweet moment of our free time. Sometimes we want to just veg with a good book or binge our favorite TV show. Other times, we feel like getting out, but don't really want to do anything too high-energy. That makes it the perfect day for a leisurely stroll as we do a bit of shopping and indulge in a delicious meal. If this sounds appealing to you, we've got just the spot.

With a population that hovers around 70,000 residents, Saint Charles is far from a small town. In fact, it’s the eighth most populous city in Missouri! Despite its big city status, there are areas where you can get those small-town vibes, and the downtown area is one of them. 

Main Street in Downtown Saint Charles is a fabulous way to spend a day. Travelers have been visiting Saint Charles for well over 200 years, and you can still wander along those same brick-lined streets and explore the Nationally Registered Historic District much in the same way as people did a century ago. 

A stroll along Main Street in Historic Downtown Saint Charles, a charming area with brick streets and sidewalks, feels almost like journeying back through time.

If you drive to Main Street, you'll find a few places to park your car, including along the street and in several parking lots.

The darling downtown is also home to a trolley, making it easy for you to get around. However, the trolley only runs select hours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from late April through Christmas Eve. Visit the city's website to learn more about using the Saint Charles Trolley. With nearly a dozen stops, the trolley makes it easy to explore all that Saint Charles has to offer, from the historic downtown area to Ameristar Casino Resort Spa and Frenchtown.

Where to Eat in Saint Charles

Main Street's a fun destination no matter the time of the year, and you'll have plenty of shops to explore.

There are so many wonderful restaurants in Saint Charles, it’s hard to pick just one! Missouri is renowned for its exceptional BBQ, and Salt + Smoke is our top pick. If the weather is nice, take a seat on the patio that overlooks Saint Charles’ Main Street, roll up your sleeves, and dig in!

For a casual, all-American meal, head up the street to Lewis and Clark’s Restaurant. The menu is extensive and covers everything from burgers to bread pudding. 

No visit to Downtown Saint Charles is complete without a visit to Grandma’s Cookies. This old-timey bakery has been a local favorite since it opened in 1976. You can’t go wrong with the traditional chocolate chip cookie, but honestly, you can’t make a bad decision here. Coconut cookies, peanut butter cookies, and snickerdoodles are just the tip of the cookie iceberg here. They also have dairy-free and gluten-free options!

Whether you want to spend a weekend or just a day, you'll easily fill up your itinerary with things to do in Saint Charles. Learn more on the Discover Saint Charles website. Or, stop by its Facebook page.

Share this article with your fellow travel buddy and start making plans to visit Saint Charles today. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.