Edition: Favorite 30 Restaurants
Day Trip Destinations
Author: Anne T. Makeever
Several great adventures await just outside of the city.
Though there's no shortage of things to do in St. Louis, you needn't travel far to discover new territory. A day trip to Missouri Wine Country, or the French village of Ste. Genevieve, or historic St. Charles (where Lewis & Clark set off on their remarkable journey) is a perfectly good reason to stretch your visit here to include another day or two.
Missouri Wine Country
Missouri Wine Country wineries have been winning awards in state and national competitions for ten years or more, which makes the tasting rooms of many of these worth a stop. And just the getting there is pretty nice, given teh verdant scenery along winding Hwy. 94. You'll want to take in Blumenhof Vineyards and Winery (Dutzow, 636-433-2245 and Mount Pleasant Winery (Augusta, 636-482-4419). Other wineries on Hwy. 94 include Sugar Creek Winery, Montelle Winery, Louis P. Balducci Vineyards and Augusta Winery. If you have time to travel beyond Missouri Wine Country, head to Hermann, Missouri, and Stone Hill Winery (800-909-WINE) to sample its award-winning Norton (similar in style to a Cabernet Sauvignon).
Wine is also a good reason to visit Ste. Genevieve, a historic French Colonial village an hour south of St. Louis. Recently opened, Crown Valley Winery (23589 State Rt. WW, 573-756-WINE) uses French and American oak barrels for aging and the handsome winery features carved oak doors and stained glass. The shopping district in Ste. Genevieve proper offers a satisfying variety of antiques, gifts, and collectibles. Don't miss Odile's Linen and Lace (34 S. 3rd St., 573-883-2675) for its collection of pillow covers and handkerchiefs.
Scenic Illinois
The official name may be the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, but locals still call it the Great River Road. Either way, it's one long stretch of beautiful road with the Mississippi River on one side and rocky bluffs on the other. (In winter, Bald Eagles nest in the bluffs and ply the river for fish .) Start your trek in Alton, Illinois, where you'll find good antiquing and good eats. Check out Fast Eddie's Bon Air (1530 E. Fourth St., 618-462-5532) for cold shrimp and hot burgers. The River Road will also lead you to Elsah, a charming village of historic limestone home - well worth a short detour just to drive slowly and gawk. Raging Rivers Waterpark (100 Palisades Pkwy., Grafton, IL, 618-786-2345) is here, and Grafton is a good stop, too, for antiques, gift shops, and sightseeing. Drive your car onto the Brussels Ferry, at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers just west of Grafton, for a free shortcut home.
European Charm
South of St. Louis, on I-55, is charming Kimmswick, a village that is best explored on foot. You'll find gifts to take home, antiques for your home, and ornaments for this year's holiday season. Make sure you stop in at Kimmswick Korner (6101 Front St., 636-464-2028), where you'll find the Lunch at the Ritz line of baubles and bangles. It's A Small World Christmas Haus (311 Elm St., 636-464-0779) is the place to get those holiday ornaments plus all sorts of decorating ideas for decking the halls. When your feet begin to fail, head them toward The Blue Owl Restaurant & Bakery (2nd and Mill Streets, 636-464-3128). Meals here are homey and satisfying, but be careful - don't fill up. Desserts are so good some customers order the sweet stuff first, just to make sure they get what they want before it's all gone.
Historic St. Charles
St. Charles is another appealing day-trip option. The Lewis & Clark expedition set off from St. Charles in 1804 and the town is preparing to celebrate that bicentennial next year. Check out the new Lewis & Clark Boathouse and Nature Center (1050 Riverside Dr., 636-947-3199). This is where the handcrafted replicas of Lewis & Clark's boats are housed. Frontier Park is home to a fourteen-foot high monument of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and Lewis's pet Newfoundland, Seaman. While in St. Charles, park your car near Main Street and take in the shops and historic scenery. Lunch at Trailhead Brewing Company (921 S. Riverside Dr., 636-946-2739) makes good sense. Try one of the house brews along with some tasty barbecue.
