About this city
Also known as: The First Capital Town
St. Charles is an exceptionally historic, culturally prestigious city serving as the proud county seat of St. Charles County, Missouri, situated beautifully along the grand northern banks of the Missouri River just northwest of St. Louis. Founded in 1769 by French-Canadian fur traders, it ranks proudly as the oldest continuous European settlement on the Missouri River and functioned as the state's very first capital from 1821 to 1826. St. Charles boasts a breathtaking historical fabric characterized by a grand 14-block Historic District packed with gas-lit brick paths and authentic Federal and French-colonial buildings. It perfectly pairs its aristocratic pioneer prestige with an energetic waterfront retail district and scenic river trails.
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Practical Tourism Metadata
Suggested stay: 1–2 days
Stroll along the historic, gas-lit brick pathways of Main Street to browse luxury design boutiques, antique shops, and local bakeries. Explore the grand legislative rooms where the state was born at the First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site. Bike or run along the scenic paved riverbanks of the Katy Trail State Park. Enjoy upscale entertainment and riverfront views inside the dynamic nearby complexes.
