St. Charles (Saint Charles) is known for The Family Arena, our city-owned 11,000-seat venue, which is used by minor league sports franchises as well as events. However, there is so much more to this great city. The city is located approximately 20 miles northwest of St. Louis, Missouri and runs about 24 square miles. Comprised of properties of great value, St. Charles is the home of many affluent families. Since the late 1970s, St. Charles has experienced significant commercial growth and expansion, which has contributed to the city's booming economy.
History
St. Charles is a city located in St. Charles County, Missouri. French Canadian fur trader Louis Blanchette founded the city in 1769 as Les Petites Cotes, which is French for "The Little Hills." The city was later renamed "Saint Charles." French-speaking colonists from Canada predominantly settled this area and was thought to be the last "civilized" stop by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804, which was known as a post-Louisiana Purchase exploration. The Boone's Lick Road, which started in St. Charles, was the main overland route for the settlement of central and west Missouri. St. Charles served as the state's first capital from 1821-1826. Before being founded in 1769, the St. Charles territory was inhabited by Native Americans as early as 11000 B.C.
Sports and Recreation
Home to several minor league sports teams, St. Charles has hosted the Missouri River Otters hockey team of the UHL, the River City Rage professional indoor football team, the Louis Ambush soccer team, and others on its field. St. Charles also hosts many special events, such as the stage 5 final for the 2007 Tour of Missouri where men's professional road bicycle racing riders attended. As of 2006, locals can go to the St. Charles and Recreation System, an off-leash dog park that has two sections on the northside of St. Charles. We have had various parks near restaurants for those who would like to take advantage of the city's nature but also experience our local cuisine.
Restaurants
If you're looking for a place with a beautiful historic shopping district, St. Charles perfectly fits this description with our series of restored buildings along Main Street. These buildings house various specialty stores and local restaurants that both visitors and regulars enjoy. Since 2015, St. Charles has created walking food tours through Dishing Up America where you can sign up to visit locally famous restaurants in St. Charles.
When you can't decide if you want to eat Italian or Spanish cuisine, you don't have to decide when in St. Charles. Bella Vino Wine Bar and Tapas has an exciting blend of Spanish and Italian food, introducing an excellent fusion for patrons. The ambiance is one of modern elegance and can be great for a romantic first date or a casual evening with visiting friends. Tucanos Brazilian Grill located on South Fifth is the city's signature Brazilian restaurant. For a night out on the town, drop by Bar Louie St. Charles for their amazing appetizers and martinis. If you have kids or are planning a kid's birthday party, Kokomo Joe's Family Fun Center has the best of both worlds for adults and children with its various games, including go-karts, escape rooms, laser tag and much more. Another family-friendly restaurant is Bellacino's, serving freshly baked pizzas and more.
Wineries
In addition to our surrounding areas, St. Charles is the home of some of the best wineries in the Midwest. Many of these wines are available at local restaurants as well. However, if you would like to visit a few of our finest wineries, it will be a worthwhile experience. Some wineries that we recommend are the following: Augusta Winery, Balducci Vineyards, Blumenhof Vineyards Winery, Chandler Hill Vineyards, Defiance Ridge Vineyards, and Montelle Winery. Before you leave St. Charles, be sure to take a tour through one of these vineyards for a beautiful day in the country.
If you also took the time to visit some of our campgrounds and RV parks, such as Glamping St. Louis, Klondike Park or Sundermeier RV Park, you will have noticed our impeccable gardens and fields of exceptional trimmed grass. It is no secret that St. Charles has the best restaurants and wine, but we also have great small businesses that will help you transform your home into a haven. If you would like to work on your garden or front yard, do not hesitate to contact Lawn Love for the best lawn care that the city has to offer.
