Posts Tagged ‘St. Charles Inn’

Bike the Katy Trail to Wineries

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
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Western section of the Katy Trail

The Katy Trail is a fantastic asset to our town of St. Charles and greater Missouri. It is nothing short of a biker’s paradise, offering miles of trails through beautiful countryside that connect many charming towns. The best part? You don’t need to worry about automobile traffic; you just need to keep an eye out for the walkers and joggers who share the trail with you.

The Katy Trail passes quite close to our St. Charles MO bed and breakfast. Bring your bike, or we can help you find a bike to rent once you are here. Then tuck in to a tasty, nourishing breakfast here at the inn before you head out to burn all those calories. There are several interesting destinations a good biking distance from the inn.

The town of Defiance is less than twenty miles down the trail from St. Charles. The Yellow Farmhouse Vineyard and Winery is perched on top of a hill and enjoys stunning views of the valley below. Stop here, take in the views, taste a little wine and select special bottle of Missouri wines for later. Bike on down the trail a few more miles and you’ll arrive in Matson, where you’ll find the Sugar Creek Winery. This is another good spot to taste locally grown wines and pick out a bottle for your bike basket.

On your return trip to our St. Charles inn, be sure to stop at the Winery of the Little Hills, just down the street. Then look forward to a warm, luxurious bath in your historic room at the the inn!

Host a Retreat at our St. Charles Inn

Monday, September 28th, 2009
Add historic flare to your next funtion

Add historic flare to your next function

Contact us to discuss your wedding, business retreat, or special event. The restaurant at our historic St. Charles bed and breakfast is the ideal location for wedding rehearsals, class reunions… you name it. You and your guests will be delighted by the professionalism and charm of our St. Charles inn. Our surroundings and food will delight you.

Historic State Capitol Near Our St. Charles Inn

Sunday, July 12th, 2009
Walk to the historic state capitol of missouri from our St. Charles b&b

Walk to the historic state capitol of missouri from our St. Charles b&b

Many of our guests are interested in American history in general and Missouri history in particular. They are drawn to our St. Charles bed and breakfast because of its location on historic Stone Row. Among other things, we are just down the street from the first State Capitol of Missouri. After a tasty breakfast in our renovated historic bed and breakfast, wander up and visit where Missouri’s first legislators met and shaped the history of this state. From June 1821 until October 1826, men met and heatedly debated state’s rights and the question of slavery; their ultimate goal was to reorganize Missouri’s territorial government into a progressive state system.

Architecture buffs will thoroughly enjoy this restored Federal-style brick building. The first floor of the building houses a historic general story and the Ruluff Peck family residence, furnished as they might have been a century ago. Indeed, St. Charles’ historic Main Street is a delight for anyone who enjoys history. Walk on cobblestone and imagine what life was like for the men and women who first walked these streets – hearty people who settled out here when many thought that civilization was limited to the coasts. Then dine in our St. Charles historic dining room on gourmet food with period service, and be thankful that you are here now.

State Parks Surround Our St. Charles Inn

Saturday, June 20th, 2009

The area south of St. Charles has many interesting state parks. Fill yourself with a tasty and nutritious breakfast of homemade pastries or cheese stuffed French toast as you decide which park to visit. We are happy to recommend some of our favorite spots, or you may hear a good tip from a fellow guest. In any case, below are two of the parks that make easy day trips from our Missouri bed and breakfast.

Castlewood State Park takes visitors back in time. The park encompasses almost five miles of wooded hills that straddle the Meramec River; thousands of St. Louis residents traveled hereby train between 1915 and 1940 to enjoy the outdoors, and also to dance and party at grand hotels and clubs that once existed here. The buildings are long gone, but the impressive staircase visitors once climbed to reach them from the train station remain and offer a glimpse of what it must have been like here nearly one hundred years ago. Nowadays, Castlewood is a great spot for fishing, hiking, mountain biking, or picnicking in a meadow by the river. Route 66 State Park showcases the history and mystique of a highway that has been called “The Main Street of America.” The historic Route 66 has come to represent American mobility, independence and spirit of adventure, and the park has captured the essence of the highway in its displays and array of recreation options.

Many of you remember Route 66, and those who don’t remember it have heard of it. The Route 66 State Park pays homage to a period of American history when the interstate was a new idea and possibilities seemed endless. The over 400-acre park is located along the original Route 66 corridor, and is a great combination of historical site and scenic park. A 1935 roadhouse, the Bridgehead Inn, now serves as the visitor center, and is full of Route 66 artifacts, memorabilia and facts. There is reference to the resort community of Times Beach, which flourished on the site of the state park until Route 66 disappeared. After perusing the visitor center, picnic in the shade and keep an eye out for birds, as this is an excellent area for bird watching.

We look forward to hearing about your adventures once you return to your comfortable suite at our St. Charles bed and breakfast.

Hermann is a Good Day Trip from our St. Charles Inn

Friday, June 12th, 2009

We hope you will stay at our St. Charles Missouri bed and breakfast long enough to thoroughly visit this beautiful and interesting state. We love St. Charles, and consider it the perfect place to use as a base while exploring the greater area. Located as we are in the heart of the St. Charles historic district, we are within easy walking distance to restaurants and shops – a real perk for our guests who have spent the day in their car.

Hermann is a short drive from our St. Charles b&b

Hermann is a short drive from our St. Charles b&b

Still, it is worth driving an hour to visit Hermann MO. This picturesque town was settled by Germans, and the German community remains prevalent today. This is evidenced by the wines, brats, sauerkraut and locally brewed beer that can be found in many of the restaurants here.

The area outside Hermann overlooking the Missouri River is recognized as the first Wine District in the United States. Consider having lunch at the Hermannhoff Winery on their grape-arbor covered patio. Or join the sixth generation of the Puchta family at their family business, the Adam Puchta Winery. In 1839, John Henry Puchta arrived here from Bavaria in 1839, and immediately began producing wine, as he had back home. The fact that the vineyards were planted before the family home was built indicates how serious the Puchta’s were about making wine. In 1988, Adam’s descendant Tim Puchta moved back, planted grapes, and restored the original buildings. If you like beer, visit Bias Winery & Gruhlke’s Microbrewery, the country’s second combined winery and brewery.

Long distance bikers will enjoy the ride from our bed and breakfast St. Charles to Hermann along the scenic Katy Trail. We will feed you a tasty breakfast; you can bike to Hermann for a tasty lunch, and return to St. Charles in time to wander through the historic district and select a restaurant. The best part of biking is that you create an appetite for good food. Or leave your bike behind, put on your walking shoes, and take in a new stretch of the trail once you get to Hermann.