All Family Fun

Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center At 66 South Main Street in downtown Ste. Genevieve, the Welcome Center serves as essential first stop for visitors exploring America’s oldest settlement west of the Mississippi River. Currently operated by the City of Ste. Genevieve and transitioning to National Park Service ownership, the Welcome Center functions as visitor center for Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park (established March 2018) while providing comprehensive tourism information for the entire community. The must-see attraction: Lewis Pruneau’s magnificent 12-foot by 12-foot diorama depicting Ste. Genevieve as it appeared in 1832, researched by resident historian and former Felix Vallé State Historic Site superintendent Jim Baker and hand-crafted by internationally acclaimed diorama builder Pruneau—Sheperd Paine, arguably the best-known figure in the genre, once called Pruneau “the Cecil B. DeMille of diorama builders.” The gift shop carries excellent selection of Ste. Genevieve merchandise, books, maps, and National Park Service materials. As one visitor praised: “This is a fantastic National Park Service visitor center, wow the Rangers are excellent, very friendly helpful and nice. Lots to do and see. Junior ranger program also. Very lovely community.” Dual Mission: City Tourism and National Historical Park The Welcome Center occupies unique position: City of Ste. Genevieve Read more…

The Orris – The Pappy and Harriet’s of the Midwest At 265 Merchant Street in the heart of Historic Downtown Ste. Genevieve, beneath a beautifully restored vintage marquee that has beckoned audiences since 1932, stands The Orris—a venue that’s quietly becoming legendary as one of the best music venues anywhere, pound for pound. This isn’t hyperbole from biased locals. This is recognition earned through decades of great shows, passionate ownership, and an atmosphere that transforms ordinary nights into memorable experiences. If you know Pappy and Harriet’s—the iconic Pioneertown venue in California’s high desert where A-list artists play intimate shows in a roadhouse setting—then you understand what The Orris aspires to be for the Midwest: a destination venue in an unexpected location, where the quality of the music and the character of the space create magic that big-city concert halls can’t replicate. From Silver Screen to Center Stage: A Salvation Story The Orris Theatre opened in 1932 as a movie palace, a 500-seat entertainment destination that brought Hollywood to small-town Missouri. For decades, it served as Ste. Genevieve’s primary cinema, showing the latest films and providing a gathering place where the community came together in the dark to share stories told Read more…

Sainte Genevieve Museum Learning Center – A Collection Born of Passion The Sainte Genevieve Museum Learning Center offers visitors an extraordinary journey through natural history, ancient cultures, and local heritage—but what makes this museum truly special is a story that often goes untold. Behind the impressive displays, detailed dioramas, and remarkable collections lies the lifetime dedication of individuals whose passion for discovery and craftsmanship created something far greater than any institutional budget could have purchased. One Man’s Lifelong Quest: The Guy Darrough Collection At the heart of this museum beats the collecting passion of Guy Darrough, whose journey began as a boy combing the banks of the Mississippi River for fossils, artifacts, and treasures. What he found along those muddy shores became the foundation for something remarkable—not just a collection, but a lifetime of learning, trading, and building relationships with collectors and institutions around the world. Guy didn’t just collect; he created. The impressive dinosaur models that dominate the museum’s Hall of Giants? Guy constructed those himself, bringing prehistoric creatures to life with his own hands and expertise. His brother Fred contributed his own craftsmanship, building the museum cases and display fixtures that house the collections—a true family endeavor where Read more…

U.S. 250 in Sainte Geneviève – Commemorating America’s Forgotten Western Front Practical Information Dates: May 30-31, 2026 (Saturday-Sunday) Location: Moses Austin Park (72 S. Gabouri St. Ste. Genevieve, MO) Admission: Free and open to the public Parking: Available throughout downtown Event Schedule (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.): Military encampments open for viewing Scheduled drill demonstrations and tactical presentations George Washington, Bernardo de Gálvez, and Marquis de Lafayette appearances Musket firing opportunities Children’s activities and games Colonial Market Fair Historic food sampling Fashion Show Period Ball The Ball (6 p.m. – 9 p.m.): Event is free and open to the public Taking place at Moses Austin Park on the open lawn (weather dependent) Band with dance caller will be on-hand (no experience necessary) Colonial attire encouraged but not required If you’d like to rent clothing for the dance, Sara Gonzalez of Ensembles of the Past is providing clothing (follow link to browse inventory and inquire about rentals) What to Bring for the Day: Comfortable walking shoes (you’ll cover significant distance exploring encampments) Sun protection (hats, sunscreen) for daytime outdoor activities Cash for vendor purchases and food Cameras for photos with historical figures and reenactors Water bottles (refilling station in nearby Welcome Read more…