All Things to Do

244 St Marys Rd Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 Call us at 573-880-7189 The Green Tree Tavern is the oldest verified vertical log building in Ste. Geneviève. Officially dated to 1790 by dendrochronology studies, this “poteau sur sole” (post on sill) vertical log construction was built by the French Canadian Nicolas Janis. This impressive structure has also been used as an inn, a tobacco store, and the first Masonic Lodge in Missouri. The Green Tree is transferring to the Ste. Geneviève National Historic Park. Open seasonally. Read more…

Hwy 144 off Highway 32 Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 573-883-3603 Just 25 minutes west of Ste. Geneviève, Hawn State Park is one of the best wilderness experiences that nature has to offer. The nearly 5,000-acre park features beautifully manicured areas for day use tent or RV camping. The River Aux Vases and Pickle Creeks provide added fun for staying cool in the summer. Dogwood and redbud trees along with numerous types of wildflowers give the park a stunning backdrop for your experience in the spring. Fall is especially colorful with the trees in their full autumn attire. Maps are available to guide visitors in hiking the many trails ranging from 2 to 10 miles in length. Read more…

Hickory Canyons Natural Area, Sprott Road Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 Lamotte sandstone formed box canyons here from the sandy beaches of a shallow ocean that existed 500 million years ago. Millions of years of erosion and uplift of the Ozark Plateau exposed the sandstone we see today. After a rain event, a wet-weather waterfall can be enjoyed from the end of the 1/4 mile hiking trail on the east side of the county road. Another 1-plus mile trail loops through a canyon on the west side of Sprott Road. In the winter, the bluffs drip with icicles that sparkle in the sun. This area is botanically rich, supporting glacial relics, species that were more common in Missouri 12,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. Since then, the climate has warmed, forcing some species to inhabit micro-climates that mimic the cool, moist conditions of glacial times. Glacial relics at Hickory Canyons include hay-scented fern, fir clubmoss, and winterberry. The area is rich in fern species with over a dozen species represented. Read more…

History Conference – Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve Held annually at the Ste. Genevieve County Community Center, the Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve’s History Conference brings together historians, researchers, heritage preservation professionals, and history enthusiasts for intensive examination of Ste. Genevieve’s complex, layered past. Presentations span from pre-European settlement through the French colonial period, 19th-century development, and 20th-century evolution, providing comprehensive chronological coverage that transforms understanding of how this remarkable town developed. The event begins with continental breakfast, continues through full-day presentations featuring expert speakers addressing specialized topics, includes lunch, and concludes with Friday evening reception allowing attendees to engage directly with scholars, preservationists, and fellow history enthusiasts. Whether you’re a serious historian researching specific topics, a heritage preservation professional seeking professional development, a community member deepening knowledge of your town’s history, or simply someone fascinated by how American frontier settlements evolved, the History Conference delivers intellectual engagement grounded in scholarly research and professional expertise. Comprehensive Historical Coverage: Timeline Spanning Millennia The History Conference refuses the temptation to emphasize only the most colorful historical periods. Presentations span from pre-European settlement—indigenous peoples who inhabited this region long before French colonial arrival—through the French colonial period when Ste. Genevieve emerged Read more…

Sainte Geneviève Holiday Christmas Festival Two Days of Music, History, and Celebration in Missouri’s Oldest Town Every first weekend of December, Sainte Geneviève transforms into what AAA Magazine has recognized as one of the top two Christmas celebrations in the entire Midwest. The annual Holiday Christmas Festival fills Missouri’s oldest town with a remarkable two-day program that spans more than 700 years of holiday music—from Renaissance sacred works to contemporary jazz—all performed in historic churches, galleries, and gathering spaces throughout the downtown district. With one of the state’s largest parades, elegant historical receptions, hands-on craft experiences, and French colonial holiday traditions, this free community celebration has grown over four decades into an event that draws visitors from across the region while remaining authentically rooted in Sainte Geneviève’s unique cultural heritage. A Festival Built on Generosity and Community Spirit Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Holiday Christmas Festival is what it costs to attend: nothing. Nearly every event across the entire weekend—from world-class musical performances to craft workshops, from the parade to Santa photos, from historical programming to art exhibitions—is completely free. This generosity reflects Sainte Geneviève’s community values and the festival’s purpose: sharing the town’s historic character and holiday Read more…