All Things to Do in Missouri

ART COLONY Post Marked! A wall in the local post office was the canvas for a special mural commissioned by the federal government. As post offices were being built around the country in the early 1900s, 10% of the budget was directed towards art. Around the same time, Ste. Geneviève established its own Art Colony similar to the one in Providence, Rhode Island. Members included: Jessie Beard Rickly, Thomas Hart Benton, Aimee Schweig, Miriam McKinnie, Martyl Schweig Langsdorf, Sister Cassiana Marie, Joseph Meert, Bernard E. Peters, E. Oscar Thalinger, and Matthew E. Ziegler Today, Ste. Geneviève has an Art Guild. There are also art galleries, art walks, opportunities to participate in Plein Air, “in the open air” painting, and a variety of art-related activities throughout the year. Read more…

ASL Pewter Foundry At 183 South 3rd Street in Sainte Geneviève, Tom and Patricia Hooper have spent nearly 40 years creating museum-quality pewter pieces using techniques that colonial craftspeople would recognize—casting molten tin alloy into antique molds, spinning flat pewter discs on an 1873 water-powered lathe (now electrified), and welding handles onto tankards with micro-torch precision. This isn’t a demonstration behind ropes; it’s an active studio where you can watch the Hoopers work, commission custom pieces, learn the chemistry and history of the tin-based alloy that graced America’s founding families’ tables, and leave with functional heirlooms made by hands that understand centuries-old craft traditions. The work has earned White House recognition (Pat and Tom met First Lady Laura Bush during George W. Bush’s administration), appeared in HBO’s John Adams miniseries starring Paul Giamatti, and attracted collectors recognizing that genuinely handcrafted American pewter—100% lead-free, made using antique tools and traditional methods—has become exceptionally rare in an era of mass production and overseas manufacturing. One collector testified: “Holding an ASL Pewter piece connects you directly to colonial craftspeople who used similar techniques 250 years ago—the weight, finish, and subtle imperfections prove human hands shaped the metal, not machines.” Pewter: Colonial Middle Ground Read more…

Audubon’s Biergarten Across the street from Audubon’s Restaurant, Audubon’s Biergarten delivers what downtown Ste. Genevieve needed—outdoor beer garden atmosphere with live music every Saturday during season. The space embodies classic biergarten philosophy: cold beer, comfortable seating, good company, and music creating the kind of low-key Saturday afternoon energy that makes locals linger and visitors understand why small-town living appeals. The beer garden’s grand opening drew enthusiastic response for “phenomenal singer/guitarist playing, nice lighting and good atmosphere” alongside attentive bartending from owners genuinely invested in guest experience. Whether you’re exploring downtown after visiting historic sites, taking a break from wine country tasting, or seeking casual Saturday evening entertainment, the Biergarten provides accessible outdoor venue where beer, conversation, and live music merge into unhurried gathering space. Classic Biergarten Philosophy: Beer and Music Under the Sky Biergartens originated in Bavaria centuries ago as gathering places where beer culture, community, and entertainment converged. That tradition survives in Audubon’s Biergarten through fundamentals: outdoor seating, quality beer service, live entertainment, and atmosphere encouraging lingering rather than rushing. Unlike bars designed for maximum efficiency, biergartens prioritize experience. You’re meant to settle in, nurse a beer, watch performers, chat with friends. The Saturday live music schedule transforms the Read more…

The Sunday After the French Heritage Festival Levee Wildlife Refuge Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 Call us at 573-880- The famed ornithologist John James Audubon lived for a short time in Ste. Geneviève. Audubon’s Walk is a naturalist lead hike atop the Ste. Geneviève Urban Levee. Come see what shows up: cliff swallows, horned larks, red-winged blackbird, eastern bluebird, and more! Read more…

Baetje Farms Just across from Chateau Ste. Genevieve winery on Jackson School Road in Bloomsdale, Baetje Farms has established itself as one of Ste. Genevieve County’s most remarkable agricultural success stories—a comprehensive agritourism destination where award-winning artisan cheese production, immersive farm experiences, and elegant event hosting come together to create something truly special. Important: Baetje Farms is a working farm. Tours and tastings require advance booking by phone. Do not show up without calling ahead to schedule your visit. Founded by Steve and Veronica Baetje and now operated by the Clement family (who also owns The Kozy and Dew Drop Inn), this is not just a farm that happens to make cheese—it’s a world-class artisan operation where white Saanen goats graze on-site, provide milk, and become central to an immersive experience understanding how exceptional cheese begins with happy, healthy animals producing the best possible milk. The award-winning cheeses—Bloomsdale (Super Gold World Cheese Awards winner inspired by Valencay), Miette (“small, sweet thing,” their most awarded honeymoon cheese), Coeur de la Crème, Vallée, and Amoureux—aren’t “good for a local product”; they’re legitimately world-class, standing alongside finest artisan products from anywhere in the world. One delighted visitor testified: “The tour was absolutely incredible—seeing Read more…