All Things to Do in Sainte Genevieve

How do you take an old home and update it to current styles? Find out during the Living in Ste. Genevieve House Tour on Saturday, March 18, 2023. From 10a-3p see how homeowners have updated historic homes with modern touches on the inside. This all starts at the Guibourd-Valle House at #1 N. 4th St.   Read more…

Louie’s Smokin’ Hot At 260 Merchant Street in downtown Ste. Genevieve, Louie’s Smokin’ Hot serves multiple enthusiast communities under one roof—heat seekers pursuing capsaicin thrills, flavor chasers hunting artisan complexity, and cigar aficionados seeking humidity-controlled excellence. This specialty grocer features hundreds of hot sauces spanning from mild pepper vinegars to extract-based extreme, BBQ sauces representing every regional style and flavor profile, gourmet mustards elevating sandwiches from pedestrian to memorable, and walls of infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars transforming home cooking from routine to restaurant-quality. The shop’s genius lies in recognizing that serious food enthusiasts want far more than just heat—they want complexity, quality ingredients, artisan production, and opportunity to discover small-batch producers they’d never encounter in conventional grocery stores. The tasting experience transforms browsing into genuine discovery: homemade baguettes wait on counter for dipping into truffle olive oil, fig-infused balsamic vinegar, maple balsamic, or Sicilian lemon olive oil, allowing you to experience flavors before committing to purchase. The humidity-controlled humidor stocked with fine cigars creates rare retail destination serving culinary passionates and tobacco aficionados simultaneously. Hundreds of Hot Sauces: From Vinegar Brightness to Extract Intensity The hot sauce selection delivers authority—hundreds of bottles representing different heat levels, flavor profiles, Read more…

Lovegoods Candy + Toys – Where Magic Meets Nostalgia at Downtown’s Gateway At the corner of Market and 4th Street—the literal entrance to Sainte Geneviève’s historic downtown—Lovegoods Candy + Toys occupies the building with the town’s most Instagram-worthy feature: a colorful mural spelling out “STE GENEVIEVE” that draws photographers and selfie-takers before they even step inside. Opened in August 2025, Lovegoods brings whimsy and wonder to Missouri’s oldest town, creating a candy and toy destination where magic meets classic American nostalgia in a shop that’s part sweet emporium, part toy wonderland, part downtown landmark. Lovegoods channels a spirit of open-mindedness, creativity, individuality, and finding magic in unexpected places through eclectic inventory mixing traditional favorites with unique discoveries, creating shopping experience where kids find classic toys and candies their grandparents remember while adults discover novelty treats they’ve never encountered. The mural-adorned building serves as downtown gateway marker—arriving visitors driving up 4th Street toward Market see “STE GENEVIEVE” spelled out large and bright, signaling they’ve reached the historic core while Lovegoods itself welcomes them with doors full of possibilities for treats, toys, gifts, and discoveries. The Sweet Side: Candy for Every Craving Lovegoods’ candy selection spans the full spectrum from nostalgic classics Read more…

Masquerade on Main In a town steeped in genuine history, Masquerade on Main offers something delightfully different—a chance to create your own alternate reality through the magic of creative photography. This isn’t a museum where you observe from a distance but rather an interactive experience where you become the star of your own imaginative photo shoot, surrounded by elaborately themed scenes that transport you to different worlds, eras, and fantasies. With nine meticulously crafted scenes ranging from old-timey nostalgia through steampunk invention to Day of the Dead mystique, visitors can pose in street clothes for $1, add creative props for $5, or fully transform through hundreds of costumes for men, women, and children for $20. The flexible appointment-based system accommodates your schedule, meaning you can often arrange visits at times working for your travel plans. Whether you’re exploring solo, celebrating with friends, capturing couple memories, or creating social media content, Masquerade on Main delivers what few tourist attractions offer—genuine permission to play pretend as an adult without judgment. Nine Distinctive Scenes: Worlds Within Ste. Genevieve Masquerade on Main features multiple meticulously crafted scenes, each designed to spark creativity and provide perfect backdrops for memorable photos. The old-timey scene evokes vintage Read more…

Master Gardeners’ Garden Walk – A Celebration of Historic Gardens and Growing Traditions Every year on the weekend following Mother’s Day, the streets of Ste. Genevieve’s historic district bloom with even more beauty than usual as the Ste. Genevieve Master Gardeners host their annual Garden Walk. This beloved event offers a rare opportunity to peek behind historic fences and garden gates, exploring both private and public gardens that range from authentically recreated 18th-century plots to contemporary landscapes that honor the town’s horticultural heritage. Step Into Living History What makes this Garden Walk particularly special is its setting among Ste. Genevieve’s exceptional collection of historic homes. Several of the featured gardens belong to houses dating back to the French colonial period, and these gardens have been carefully researched and planted to reflect authentic 18th-century design and plant selections. In the 1700s, gardens weren’t just decorative—they were essential to household survival and economy. French colonial gardens typically featured raised beds for vegetables, herbs for cooking and medicine, fruit trees, and perhaps a few flowers chosen for both beauty and utility. Many also included “potagers”—the French term for ornamental kitchen gardens where practical growing and aesthetic design harmoniously coexist. Walking through these historically Read more…