All Things to Do in United States

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…

Where: Ste. Geneviève County Community Center Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 800-373-7007 573-883-7097 The Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Geneviève hosts an annual history conference at which presentations are made on the history of Ste. Geneviève and the surrounding area. Presentations are on a variety of subjects from pre-European settlement to the French colonial period as well as the 19th and 20th centuries.  The event starts with a continental breakfast and then lunch. A reception for conference attendees will be held on Friday evening. 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…

Celebrate the sweet bounty of Missouri’s beekeeping heritage at the annual Honey Festival + Market, a delightful community gathering sponsored by Harold’s Famous Bee Company. This beloved event transforms historic downtown Ste. Genevieve’s Market Street into a vibrant celebration of all things honey, bringing together families, friends, and honey enthusiasts for a day of discovery, flavor, and fun. Traditionally held the last weekend in June, this year’s festival was moved to the first weekend in October, offering visitors the chance to enjoy this sweet celebration amid the beautiful fall season along the Mississippi River. A Festival for the Whole Family Running from 10am to 4pm on Saturday in June or October, Market Street comes alive with the sights, sounds, and tastes that make this festival a highlight of Ste. Genevieve’s event calendar. Live music fills the air, creating a festive atmosphere as you explore everything this unique celebration has to offer. Honey in All Its Forms At the heart of the festival is, of course, honey itself. Discover the remarkable variety of local honey, from delicate wildflower varieties to robust buckwheat and everything in between. Learn about the subtle flavor differences that come from different nectar sources and seasons. Sample Read more…

Jean-Baptiste Vallé House – Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park Standing as one of the most architecturally significant and historically important structures in Ste. Genevieve, the Jean-Baptiste Vallé House represents both the architectural sophistication of French Creole building traditions and the political power that once resided in this Mississippi River community. Now part of the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park and operated by the National Park Service, this imposing residence tells the story of colonial governance, architectural evolution, and the dedicated preservation efforts that saved it for future generations. Architectural Significance: Poteaux-sur-Solle at Its Finest The Jean-Baptiste Vallé House stands as a large and impressive example of “poteaux-sur-solle” (post on sill) construction—one of the distinctive French Creole building methods that make Ste. Genevieve architecturally unique in the United States. Unlike the rarer “poteaux-en-terre” (posts in earth) construction where vertical logs are set directly into the ground, the poteaux-sur-solle method places vertical log posts on a horizontal wooden sill beam that rests on a stone foundation. This elevation above ground level protects the wooden posts from moisture and rot, resulting in far greater durability—which explains why this particular house has survived for more than two centuries. The house’s size alone commands attention. Read more…