Tag: Family Fun

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…

Mecker Research Library – Where Robert and Odile Mecker’s Vision Created the Central Repository for French American Colonial History Most research libraries are institutional creations—university collections, government archives, museum repositories established through official channels with dedicated budgets and professional staffs. The Mecker Research Library emerged from something more personal: the passionate commitment of Robert and Odile Mecker, a retired St. Louis couple who bought and restored an 1820 house in Sainte Geneviève, became life members of the Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve, and recognized that scattered historical materials concerning the town’s French colonial heritage needed a central location where researchers could access books, papers, and documents—some rare—pertaining to the history of French and Spanish colonization in the Louisiana Territory. Robert Mecker, a CPA who spent 45 years with Price Waterhouse as an audit manager, served as president of the Foundation and helped bring national recognition to both the town and to Memorial Cemetery, Missouri’s oldest burial ground. As a result of his efforts, the Mecker Research Library was established in 2004 and housed in the Foundation’s historic 1813 Kiel-Schwent House at 198 South 2nd Street, where it has functioned ever since as the essential starting point for anyone researching Read more…

Midway Bar and Grill At 13551 Highway 32 between Farmington and downtown Ste. Genevieve, Midway Bar and Grill delivers roadside Americana with hunting lodge atmosphere since September 9, 2003. The rustic interior—complete with taxidermy, nature motif, and uniquely shaped bar containing local history artifacts—creates cozy retreat for families, motorcyclists, hikers, and locals seeking country cooking and cold beer. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily with menu highlights including elk burgers, buffalo burgers, half-pound Midway Burger, meatloaf lunch specials, and fried chicken dinners, Midway pairs hearty portions with reasonable prices. Saturday night live bands, outdoor patio with horseshoe pits, covered pavilion, sand volleyball courts, pool tables, jukebox, and full bar create entertainment destination beyond the dining room. As one hiking family testified: “After a long day of hiking in the nearby state park, we enjoyed a delicious meal at Midway! I had the 1/2lb Midway Burger and my wife had the fried chicken dinner. Delicious!” Classic Roadside Spot: Hunting Lodge Meets Family Restaurant Opened in 2003, Midway Bar and Grill occupies that distinctive niche between sports bar and family restaurant—a place equally welcoming to Goldwing Road Riders Association members (“Tuesday Old-Man Riding Group”), parents with kids, state park hikers needing post-trail Read more…

Moonlight Madness – Christmas in July Shopping Extravaganza Who says you have to wait until December to embrace the spirit of the holidays? On the second Wednesday in July, downtown Ste. Genevieve transforms into a midsummer Christmas celebration during Moonlight Madness—a delightful shopping event that combines holiday cheer with summer evening magic. Christmas in July: The Best of Both Seasons There’s something wonderfully whimsical about celebrating Christmas in the heart of summer. Picture this: warm July evening breezes, historic streets lit by shop windows, the relaxed pace of summer vacation—all infused with the festive spirit of the holiday season. It’s the perfect antidote to midsummer routine and a chance to get a head start on holiday shopping without the stress and crowds of December. Moonlight Madness captures the joy of Christmas shopping while leaving behind the cold, the pressure, and the last-minute panic. You can browse leisurely, chat with shop owners, enjoy the evening air, and make thoughtful purchasing decisions without fighting winter weather or holiday traffic. An Evening of Special Shopping From 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., participating shops throughout Ste. Genevieve’s Historic District extend their hours and roll out special discounts exclusively for Moonlight Madness shoppers. This isn’t Read more…

90 South 3rd Street Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 Call us at 573-883-2724 Hours Monday thru Wednesday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Serving Breakfast Monday to Friday Lunch and Dinner Daily Built around 1800, the Old Brick is one of the oldest brick buildings west of the Mississippi. It has served as a territorial courthouse as well as a school. Cuisine: At the Old Brick House, you can find sandwiches and fine dining, a fabulous hamburger, or a famous 40-ounce steak. Daily and Sunday a luncheon buffet is available. Alcohol: Wine, Beer, and Cocktails Read more…