Tag: Fun

Ste. Genevieve Levee Wildlife Refuge – Where Mississippi River Bottomlands Meet Audubon’s Legacy Between downtown Ste. Genevieve and the Mississippi River, the Ste. Genevieve Levee Wildlife Refuge transforms flood protection infrastructure into wildlife habitat—more than 200 acres of river bottomlands, floodplain forest, wetlands, and open fields where deer browse at dawn, great blue herons hunt the shallows, meadowlarks sing from fence posts, and bald eagles perch in towering cottonwoods overlooking the great river. Dedicated in 2021 after seven years of collaborative planning between the City of Ste. Genevieve, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, both Ste. Genevieve Levee Districts, Missouri Department of Conservation, and Army Corps of Engineers, this refuge honors the historical connection between America’s oldest town west of the Mississippi and the river that shaped its destiny—while offering modern visitors the chance to walk the levee-top pathway, hike primitive trails to the riverfront, birdwatch along the Mississippi Flyway, fish the river’s edge, and experience rare undisturbed stretches of Mississippi River ecosystem recently transferred to federal wildlife management. The Urban Design Levee: Born from Catastrophic Floods Understanding the refuge requires understanding the levee itself—massive earthen barrier completed in 2001 after the devastating 1993 and 1995 floods that inundated Ste. Genevieve Read more…

Muny Band Concerts – A Romantic Small-Town Tradition There’s something undeniably romantic about a municipal band concert on a warm summer evening—and we don’t just mean romantic in the dating sense, though that applies too. We mean romantic in the larger, more encompassing way: the kind of experience that makes you feel connected to something timeless, that slows down the frantic pace of modern life, and that reminds you why small-town America still holds such appeal for those lucky enough to experience it. Long-time Ste. Genevieve resident Bill Naeger captured this beautifully in the Missouri Humanities Small-Town Showcase podcast when he reflected on what the Muny Band concerts mean to the community. He spoke of the romance they add to the town—the simple, profound pleasure of being able to pull your car up to the schoolyard where the band performs and just sit and listen. It’s a treat, he explained, that you don’t find many other places anymore. And he’s absolutely right. A Tradition More Than 70 Years Strong The Ste. Genevieve Municipal Band has been performing for over 70 years, making it one of the few municipal bands still actively performing in America. What was once a common feature Read more…

Ste. Genevieve Trolley – Your Ride to Wine Country Adventure Since 2016, the Ste. Genevieve Trolley has been providing safe, friendly transportation that connects the charm of historic downtown with the scenic beauty of the county’s wineries. What began as a community transportation service has become an essential part of the Ste. Genevieve experience—especially for visitors wanting to enjoy local wines without worrying about driving. The Perfect Wine Country Solution Missouri wine country is one of the region’s hidden treasures, and Ste. Genevieve County is home to several excellent wineries producing everything from traditional varietals to distinctive local specialties. The challenge? These wineries are spread across the beautiful countryside, and responsibly enjoying wine tastings means having a designated driver. That’s where the trolley transforms your day from logistically complicated to blissfully simple. How It Works For just $20, you receive an all-day ride wristband that gives you unlimited access to the trolley service. This isn’t a rushed, schedule-locked tour—it’s flexible transportation that lets you create your own wine country adventure at your own pace. Board the trolley at one of the convenient downtown stops, settle into your seat, and enjoy the scenic ride through the countryside to the wineries. Once Read more…

Sweet Things Sweet Shop – “The World’s Okayest Candy Store” Where Nostalgic Treats Meet Hand-Dipped Chocolates in an 1860 Historic Building At 242 Market Street in downtown Sainte Geneviève, Sweet Things Sweet Shop occupies a two-room historic building dating to 1860, functioning as candy and toy store since the shop’s original founding in 1985—making it a 40-year Ste. Genevieve institution that’s survived multiple ownership changes, economic recessions, and the rise of online shopping through consistent quality, mother-daughter family operation (since late 2013), and self-deprecating “World’s Okayest Candy Store” branding that undersells genuinely exceptional hand-dipped chocolates, nostalgic penny candies, Jelly Belly selections by weight, novelty treats (bacon and cheese flavored crickets, anyone?), and carefully curated toys and children’s books. Sweet Things represents endangered species—the independent small-town candy shop where glass jars line shelves, chocolates are made on-site using traditional techniques, ice-cold Coca-Colas come in old glass bottles, and the owners (mother and daughter team who live in town) actually know customers by name, recommend favorites, provide directions to historic sites, and hand-deliver chocolate gifts within five miles of the store. Walking into Sweet Things triggers childhood memories for adults while creating new ones for kids discovering candy that tastes exactly as Read more…

6188 Highway Y French Village, MO Call us at 573-358-7177 Hours Friday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Located on the northern tip of the Ozark Highland Triangle, the building housing The Terrace at French Village was the 1890s home of the Harold Werner family. The Werners were early pioneering vintners in Missouri. They left a legacy of winemaking in the region that carries on to this day with a single row of their original vines still producing grapes. Explore our wide selection of wine: sweet red, moscato, riesling, chardonel, norton, french wines, and beer. If you want it, I’m sure we have it. Come in today and discover how The Terrace at French Village wine menu will keep you coming back! Read more…