Before I review my "Hit the Bricks" tour, I want to "highly recommend" a visit to the FOUNDRY ART CENTRE!! Unfortunately, none of the artists were in their studios when we perused the facility!!! This building & it's offerings are an incredible asset to the main street of St. Charles!!! Then we ate a delicious, plentiful lunch on the 3rd floor outside balcony of the LEWIS & CLARK'S RESTAURANT---conveniently located across the street from the visitor's bureau. Our choice of tours was scheduled to start at 12:30pm on a Friday afternoon. For the incredibly reasonable price of $7.00, we chose tour #2---MO THAN MEETS THE EYE: SURPRISES OF THE FIRST STATE CAPITAL. Because of many unforeseen circumstances, I ended up being the "only participant" in the tour!!! I was blessed with, Diane---a charmingly upbeat, accommodating, knowledgeable, eloquent tour guide that obviously LOVES WHAT SHE IS DOING!!! She was "miked", so anyone could hear her speak above all the "surrounding intrusive noises"!! You carried a "slide projector" for the viewing of "historically past pictures", multiple sitting stops were included, questions were answered along the way, & St. Charles past history was revealed---in all it's glory!!! Facades & buildings that have gone through multiple phases that are still recognizable & used today. At the end of the 1 1/2 hour tour, you will be given several old postcards exhibiting events that you learned about during the tour. We even got to witness "local law inforcement" decked out in their uniforms----on HORSEBACK!!! We only stayed in the delightful St. Charles area for 1 1/2 days, but the "welcoming" visitor's bureau & this tour was the ICING ON THE CAKE!!! MANY THANKS to the visitor's bureau & Diane for an overall splendid...
Read moreWe have been coming to the St Charles Christmas Festival for seven years. It has become a family tradition with the grandchildren. See Santa, collect cards, take a carriage ride with Curley and Crissy from I believe it is called Queen’s carriages. Our grandchildren seek out Curley for their ride. Then it is on to shopping in our favorite stores. My favorite is the English Store. Also cookies and hot chocolate is a must. Then on to lunch. Thank you St Charles for being our day after...
Read moreWe stopped in to get some Info on pet friendly restaurants while we waited to get into our rental. The ladies were so helpful, going out of their way to make calls to find out places for us. Everyone was so friendly. The entire historic downtown was filled with the best, most friendly workers in every restaurant and shop. You hear of the South being friendly, I say St Charles has got them beat. We appreciated all the help from these...
Read more