Charlack MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Charlack, Missouri.
1. The Gateway Arch
ICONIC ST. LOUIS MONUMENT
The Gateway Arch is a 630-foot-tall monument that symbolizes St. Louis as the gateway to the American West. Visitors can take a tram ride to the top for amazing panoramic views of the city and Mississippi River. The arch is part of the Gateway Arch National Park, which includes a museum detailing the history of westward expansion in America.
2. Titanic Museum
HISTORIC MARITIME MEMORIAL
The Titanic Museum in Branson offers visitors a chance to experience what it was like aboard the ill-fated ship with over 400 artifacts and interactive exhibits. Guests receive boarding passes of actual passengers and can touch an iceberg, feel 28-degree water, and walk the Grand Staircase. The museum honors the memory of the 2,208 passengers and crew with personal stories and authentic recreations of the ship's interior.
3. Grant's Farm
HISTORIC FAMILY ESTATE
Grant's Farm is a 281-acre historic farm that was once owned by Ulysses S. Grant and later became the home of the Busch family of Anheuser-Busch fame. Visitors can see over 900 animals including the famous Budweiser Clydesdales, bison, deer, and exotic species. The attraction offers tram tours, animal feeding experiences, and historic buildings including Grant's Cabin.
4. Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
MAJESTIC RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is renowned for having one of the largest mosaic collections in the world, with over 41.5 million pieces covering 83,000 square feet. Construction began in 1907 and was completed in 1988, combining Romanesque and Byzantine architectural styles. Visitors can marvel at the detailed artwork, magnificent domes, and the ornate interior that depicts biblical scenes and religious figures.
5. First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site
BIRTHPLACE OF MISSOURI GOVERNANCE
The First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site served as Missouri's first seat of government from 1821 to 1826 before moving to Jefferson City. The buildings have been restored to their 1850s appearance, offering visitors a glimpse into early 19th-century governmental operations. Guided tours provide insights into Missouri's early statehood and the legislative processes of that era.
6. Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center
COLD WAR HISTORY SITE
The Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center documents the history of a former uranium processing facility and its subsequent environmental cleanup. Visitors can climb to the top of the 75-foot disposal cell for panoramic views of the surrounding area and St. Louis in the distance. The center features exhibits about the site's role in World War II and Cold War weapons production, as well as the massive environmental remediation project.
7. 519 on S. Main
HISTORIC SHOPPING DESTINATION
519 on S. Main is a charming historic building on St. Charles' Main Street that houses unique shops and boutiques. The restored structure maintains its original architectural elements while offering a modern shopping experience. Visitors appreciate the blend of history and contemporary retail in this landmark building on the picturesque Main Street corridor.
8. Commemorative Air Force - Missouri Wing Museum
VINTAGE MILITARY AIRCRAFT COLLECTION
The Commemorative Air Force - Missouri Wing Museum houses a collection of restored World War II aircraft and military memorabilia. Visitors can get up close to historic planes including fighters and bombers that played crucial roles in American military history. The museum regularly hosts air shows and offers flight experiences in some of their vintage aircraft.
9. Darius Heald Home
PIONEER HISTORICAL RESIDENCE
The Darius Heald Home in Fort Zumwalt Park is a well-preserved example of early American frontier architecture dating back to the early 19th century. The historic home gives visitors insight into the daily lives of Missouri settlers during the territorial and early statehood periods. Tours of the home feature period furnishings and artifacts that tell the story of the region's development.
10. Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park
FRENCH COLONIAL SETTLEMENT
Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park preserves the oldest permanent European settlement in Missouri, established in the early 1700s. The park features unique vertical log homes built in the French Colonial poteaux-en-terre (posts-in-earth) style, which are rare in North America. Visitors can explore multiple historic buildings, gardens, and learn about the French influence on early American frontier life.
11. Hannibal Historic District
MARK TWAIN'S HOMETOWN
The Hannibal Historic District showcases the hometown of Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, with numerous preserved 19th-century buildings and attractions. Visitors can tour Mark Twain's Boyhood Home, explore the Mark Twain Cave that inspired scenes in his novels, and visit multiple museums dedicated to his life and work. The charming riverfront town maintains much of its historical character that influenced Twain's beloved stories about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.
12. Fort Zumwalt Park
HISTORIC MILITARY OUTPOST
Fort Zumwalt Park features the restored remains of an early 19th-century military fort that protected settlers during times of conflict. The 48-acre park includes historic structures, recreational facilities, and natural areas for visitors to enjoy. During the winter holidays, the park is transformed with a spectacular drive-through light display called Celebration of Lights.
13. Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum
EXPEDITION HISTORY CENTER
The Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum commemorates St. Charles' role as the last civilized stop on the Corps of Discovery's westward expedition in 1804. The museum houses full-sized replicas of the boats used during the historic journey, along with exhibits detailing the explorers' adventures. Situated on the Missouri River, the location provides visitors with a tangible connection to this pivotal moment in American expansion.
14. Daniel Boone Home
FRONTIER LEGEND'S RESIDENCE
The Daniel Boone Home is a four-story Georgian-style limestone structure where the famous frontiersman spent his final years with his son Nathan. The historic site includes the restored main house and over a dozen 19th-century buildings that form a village representing life on the Missouri frontier. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about Boone's legendary life and the challenges of frontier living in early America.
15. Historic Main Street
CHARMING RIVER TOWN CORRIDOR
Historic Main Street in St. Charles stretches for ten blocks alongside the Missouri River with beautifully preserved buildings dating back to the early 19th century. The cobblestone street is lined with over 100 shops, restaurants, and galleries housed in buildings that showcase Federal and Victorian architecture. Visitors can enjoy the historic ambiance while shopping for antiques, crafts, and specialty items in what has been a welcoming destination since 1769.