A destination with a historic flair—it was founded before the Revolutionary War, is the third-oldest city west of the Mississippi River and was the point of departure of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery expedition—St. Charles, Mo., recently added some modern touches to its attractions and activities lineup.
The newest entry on the scene is the Streets of St. Charles area, which features up-and-coming farm-to-table restaurants and an AMC theater complex, among other offerings.
“A lot of our corporate groups like that area,” says Joanie Ohlms, corporate sales manager for the Greater Saint Charles CVB. “We find that it’s not just the history that brings groups here, but especially for the larger groups, it’s the big city amenities with a small-town feel.”
Ohlms says that the nearby Ameristar Casino is also a big draw for meetings and conventions, as it offers a variety of restaurant and live entertainment options.
St. Charles’ 12-block Main Street historic area has drawn shoppers to its cobblestone streets for more than 200 years, offering more than 125 shops and restaurants.
A big plus on the meetings side is the city’s location approximately 10 minutes from Lambert-Saint Louis International Airport.
The largest dedicated meetings option is the St. Charles Convention Center, a 154,000-square-foot Global Spectrum-managed facility that offers a 16,200-square-foot Grand Ballroom, a 6,025-square-foot Junior Ballroom and a total of 66,000 square feet of exhibit space. The attached 296-suite Embassy Suites St. Louis-St. Charles Hotel & Spa offers the most convenient rooming option, with approximately 500 guest rooms within walking distance.
Nearby wineries are a popular out-of-town excursion, with many offering group space for receptions and tastings. Located about 20 minutes away, the wine region also is home to the St. Charles County destinations of Augusta and Defiance, where the Historic Daniel Boone Home & Heritage Center, the final home of the iconic American frontiersman, pays homage to the frontier experience.
Connect
Greater Saint Charles CVB
636.946.7776; 800.366.2427
