It’s pretty accurate to say that most Main streets are decorated for Christmas. But when you combine a very historic Main Street with shining lights, Christmas-specific shops and other holiday activities, you’ll find an experience that resembles what you see when watching a Christmas-themed Hallmark movie — and it’s a lot of fun.
If this sounds like something you’re into, it’s time to visit St. Charles, Missouri. Its Main Street is 200 years old and was the state’s first and largest historic district. And in December, the street takes you back in time to a Victorian Christmas with carolers, carriages and wreath-covered storefronts.
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Artisanal Shopping
Main Street St. Charles first and foremost is a place to shop. You can find gifts for others and for yourself, including home decor, clothing and jewelry, food, etc. The General Store, for example, has all your basic needs and St. Charles paraphernalia. There are niche shops for items like candles, gourmet popcorn, handcrafted soaps and books. I really love the Polish Pottery store there, and my husband is always down to go into the spice shop. And keep in mind that while there are typically holiday-themed items in each store in December, there are also shops that are specifically for your Christmas needs.
Plentiful Food And Drinks
As you walk in the cold peaking into stores, you might wish you were sipping on some hot cocoa, apple cider or coffee. Well, they’re all available to buy in a variety of places on Main Street. (This is actually a tradition for my husband’s family every year.) Or, if you’d rather visit a winery or bar/tavern and hang out inside for a while, you can do that, too. When you get hungry, settle down for some pizza, BBQ, Mexican food or any type of cuisine you like. And if you have a sweet tooth, there are candy shops, ice cream parlors and bakeries. For instance, I enjoyed Kilman’s free fudge samples and their cappuccino chocolate chip ice cream. Yum!
Historic Accommodations
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Hallmark movie without a cute stay for the main character. And St. Charles has plenty, and they’re VERY Hallmark-y since they’re all historic. Imagine vintage fireplaces, chandeliers, furniture and decorations but with the modern necessities. They’ll definitely take you back in time and would probably be cute backdrops and content for your social media.
Christmas Festivities
But, of course, the thing that makes Main Street St. Charles truly special during this time is the festive Christmas magic in the evenings. Find a lit Christmas tree to take a photo in front of, listen to the carolers or go on a carriage ride with beautiful horses. The Victorian-style characters scattered along the street often reenacting scenes from stories like A Christmas Carol are also a very popular experience. Watchers can also collect “character cards” as they follow along. It’s a fun activity for families with kids! (Just be sure to research in advance which nights these characters come out to perform.)
If you haven’t been to St. Charles around Christmastime, live near Missouri and are interested in these historic and cheerful activities, I definitely recommend making this trip or putting it on your calendar for next year! I've been several times and, despite the crowds, truly enjoy it. You won’t regret experiencing the magic of a Christmas in St. Charles (a pretty good Hallmark movie title if I don’t say so myself).