Historic Main Street St. Charles: A Vibrant, Charming Shopping District

Back in 2023, I got to see a DeLorean up close and personal. A DeLorean is, for those who don’t know, a gull-winged sports car briefly sold in the early 1980s. Only about 9,000 DeLoreans were produced before the company went bankrupt, and the car quickly developed a reputation for problems. Nevertheless, the car continues to enjoy wide name recognition and a cult following, in large part because of it’s central role as a time-traveling machine in the Back to the Future franchise.

My close-up with the DeLorean came during the annual Oktoberfest Antique Car Show on Main Street in St. Charles. In a way, it’s fitting that a car associated with time travel would appear alongside other vintage vehicles on a cobblestone street known for its 19th-century charm.

Historic Main Street in St. Charles is one of the more colorful spots in St. Louis area, and not just because it hosts an annual car show. There’s a lot to do there, from shopping to dining to even walking.

Getting There

The St. Charles Historic District (Google Maps link), which includes Historic Main Street, is located right along the Missouri River in St. Charles City. The most common way to get there is to take Interstate 70 to the Fifth Street Exit, then head north before making a right on Boone’s Lick Road, which takes you right into the district. Alternatively, you can approach Main Street from the north by way of 370 at the Third Street Exit, then take a roundabout onto Second Street, which takes you right up to the district.

Parking

You can find parking all up and down the area around Main Street and the streets around it. My favorite parking spot is one block to the east of Main Street, on Riverside Drive. There are decent-sized lots up and down Riverside, from the north end by the Foundry Art Centre (Google Maps link) to an array of lots across from Frontier Park. You can also find an expansive parking lot on the south end of the area next to the Lewis and Clark Boat House and Museum (Google Maps link). In addition, there is a long line of parallel spots on Riverside itself.

There’s also parallel parking closer to the action on Main Street. Main Street can be busy with cars and foot traffic, though, so it’s not my first choice. Obviously it is for some people, since you’ll regularly find cars parked there.

Most parking in and around the district is free. If you’re having trouble finding spots to park — which can happen during festivals — St. Charles has an app for that.

Costs and Considerations

As a shopping district, most establishments are free to enter and also offer paid goods or services. It’s a tourist area, so proprietors are used to window shopping. Just remember to be polite and respectful of each store’s space and it is a good experience. Prices for things, of course, vary. Many of the stores on Main Street are local, so by buying you’re supporting local.

Main Street can get quite busy on weekends, during seasonal events like holidays, and during festivals. Oktoberfest, held annually in late September, draws large crowds to nearby Frontier Park and, during the day, growing crowds on Main Street. The same goes for the Fourth of July and Friday-Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas. By contrast, non-holiday weekdays are a great time to experience Main Street if you like lighter foot and car traffic.

Restrooms, incidentally, are scattered throughout the area, including at Kister Park and at the Vistor’s Center.

Things to Do

Establishments on Main Street vary widely. They include:

• Retail shops. Many retailers line the street. You can find shops selling clothing, accessories, antiques, books, and food, just for starters. Some are quite niche.

• Food and drink. You’ll find a variety of restaurants, bars, pubs, coffee shops, and dessert shops along the street.

• Accommodations. A few places offer lodging for out-of-towners — or locals — wanting to stay overnight on Main Street.
• Parks and historic sites. First Missouri State Capitol Historic Site, run by Missouri State Parks, sits on the northern side of Main Street, and the city-run Kister Park can be found a few blocks south. Historical markers also dot the brick-laden sidewalks.

• City services. You can drop by the Vistor’s Center to get more information and even board a free trolley that will take you around other parts of St. Charles.
• Service businesses. As of mid-2025, you can find realtors, lawyers, accountants, fitness centers, and coworking spaces along the street.

I should also mention that there is plenty to do near Main Street. Both Frontier Park — a large path-laden grassy space — and Katy Trail State Park — a ribbon running through the heart of Missouri — can be found just a block east of Main Street. Frenchtown, another shopping district, lies a few blocks north. And all manner of shopping, commerce, and residences can be found west and south of Main Street, including the bustling mixed-use Streets of St. Charles.

Our Thoughts

Historic Main Street is one of our favorite places just to walk. The brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets give off an historic vibe, mixing 19th century style and modern business to make for a charming spot. We like being able to browse shops, drop in for a bite, or just people watch. Frontier Park and Katy Trail State Park make for great walking spots, too. The history is another bonus: we’ve taken the tour at the First Capitol more than once, and it’s an educational look at how Missouri got its start, including tours of the state’s first legislative buildings.

In short, this is a great place to drop in, whatever your interests. It’s especially fun on days when it isn’t too busy, but even during more crowded times it can be a festive, entertaining place to go.