Local Restaurants

A Table for Every Kind of Evening

After a day of exploring, Ste. Genevieve’s restaurant scene rewards you within a five-minute walk of the Inn. Settle into the Old Brick House for the kind of hearty, old-fashioned cooking (and famously good liver dumplings) that’s been served since 1940, or head to the Anvil Saloon & Restaurant — pouring drinks and frying up their legendary onion rings since 1855. For something a little more polished, Audubon’s brings American and Cajun-inspired plates to the historic district, while Sirro’s serves up fresh Italian fare just around the corner. Prefer something low-key? Stella and Me is the neighborhood’s go-to for a relaxed breakfast or lunch. Wherever you land, you’re never more than a short stroll from your room at the end of the night.

Historic Sites

Sleep Inside a Piece of American History

Ste. Genevieve isn’t a town with a few historic buildings scattered around — it’s one of the best-preserved French Colonial settlements in the country, founded around 1735-1750 as the first permanent European settlement west of the Mississippi. The Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park anchors the experience, and from the Inn you can walk to landmarks like the Bolduc House and the Felix Vallée House State Historic Site, wander the National Historic Landmark District’s brick-paved streets, and step into the Sainte Genevieve Museum Learning Center to see how three centuries of French, Spanish, and American influence shaped the town you’re standing in. History here isn’t behind glass — it’s the building next door.

State / National Parks

Trade the Porch Swing for the Trailhead

For guests who want a little wilderness with their history, the surrounding countryside delivers. Hawn State Park, about 25 minutes from the Inn, offers nearly 5,000 acres of sandstone canyons, pine forest, and some of the best hiking trails in the state. Closer to home, the Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park traces the Mississippi River with views that pair as well with a morning walk as they do a sunset one. Further out, Pickle Springs Natural Area, Hickory Canyons, and Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area are quiet favorites for birdwatching, photography, and simply getting outside — all within easy reach for a day trip before you’re back in time for wine and cheese hour.