Romantic Missouri Getaways
If you like fine wines and covet a European flavor, visit the small city of Hermann along the banks of the Missouri River. Just east of the state capitol at Jefferson City, Hermann’s vintage buildings offer Old World Charm. Founded by German immigrants in the 1800’s, Hermann is also home to several wineries including Stone Hill and Hermanhof. Other small wineries in the surrounding hills produce delightful wines for any palate. Tours and tastings are available at all of the wineries. You can also pick up delicious bratwurst, other sausages, and cheeses. Many of the old homes now offer bed-and-breakfast lodging. There are also a few small inns and two traditional motels. Stroll along the river bank hand in hand to watch the sun set into the Missouri on your trip to Hermann.
Because the French settled the small town of Ste. Genevive on the Mississippi River, the city has a different flavor. As the oldest settlement in the state, Ste. Genevive has many charming bed and breakfast venues, lovely inns, and modern lodging.
St. Louis, Missouri’s largest city, offers something for every couple. Whether you want to climb to the top of the Gateway Arch, explore the shopping and dining venues inside Union Station, gamble on a riverboat casino, play at Six Flags Over St. Louis, or visit one of the nation’s finest zoos, St. Louis is a place to explore. Laclede’s Landing down near the riverfront offers old brick buildings and an ambiance that isn’t duplicated anywhere else. There is a French flavor here but you can also find outstanding Italian food and culture in some of the city’s ethnic neighborhoods.
From steak to barbecue, couples can dine and enjoy their time in St. Louis.
Across the state, Kansas City beckons with its’ heritage that owes a great deal to its’ early origins as a cowtown and a frontier jumping off spot. With many of the same urban ammenities as St. Louis, Kansas City is noted for their own brand of barbecue and for steak.
North of Kansas City, St. Joseph offers timeless history. The city was a booming frontier settlement long before Kansas City made the maps. Local history includes the short-lived but legendary Pony Express (see the original stables) and outlaw Jesse James who died here. Mueseums abound but there’s also gaming in the city’s single casino. Shopping and dining are also available. Perhaps the city’s most romantic restaurant is Barbosa’s Castillo, housed in a former mansion and Knights of Columbus headquarters. A local family began selling authentic Mexican food years ago and the result was a fine restaurant in a magnificent setting.
The Missouri Ozarks feature places like Branson where big name entertainments perform along 76 Country Music Boulevard side by side with local talent. Some of the locals have made music for more than forty years. Broadway and Vegas style shows are fast becoming popular in this vacation mecca. Multiple theme parks can be found – pioneer themed Silver Dollar City, carnival and retro park Celebration City, and water park White Water are all part of the local scenery. At the Shepherd of the Hills homestead visitors relive Harold Bell Wright’s classic novel and a play based on the book is held nightly. Beautiful mountain scenery, many fine restaurants, and places off the beaten path all add to the romance. Choose from five star lodging to budget motels or a cabin overlooking one of the three area lakes.
Fans of the Precious Moments figurines may enjoy a visit to Victorian Carthage, Missouri in the southwest corner of the state. Tour Precious Moments and see the beautiful chapel. Because the city is filled with many lovely old mansions, there are multiple bed and breakfast options. The county courthouse is a masterpiece and the downtown square features a variety of shops including antique shops offering a taste of yesteryear.
