Missouri

This Quaint Missouri City Near St. Louis Has A Historic Downtown With A Cute Main Street – Explore

Published

3 months ago

December 16, 2025

This Quaint Missouri City Near St. Louis Has A Historic Downtown With A Cute Main Street – Explore

Kirk Fisher/Shutterstock

Missouri isn’t called the Show Me State for nothing, and if you come here for a quick look, you’re likely to stay longer than planned because there’s so much to see and do. While most visitors head to St. Louis — home to the Gateway Arch, the unexpected National park in the Midwest rated the safest in America, and the most-visited tourist attraction in the state — quieter gems sit within reach of this major metropolis. One such destination is St. Charles. Sitting along the banks of the Missouri River and just a 30-minute drive from downtown St. Louis, this quaint city is a hotspot for history lovers, filled with 1800s buildings, many listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

St. Charles was established in 1769 as “Les Petites Côtes,” meaning “The Little Hills,” a name given by fur trader Louis Blanchette. It later became San Carlos Borromeo under Spanish control. Its most defining chapter came in 1804, when Meriwether Lewis and William Clark prepared here for their expedition of more than 8,000 miles. Shortly after they departed, and following the Louisiana Purchase (when France sold the western half of the Mississippi River to the U.S.), the town became known as St. Charles.

This city is an easy day-trip, thanks to its location less than 10 miles from St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL). The Metro St. Louis train runs several times a day and gets you there in about 30 minutes for roughly $3, or you can drive via I-70 West and arrive in under 20 minutes. Once you get into town, the Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum makes the perfect first stop and sets the tone for everything you’ll explore next.

Exploring the historic downtown in St. Charles, MO

Mississippi River, St. Charles County, Missouri

Patrick Rolands/Shutterstock

If the Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum demonstrates anything, it’s how one expedition shaped American history. Located along the Missouri River, this museum draws most visitors to St. Charles and opens year-round except on four major holidays (New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). With an admission fee of $7 for adults and $3 for students and children, you get access to both floors.

Start on the ground level at the Boat House, where three carefully handcrafted replica boats sit on display: a keelboat and two pirogues based on Captain William Clark’s original drawings. A 30-minute video gives you a window into what the Corps of Discovery experienced during their journey from 1803 to 1806. Head upstairs to the museum and visitor shop, where you’ll find artifacts from the expedition, displays about Native American relations, and exhibits on the Missouri River habitats the Corps encountered. The highlight is “Missouri River Walk,” Missouri’s largest indoor mural. The visitor shop stocks more than 150 books on the expedition and related history, a collection you won’t find easily anywhere else.

About half a mile from the Boat House sits the First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, where Missouri’s legislature met from 1821 to 1826. Daily guided tours take you through 11 restored rooms, and exhibits here help you understand what government and politics looked like in early Missouri. If you want to dig deeper into the city’s architecture and preserved 19th-century landmarks, Hit the Bricks offers seasonal guided tours covering everything from the town’s 1769 founding to the Revolution, Civil War, and even its darker history. Tours run $7 to $20, and you can reserve spots online. They offer full refunds if you cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled tour.

More ways to have a great time in St. Charles, MO

Small building between two buildings at St. Charles, Missouri

Kirk Fisher/Shutterstock

Strolling down St. Charles’ brick-lined Main Street feels like stepping onto a movie set, with the Missouri river running parallel to the street. Shopping here feels endless, with boutiques, flower shops, souvenir stores, and art galleries lining the blocks. First Capitol Trading, operating since 1967, is packed with gifts, jewelry, and home decor. For vintage finds, Centuries Past Antiques offers unusual collectibles and memorabilia that are worth taking your time to browse.

Main Street’s appeal also lies in its authentic local flavors, and visitors have more than 25 restaurants to choose from. If you’re looking for a great lunch spot and want something quick and tasty, Salt + Smoke offers perfectly made St. Louis-style BBQ. For solid Midwestern comfort food, check out Lewis & Clark’s American Restaurant, open every day except Tuesday. Some of the establishment’s signature dishes include soup and salads, French fries, coleslaw, and seafood entrees. For overnight stays, the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson sits in the heart of the historic district and holds a 4.5-star rating with more than 1,500 mostly positive TripAdvisor reviews.

For those still feeling like there’s more to explore (which is absolutely true), the 240-mile Katy Trail starts right here in St. Charles and stretches across Missouri. Rent a bike from the nearby Bike Stop Cafe and pedal your way past historical landmarks along the route. If you’re still up for more adventure, less than two hours from St. Louis is Missouri’s coolest waterpark with a natural golden sand beach you won’t want to miss.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for March 3, 2026

Published

6 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 3 drawing

07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 3 drawing

Midday: 5-8-9

Midday Wild: 8

Evening: 8-8-2

Evening Wild: 7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 3 drawing

Midday: 0-3-5-7

Midday Wild: 2

Evening: 0-9-9-5

Evening Wild: 6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 3 drawing

Early Bird: 13

Morning: 15

Matinee: 09

Prime Time: 14

Night Owl: 14

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from March 3 drawing

04-07-09-17-21

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Missouri

Missouri auditor to probe St. Louis arts funder after whistleblower complaint

Published

18 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Missouri auditor to probe St. Louis arts funder after whistleblower complaint

Missouri state Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick has launched a review of the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis’ finances.

The audit is in response to complaints from a whistleblower who alerted the office to possible misuse of funds, Fitzpatrick said Tuesday. The auditor’s office then reviewed documents provided by RAC during an initial investigation before launching a full audit.

“We have verified the veracity of the whistleblower complaint, and have seen with our own eyes at this point records that give us enough concern that we want to proceed with an audit,” Fitzpatrick said.

The auditor’s report could be released late this year or in early 2027, he added. It would then be up to state and local authorities to follow up on any potential misconduct.

In an unsigned statement, RAC said it receives an annual audit from a firm selected by the offices of the St. Louis mayor and St. Louis County executive and that it shares the results publicly. “[We] are confident the findings from the state will mirror the success we have come to expect at the local level,” the statement says.

“We welcome the opportunity to provide documentation and context regarding our financial practices and grantmaking processes. As always, RAC will continue to focus on serving the St. Louis region’s arts and cultural community and maintaining the public’s trust,” the statement adds.

Potential issues identified in the state auditor’s initial investigation include the possibilities that RAC’s administrative expenses exceed what is allowed by statute, that leaders issued bonuses disallowed by the state constitution and that large grants were issued with no follow-up to ensure the money was used properly.

Fitzpatrick said his actions are not related to the commission’s choice of grant recipients.

Changes to the grant process

RAC distributes annual grants to arts organizations in St. Louis and St. Louis County. It is funded by a tax on hotel and motel stays. The commission distributed $3.7 million last year.

The organization suspended grant applications for fiscal 2026 due to “continuing financial volatility” and a new five-year plan, according to a note on its website. It will use applications received in 2025 as a guide for its 2026 grants.

Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis

Vanessa Cooksey took leadership of the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis in 2021.

“This pause allows RAC to support eligible and high-scoring 2025 grantees and applicants while navigating financial challenges and planning for a stronger, more sustainable grant program in the future,” the note says.

RAC publishes a list of its annual grants online.

Vanessa Cooksey became president and CEO of the organization in 2020 after it spent a year without a permanent leader. Previous chief Felicia Shaw had stepped down in November 2019. Neither Shaw nor RAC provided a public explanation for Shaw’s departure.

Some smaller organizations had complained that during Shaw’s tenure they stopped receiving annual grants.

The Regional Arts Commission had a $13.4 million budget in 2024, according to tax documents. Cooksey received a $196,253 salary and $28,652 in additional compensation.

Continuing a process begun by Shaw, Cooksey oversaw changes to grant applications that she said were meant to simplify the process – including removing a longstanding split between its funding mechanisms for large and small organizations.

A key arts funder after the coronavirus pandemic

In November 2022, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to direct $10.6 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to RAC. A measure that would have allocated another $1.6 million failed to pass the St. Louis County Council, so RAC was statutorily required to distribute ARPA funds only to groups based in St. Louis.

RAC has distributed $9.5 million of the ARPA money so far, funding 195 individual artists and 75 organizations.

Arts leaders said in 2022 that the sector supports more than 19,000 jobs and generates nearly $600 million a year – more than all local sports franchises combined.

The federal money was a boon to St. Louis artists and arts organizations following a steep decrease in funding at the height of the coronavirus pandemic due to decreased tourism in the region.

Tax revenues earmarked for RAC decreased from $9.5 million in fiscal 2019 to $2.8 million the next year. Tax revenue directed to RAC have increased but still lag behind the pre-pandemic total. The commission reported $7.5 million in tax revenue received in fiscal 2024.

RAC presented a new five-year plan with much fanfare in March 2020 but had little initial opportunity to implement it. Not long after, St. Louis officials put limits on public gatherings to tamp down spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Commission officials released a new five-year strategic roadmap in December 2025.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for March 2, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 2, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 2 drawing

02-17-18-38-62, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 2 drawing

Midday: 3-3-4

Midday Wild: 2

Evening: 4-8-9

Evening Wild: 7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 2 drawing

Midday: 6-4-2-2

Midday Wild: 5

Evening: 2-8-2-4

Evening Wild: 1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 2 drawing

Early Bird: 08

Morning: 12

Matinee: 05

Prime Time: 04

Night Owl: 02

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from March 2 drawing

13-17-18-23-28

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 2 drawing

21-28-58-65-67, Powerball: 25

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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