Often in our travels we come across a local find that ends up being a favorite event. Some we learn about through the local news channel, others are recommended by fellow RVers and some, like the Legends and Lanterns in St Charles, Missouri we stumble upon when turn the corner after lunch.
Less than a month into our RV adventures we tried, unsuccessfully to find an RV park with availability in St Louis. One of the full parks suggested a park just across the river in St Charles, Missouri. St Charles was the first capitol of Missouri and the beginning of Lewis and Clark’s exploration west. At its center, St Charles has a quaint Main Street full of historic buildings, fun little restaurants and shops. A museum dedicated to the Lewis and Clark exploration sits next to a riverside park.
Lewis and Clark’s starting point
During this stop, we spent the most of short stay in St Louis and saved St Charles for our last day in town. In hindsight this town definitely warranted another day. We headed to the small Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center, situated along the Missouri River. The small museum showcases animals, Indian artifacts and plants discovered by the explorers with just enough hands on items to keep the girls interested.
Full on Halloween fun!
The real find for us in St Charles was their amazing month-long Halloween festival, Legends and Lanterns. The town goes all out for Halloween. Up and down main street, actors in elaborate costumes portray spirits, villains, witches and other creepy characters who stamp your free festival passport.
The actors were fully in character, engaging the kids and grownups a like. The Druid Priest offered the girls acorns to place in their rooms to keep the mischievous fairies. He warned them the magic acorn could hinder any deliveries from the tooth fairy!
We saw some intricate and amusing Jack-o-lanterns as we walked the street in search of ghouls. In addition to a town pumpkin carving contest they also host a scarecrow contests with the creations on display at Scarecrow Gland (aka town square). The girls had a blast checking out the scarecrows and quickly tired of me pointing out my favorite pumpkins.
Each day an angry mob of villagers gathered in Scarecrow Glen in attempt to vanquish any supernatural visitors. The villagers and some supernatural party-crashers put on a short show and belt out some tunes. The crew was quite good! Who knew Thriller and the Ghostbuster Theme song could sound so good as an acapella ensemble?
If you love Halloween, or love fictional scary and infamous characters, Legends and Lanterns is for you. The festival runs most weekends in October weekend, weather dependent. The festival is on its fifth year and has is taking precautions as it battles the plaque. Make sure you plan a couple of hours to explore the cute stores and nearby park and hop on a free hayride.
The town has a very useful website, including more information about each character. You can also learn about the towns annual Christmas festivities, in it’s 46th year. The Christmas festivals are supposed to be just as spectacular as the Lanterns and Legends.
https://www.discoverstcharles.com/sp/legends-and-lanterns/
Christmas information:
https://www.discoverstcharles.com/events/christmas-traditions/
Comments
What an amazing find in St Charles!! I don’t think I’ve ever been there and it is now definitely on my list if ever in the area. That town goes all out. The Medusa and fall mermaid costumes were my favorite. I also think i need to up my pumpkin carving game! Looks like the girls are getting a great education in the least boring format. Well done Wondering Whitneys!!
This is so cool! I love that you all are experiencing so many great spots in the good ole USA especially some hidden gems like St. Charles. The girls will look back with so much appreciation some day.