Long known for its history as a colonial French settlement, Sainte Geneviève received a huge boost in recognition with its designation as a National Historical Park, becoming a unit of the National Park Service. With this new identity, visitors should expect to see an evolution and cohesion in interpretation, exhibits, signage, and more among the attractions—from the Bolduc House to the cemetery.
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For this outing, it’s imperative to modify this category to also include “Drink,” because the Ste. Geneviève wine country is award-winning and diverse, so it’s worth investigating the dining and wining options at many area wineries. We recommend a trio: Cave (yep, it’s a tasting room in a cave that’s cool no matter what’s happening above-ground); Crown Valley (brewer, vintner, and distiller all in one); and Chaumette—the winery has introduced a trailside dining system where, by reservation, your picnic table along their Norton hiking trail will be set aside for your arrival with a pre-packed backpack of lunch goodies from the Grapevine Grill, and whatever wines you’ve selected to enjoy alongside. See the hiking menu on their website to make selections.
On your way to or from, take a Crystal City detour for the serious crispy burgers at Gordon’s Stoplight Drive-In: not much has changed since the joint opened in 1948…because if it ain’t broke, you don’t fix it. If you’re extra hungry, try consuming the Quadzilla.
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With lots of outdoor diversions in the surrounding countryside, plus some new or enhanced attractions, Ste. Geneviève can please a diverse crowd. Nature-lovers will delight in the hikes, including the popular Pickle Springs Natural Area and its two-mile Trail Through Time: cliffs, canyons, sandstone arches, and waterfalls all show out to keep interest high throughout the short hike. Nearby, Hawn State Park also boasts several trails, including the 9.5-mile Whispering Pine Trail, one of the state’s best for backpacking and rugged hiking. Pickle Creek, meandering along much of the way, is great for a cooling dip when needed.
Finally, duck into the newly reopened Sainte Geneviève Museum Learning Center, where refreshed galleries include ancient cultural artifacts from Mayan, Viking, and local Mississippian civilizations, along with information on prehistoric fossils and history of the local settlement.
Stay
New to the area, the Tiny Homes at Baetje (pronounced BAY-jee) Farms offer up luxurious accommodations in a handful of square feet, all with a front-row seat to the bucolic goat farm and creamery that the Baetje family has become known for. Book a romantic nest for two or reserve the Bloomsdale suite for a group of up to nine guests.
In the heart of historic Ste. Gen, Audubon’s Hotel features seven boutique-style suites in a 1900-era brick building (entirely renovated in 2018) and an on-property restaurant serving lunch through late-night meals. Within a block, you have easy access to the Welcome Center, Felix and Jean-Baptiste Vallé houses—all key stops on the local itinerary.
