Ste. Genevieve
Historic town · Missouri
Missouri's oldest town keeps its French colonial houses standing along Market and Main streets, an hour south of St. Louis. Fall brings cooler air for walking the historic district, tasting wine on the Route du Vin trail, and browsing shops set inside 18th-century buildings.
Don’t miss
Color nearby peaks: October 31–November 4
Color builds from October 18 · mostly bare by November 25
Method: daily ERA5 temperatures drive a photoperiod + chilling phenology model, sampled at Ste. Genevieve’s own coordinates and elevation (128 m) rather than a regional average. Estimates, not promises — check locally before you plan a trip around it.
Ste. Genevieve on the map
More things to do in Missouri
Ha Ha Tonka State Park
State parkPeak November 2
The stone walls of a 1905 mansion, gutted by fire in 1942, stand above a Lake of the Ozarks inlet as the centerpiece of this 3,751-acre park near Camdenton. An easy 0.8-mile paved trail leads to the castle ruins, passing karst sinkholes, a natural bridge, and lake overlooks along the way.
Don’t miss: 1905 castle ruins · karst caves and natural bridge · Lake of the Ozarks overlooks
Katy Trail State Park (Rocheport)
TrailPeak October 30
The longest developed rail-trail in the country runs 240 miles across Missouri, and its Rocheport segment is the showpiece: an 1892 limestone tunnel through the bluffs opens straight onto river views and turning hardwoods, a favorite fall ride since the trail's 1990 debut.
Don’t miss: 1892 MKT railroad tunnel · 240-mile rail-trail · bluffs above the Missouri River
The Darkness
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks November 1
In its 33rd year of fear next to historic Soulard Market, this two-floor St. Louis landmark pairs detailed monster sets with a Slaughterhouse attraction and escape rooms. The 2026 season opens with a one-night Slasher Weekend on Sep 19 and closes Nov 13.
Don’t miss: Two floors of monster sets · Slaughterhouse attraction · Escape rooms on site
Weston Red Barn Farm
FarmColor nearby peaks October 29
A turn-of-the-century working farmstead northwest of Kansas City that has run school tours for over 30 years and weddings for 25. Fall brings u-pick apples and pumpkins, hayrides, pony rides, a maze, caramel apples and cider donuts.
Don’t miss: U-pick apples and pumpkins · Hayrides and pony rides · Cider donuts and caramel apples
Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When does Ste. Genevieve peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 31–November 4 (best estimate November 2). Color starts around October 18 and is mostly bare by November 25.
- What is Ste. Genevieve best for?
- A historic day trip from St. Louis with wine and river views.
- How do I get to Ste. Genevieve?
- The closest city is St. Louis, about 45 mi away. It's part of Missouri's fall lineup.
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