Starting out right outside of West St. Louis, this route travels through the gorgeous Missouri River Valley into the best wine-country in the Midwest. After touring the wineries you can continue from the town of Herman for the additional 50 miles or so of the route's twisty curves and hills.
Along this route you'll enjoy uninterrupted driving through some of Missouri's most spectacular scenery. Hugging the Missouri River is a 50-mile corridor, the route offers many beautiful views of the river at different points along the way. The fertile river valley land makes for some picture perfect farms and wineries. The route also runs next to large limestone bluffs that rise 400 feet above the Missouri River.
Towns/Cities You'll Pass By/Through
There are nice little towns along this road trip each with their own charm. They are spread out nicely along the route, which gives you a chance to get some uninterrupted driving in between stops.
Attractions & Points-of-Interests Along the Way
The towns are spread out nicely along the route, which gives you a chance to enjoy a nice drive through some of Missouri's best scenery in between the stopovers.
For some wonderful hiking, picnicking, hunting and fishing opportunities, take a detour at Rte. D west for about 2 miles to the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area.
To see Daniel Boon House, take a detour off of Rte. 94 west for 5 miles or so. It is a four story, plantation style house that Daniel Boone built together with his son.
Nearby is the Katy Trail, the largest bike/hike trail in the Midwest, covering 200 miles of abandoned railroad paths.
Augusta, Missouri is home of many of the area's best wineries. Mount Pleasant Winery, which sits atop the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River Valley, offers incredible views as well as a good selection of estate-bottled wines. You can also visit Augusta Station, where you can take a peek at the world's only functioning train clock. There are model train exhibits and a gift shop here too.
If you take a side trip off 94 southbound on Rte. 47, you'll come to the town of Washington. Here you'll find some very nice bed and breakfasts, plenty of restaurants and quaint antique shops. Washington is a relatively large town where you'll see many impressive homes built in a "Missouri-German" style. The town is also home of the world's only existing corn-cob pipe factory.
As you drive west on 94 from the town of Dutzow, you'll see a sign leading to the original grave site of Daniel Boone and his wife Rebecca.
Rounding out the trip is Herman, the trip's highlight. To visit Hermann, once you get to McKittrick, head south on route 19 over the river. Herman is a historic German town where you can enjoy more than 150 historic buildings, quaint inns and B&Bs, world class wineries and museums, specialty shops and galleries, parks and fine dining. The city is host to many weekend activities including the annual Art and Crafts Festival in October. Take a tour to the impressive Herman's wine cellars and visit the Stone Hill Winery for a great view overlooking the town.
After visiting Herman, you can continue further along the route to see pretty farms, small towns and drive through some awesome twisty stretches of 94 all the way to Jefferson City. Also see a guide to Missouri wine country.
