Need a fun day trip or weekend escape in Missouri Wine Country? Head to Augusta! Sip award-winning wines, stroll quaint village streets, and explore scenic trails along the Missouri River. Whether you're savoring vineyard views, biking the Katy Trail, or browsing art galleries, Augusta offers a charming blend of rustic beauty and small-town hospitality.
Augusta, MO Highlights:
- Augusta Winery: Enjoy tastings of award-winning regional wines in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
- Montelle Winery: Savor wine and panoramic views from this popular hilltop winery with a café and live music weekends.
- Katy Trail State Park: Hike, bike, or stroll the nation’s longest rails-to-trails project right through Augusta’s scenic riverfront.
- Augusta Historic District: Walk through charming 19th-century streets filled with shops, art galleries, and historic architecture.
- Mount Pleasant Estates: Visit Missouri’s oldest winery, offering sprawling grounds, wine tastings, and frequent events.
When I like to visit
The best time to visit Augusta is during the spring and fall (April–June and September–October). Mild weather, vineyard greenery or vibrant autumn foliage, and outdoor festivals make it perfect for wine tours and biking adventures.
Tips for getting There
- If you are traveling by car: Augusta is about 45 minutes west of St. Louis via I-64 and Highway 94, nestled in Missouri’s wine country.
- By Train: The nearest Amtrak stations are in Washington, MO or St. Louis, with car rentals recommended for the final leg.
- By Plane: Fly into St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), about a 50-minute drive to Augusta.
Where I like to stay
- H.S. Clay House Bed & Breakfast – Romantic Victorian-style B&B offering gourmet breakfasts and cozy, elegant rooms.
- Augusta Guest House – Charming historic guesthouse with spacious rooms right in the heart of the village.
- Balducci Vineyards Farmhouse – Stay right at a vineyard with rustic-chic accommodations and beautiful views (great for groups).
Best Things to Do
1. Daniel Boone Home
On over 300 acres of land is a small historic village full of original homes and other American frontier-time pieces. One of these buildings is the home of legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone. His son, Nathan built the home when they moved to Missouri from Kentucky. Self-guided tours are the best way that people can visit the home, but along with the Daniel Boone Home, there are other buildings, like a chapel, grist mill, school house, and a general store. This village is all part of introducing guests to the life of the frontier pioneers. The home is four stories and houses a room that once was a shop for Boone.
1868 Highway F, Defiance, MO 63341, Phone: 636-798-2005
2. Montelle Winery
Since Augusta was named the first viticultural area in the US, it is no surprise that the wines around the area are so unique and flavorful. In the warmer months, Montelle Winery hosts music and entertainment every weekend. Be sure to stop in during those times for a tasting, to enjoy a glass of wine, and to enjoy the music on the terrace. When you get a bit peckish, head inside for a full service mean at the Parliament room (with wines that pair perfectly with the food) or the Klondike Café (featuring wraps and pizzas).
201 Montelle Drive, Augusta, MO 63332, Phone: 636-228-4464
3. Balducii Family Vineyard and Winery
Balducii Vineyards has been named best winery thirteen years straight by the Missourian’s Readers Choice. During the weekends, entertainment is provided for visitors. If you’re looking for a good way to get the whole family out of the house, Balducii Vineyards is family friendly and even puts popular sports of the televisions around the winery. When it’s time to eat, be sure to check out the menu for sample plates and full meals that perfectly accompany the Balducii wines and craft beers on site. If you’re planning a large getaway or just a girls’ night out, be sure to top off your visit with a stop at the winery store.
6601 S Highway 94, August, MO 63332, Phone: 636-482-8466
For Younger for Couples:
4. Augusta Winery
Like many of the region’s wineries, Augusta Winery offers live entertainment during the warmer months of April through October on the weekends. A Wine & Beer Garden gives a fantastic opportunity for patrons to sip some of the wineries craft beers and wines while enjoying the entertainment, beautiful fountain, or 10-ft grapevine-covered arbor. Along with vintage port and dessert wines, patrons can purchase red and white wines, wines made from different fruits (raspberry or blackberry), or a sampler pack of six popular wines. During holidays, special events are held, where food and wine can be bought together.
5601 High Street, Augusta, MO 63332, Phone: 696-228-4301
5. Noboleis Vineyards
Established in 2004, Nobeoleis Vineyards offered its first wine in 2010. Along with a tasting room, patrons can rent out the Vineyard Loft or the Winemaker’s Loft for parties, business meetings, or get-togethers. For those looking for a bigger event, like a wedding, the Barrel Cellar and the Tented Pavilion can be rented. When at Noboleis, be sure to try a flight of wines and take a free tour of the vineyards and winery. To go along with your wine, be sure to order a tasting plate of cheeses, dips, or meats or one of the pizzas offered.
100 Hemsath Road, Augusta, MO 63332, Phone: 636-482-4500
6. Klondike Park
Klondike Park is one of the best places for camping in the Augusta region. Whether you’re into rustic camping of glamping, there are options of you. There are 43 campsites for those interested in RVing or tenting, and there are six cabins that sleep up to eight. Along with camping, visitors can use the amenities in the park, including a shower house, a playground, and the famous Katy Trail. Klondike Park is located on the Missouri River, so boaters can dock and go out as they please. The onsite lake encourages harvest fishing, which is the opposite of catch and release. This helps to maintain fish populations.
4600 Highway 94 S., Augusta, MO 63332, Phone: 636-949-7535
7. Centennial Farms
Operated since Missouri became a state in 1821, the Centennial Farm has earned its name for being one of the few farms that have survived over 100 years. In 1854, the Knoerschild family bought the farm and is now on its sixth generation of ownership. Today, guests to this National Historic site can still get farm-fresh produce. In fact, in the summer months, guests can pick their own blueberries, blackberries, and peaches. In the fall, guests can pick their own apples and pumpkins! Beehives on the farm produce honey, which can be purchased in the farm store, as well.
199 Jackson Street, Augusta, MO 63332, Phone: 636-228-4338
8. Mount Pleasant Winery
Mount Pleasant Winery is the third largest winery in Missouri. Today, guests can gaze on the vineyard, which grows 16 varieties of grapes to use in their wines. Terraces were built to help aid guests with views of the 85 acres of grapevines. As the oldest winery in the state, visitors can really gain a sense of the heritage and history that the winery has been through, such as the Prohibition Era’s closing and reopening. Visitors can enter the tasting room to sample some of the wines made and bottled right on site. Of course, bottles of wine are available for purchase.
5634 High Street Augusta, MO 63332, Phone: 636-482-9463
9. Root Food and Wine
Located in a beautiful historic building in the heart of downtown Augusta, Root Food and Wine offers an indoor dining area as well as alfresco dining in the herb gardens. The seasonal menus are based on availability of the finest local ingredients, picked at the peak of perfection. Guests can enjoy a multi-course set menu (with or without wine tasting) or opt for individual dishes of your choice. The menu is accompanied by a very extensive wine list as well as a selection of curated cocktails, craft beers and flights. If you visit for lunch on a Saturday you can try their signature Root Burger with all the trimmings.
5525 Walnut Street, Augusta, MO 63332, 636 544 1009
Where I Like to Eat
- Montelle Winery Café – Enjoy lunch with a view while savoring flatbreads, salads, and regional specialties paired with wine.
- Root Food + Wine – Fine dining in a casual setting offering farm-to-table dishes and excellent wine pairings.
- Abigail’s Restaurant (in nearby Rocheport) – Popular spot known for creative American dishes and charming, cozy atmosphere.
My favorite local events:
- Augusta Plein Air Art Festival (April) – Watch artists paint outdoor scenes, attend workshops, and purchase original artwork.
- Augusta Harvest Festival (September) – Celebrate the season with local wine, food, crafts, grape stomping, and live music.
- Christmas Walk in Augusta (December) – Experience a magical holiday evening with candlelit streets, carolers, and horse-drawn carriages.
My favorite day trips within 30 Minutes of Augusta, Missouri:
- Defiance (10–15 min) – Visit additional wineries, bike the Katy Trail, and explore small-town charm along Highway 94.
- Washington, MO (25–30 min) – Discover more riverfront dining, shopping, and additional wineries across the Missouri River.
- Daniel Boone Home and Heritage Center (20 min) – Tour a beautifully preserved frontier estate and learn about early settler life.
- Klondike Park (15 min) – Hike to scenic bluffs, kayak on a quiet lake, and enjoy panoramic river valley views.
- Weldon Spring Conservation Area (25–30 min) – Explore wooded trails, limestone bluffs, and serene nature escapes for hiking or birdwatching.
Plan Your Trip