Don't Miss These Spots on the Katy Trail

The Katy Trail stretches from Machens to Clinton, but you don't have to bike all 237 miles to enjoy plenty of fun along the way. Using the incredibly helpful Katy Trail Planner, we've chosen 25 great stopping points from St. Charles to Steedman, many of them less than a mile off the trail. Click through for details on all the highlights along this 81.6-mile stretch of trail -- and start planning for your adventure now. Photo courtesy of Flickr / N.

Little Hills Winery
Mile Marker 39
501 S Main St.
St Charles, MO 63301
(636) 946-9339

So, you want to start things off with some wine? Look no further than Little Hills Winery, where you can enjoy some wine and food (there's even a gluten-free menu). That patio looks pretty great, too, if we do say so ourselves. Photo courtesy of Instagram / littlehillswinery.

First State Capitol of Missouri
Mile Marker 39
200 S Main St
St Charles, MO 63301
(636) 940-3322

All you history buffs out there definitely need to make a stop at the First State Capitol of Missouri -- it's only right. You can take a tour and even get hands-on learning experiences like basket-weaving and butter-churning. Photo courtesy of Instagram / gbauer8946.

Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center
Mile Marker 39
1050 S Riverside Dr.
St Charles, MO 63301
(636) 947-3199

The Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center will satisfy a variety of interests. Here you can explore a museum full of everything you've wanted to know about Lewis and Clark and see full-scale replicas of the boats that the duo used on their expedition. You can also explore a nature trail, a wetland marsh and various wildlife on the grounds. Photo courtesy of Instagram / bethylou78.

Lewis and Clark Monument
Mile Marker 39.5
500 S. Riverside Dr.
Saint Charles MO 63301

Get your picture taken with Lewis and Clark -- or at least, a bronze version of them. This 15-foot statue features the pair along with Clark's dog, Seaman. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Mark Goebel.

Katy Depot
Mile Marker 39.5
500 S. Riverside Dr.
Saint Charles MO 63301

Take a step back in history at the Katy Depot, which was originally constructed in 1893. What was once part of the booming railroad business is now home to storybook readings, Santa Claus at Christmas time and various events. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Eric Bueneman.

Foundry Art Centre
Mile Marker 39.5
520 N Main St.
St Charles, MO 63301
(636) 255-0270

The Foundry Art Centre has quite a few bragging rights -- it's home to international exhibitions, touring performances, studio artists and lots of events. If you're looking to connect with the arts in one way or another, this is a great place to go. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Dave Clark.

Trailhead Brewing Company
Mile Marker 40
921 S Riverside Dr.
St Charles, MO 63301
(636) 946-2739

Who can resist a stop at a local brewery? Try some of Trailhead Brewing Company's beer and fuel up on a menu of pizza, burgers, sandwiches and more before continuing your route along the trail. Photo courtesy of Instagram / toriwey_91.

Thies Farm and Greenhouses
Mile Marker 45.5
3200 Greens Bottom Road
St. Charles, MO 63304
(636) 447 - 2230

Get your dose of farm living at Thies Farm and Greenhouses, where you can pick your own produce and stock up on lots of local fruits and vegetables. October is a particularly big month here, with part of the farm dedicated to "Pumpkinland," with mazes, food and more. Photo courtesy of Instagram / lindacsnr.

Weldon Springs Interpretive Center
Mile Marker 56.7
7295 Hwy 94 S.
Weldon Spring, MO
(636) 300-2600

This is where you can find that ominous hill known as the "Nuclear Waste Adventure Trail." Officially called the Weldon Spring Site Remedial Action Project Disposal Cell, this man-made mountain holds the 1.48 million cubic yards of asbestos, TNT, PBCs, mercury, radioactive uranium and radium and other rubble from what was once the biggest explosives factory in the U.S., and then a uranium plant for Cold War nuclear bombs. And yep, you can climb it. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Ken seghers.

Katy Bike Rental
Mile Marker 59
2998 MO-94
Defiance, MO 63341
(636) 987-2673

If you decide you'd like to explore the Katy Trail by bike, you can rent one from Katy Bike Rental for as little as $5 an hour ($25 per day). Katy Bike Rental also offers Katy Trip day tours, shuttle services and winery trips. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Chris Hawes.

Yellow Farmhouse Vineyard and Winery
Mile Marker 59.1
100 Defiance Road at Hwy 94
Defiance, MO 63341
(314) 409-6139

This winery isn't big -- but that's part of its charm. Its lack of size will be little matter to you as you enjoy wine tasting, music and a stellar view of the Missouri River Valley. Photo courtesy of Instagram / sacorto.

Missouri River Excursions
Mile Marker 59.1
2886 South Hwy 94
Defiance, MO 63341
(636) 485-5163

Want to trade the trail for some time along the water? Stop at Missouri River Excursions and rent a raft, kayak or canoe and enjoy floating along the Missouri River. Photo courtesy of Instagram / mrs.gladbach

Sugar Creek Winery
Mile Marker 61
125 Boone Country Ln.
Defiance, MO 63341
(636) 987-2400

Sugar Creek Winery is a local family affair. The owners are former Kirkwood residents, and their son, who is the winemaker as well as winery operations director, developed his winemaking skills in Napa, California. The result is a variety of award-winning wines that you need to try. Photo courtesy of Instagram / catyregan.

Augusta Winery
Mile Marker 66.4
5601 High Street, PO Box 8
Augusta, MO 63332
(636) 228-4301 (x24)

When you reach Augusta, you'll find yourself overwhelmed (in a good way) with wineries to visit. One such winery is Augusta Winery, where you can enjoy a glass (or bottle) with a great view of the Missouri River Valley. You can also dig deeper into your wine obsession and the wine-making process with Augusta Winery's Vine to Wine course. Photo courtesy of Augusta Winery.

Montelle Winery
Mile Marker 66.4
201 Montelle Dr.
Augusta, MO 63332
(888) 595-9463

Sure, Montelle Winery provides superior wine and a beautiful view -- but that's not all. Montelle Winery is the first winery in the state with a distillery. Make sure to try to the peach, apple, cherry or grape brandy in between those glasses of wine. Photo courtesy of Montelle Winery.

Augusta Brewing Company
Mile Marker 66.4
5521 Water St.
Augusta, MO 63332

Those who would prefer to forgo the winery route all together can find refuge at Augusta Brewing Company. You'll still enjoy aspects like a relaxing atmosphere, food, live music and a great patio -- but with Augusta Brewing Company beers dominating the menu. Photo courtesy of Instagram / erikacruse.

Mount Pleasant Estates
Mile Marker 66.4
5634 High St.
Augusta, MO 63332
(636) 482-9463

Mount Pleasant Winery prides itself in being an escape. A restaurant, tasting room, beautiful views, and, of course, fantastic wines await. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Rick Mester.

Centennial Farms
Mile Marker 66.4
199 Jackson Street
Augusta, MO 63332
(636) 228-4338

Centennial Farms has been family owned and operated since 1854 -- talk about a legacy! Here you can pick your own produce and explore the Centennial Farms market. In the fall, Centennial Farms turns into "Pumpkin Fantasyland," with pumpkin characters, a graveyard with humorous inscriptions, and other Halloween touches. Photo courtesy of Instagram / rachelkolb.

Balducci Vineyards
Mile Marker 66.4
6601 S. Missouri 94
Augusta, MO 63332
(636) 482-8466

You'll be supporting fellow St. Louisans when you visit Balducci Vineyards -- the owners both grew up in the St. Louis area. If that's not enough to get you to stop by, Balducci Vineyards also serves excellent food and wine along with beautiful scenery. Photo courtesy of Instagram / mberry573.