Rocheport, Missouri

Part 3 of Our Eastern Day Trips

The third stop on our east I-70 daytrip, Rocheport, Missouri is the one that I mentioned was voted "One of America's 10 Coolest Small Towns" by Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine and by ME. I absolutely LOVE this place!

As you approach the Missouri River bridge over I-70, you can look up to the bluffs on the left where you’ll see a beautiful glass front building, and a little bit further left you’ll spy a tiny little a-frame building. This is where my love affair with Rocheport, Missouri began.

Back in the late 80’s, one of my great college friends, Sheila, took me to a new little place called Les Bourgeois Winery and Vineyards. All there was back then was that little a-frame and a small picnic area over looking the river. We had sausage, cheese, bread and a little Pink Fox wine. Then off we went into downtown Rocheport looking at antiques and goodies you’ll only find in a small town.

Personal side note (you get to make these when it‘s your website. LOL), a year or so later, this same little winery is where my fiancé and I announced our engagement to the couple responsible for getting us together, Mike and Lori. We just celebrated our 20th anniversary!

Today, Les Bourgeois Winery has grown to major proportions, and they’ve taken their quaint little town right along with them. The winery now features a beautiful bistro (that glass front building you see from the river) offering fabulous dining, event space and a beautiful view. They also have a cute, little gift shop right off the highway.

Out of tradition, I guess, my personal recommendation is still a visit to the a-frame. They’ve made improvements by adding different levels of decks, and they feature concerts through out the year. However, Mother Nature has been kind enough to keep one thing the same, the incredible, sweeping view of the Missouri River valley.

Rocheport boasts wonderful shops, fine dining, tours, and a huge assortment of bed and breakfasts (romance, family, Katy Trail riders, girls' weekend--they've got you covered), all for your pleasure. Let me be clear about one thing, while it has grown into a destination place, it has NOT outgrown how special it really is.