Washington . . . A beautiful, historic river town with a distinctive German heritage located in the heart of Missouri Wine Country… Washington is just minutes off I-44 between St. Louis and Branson. Washington's rich history includes such famous individuals as Daniel Boone and Lewis & Clark.

Some of the earliest settlers in the Washington area were literally followers of Daniel Boone, who had blazed a trail from the hills of Kentucky to the wilderness of east-central Missouri. The German populace for which Washington is known  began with the arrival of twelve Catholic families in the fall of 1833. This group and other later German immigrants were sometimes called “followers of Gottfried Duden,” who for two years lived at nearby Dutzow and wrote glowing reviews of the area for readers in his homeland.  The lush, green, rolling hills and the river valley reminded Duden of the area from which he came. 
A natural river landing, at what was to become the Washington site, made this an ideal place to begin a settlement. In the first three decades of the nineteenth century, the small community grew upon the gently sloping hillside on the south bank of the Missouri River.  William G. Owens and his wife Lucinda settled in the area in 1818. They eventually purchased most of the land that would become known as “downtown” Washington, which included about fifty acres. Town lots were sold at auction in 1829. However, in 1834, Owens was murdered, and legal entanglements in his estate blocked the establishment of the new town. His widow Lucinda would eventually receive clear title to the town’s core, and on May 29, 1839, she filed a plat at the county courthouse thus establishing the city of Washington. Ferryboats served the community from the early 1800’s until the bridge was completed in 1936.  In 1854, John B. Busch, an older brother of the famous Adolphus Busch, established a brewery in Washington, bottling the first Busch Beer. The Pacific Railroad laid lines as far as Washington by 1855.  An Austrian immigrant, Franz Schwarzer, began the manufacture of his world-famous zithers in 1866. Henry Tibbe and his son Anton began making corncob pipes in 1869; that business would help put Washington, Missouri, on the map as the “Corncob Pipe Capital of the World.” 
Many of Washington’s historic structures remain today, proudly standing as reminders of times past and evidence of the pride and determination of our fore-fathers. 
For more history on Washington, Missouri, be sure to visit the Washington Historical Society Museum at Fourth and Market Streets or go to the web site,  www.washmohistorical.org.

Guided Tours
If your group is interested in learning about the unique history of Washington, we can arrange for a Step-On Tour Guide. The tours can last from 30-60 minutes and may include a stop at the Washington Historical Society Museum.

Contact the Division of Tourism at
636-239-2715 ext 102

Sample Itinerary
Day Trip
Leave the hustle and bustle of city life behind as you drive to Washington, where life moves at a slower pace. Take a guided tour of our community and learn about our rich history. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of our many wonderful restaurants. After lunch, stroll our historic downtown shopping district, drop into the Gary Lucy Gallery, visit unique specialty shops like Hudson House and Urban Accents and fabulous antique shops like Tea Cup Antiques and Tamm Haus. Since Washington is in the heart of Missouri Wine Country, take a short drive and visit some of the area's best wineries.

Arrive in Washington:
10:00 a.m. - Meet the Step-On Guide
10:15 a.m. - Depart on guided tour
10:45 a.m. - Tour History Museum
11:15 a.m. - Board bus for lunch
11:30 a.m.-12:45p.m. - Lunch
12:45 p.m. - Board bus
1:00 p.m-2:30p.m. - Shop
2:30 p.m. - Board Bus
3:00 p.m. - Visit Winery
4:30 p.m. - Depart

Walking Tours
The Washington Historical Society has developed brochures for two walking tours. On these tours you will learn interesting facts about Washington's most historic buildings and the individuals for whom they were constructed. The Walking Tour brochures are available at the Visitors Center.

We would love to assist you with developing an itinerary that meets your group's interests and needs. 

Restaurants . . . that accommodate motor coach and group tours are listed here.
Washington has restaurants to suit practically every palate, from great home cooking to fine gourmet dining. 

Please contact the restaurants directly when planning that portion of your tour. 

American Bounty Restaurant
430 West Front Street - Washington, MO 63090
636-390-2150
Contact: Brian or Trina Manhardt
Closed Monday and Tuesday
Advanced notice required: Yes
Separate dining room: Yes
Stairs: Yes - Bus parking near door: Drop off only

Cafe Mosaic
901 Patients First Dr. - Washington, MO 63090
636-390-1722
Contact: Pat Long
www.cafe-mosaic.com
Advance notice required: Yes
Separate dining room: No
Stairs: No
Bus Parking near door: Yes

Cowan's
114 Elm Street - Washington, MO 63090
636-239-3213
Contact: Tom Gildehaus
Closed Monday & Tuesday
Advanced notice required: Yes
Separate dining room: No
Groups will be seated in larger dining room area
Stairs: No
Bus parking near door: No - Leave at door

Klondike Cafe at Montelle Winery
201 Montelle Dr. at Hwy. 94 - Augusta, MO 63332
888-595-WINE
www.montelle.com 
Contact: Matt Starnes
Serving gourmet sandwiches, salads, wraps, and freshly baked bread daily from 11am. Gourmet pizzas served on Sat-Sun. Call about Sunset Dinners on Fri-Sat nights May-Sept. Party planners available. Catering for private rentals. Free wireless internet access.

La Dolce Vita
4 Lafayette St. - Washington, MO 63090
636-239-8180
Contact: Donna Romeo
Boutique restaurant serves lunch in grape and wine motif. Gift shop.
www.ladolcevitawinery.com
Advanced notice required: Yes
Separate dining room: Yes
Stairs: Yes
Bus parking near door: No - Parking nearby

The Creek Grill & Sports Bar
2000 Phoenix Ctr - Washington, MO 63090 
636-390-9393
Open for tour groups 7 days a week
Capacity of 60 Advance notice required: Yes
Separate dining room: Yes
Stairs: No
Bus Parking near door: Yes

Wineries
Augusta Winery -     888-MOR-WINE
Balducci Vineyards -     636-482-8466
Bias Vineyard and Winery -     753-834-5475
Blumenhof Vineyards -     636-433-2245
La Dolce Vita Winery -     639-239-0399
Montelle Winery -     888-595-WINE
Noboleis Vineyard-     636-482-4500
OakGlenn Winery -     573-486-5057
Lost Creek Winery -     636-932-4142
Robller Vineyards & Winery -     573-237-398
Stone Hill Winery -     800-909-9463
St. Jordan Creek Winery -    636-584-8001