Visit downtown / the historic district for sure - lots of cute shops and historical buildings to experience - but Main Street itself if much better for walking than driving. Take Riverside Drive and park on the street or in one of the large lots down by the river. In St. Charles in general, watch out for the "right turn only" lanes. They turn up frequently and aren't always well marked until you're right at the intersection. I think that it's presumed that most of the residents grew up here and already know.

I really don't know on this one. I purchased my car from a dealer in St. Peters, MO. There are dealers in St. Charles or close by for most cars you would want to purchase and well as SEVERAL used lots. I think that you need to exercise the same precautions you would buying a car anywhere. I don't know that there is anything specifically about this area that would require a different approach.

It is customary for Christians to line the street in front of their houses with candle lit luminaries on Christmas eve. Our neighborhood always has a very high participation rate, even among the non-religious families or families whom practice different religions. I still remember the first winter after I got my license, driving through the winding, hilly streets of my neighborhood lined with beautiful, flickering candles with my boyfriend. It was magical.

Elm / 5th / First Capitol. You have access to almost anything, groceries, gas, library, drugstore. It's a simple little loop, but it's never too congested unless you end up on Elm in front of the middle school when school lets out for the day.

Stay away from driving down highway 40/64 during rush hour traffic!

I don't know about specific dealerships, but get a car with good gas mileage. Even though everything is about 20 minutes away, it makes for a lot of driving total.

One of my favorite memories is when I was in college. I picked up some friends in Creve Coeur and said I knew how to get downtown to a bar. I made a wrong turn and we ended up driving for an hour. At first I was frustrated with myself, but then we couldn't stop laughing. Looking back on this moment I realize it was one of the first times I went out with some of my best friends and it was just a really good time.

Forest Park Parkway. After every work shift I get to drive through Forest Park in St. Louis. I get to see the History museum, as well as beautiful mansions. I love seeing all the different people run and walk in the mornings through the park. I then get to pass Washington University and get to see the college students walk to class and to a cute little coffee shop on the corner.