Help with Hermann, Missouri
 

Will be in St. Louis for a wedding over the October 1 weekend. Thinking about visiting Hermann for a couple of days. Know only what I could find on the web. Would appreciate any personal info you might offer. We've been to Germany several times so the "German theme" sounds interesting. Will it be super crowded that weekend? Can't afford expensive lodging in the city center. Suggestions?

Hermann is a very small town. I enjoy going there to visit the different wineries, and there are a couple of restaurants I really like (Stone Hill and The Cottage). Since I live nearby, I have never stayed overnight, so I don't have personal experience with the b&bs. No doubt you have found the website hermannmo.com, which is the official website and has links to most of the wineries etc. hermannmissouri.com is another site.

there will probably be a lot of people there every weekend in Oct., but the area is really rural and I don't think it will be unpleasantly crowded. There will probably be some people "in costume" and German bands, as well as bratwurst available. Having never been to Germany myself I can't say how much it may remind one of Germany.

The "downtown" area is only a few blocks square. There are several gift and antique stores there, and Hermannhof winery. Stone Hill winery is also in Hermann, but I think most people drive there rather than walk as it is hilly. Several other wineries are within several miles of town. There is a microbrewery downtown. Also a museum that seems pretty well done, and 2 houses that make up the Deutschheim. I was fascinated by the Strehly house, which a descendant of the original family lived in until the 1950s or so with only minimal modernizing.

If you enjoy walking around and looking at houses from the 1800s, browsing in small gift shops, and tasting wine, you will enjoy Hermann. The drive on either highway 94 or 100 is part of the pleasure.

if you have other specific questions I will try to answer.

Hermann is a nice place to visit, but I don't know about staying for a couple days.

The Missouri wine region is on the upswing and is growing at a good rate. There are a number of small wineries that have opened around Hermann, but the area is still a long way from becoming a destination (like Napa Valley). It would better serve as a day side-trip from St. Louis.

Unfortunately the first few weekends in October is amatuer hour in Hermann. Young people come out by the bus and train loads to Hermann with the only goal of getting as drunk as possible. You will be treated to the sights of drunks falling down hills, urinating in public and puking in the streets. (Three years ago a drunk guy yapping away on his cell phone got hit by a train when he walked under some lowered railroad crossing gates.)

The main winery in town (Hermannhoff) is nuts. Long lines and massive crowds will be the norm. Stone Hill Winery has done a decent job of controlling the crowds and limits sales. The smaller wineries outside of town along Hwy 100 should be crowded but not crazy. (But if you're going during the week things will be busy, but a lot less nuts.)

There's only one or two small motels in town: I'll bet big money they're booked. There are plenty of motels/hotels along I-70 on the way out to Hermann.

Augusta is another and closer side trip from St. Louis. Balduccis winery is a smaller operation that I really enjoy. Mount Pleasant is the biggest and oldest in Augusta. However their attitude has grown with the crowds. Montelle is also a nice place with good wines and lots of shade trees and a good view.

We loved Hermann as a day trip from St Louis. I agree with the above poster, don't know that I would want to stay longer. I think it is Stone Hill that has stables converted into a restaurant where we had dinner and enjoyed. Someone correct me if that is wrong. Maybe do one day in Hermann and one day in Mark Twain's town of Hannibal on the river?

Thanks to each of you for responding! Sorry it took me so long to reply but it's been a busy day. Sounds like October might not be the best time for visiting since neither my husband nor I have any desire to be in a drunken crowd. We live in Louisville and experience enough of that Derby Week! Any other suggestions for a side trip from St. Louis besides Hannibal?

If it were me, I would still go! I just wouldn't stay two days. But, I wouldn't stay two days no matter what time of year I went. I just don't think there's that much to do. But we loved our day visit!!and would recommend it. We also loved visiting and spending a few hours at Grants Farm and seeing the animals and is worth a visit if you've never been there.

You haven't said what you are looking for in the town you visit.

The Branson area sould be beautiful that time of the year.

Keith

We enjoy historical rather than entertainment-type places. We do enjoy visiting a winery every now and then, but not sure we'd like spending a whole day tasting various wines. Some beautiful scenery is appreciated, but again, we'd prefer some interesting interaction...like Shakertown in Kentucky, or the historical setting of Annapolis,MD.
I don't know about Grant's Farm. Will do a google on it. Will also put Hermann back on the list as a day trip. The question remains, where to from there?

It is probably a longer drive then you intend, but that would be a wonderful time to drive up to the Amana Colonies in eastern Iowa.

Keith

How about Springfield, IL? The new Lincoln library just opened in the spring. New Salem, from my childhood memories, had a little log cabin town. Both are an easy drive from St. Louis. Of course, if it were me, I'd be watching the Cardinals play at Busch Stadium. They are a great team, heading to the playoffs, and it'll be one of the last games before they tear the stadium down.

That weekend are the last regular season home games at the current Busch Stadium. (The new Busch Stadium is being built right next door.)

Now that the Cardinals will be in the playoff things won't be quite as nutty. However nosebleed seats for the last game were going for $200+