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Escape the stress of school for relaxed living

MOVE takes a trip to Rocheport, home of quaint getaways for any personality.

By Amanda Bromwich

Published March 5, 2010

Although Columbia can feel like a small town at times, a 10-minute drive west on Highway 70 to the Rocheport, population 208, will place you in an entirely different world. You might have heard of Rocheport — it is, after all, the home of the infamous Les Bourgeois Vineyards. But if you venture past the winery, if just for a weekend, you'll find gourmet restaurants, live music and quaint shops.

The Outdoorsy Type

Nestled between the Missouri River and Moniteau Creek, Rocheport abounds with outdoor activities. Although the Katy Trail cuts through town and is the most popular outdoor attraction, there are many other ways to stay busy outside. You can fish the Missouri for blue, flathead and channel Catfish, or watch waterfowl at Diana Bend Conservation Area. If waterfowl are not your thing, check out Boone Cave's resident bat colony, rent a canoe for the day or hike the scores of trail in the area.

After a long day of hunting, hiking or fishing, check out the Terrapin Creek Ranch at 9171 W. Wehmeyer Road. Terrapin Creek features a turn-of-the-century bungalow and is ten minutes outside Rocheport, practically guaranteeing breakfast with a side of wildlife watching for the morning.

History Buff

If you prefer watching History Channel documentaries to trashy reality shows, you would probably enjoy a weekend admiring 100-year-old buildings and perusing antique shops in Rocheport. For history buffs, this town provides a chance to experience old world charm without completely forgoing cherished modern conveniences (like cell phone reception). Once you pull back the modern façade of bed and breakfast and quaint storefronts, you will find history everywhere.

For a weekend that will go down in the books, be sure to check out all the historical landmarks in town like the MKT Railroad Tunnel built in 1892-1893. Also, visit the Friends of Rocheport Historical Museum to see historical artifacts, photographs and documents. After taking a stroll through time, stop by The General Store to relax with an iced tea, conversation with locals and a board game. Finally, retire to a room at the School House Bed & Breakfast at 504 Third St., a B&B housed in an old school house built in 1914.

The Weekend Escape

Every once in awhile everyone needs a weekend to blow off a little steam and catch up on missed sleep. For $50, you and five of your favorite people can snag the Treehouse room at the Katy Trail Bed and Bikefest and Treehouse at 101 Lewis St. The Katy Trail B&B, like its name notes, is especially geared toward trail riders.

Begin your weekend escape on a Friday evening with a glass of Missouri wine or pint of beer while listening to a live band at The General Store. The morning after a night of unwinding to roots or blues tunes, fuel up with the complimentary breakfast in your room before hitting the Katy Trail.

Don't have a bike? Trailside Cafe and Bike Shop has you covered whether you need a bicycle to ride or your bike does not seem quite up for a trek down the trail. For $30 per day, you can rent an adult bike or for $60, you can rent a tandem bike for the day.

Romantic Retreat for Two

From the historic brick buildings to the quaint shops and serene flower gardens, small towns inherently have a certain amount of romanticism. For some couples, a weekend at a B&B in small town Missouri might sound a bit lame, but before you jump on that bandwagon, let us explain the possibilities (are you listening gents?).

First, splurge just a little on a room. We recommend Yates House Bed and Breakfast at 305 Second St. Yates House offers six luxury rooms, a resident gourmet chef and the rooms start at $169 for a couple to stay one night. If you find time to leave your room, watch the sun rise or set over the rolling hills and Missouri River bottoms on the sunrise or sunset boat tour offered by Missouri Boatworks.

Girls' Weekend

Nothing beats a weekend away with the girls. Luckily, Rocheport provides all the key ingredients of a sinfully wonderful weekend retreat. First, there is a B&B named Girls Nite Inn at 102 Central St., and for $239, you and three other girlfriends can have a whole house to yourselves for the night. You might be wondering what, beyond having an adorable house all to yourselves, this girls' weekend could possibly entail in a town with fewer residents than your old high school.

For a Friday night excursion, you could check out the live music at The General Store or even head down the road to Les Bourgeois Vineyards. After sleeping in, grab brunch at Abigail's, a restaurant featuring a fresh, different every day menu. Only $25 will get you a gourmet dessert, coffee and an interior-decorating workshop at the French-countryside inspired shop and coffee house, Grace. If you feel like shopping, you and the ladies could wander through one of many antique shops and art galleries looking for treasures.