NWFA HEadquarters
14 Research Park Drive
St. Charles, MO 63304
Plan Your Visit
Bond with Nature at NWFA
NWFA’s headquarters is nestled in Missouri Research Park, a development created by the University of Missouri to blend workplaces into nature through the statewide Katy Trail and St. Charles County Park Systems. The park, complete with a ropes course, group pavilion and access to the Missouri river for camping, fishing and canoeing, is located less than 1/4 mile to the left of the NWFA building. The office park itself contains The Bluffs golf course within walking distance, and multiple routes for a nature walk, hike, or biking.
Hike, Bike, Walk
Turn right onto Research Park Drive. Look for a paved walking path entrance on right-hand side of the road, past Research Park Court. The trail entrance has a pedestrian crosswalk with a bicycle crossing sign. This paved path loops around a pond, past a butterfly garden, and back out to Research Park Drive.
Turn right onto Research Park Drive. Walk past the first path entrances to take the third paved path entrance on your left. This path loops through a short, wooded area, over a bridge, and circles back to Research Park Drive.
Turn left on Research Park Drive. Veer to left to follow Research Park Drive down the hill to the Duckett Creek building. The entrance to the Busch Greenway trail is on the left. If you don’t want to walk from NWFA, this trail has a public parking area next to Duckett Creek. A paved trail crosses multiple bridges and running streams. You can turn around at the Katy Trail intersection for a 2.5 mile route, or continue to the left or right of Katy Trail for additional hiking along the bluffs of the Missouri river.
This large county park features multiple trails, a connection to the Katy Trail, a low ropes course, group camping amenities, restrooms, and a covered pavilion with charcoal grills. A dirt path leads through the ropes course and past a small cemetery from the late 1800’s. To have the ropes course fully set up, contact St. Charles County Parks Dept. sccmo.org/2158/Missouri-Bluffs-Park or 636.949.7535.
Golf
Missouri Bluffs
Located within walking distance, this course is one of the best championship public courses in Missouri with a challenging layout and stunning vistas, it is the only area golf club designed by legendary golf course architect, Tom Fazio. Squeeze in a round after work or hit the driving range before class.
Top Golf
Located a few minutes away in Chesterfield Valley, practice your swing, compete with your friends, or simply have a bite to eat.
Nearby Attractions (within 10 minutes)
Dining & Entertainment in Chesterfield Valley thedistrictstl.com
Shopping just across the bridge in Chesterfield Valley premiumoutlets.com
Chandler Hill and Defiance Ridge are the closest wineries to NWFA. This area is also home to many historic Bed & Breakfasts. discoverstcharles.com/things-to-do/wineries/
Located in Lindenwood Park near Chandler Hill winery, you’ll find the historic home of Daniel Boone. Scenic overlook & tours available. sccmo.org/1701/The-Historic-Daniel-Boone-Home
Step back in time to the days of Lewis & Clark as the area along the Missouri river was settled in the 1800’s; now a lively shopping & dining district. discoverstcharles.com/things-to-do/main-street/
Sports, Sports & More Sports
St. Louis Attractions (20-30 minutes)
Downtown
See how beer is made, tour the campus, meet the Clydesdale horses, and sample historic and new brews in the beer garden/HQ of this beer giant. https://www.budweisertours.com/stltours
Discover the gateway to the West, the city’s French heritage, a ride to the top of the Arch, and original St. Louis Cathedral. gatewayarch.com
This sports-anchored destination provides hotels, dining, entertainment and living at Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals. Cardinals Nation and the Hall of Fame & Museum, Budweiser Brew House & Beer Garden and FOX Sports Midwest Live! provide a single destination for hours. stlballparkvillage.com
Circus Flora is a one-ring circus and theater production that combines the wonders of the modern circus with traditional circus arts. Under its iconic Big Top tent, you’ll experience a narrative and amazing physical feats that will engage audience members personally and emotionally, giving them an experience through performers and animals they won’t soon forget. circusflora.org
Slides, caves, climbing mechanisms, a bus hanging off the rooftop, and a praying mantis. These are just some of the sites to see at the City Museum, an indoor, outdoor, and underground playground for the adventurous. The Drone Tour alone may be enough for you! citymuseum.org
Located in the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the Economy Museum provides a one-of-a-kind experience that explores the economy and money in a fun, interactive way. museum.stlouisfed.org
From live music to recording your own blues song, the National Blues Museum is a one-of-a-kind venue. Designed to be a self-guided journey through the history of blues music, you will be enriched by the experience. nationalbluesmuseum.org
Central West End
Every visit to the Missouri Botanical Garden represents a new opportunity to discover something you didn’t know about plants and how they’re connected to our lives. Through MyGuide to the Garden, explore the grounds through customized tours tailored to your interests — from what’s in bloom and inspiring landscapes to art, history and plant research. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org
Home to the 1904 Worlds’ Fair, today Forest Park is home to this year’s #1 Zoo, Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Art Museum, Science Center, 27 holes of golf, special events, ice skating and more. Basic admission to each venue is free. forestparkforever.org/visit
Around Town
Grant’s Farm
Built by President Ulysses S. Grant, this large span of nearly 300 acres of land later became the ancestral home of the Busch family. The Farm is home to 900+ animals, representing more than 100 species from six continents and offers daily tours where you can ride through the animals without cages preventing
your observations. The stable is also home to the Anheuser Busch Clydesdales.
Microbrews & Breweries
In addition to the international headquarters of Anheuser- Busch, St. Louis is home to a growing micro-brew culture.
Unique Neighborhoods
Downtown: Explore the beginning of westward expansion through Laclede’s Landing, where fur trapping started the city in the 1700’s on the banks of the Mississippi.
Then explore more of the city’s French roots in Soulard and Lafayette Square, the first planned neighborhood west of the Mississippi. Soulard boasts live music every night, blues, jazz, eclectic dining and more. It is also home to the second largest Mardi Gras parade in the United States, and is the area most well known as the sister-city of New Orleans.
Moving into western downtown, visit Union Station, a historic train station, hotel, dining destination and home to the city’s new Aquarium and Ferris Wheel. Have dinner on a historic train or cocktails in the central lobby, an architectural gem. From there, head to The Hill, the Italian district of St. Louis for bakeries, vino and pasta. You’ll know you’re there by the red, white and green fire hydrants.
Midtown: Further west you will find the Grand Arts Center Theater District, home to the St. Louis Symphony, Fox Theater, and art-inspired hotels, leading into the Central West End neighborhood. Built around the time of the World’s Fair, the architecture in the area has influences from around the world. In particular, a drive down Lindell Boulevard from St. Louis University at Grand Boulevard to Skinker is a one-of-a kind drive through history, Forest Park, and brings you to Washington University through more than a mile of mansions from the last century. If you only have time to visit one attraction, go the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica for inspiration drawn from the craftsmanship of the largest mosaic glass display in the United States. cathedralstl.org
Just north of Washington University, you will find University City, home to the city’s large population of college students, professors and city folk. You’ll find the St. Louis Walk of Fame, gritty bars, tattoo parlors, and a variety of ethnic foods. Check out the Eclipse rooftop bar for amazing views of downtown and a space themed drink.
Other, newer neighborhoods between downtown and NWFA include Clayton, home to fine dining and hotels and Chesterfield, where the association has had two previous homes. You’ll find all you need in the area to feel right at home during your visit.