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About the City of St. Charles

St. Charles is a vibrant city located 35 miles west of Chicago in the scenic Fox River Valley. With the Fox River running through the center of town, St. Charles, known as “The Pride of the Fox,” is a destination for food, fun, and entertainment.

What You Will Find Here

Visitors from all over come to St. Charles for its live entertainment venues, trendy downtown restaurant scene, and public plazas.

There’s also plenty to do outside around town with all the wonderful parks and trails. You can take a ride down the river with paddle boating at Pottawatomie Park, enjoy live music at the plaza on 1st Street, or enjoy a stroll through Mount St. Mary’s Park and enjoy some amazing outdoor sculptures.

Several events and festivals draw people here each year. Bring the family along to enjoy the St. Patrick's parade and Electric Christmas parade, 4th of July fireworks, Scarecrow Fest, Holiday Homecoming events, and much more.

St. Charles is a city that celebrates its history and architecture. Take the self-guided walking tour of 27 historic locations. Each sign is numbered, features a historical photograph, and information to keep you following the trail. 

Our residents are the heartbeat of the community. And in the last resident survey, conducted in 2020, 99% of residents surveyed feel St. Charles is an Excellent or Good place to live. 

Guided by the four driving principles—Heritage. Community. Service. Opportunity—the City’s rich history, unique architecture, friendly neighborhoods, excellent schools, top-notch entertainment, diverse businesses, a beautiful downtown, and one of the finest public libraries in the country makes St. Charles a great place to live, work, and visit. 

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