13 Most Scenic Towns in Missouri
The landlocked US State of Missouri, situated in the country’s Midwestern region, is esteemed for its diverse terrain characterized by the four geographical regions: fertile Mississippi Alluvial Plains, forested Ozark Highlands, Dissected Till Plains, and the Osage Plains. Even though bigger urban metropolises like Jefferson City, Kansas City, Branson, and St. Louis showcasing its 630-foot-tall Gateway Arch enchant thousands of local and international tourists, the innumerable scenic small towns sprinkled all over the Show Me State are considered the state’s true gems. A perfect amalgamation of spectacular natural sceneries, historic architecture, rich cultures, and outdoor recreation, every visitor will surely have memorable experiences on their vacation to these small towns.
Parkville
Parkville, a historic riverfront community in southern Platte County, is placed along the banks of the Missouri River, about 20 minutes northwest of downtown Kansas City. The beautiful limestone carved bluffs, wooded panoramic vistas, and the Missouri River provide a stunning backdrop for Parkville. Named in honor of Colonel George Shepherd Park, a Texas War of Independence hero and the first settler, this dynamic town is renowned for being home to Park University, besides housing a bustling downtown with abundant vintage shops, local boutiques offering handmade crafts, contemporary art galleries, entertainment venues, top-rated eating establishments, and various landmark properties. Explore the numerous walking trails at the scenic English Landing Park, Parkville Nature Sanctuary, and Platte Landing Park, or play a round of golf at the National Golf Club. Downtown Parkville also serves as a venue for many annual festivals and events like the Microbrew Fest, Farmer’s Market, Fourth of July Celebrations, Parkville Days Festival, Christmas on the River, Parkville Cruise Nights, and Music on Main.
Ste. Genevieve
Sainte Genevieve County’s seat, Ste. Genevieve is located in Ste. Genevieve Township along the western shores of the Mississippi River, close to the state boundary with Illinois. The state’s oldest permanent European settlement to the west of the Mississippi River, Ste. Genevieve was founded by Canadian settlers and migrants from Illinois Country around 1740, about 2 miles south of its present-day location. Christened in honor of Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, the town has retained its distinctive French character, and much of Ste. Genevieve’s historic charm is due to the extremely well-preservation of the original French Colonial buildings. Architecture fanatics can witness some of the town’s oldest structures, such as the Louis Bolduc House, Beauvais-Amoureux House, La Maison de Guibourd, Bequette-Ribault House, Felix Valle House State Historic Site, and the Old Louisiana Academy. In addition to these landmark properties, Ste. Genevieve contains a wide variety of specialty shops, antique stores, hotels, bed & breakfasts, and award-winning diners. The nearby Hawn State Park and Pickle Springs Natural Area offer unique outdoor experiences, while special events like the French Heritage Festival in June and Jour de Fete in August allure thousands of merrymakers from all over the globe.
Hannibal
A charming river community next to the mighty Mississippi River, Hannibal extends into both Marion and Ralls Counties, approximately 100 miles northwest of St. Louis. This principal town of the Hannibal Micropolitan Statistical Area is acclaimed for being the boyhood home of one of the greatest literary icons, Samuel Langhorne Clemens (aka Mark Twain). A Mark Twain Riverboat tour down the Mississippi River helps tourists discover the town’s natural splendor. The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, Becky Thatcher’s House, Mark Twain Cave & Cameron Cave, Cave Hollow West Winery, Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse, Hannibal History Museum, Lover’s Leap, Rockcliffe Mansion, Molly Brown Birthplace & Museum, Planters Barn Theater, Bluff City Theater, John Garth’s Woodside Mansion, and Jim’s Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center are some of Hannibal’s interesting attractions. For nature lovers, the Riverview Park, Huckleberry Park, Sawyer’s Creek Fun Park, and Sodalis Nature Preserve offer ample recreational activities and the opportunity to spend quality time amidst the green surroundings. Downtown Hannibal hosts unique annual festivals and events like the Chocolate Extravaganza, Loafer’s Car Club Show, Twain on Main, Brew Skies Music Festival, National Tom Sawyer Days, Big River Steampunk Festival, and many more.
Hermann
The administrative center of Gasconade County, Hermann occupies the heart of the state’s Wine Country, close to the center of the Missouri Rhineland at the south of the Missouri River. Founded in 1837 by the German Settlement Society of Philadelphia, Hermann is celebrated for its luscious scenery, rolling hills, German culture, and rich viticulture traditions, making it an ideal Midwestern weekend destination. Embark on the Hermann Wine Trail and stop by the notable family-owned wineries like Adam Puchta, Hermannhof, Stone Hill, etc., to sample local wines and spirits. The town also has a handful of distilleries and microbreweries that use local grains to make beer, whiskey, gin, bourbon, and rye. Learn about the town’s history at the Deutschheim State Historic Site, Hermann Farm Museum, and Historic Hermann Museum. Just 3 miles from Hermann, the Katy Trail State Park, with its 240-mile-long Katy Trail that meanders along the river bluffs and mid-Missouri farm fields, caters to cyclists, hikers, and joggers, all year-round from sunrise to sunset. Merrymakers can participate in various annual events like Wurstfest, Hermann Antique Show, Maifest, FreedomFest, Missouri Bourbon Festival, Hermann Blue Oval Rally, Oktoberfest, Witches & Wine Festival, and Christmastime in Hermann.
Rocheport
Home to only 201 inhabitants as per the latest US Census, Rocheport, set on the rugged bluffs of the Missouri River on Boone County’s western edge, forms a part of the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area. Initially founded as a trading post for settlers and Native Americans in 1825, this tiny river town includes the Rocheport Historic District, which comprises several noteworthy structures dating back to the 1830s. The 240-mile-long Katy Trail, which passes near the center of this close-knit community, attracts about 56,000 tourists yearly, allowing its users to travel through some of the state’s most gorgeous areas. So, whether for a quick day trip or a leisurely weekend escape, Rocheport has a lot to offer, with its top-class wineries, galleries displaying amazing artworks, unique shops, fine bed & breakfasts, and dining spaces. Wine aficionados who visit the Blufftop at Rocheport can taste award-winning wines produced at the Les Bourgeois Vineyards.
Arrow Rock
Set atop the flint-bearing high limestone bluff overlooking the Missouri River, Arrow Rock is a little village in Missouri’s Saline County. The entire village forms a part of the Arrow Rock Historic District, which was designated a National Historic Landmark due to its association with Westward Expansion. The town’s interesting attractions include Arrow Rock State Historic Site, J. Huston Tavern, George Caleb Bingham House, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, etc. Every October, the town hosts the Arrow Rock Heritage Craft Festival, which features an array of 19th-century crafts, such as cooking apple butter, basket weaving, gunsmithing, knitting, blacksmithing, and weaving.
Carthage
America’s Maple Leaf City, Carthage, the administrative center of Jasper County, is situated along the U.S. Route 71 Highway south of the Spring River just east of Joplin. During the American Civil War, the town served as the site of the Battle of Carthage and was completely burned down by the pro-Confederate guerrillas in September 1864. Nevertheless, the nearby lead mines and limestone quarries contributed significantly to the town’s rapid development. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, several local buildings, in addition to the Romanesque Revival Jasper County Courthouse (currently one of Missouri’s most photographed courthouses), were built using the locally quarried gray marble. The Precious Moments Park & Chapel, Boots Court Motel, 66 Drive-In Theatre, Phelps Country Estate, and the Battle of Carthage State Historic Site are some of Carthage’s must-visit attractions.
Kimmswick
Platted by Theodore Kimm, a successful dry goods merchant in 1859, this idyllic Jefferson County town is tucked along the Mississippi River banks about 22 miles south of St. Louis. Travelers visiting this friendly small town will discover several restored 18th and 19th-century buildings of Bungalow/American Craftsman architectural style in the Kimmswick Historic District. Witness the Windsor Harbor Road Bridge in awe and browse the innumerable fashion boutiques, antique stores, artisan shops, and diners like the Blue Owl Restaurant & Bakery serving delectable cuisines at the town’s revitalized downtown. Kimmswick celebrates a number of annual events like the Strawberry Festival, Kimmswick Car Show, Witches Night Out, Apple Butter Festival, and Kimmswick Christmas Parade & Open House.
Cape Girardeau
Southeast Missouri’s economic center, Cape Girardeau, nicknamed “The City of Roses,” stretches across Cape Girardeau and Scott Counties, about 100 miles southeast of St. Louis and 150 miles north of Memphis. Home to the principal campus of Southeast Missouri State University, this classic town comprises a total of 39 landmark properties, of which 8 are historic districts. Covering about 18,000 square feet of the 15-foot-high downtown floodwall, the 24 panels of the Mississippi River Tales mural spanning the entire downtown shopping district beautifully illustrate the area's history. Located immediately behind the floodwall, the Cape Girardeau Missouri River Front Park has docking facilities for riverboats and a steeped concrete seating platform from where one can get astounding views of the Mississippi River. Every year in May, a living history encampment is held at Fort D, a Civil War-era fort and the sole surviving fortification constructed by Union forces.
Van Buren
Van Buren, a tranquil town along the crystal-clear Current River, is situated at the junction of U.S. Route 60 and Missouri Route 103 highways adjacent to the Mark Twain National Forest. The Carter County seat, named in honor of American statesman Martin Van Buren, is the perfect place for those who want to unwind. Designated a National Scenic River, the Current River is highly popular for various recreational activities like fishing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and tubing. Some of Van Buren’s noteworthy points of interest include the Big Spring, Greer Spring, Blue Spring, Rocky Falls, Peck Ranch Conservation Area, Skyline Drive, Falling Spring Mill, Cupola Pond, and Alley Mill.
Boonville
Comfortably placed at the heart of the state right off Interstate 70 highway, midway between Kansas City and St. Louis, Boonville captivates visitors with its location high atop the wooded bluffs, providing picturesque views of the Missouri River. Part of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, the community named after American pioneer Daniel Boone and a nearby salt deposit, served as the site of one of the initial land skirmishes of the American Civil War. With more than 400 carefully preserved landmark structures, beautiful parks, and a thriving arts and cultural scene, this charming community appeals to visitors of all tastes. The Katy Trail State Park, River, Rails and Trails Museum & Visitor Center, Katy Railroad Bridge, Warm Springs Ranch, Lewis Miller’s Mitchell Collection, Lyric Theater (Thespian Hall), Wilbur T. and Rhoda Stephens Johnson House, Isle of Capri Casino, Lions Park Aquatic Center, Hail Ridge Golf Course, and Harley Park are some of Boonville’s prominent attractions. Every year, the town celebrates Boonville Heritage Days, Festival of the Leaves, Festival of The Lights, and the annual Halloween parade.
Fulton
Christened in honor of Robert Fulton, an American engineer, and inventor, this pleasant college town and administrative center of Callaway County is situated about 22 miles northeast of Jefferson City and 20 miles east of Columbia. Though small, the town has a strong passion for education, being the seat of two reputed post-secondary institutions: Westminster College and William Woods University. Located on the Westminster College campus is the National Churchill Museum housed in a Christopher Wren-designed church, commemorating the famous Iron Curtain Speech that was delivered by Sir Winston Churchill to a packed house in 1946. Art and culture enthusiasts can check the rotating exhibits at the Mildred M. Cox Gallery in the Gladys Woods Kemper Center for the Arts. History buffs would not want to miss the Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society’s museum & research center, the Fishback Museum, the Brick District Playhouse, a collection of classic cars at the Auto World Museum, a variety of antiques at the Rock Garden Antique Barn, and the downtown Brick District that contains more than a 100 locally-owned shops, stationery stores, galleries, boutiques, and restaurants in its historic brick buildings.
Weston
Once the second-largest port on the Missouri River, Weston is a small town in Platte County, just 25 miles north of Kansas City, that is noted for its well-kept buildings and welcoming locals. Stroll through the brick-lined streets of the Weston Historic District and browse the many significant buildings like the John Maitland Home, Methodist Church, German Evangelical Lutheran Church, Weston Historical Museum & Library Building, etc. Weston’s Main Street is packed with one-of-a-kind retail stores, antique shops like The Country Peddler, quaint Bed & Breakfasts, casual eateries, wineries like Pirtle Winery, the restored St. George Hotel, the O’Malley’s 1842 Irish pub (where one can sample Irish beer in one of the cellars of the erstwhile Weston Brewing Company), and distilleries like the McCormick’s Distilling Company and Holladay Distillery. For outdoor adventurists, the adjacent Weston Bend State Park offers sweeping views of the Missouri River along with hiking and biking trails. The Snow Creek Ski Area allows skiing and snowboarding activities from mid-December to mid-March.
From the oldest town of Ste. Genevieve to the college town of Fulton, the different gorgeous small towns in the nation’s 21st-largest and 19th-most populous state are waiting to be explored. Each of these pretty locales boasts stunning natural sceneries, strong heritage, colorful annual festivals, and abundant amusement opportunities. So, on your next holiday to the Show Me State, do not forget to make a stop at these spectacular small towns.
