7 Most Laid-Back Small Towns in Missouri
Missouri, from the Sioux phrase for "wooden canoe people" or "he of the big canoe," is home to many sublime settlements and communities. From St. Louis with its Gateway Arch and Kansas City with its innumerable fountains, these places are full of vigor and vivacity. But sometimes, people want to go to humble, quiet places—and fortunately, there are a number of the most laidback small towns in Missouri worth exploring this 2024. So go on a canoe down the Mississippi River or the Missouri River, and seek out the rural comforts and lazy airs of Missouri’s laidback small towns.
Arrow Rock
For over 12,000 years, Arrow Rock’s limestone bluffs have been a main source of flint for Native Americans to produce tools and arrowheads. Once it was marked on a French map called “pierre a fleche” meaning “rock of arrows” in 1732, Arrow Rock soon became a launching point for Westward Expansion and has thus been marked a National Historic Landmark. It earned more history when Lewis and Clark visited the town as seen in the Lewis & Clark Trail of Discovery.
George Caleb Bingham, a 19th-century artist who worked on Luminism, has a home in Arrow Rock which you can visit. Similarly, Dr. John Sappington, the man who made quinine pills which relieved many a malarial fever in the US, also has a home in Arrow Rock as well as the Dr. John Sappington Museum for which you can learn all about Dr. Sappington. Perhaps the most historic involvement Arrow Rock has experienced was the Emancipation of African-American history as noted in the Black History Museum. When it comes to lodgings, the Arrow Rock Station Bed & Breakfast, Latch House, and Borgman's Bed & Breakfast do not disappoint.
Weston
For those of you curious about what life was like in Missouri before the American Civil War, then perhaps the antebellum town of Weston should suffice. For starters, you could admire the silk art tapestries at the National Silk Art Museum, all of which originates from the 18th and 19th centuries and from England and France. Afterwards, spend an evening or more in either the O'Malley's 1842 Pub and the Weston Brewing Company. The Weston Brewing Company, in particular, is one of the first lager beer breweries in the U.S since 1842. Of course, you can familiarize yourself with Weston’s involvement in the American Civil War at the Weston Historical Museum. Finally, to top it all off, enjoy leisurely strolls through the Snow Creek and the Weston Bend State Park. If you are ever in need for accommodations, look no further than to the Benner House B&B, The St. George Hotel, or The Inn at Weston Landing B&B.
Hermann
Germany may be miles away across the Atlantic Ocean, but Hermann is a conveniently hour-away destination from the city of Columbia. With a history dating back from 1837 as best read at the German Settlement Society of Philadelphia, Hermann has thrived as a bustling German community with its historic homes at the Deutschheim State Historic Site and even haunted houses as best explored from Hermann's History & Haunts tour. Hermann is so active that it was deemed America’s best Adventure Towns by National Geographic. From March 22-24, one can attend the much-beloved Wurst Fest for the best of the wurst. There is also an Oktoberfest worth participating, especially since Hermann’s version of Oktoberfest is one of the closest to the initial Oktoberfest from Germany. For those of you intrigued by Hermann’s Germanic roots, then you might want to store your belongings at either 1000 Parkview, 1910 Guesthaus, or 2nd Street Lodging B&B.
Marceline
Marceline, midway between the cities of Hannibal and St. Joseph, is certainly a laidback town with its simplistic setup and small-town atmosphere. But it was from this unassuming small town that Walt Disney, creator of many a childhood, spent much of his childhood in Missouri before moving elsewhere. The Walt Disney Hometown Museum chronicles much of Disney’s life as a young boy, while Marceline’s Main Street, which used to be called Kansas Avenue, was the blueprint for Disneyland’s Main Street as seen in Florida. Travelers can partake in more explorations at the Marceline Railroad Story which has close connections to the Santa Fe Railway. Lastly, you can tour the EP Ripley Park, the original “EP Ripley.” Feel at home and at ease while spending your lovely evenings at either the Circle O Lodge or Hotel Marceline.
Sainte Genevieve
Between St. Louis and Cape Girardeau lies the oldest French settlement in Missouri, Sainte Genevieve. The town’s many houses—the Guibourd-Vallé House, the Jean-Baptiste Vallé, the Beauvais-Amoureux, and Bolduc & LeMeilleur—are reminiscent of the baroque and stylish homes seen in France. Sainte Genevieve has experienced its fair share of warfare during the American Revolutionary War and conflicts with the Louisiana Purchase, which the Centre for French Colonial Life elaborates. To get a greater feel of the French culture in Sainte Genevieve, you can attend the French Heritage Festival at the Felix Valle State Historic Site from June 8 - 9. You might also be invested in exploring the Hawn State Park and St. Geneviève Levee Wildlife Refuge for Missouri’s local ecosystems. So consider spending a lively vacation in Sainte Genevieve while staying awhile in the Inn St. Gemme Beauvais, La Fleur de Lis, or Maison Huberdeau Guest House.
Kimmswick
Kimmswick, about 23 miles south of the city of St. Louis, beckons newcomers with an assortment of humble trinkets and amenities. Along the Mississippi River, you will come upon the Windsor Harbor Road Bridge, the oldest known wrought iron bridge in Missouri. On October, you can attend the yearly Apple Butter Festival, whereas on June you can partake in the Strawberry Festival for a different kind of plucking. Some of you might fancy a scenic tour of the Mississippi River from Hoppie’s Marina. However, the highlight of Kimmswick is undoubtedly the Anheuser Estate, better known as Fredmar Farms. It was once the home of locals Fred and Mabel Ruth Anheuser, and inside you can admire a gallery of Westward Ho Crystal, a pair of hand-carved World’s Fair beds from 1904, and an original “Feasting Fox.” If you are curious to see more of what Kimmswick possesses, then you should definitely book a room at The Greenhouse Inn.
Fulton
About 26 miles from Jefferson City, Fulton is the gateway to the Lake of the Ozarks, a paradise of cool waters amidst the beautiful Ozark Mountains. In Fulton’s Brick District, dozens of historic buildings line the streets. Taking the Stinson Creek Trail, you can venture into the serene landscapes of the Ozarks. On the other hand, you might just prefer touring Westminster College, renowned for hosting Sir Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech. Nearby, the America’s National Churchill Museum chronicles more about England’s “darkest hour” and on Winston Churchill’s career. Westminster College also contains a replication of the 12th-century Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury. Even Edwina Sandys, Churchill’s daughter, has made a contribution to the college with her creation of the Breakthrough sculpture, a monument to the destruction of the Berlin Wall. So if you would like to see more of what Fulton has in store, then you should book a room in fine establishments like the Loganberry Inn Bed and Breakfast.
For a state so small, Missouri has some of the most random oversized objects in the world—the Community Bookshelf in Kansas City, the Giant Eight Ball tower in Tipton, and the World’s Largest Pair of Underwear and Pencil in St. Louis’ City Museum. But however gargantuan these attractions are, the most laidback small towns in Missouri compete these giants with their simple pleasures and quotidian delights. Whether you are learning of famous figures in Marceline or Fulton, unearthing the past in Arrow Rock or Weston, or sampling the delicious cuisines in Hermann or Kimmswick, these small towns have a lackadaisical air that will soothe and satisfy. This year, leave anxiety behind as you explore the most laidback small towns in Missouri.
