9 Close-Knit Towns To Visit In Missouri
Missouri, a bewitching, doubly landlocked state placed close to the heart of the contiguous US, is distinguished not only for its heterogeneous scenery but also for its discernible culture that flawlessly fuses the elements of both the American Midwest and Southern US. Although crowded metropolises like the state capital Jefferson City, Kansas City, Springfield, and St. Louis showcasing its emblematic Gateway Arch are always the first places to come into one’s consciousness, it is the unnumbered closely knit communities interspersed throughout the state's gorgeous terrain that zealously reflect the true essence of the Show Me State. For vacationers seeking a revitalizing change from the hubbub of populated metropolises, these Missouri towns will surely let them experience a stronger sense of community.
Carthage
Jasper County capital, lovingly called ‘America’s Maple Leaf City,’ Carthage is situated to the south of Spring River, by the side of the U.S. Route 71 Highway, immediately east of Joplin. Acclaimed as the location of the Battle of Carthage, which took place at the start of the American Civil War, the whole settlement was destroyed by pro-Confederate guerillas in September 1864. However, the lead mines and limestone quarries in the vicinity contributed immensely to the town’s accelerated development. In the subsequent years, many local buildings including the state’s second-most most photographed building - the Romanesque Revival architectural style built Jasper County Courthouse, have been constructed using the natively excavated gray marble. The Battle of Carthage State Historic Site, Precious Moments Chapel & Gardens, Boots Court Motel, and 66 Drive-In Theatre are some of Carthage’s unmissable allurements.
Hermann
Hermann, the shire town of Gasconade County, occupies the nucleus of Missouri’s Wine Country south of the Missouri River, close to the focal point of Missouri Rhineland. Set up by Philadelphia’s German Settlement Society in 1837 and labeled in honor of Hermann der Cherusker, the community is applauded for its verdant landscape, rich viticulture traditions, rolling hills, and German heritage. While in town, traverse the Hermann Wine Trail and pay a visit to the famed family-owned wineries like Hermannhof and Stone Hill Winery, in addition to finding out more about the town’s yesteryears at Deutschheim State Historic Site, Hermann Farm Museum, and Historic Hermann Museum. From sunrise to sunset all year long, the abutting Katy Trail State Park with the snaking Katy Trail caters to fresh-air fanatics. To boot, celebrants get to partake in periodic events like Oktoberfest, Witches & Wine Festival, Hermann Antique Show, Hermann Blue Oval Rally, and Christmastime in Hermann.
Ste. Genevieve
The seat of Sainte Genevieve County, Ste. Genevieve occupies the western banks of the Mississippi River in Ste. Genevieve Township, adjoining the state border with Illinois. Established around 1740 by Canadian settlers and incomers from Illinois County precisely 2 miles south of its extant location, Ste. Genevieve is Missouri’s oldest permanent European settlement located to the west of the Mississippi River. Baptized after the patron saint of Paris, the settlement has clung to its idiosyncratic French character and a substantial amount of Ste. Genevieve’s storied charisma is mostly due to the appropriate maintenance of the old French Colonial-style properties. Past aficionados get to observe some historic edifices such as the Louis Bolduc House, Bequette-Ribault House, La Maison de Guibord, Old Louisiana Academy, Beauvais-Amoureaux House, and Felix Valle House State Historic Site. Moreover, Outdoor lovers are drawn to the neighboring Pickle Springs Natural Area and Hawn State Park, while merrymakers can enjoy the French Heritage Festival in June and Jour de Fete in August.
Hannibal
Expanding into both Ralls and Marion counties in northeastern Missouri, this entrancing waterfront community is located next to the Mississippi River roughly 100 miles northwest of St. Louis. Sightseers visiting this Hannibal Micropolitan Statistical Area’s principal community should take a Mark Twain Riverboat tour to soak in the natural splendor besides recceing the prominent sites of interest such as the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, Garth Woodside Mansion, Mark Twain Cave & Cameron Cave, Jim’s Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center, Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse, Hannibal History Museum, Lover’s Leap, and Cave Hollow West Winery. The town’s abundant open spaces, including Huckleberry Park, Sodalis Nature Preserve, and Riverview Park, provide nature lovers with numerous opportunities to spend time in the green surroundings. Furthermore, attend yearly fun-filled celebrations like Brew Skies Music Festival, National Tom Sawyer Days, Big River Steampunk Festival, and Loafer’s Car Club Show in Hannibal’s delightful downtown.
Arrow Rock
This tiny Saline County village sits at the top of a flint-bearing limestone bluff looking out on the Missouri River. The whole village encompassed by the Arrow Rock Historic District is considered a National Historic Landmark thanks to the settlement’s link to Westward Expansion. Some of Arrow Rock’s intriguing attractions include the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, the Arrow Rock State Historic Site, the renovated house of George Caleb Bingham - an illustrious frontier artist, the Huston Tavern, etc. Unwind at the Arrow Rock Station Bed & Breakfast and try to attend the Arrow Rock Heritage Craft Festival held every October.
Kimmswick
A hospitable Jefferson County town, Kimmswick, platted by Theodore Kimm in 1859, is nestled alongside the Mississippi River shores exactly 22 miles south of St. Louis. Travelers on a tour of this quaint town must walk down the brick-paved streets of Kimmswick Historic District and take note of the exquisitely preserved 18th and 19th-century buildings constructed in American Craftsman architectural style. Stop by the Windsor Harbor Road Bridge and browse the downtown’s countless antique stores, artisan shops, boutiques, and eateries like Blue Owl Restaurant & Bakery serving delicious homemade meals and desserts. Be present at Kimmswick’s annual events, such as the Apple Butter Festival, Kimmswick Christmas Parade & Open House, Kimmswick Car Show, Strawberry Festival, and Witches Night Out.
Boonville
Boonville, the seat of government of Cooper County, sits high atop the arboreous bluffs overlooking the Missouri River, right at the center of the state off Interstate 70 Highway, equidistant from St. Louis and Kansas City. Christened in honor of Daniel Boone - an American pioneer, this pretty town served as the site of one of the American Civil War’s first land battles. Apart from having over 400 meticulously maintained landmark structures and a dynamic arts & cultural scene, Boonville’s other noteworthy sites of interest include the Katy Trail State Park, Katy Railroad Bridge, Hail Ridge Golf Course, New Visitors Center & River, Rails & Trails Museum, Isle of Capri Casino Hotel, Lyric Theater (Thespian Hall), and Warm Springs Ranch. Spare time from your busy schedules to attend yearly celebrations like Boonville Heritage Days, Festival of The Lights, Missouri River Festival of the Arts, Festival of the Leaves, and Big Muddy Folk Festival.
Rocheport
Set on the craggy bluffs of the Missouri River on the western extremity of Boone County, this teeny river town forms a portion of the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area. Established as a trading post in 1825 for settlers and Native Americans, Rocheport includes the Rocheport Historic District, which consists of numerous notable landmark properties dating back to the 1830s. Passing close to this tight-knit community’s core is the 240-mile-long Katy Trail, which lures over 56,000 tourists every year, permitting its users to travel through some of the state’s most beautiful areas. Also, peruse the multiple galleries such as the Shirahaze Gallery, Art Off the Trail Gallery & Working Studio, Art & Antiques and Blacksmith Shop; cozy bed & breakfasts like School House Bed & Breakfast, one-of-a-kind shops, finest wineries, and dining spaces like the Blufftop at Rocheport, the Rocheport Winery at Mount Nebo Inn, and Meriwether Café and Bike Shop.
Fulton
Callaway County’s administrative center, Fulton, named after the American engineer Robert Fulton, is a serene college town located approximately 22 miles northeast of the state capital and 20 miles east of Columbia. Though small (having a land area of 12.33 sq. mi), the town, being home to two prestigious higher learning institutions, William Woods University and Westminster College, has an enduring passion for education. Situated on the scenic campus of Westminster College in a Christopher Wren-designed church is the National Churchill Museum, which commemorates Sir Winston Churchill’s famous Iron Curtain Speech delivered to a packed house on March 5, 1946. The rotating exhibits in Gladys Woods Kemper Center for the Arts’ Mildred M. Cox Gallery are a must-visit for art and culture lovers, whereas the Auto World Museum with its classic car collection, the antiques of Rock Garden Antique Barn, the Fishback Museum, the Brick District Playhouse, and the Museum & Research Center of the Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society should not be missed by history enthusiasts.
From America’s Maple Leaf City - Carthage to the scholastic settlement of Fulton, the wondrous towns in the 21st largest and 18th most populous state of the nation are waiting to be discovered by globetrotters. So, if you want to perceive the captivating countryside surroundings, nationally lauded attractions, copious Midwestern hospitableness, eateries serving flavorful cuisines, and kaleidoscopic seasonal festivities, the less-noticed towns in the Mother of the West are worth making a stop on your upcoming relaxing holiday.
