The Best Small Towns in Missouri for a Weekend Retreat
The weekend is one of the best times to relax and enjoy a good time. Missouri, with its rich history, is a great place to unwind. Despite their small population, towns in Missouri are home to hand-crafted wine houses, charming antiquities, scenic views, beautiful parks, great food, and activities for everyone. Sit back and explore what your next weekend location could be.
Fulton
The famous ‘Iron Curtain Speech’ was made at Westminster College in Fulton. This enchanting town is filled with history and beautiful culture. You should begin your weekend with a visit to America’s National Churchill Museum, which has different rooms where you can learn about the life and legacy of Winston Churchill through art pieces and different exhibits. Car lovers will enjoy the Auto World Museum, an automotive museum filled with both vintage and modern cars. Some of these vehicles date back over 100 years, and you also learn how they were used in historical times.
Rock Garden Antique Barn is a great vintage store where you can get rare and unique antique pieces for the household and more. Enjoy dancing or watching sports while you eat at the Post Office Bar and Grill. Baymont Inn and Suites is a great accommodation in which to stay over the weekend.
Rocheport
Rocheport was a former trading post, which is now home to a little over 200 people. It is a perfect destination for a weekend getaway. Despite its small population, it has grown to be a popular tourist spot. Bikers and hikers are sure to love the Katy Trail, which spans the Missouri River and has scenic views. Shirahaze Gallery houses unique handmade ceramic pieces and beautiful photographs of beautiful scenery that are also available for purchase. Their business hours range between different months of the year, so be sure to check their schedules.
To literally wine and dine, visit The A-Frame Wine Garden. It features a picnic-style menu and a scenic view of the Missouri River. Wine connoisseurs will also find The Tasting Room on The Blufftop and Rocheport Winery enthralling. You may rest for the day at the Katy Trail B&B.
Carthage
Carthage was formerly burnt to the ground during the American Civil War and later rebuilt. Now surrounded by old architecture, rich history, and art, it has become a popular tourist site. Start your weekend vacation by visiting the Battle of Carthage Civil War Museum, where you get to learn about the history of the Civil War through a diorama, artifacts, and other exhibits. Municipal Park is a great spot for outdoor activities which features facilities and activities that kids can also enjoy.
Walk back in time with a visit to Red Oak II, an open-air museum. This town in Carthage features actual historic buildings from the 20th century, like a diner, a jail, an old schoolhouse, a church, and some homes, which are privately owned. Enjoy a hearty meal, drinks, and live music at Roscoe’s Bar and Grill.
Weston
Weston is another lovely destination for a weekend retreat. A unique art style, silk tapestries, is on display at the National Silk Art Museum. These tapestries are reproductions of artworks of famous artists from the 19th and 20th centuries. With its brewery culture, Weston is home to a number of handcrafted wine houses that produce wines and offer tours and wine tasting to visitors, Pirtle Winery being one of them.
While there, you may like to visit their gift shop. A visit to Weston Red Barn Farm gives you the opportunity to see a working farm with traditional crops and animals present in 19th-century Missouri. The Inn at Weston Landing is a great accommodation that serves breakfast in the mornings.
Lamar
Lamar is known as the birthplace of Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States. It is a city in Barton County, Missouri. This small town features a number of sites and attractions, including the Harry S. Truman Birthplace State Historic Site, the original birthplace of the former president. Stompin’ Grounds hosts a variety of thrilling events such as concerts, bull riding, and monster truck shows. Be sure to check their official website for upcoming events. Movie lovers will love Barco Drive-In Theatre and Plaza Theatre. Treat your tastebuds with a good selection of food at Tractor’s BBQ and Grill. Blue Top Inn is a great accommodation option.
Clarksville
If you love a densely populated town, Clarksville is the place for you. With a population of less than 400 people, this small town promises a beautiful weekend retreat. Begin your weekend with a visit to the Clarksville Visitors Center, where there’s a historic museum that shares Clarksville's history and a little gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs. The 1845 Historic Elgin/Cottrell House Museum is the oldest house in Pike County. It is also known as The Jewel of Pike County.
Visitors get to see one of the largest collections of antique furniture, accessories, and oil-painted portraits of the Antebellum Period. Overlooking the Mississippi River is the Clarksville Riverfront Park, which is a beautiful spot to relax and enjoy the scenic view. Cherry’s Bar and Grill serves a variety of meals and features a kids’ menu.
Parkville
The historic town of Parkville has a plethora of activities for everyone. Kick off your weekend at Historic Downtown Parkville, a historical town with beautiful shops, restaurants, boutiques, coffee spots, and a number of events that you are sure to enjoy. Another fun and family-friendly spot is the Parma Woods Shooting Range, which has an array of shooting options. This activity is open to both experienced visitors and those looking to have fun.
If you enjoy the great outdoors, English Landing Park is a perfect spot for you. It features a 3-mile walking trail, a disc golf course, picnic shelters, a large playground, a boat ramp, a sand volleyball court, and other recreational facilities. Café des Amis is a pretty French café with a variety of food options to nourish you. Be sure to check their business hours.
Words don’t do justice to the beauty that these towns are. A first-hand look at these quaint towns will give you a real feel of the charms they have. Have the time of your life with historical information, beautiful architecture, fine dining, enthralling events, outdoor activities, and so much more when you visit these towns.
