8 small towns to visit in Missouri

SAINTE GENEVIEVE

1 hour

Missouri’s oldest settlement welcomes visitors with its rich heritage and charming French colonial buildings, then captivates them with world-class attractions, including the Ste. Genevieve Museum Learning Center (home to the iconic Missouri dinosaur) and the picturesque wine region nestled in the surrounding hills. (Click here to discover more about Ste. Genevieve.)

NEW HAVEN

1 hour

Located in the heart of Missouri’s wine region, New Haven rests along a working train line and overlooks the Missouri River. The location serves as an ideal base for discovering local attractions or venturing to nearby wineries and craft breweries. Downtown, you’ll find Pinckney Bend Distillery and Paddle Stop Brewery, both offering refreshments and stunning vistas.

• Must-Visit: Drop by Astral Glass Studio to observe talented glassblowers creating art and browse their collection of one-of-a-kind home and kitchen accessories.
• Hidden Gem: Reserve a Missouri River canoe trip with Paddle Stop, a professional outfitter offering beginner lessons and special full-moon expeditions.

IRONTON

1.5 hours

Positioned in the scenic Arcadia Valley, this county seat provides an excellent launching point for outdoor adventures in the picturesque Ozark region or exploring Missouri’s rich Civil War heritage at Fort Davidson. Be sure to visit Arcadia Valley Soap Company for unique gifts and enjoy traditional cuisine at Thee Abbey Kitchen at Arcadia Academy.

• Must-Visit: Trek through Elephant Rocks State Park, located just 10 minutes north of downtown. This remarkable destination combines unusual geological features (including the 1.5 billion-year-old boulders that inspired the park’s name) with well-maintained pathways, making it an ideal spot for visitors of all ages.
• Hidden Gem: Shepherd Mountain Bike Park features challenging trails descending the mountainside, offering some of the region’s most thrilling and demanding technical mountain biking and hiking opportunities.

FULTON

2 hours

Famous primarily for housing the National Churchill Museum, Fulton became a landmark destination when Winston Churchill delivered his legendary “Iron Curtain” speech here. To commemorate his contributions to international peace, a substantial portion of the Berlin Wall stands as public art on the grounds of Westminster College.

• Must-Visit: Explore the beautifully renovated National Churchill Museum, featuring engaging displays about the London Blitz, wartime civilian experiences, and World War II intelligence operations.
• Hidden Gem: Throughout the downtown Brick District, you’ll find independent retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues, including GoPo Gourmet Popcorn, famous for their distinctive black truffle lemon peel popcorn.

ARROW ROCK

2.5 hours

Once a significant waypoint along the Santa Fe Trail, this entire village (home to just 56 year-round inhabitants) is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

• Must-Visit: Catch a performance at The Lyceum Theatre, which presents high-quality theatrical productions and beloved musicals including A Christmas Carol and Jersey Boys.
• Hidden Gem: Every December, Arrow Rock State Historic Site celebrates Old Fashioned Christmas in the Village, offering a rare glimpse into life during the mid-1800s with tavern scenes, period schoolhouse activities, and families preparing holiday meals.

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS

4 hours

Just north of Kansas City, Excelsior Springs earned its reputation during the late 1800s as a wellness destination known for its therapeutic mineral springs. The town continues to thrive as a premier spa destination, celebrating its mineral-rich heritage.

• Must-Visit: The Hall of Waters stands as a stunning Art Deco landmark dating back to the 1930s and ranks among the state’s most impressive Federal Public Works Administration achievements. Currently, it operates as a small museum, information center, and mineral water sampling bar.
• Hidden Gem: Have lunch at Willow Spring Mercantile, which features a quaint café paired with a specialty shop carrying Missouri’s most extensive inventory of wines, artisan beers, and spirits.

CLINTON

4 hours

Anchored by the state’s most expansive town square, Clinton offers the western starting point of the Katy Trail, excellent retail and dining options, and the historic Henry County Courthouse.

• Must-Visit: Tour the Henry County Museum and Cultural Arts Center, an ensemble of carefully preserved historic structures led by knowledgeable costumed interpreters.
• Hidden Gem: The fall Wine Stroll event highlights selections from over a dozen regional wineries, alongside educational seminars, special events, and exclusive merchandise.

CARTHAGE

4 hours

Following its destruction during Civil War conflicts, Carthage was beautifully restored in the Victorian style and now boasts more than 600 structures recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, including one of the state’s most extensive historic residential neighborhoods. The beloved Maple Leaf Festival draws crowds with a prestigious marching band competition and exhibits of classic vehicles and vintage farm equipment.

• Must-Visit: Snap a photo with the striking Romanesque Revival architecture of the Jasper County Courthouse.
• Hidden Gem: Straddling the line between preserved village and artistic statement, Red Oak II is both. This artist-curated collection of vintage structures, including a restored gas station and chapel, has been carefully relocated roughly 20 miles from its original location.

Editor’s Note: This article was revised and updated from a previous publication.