2025's 11 Best Small Towns To Visit In Missouri
Popularly known as the Show Me State, Missouri boasts many hidden gems teeming with charm and character. These are shadowed by breathtaking natural landscapes that define the state's untamed backcountry, from the Ozark Mountains to the Missouri River and the Mark Twain National Forest, providing the perfect backdrop for a remarkable Midwestern getaway.
Beyond the tumult of its major cities, Missouri's small towns grant you an authentic feel for the state. With unique cultures, fascinating histories, and sublime nature to discover, the stage is set for a riveting rendezvous in this lovely destination. From sailing on the Mississippi River in Hannibal to exploring the Ozark wilderness in Van Buren, here are some of Missouri's best small towns to visit.
Poplar Bluff
Poplar Bluff is locally known as the "gateway to the Ozarks" and is shadowed by the jagged peaks of the Ozark Mountains, making for one of the most alluring scenes in Butler County. It spoils outdoor lovers with plenty of natural spaces, including Ray Clinton Park. This lovely oasis straddles the banks of the Black River and offers well-maintained grounds for picnickers and hikers. You can also enjoy nature while testing your swing at the Ozark Ridge Golf Course.
The Mo-Ark Regional Railroad Museum takes guests on a journey through time to explore southeastern Missouri's railway heritage. Elsewhere, art enthusiasts find a mutual pursuit inside the Historic Rodgers Theatre, where local performers entertain audiences with plays, concerts, musicals, and more.
Branson
Branson is a family-centric destination in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, known for its breathtaking surroundings, fun-filled attractions, and outdoor thrills. The Branson Mountain Adventure Park offers various adrenaline-inducing ways to discover its surroundings. You can ride a roller coaster through the forested mountains or take a zipline tour over its dense canopy at breakneck speeds. Among the multiple theme parks in the town, Silver Dollar City stands out for its Victorian-era theme, captivating guests of all ages with thrill rides, live performances, festivals, and other kid-friendly activities.
Families love to visit the Aquarium at the Boardwalk, an exotic marine wildlife sanctuary where visitors can encounter rare species like sharks and stingrays up close. Finally, those who enjoy quirky attractions can take the kids to the World's Largest Toy Museum Complex, where over one million toys from the 1800s are displayed for viewing pleasure.
Ironton
This laid-back mountain town in Iron County beckons ardent outdoorsmen to conquer its sprawling and untamed wilderness. It is dotted with park spaces at every turn, encouraging outdoor immersion through challenging climbs to the summit of the Taum Sauk Mountain State Park. The reward is unprecedented panoramas of the town and its surroundings. Also, you can hire an MTB for an adventurous excursion through the Shepherd Mountain Bike Park and Hiking Trails.
Beyond the great outdoors, Ironton has a small but exciting downtown district. You can find a selection of local shops worth checking out. As souvenir collectors sort through delightful gift items at the Arcadia Valley Soap Co., foodies can sample delicious dishes at Checo's Mexican Restaurant.
Arnold
This Jefferson County community sits at the junction of the Meramec and Mississippi rivers, which offers dramatic scenes of the two waterways merging. It provides several green spaces, including the 25-acre Ferd Lang Park. Here, townsfolk come to enjoy picnics under shady trees and take unassuming walks. Meanwhile, those traveling with their furry friends can use the opportunity to exercise them at the Ozark Dog Park, with a chance for your dog to play with other pups.
If you appreciate human connection, you can visit the Arnold Farmers Market to interact with local growers and examine their baked goods and farm produce. Remember to familiarize yourself with the town's past at the Arnold Historical Society, where a library of manuscripts, photographs, and artifacts lets you step back in time.
Weston
Weston is a four-season destination on the banks of the Missouri River, known for its vast wilderness and attraction-filled downtown area. Those with a penchant for outdoor adventures can get lost in the 1,000-acre Weston Bend State Park. The Missouri River traverses this and provides a recreational hub for campers, hikers, fishermen, and sightseers. Weston boasts a lively wine-making culture, inviting newcomers to visit the Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard to try their hand at apple picking before sampling award-winning wines.
Downtown, the Weston Historical Museum shares the community's beautiful backstory using a fine selection of exhibits from prehistoric times through the Second World War to the present. Lastly, art connoisseurs can examine at least 500 unique silk tapestries at the National Silk Art Museum.
Boonville
Quirky war history meets outdoor adventure in this sleepy village in the heart of the state. Boonville played a significant role in the Civil War, hosting the Battle of Boonville in 1861. The town preserves its fascinating history in a fair share of landmarks, particularly the Friends of Historic Boonville. This exciting complex celebrates the community's heritage through arts, events, and festivals. Thespian Hall has hosted live performances along Main Street since the mid-1800s. It captures the area's imagination through plays, musicals, and other theatrical productions.
The open spaces beckon at Katy Trail State Park, home to miles of recreational trails that beckon bikers, hikers, and joggers to discover the backcountry. Alternatively, you can visit the Rolling Hills Park for a more easygoing escape, marked by lazy picnics with friends or family.
Camdenton
Camdenton is one of the best small towns for outdoorsy vacationers to visit in Missouri. It boasts rich natural scenery and inviting wilderness areas. It is surrounded by the sparkling waters of the Lake of the Ozarks, which visitors can experience at Ha Ha Tonka State Park. Spread over 3,700 acres, caves, bluffs, sinkholes, and a vast natural bridge punctuate this geological wonderland. The Bridal Cave & Thunder Mountain Park is a must-visit in Camdenton, delivering a rare underground experience where you can marvel at majestic crystalline formations and Mystery Lake.
The outdoors also presents a unique cultural encounter at Ozarks Amphitheater. This 10,000-capacity open-air stage hosts world-class concerts and other live events. When exhausted from nonstop exploration, relax with a cold glass of beer at Shortleaf Brewing.
Osage Beach
Osage Beach is a vibrant little city near the Lake of the Ozarks with an impressive live performance landscape and thriving beer drinking culture. Walking down Main Street, you will find numerous entertainment spots, including Main Street Music Hall. This Victorian venue stages Broadway shows and musical acts in a nostalgic atmosphere. If you travel with family, the Magic & Comedy of Taylor Reed provides a more appropriate alternative, with shows centered around illusions, tricks, comedy, and more.
Don't waste an opportunity to try refreshing locally crafted beers at the Lake of the Ozarks Brewing Company. Elsewhere, those who wish to escape to the great outdoors can charter a vessel from The Getaway Watercraft Rentals for a cruise on the water.
Hannibal
This Mississippi River town harbors a fascinating historical heritage and is often associated with being the hometown of Mark Twain. Newcomers will tell this from the monuments honoring the legendary writer, starting with the Mark Twain Boyhood Home Museum. Displayed inside this 1800s dwelling is a collection of personal belongings and memorabilia about his early life and career. The Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse is a delightful sight in Hannibal, installed to tribute the author, and a flight of stairs to an overlook delivers sweeping vistas of the Mississippi.
Adventurous vacationers can explore the mysterious Mark Twain Cave underground. The iconic landmark was famously featured in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer." The Mark Twain Riverboat also takes guests on easygoing cruises down the calm waters of the Mississippi River.
Van Buren
Named after former United States President Martin Van Buren, this secluded village is the ultimate escape for outdoor adventure. It lies in the heart of the Missouri Ozarks and harbors a mix of exquisite natural landscapes, from forests and springs to creeks and limestone ridges. It is home to the Ozark National Scenic Riverways Park, a go-to for rafters, canoers, and anglers. The Van Buren Riverfront Park presents a nice spot to admire the water scenery, with inviting walking paths winding along the river course.
Wildlife enthusiasts are in for a gratifying surprise at the Missouri Down Under Adventure Zoo, where guests can get up close with exotic species like kangaroos and lorikeets. But for a change, consider heading downtown for sumptuous Mexican dishes at Las Margaritas.
Parkville
Parkville provides a break from the large crowds in nearby Kansas City, allowing tourists to revel in a more peaceful atmosphere along the banks of the Missouri River. It features dense woodland surroundings, with plenty of recreational opportunities. The 115-acre Parkville Nature Sanctuary hosts scenic nature trails that expose hikers to breathtaking waterfalls and endemic wildlife species. Those craving to witness the unmatched splendor of the Missouri River can visit English Landing Park, whose boat ramp provides access to its waters.
Alternatively, you can seek solitude in the serene grasslands of Sullivan Nature Sanctuary and spend time on uninterrupted meditation. Nature aside, Parkville invites art lovers to indulge their creativity at Centering Souls, which uses the arts to promote mindful living.
Missouri's heartland conceals a selection of low-key destinations that few can experience. Suppose you plan to visit the state anytime soon. In that case, the best small towns to visit in Missouri portray only a fraction of the endless fun and adventure that awaits in the underexplored backcountry of the United States. From paddling the choppy waters of the Ozarks riverways in Van Buren to sailing on the vast waters of the Lakes of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, each trip promises to leave enduring memories.
