6 Best Towns in Missouri to Visit in 2024

Missouri has a rich history, beautiful scenery, and strong communities. If you are planning a trip to Missouri, some of the best spots to visit are the small towns. They allow a charming experience and often have unique community events throughout the year. In Rocheport, experience the allure of tranquil scenery along with art galleries and a music fest. The small town of Weston has a Whiskey fest that is every whiskey lover's dream. The Oktoberfest in Carthage has everything from a parade to art vendors and historic reenactments. Whether you are a nature lover, history buff, or festival goer, these small towns are worth a trip in 2024.

Rocheport

Rocheport is a calm Missouri town with a variety of activities to enjoy. The town is unique in maintaining its peaceful presence and community charm since its founding in 1825. You can learn more about the town's history at the Friends of Rocheport Museum on Moniteau Street. Walking around town, it feels like you've stepped back in time, particularly when admiring the view of the Katy Trail. This is one of the best attractions in Rocheport. A unique feature of the trail is a winding tunnel that is over 240 feet long. The tunnel dates back to 1893 for the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad. In the summer, the tunnel offers relief from the heat.

The tranquil surroundings are an inspiration for local artists. You can see local artists work at the town's art galleries and studios. A popular gallery to stop at is the Shirahaze Gallery. It is an artist-run gallery and store. For those who appreciate music, Rocheport has a Biscuits Beats Brews music festival from September 29th to October 1st. The festival features a craft fair, grape crushing, face painting, and a Kid's Silent Disco.

Hannibal

Hannibal is a small town on the magnificent Mississippi River, famous as the boyhood home of Mark Twain, an adored American author. You can visit Mark Twain's Boyhood Home and Museum to learn more about the author and his life in Hannibal. There are seven historic properties to explore. Next door to Mark Twain's Boyhood Home is another museum, Jim's Journey Freedom Center. The museum shows the achievements of prominent African Americans from Hannibal. 

Hannibal also has restored historic buildings on Main Street downtown. Between buildings, there are beautiful murals that serve as an excellent backdrop for photos. 

A unique attraction in Hannibal is the Folklife Festival. This year marks the 48th anniversary of the festival. The festival takes place on October 19th and 20th. It features traditional craftsmen, artisans, artists, makers, food, music, and performers in the period setting.

Weston

Stepping into Weston is like stepping back in time. The charming town has many historic buildings downtown, including the Weston Historical Museum and the Weston Train Depot. Each place allows visitors a window into the past. The Weston Historical Museum is a great place to start your trip to Weston. You can learn more about the town's history and the settlement of Weston and see artifacts from the town's past.

To enjoy the historic downtown buildings in Weston and the outdoors, check out the Weston Riverwalk. The scenic walkway has views of lush trees along the Missouri River and takes hikers through the historic downtown area. Some places along the walk include the Weston Historic Society and an old Lighthouse replica. 

Downtown is the local Farmer's Market. Stop in to check out all the local goods, from produce to artisanal goods. To celebrate the local apple harvest, Weston hosts an Applefest in October; 2024 is the 36th year. There is also a Whiskey fest in October. This year, it is taking place on October 26th. At the fest, you can try whiskies from around the world while surrounded by whiskey lovers. The whiskey fest is popular, so buy a ticket beforehand.

Kimmswick

Kimmswick is a historic town with antique shops and charming festivals. Many of the shops in town are in buildings dating back to 1859, the time of the town's founding. There is a history museum where you can learn more about Kimmswick's history. You can also check out Fred and Mabel Ruth Anheauser's ancestral home at Fredmar Farms. Walking on the historic estate is like stepping into the past.

Kimmswick also hosts several events throughout the year. The annual Strawberry Festival in June and the famed Apple Butter Festival in October are two of the most popular events to attend. They feature local produce, musicians, food trucks, artists, and artisan crafters. Both events feature demonstrations of traditional cooking methods by the Kimmswick Historical Society. Book your stay well in advance if you want to visit the Apple Butter Festival. This is Kimmswick's largest annual event; the festival draws in more than 100,000 visitors.

Washington

Washington is another beautiful Missouri riverfront town. You can enjoy the riverfront views on the Rotary Riverfront Trail. The trail goes across the eastern and western downtown area and gives a stunning view of the river. 

What makes Washington stand out is its strong community of readers. Every year, Washington holds the Missouri Book Festival to promote literacy and encourage reading. The festival takes place in September and has a variety of activities to enjoy. You can even hear advice from regional authors who attend the event.

Besides reading, Washington is also known for its artists. Byran Haynes founded the local Byran Haynes Studio and Gallery. He is a famous artist who illustrated book covers, posters, and magazine covers.

Carthage

One of the biggest attractions in the small towns of Missouri is the Maple Leaf Oktoberfest in Carthage. This year marks the 57th annual Maple Leaf Oktoberfest. The festival started in 1966 as a marching band competition. Today, it celebrates the changing fall foliage of the maple trees. There are many different activities to enjoy at the fest, such as arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, and a quilt show. There is also a 2-mile parade that begins at 9 am and encompasses the beautiful Historic Carthage Square.

History buffs will also enjoy the festival. There are reenactments of the First Battle of Carthage. Anyone looking to learn more about the town's history during the Civil War should check out The Carthage Civil War Museum. Another great way to learn more about the town is touring old Victorian homes. The William Phelps Victorian-style home is a popular spot to start with.

These small towns are the best to visit in Missouri for 2024. For bookworms, Washington is the place to stay for the annual book fest. History lovers will love all the history in Weston. Rocheport is the town for nature lovers looking for a beautiful hike along the river. Whatever your reason for visiting Missouri, consider stopping at one of these small towns.