6 Bucket-List Small Towns In Missouri
Missouri, or the “Show Me State,” is a key component of the Midwestern United States, and for anyone looking to visit a place on their respective bucket lists, this is a fine destination. An economic and cultural hub, Missouri has always delighted the young and old alike with its splendid mix of natural beauty, fascinating history, and cultural charm. From stunning river towns, mountain communities, and cute communities filled with special Americana, Missouri is home to awesome towns that are as deserving of attention as their big city counterparts, St. Louis and Kansas City. So, if looking to check off items on your bucket list, consider spending time in the great State of Missouri through an exploration of its truly exceptional towns, and see firsthand what has made this part of the US such an endearing place of discovery for generations!
Boonville
Seat of Cooper County and situated at the approximate midway point between Kansas City and St. Louis, the town of Boonville is an intriguing historic town founded in the early 1800s. Named after the prominent Boone pioneer family, today a modest population of just under 8,000 resides in this picturesque and welcoming community. If looking to see great historic sites on your bucket list, then Boonville is the place to be, and it is home to upwards of 500 contributing properties on the National Register of Historic Places! Including the Katy Depot Spanish Mission (1911), the Andrews Wing House (1855), the Beckett House (1903), and the Old Cooper County Jail, a taste of life in America of yesterday is palpable in this town.
Meanwhile, for those looking for great outdoor adventures as part of their bucket list desires, then Boonville and the area also answers the call. Spend time at the nearby Katy Trail State Park, where activities like biking, hiking, and jogging are always popular and where great views of the Missouri River never disappoint. Back in town, add in great American-style eateries like The Brew Brothers and Maggie’s Bar and Grill, and then add Boonville to your bucket list of places!
Hannibal
Hannibal should be on the bucket list of any person who loves literature and the works of one of America’s finest homegrown authors. Celebrated as the childhood home of beloved writer Mark Twain, Hannibal is a beautiful town situated along the famed Mississippi River and near the border with Illinois. Established in the mid-19th century and with a modern population of over 17,000 residents, guests will love time spent in Hannibal, where summers are hot, winters are cool, and historic charm never stops delighting throughout the year. Featuring great community events like the Folklife Festival, the Harvest Hootenanny, and the Twain on Main and Tom Sawyer Days Festivals, honoring the legacy of Mark Twain.
Hannibal’s connection to the author and humorist is on full display, and some very unique bucket list items can be experienced here. Explore the Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, while a ride on the Twain Riverboat along the Mississippi River that passes by the Twain Memorial Lighthouse gives tourists a sense of his world in 19th-century America. And do not forget about the quaint Huckleberry Inn Bed and Breakfast, offering a genuine Victorian atmosphere for a most special sojourn.
Branson
Known as “Missouri’s Entertainment Capital,” Branson is a wonderful town to spend your next holiday and perhaps check off a few bucket list items. Stunningly situated within the Ozark Mountains, Branson’s modern history dates back to the 1880s, and today, just under 13,000 people call this lively place home. Attractive for its wide range of museums, venues, parks, and other entertainment landmarks, there is never a shortage of fun when in Branson, and if you have the word amusement on your bucket list, then this town will satisfy completely. Visit such unique places like the Silver Dollar City Amusement Park, the Titanic Museum (and its replica of the ship), the Branson Scenic Railway, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and the World's Largest Toy Museum Complex, amongst many, many more!
Meanwhile, such fun family-friendly outings like mini golf and go-karting can be enjoyed at the many entertainment complexes in town, while a scenic helicopter tour above the White River is a most thrilling ride. Add in a wide-ranging collection of restaurants and shops, including Guy Fieri’s Branson Kitchen and Grand Village Shops, to name but a few, and it becomes clear to see why entertainment and fun are so deeply in the bones of Branson.
Lexington
The seat of Lafayette County in west central Missouri, Lexington is a wonderful river town that lies beautifully along the famed Missouri River. A part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, just over 4,500 residents call this charming community home with modern roots dating to the 1820s. A great place to enjoy a quieter pace of life, while encountering awesome natural beauty and historic intrigue, Lexington is a perfect spot for anyone who has Americana on their bucket list.
Relax along the Missouri River, where opportunities for swimming, boating, biking, and jogging along the water’s edge are always in demand. Add in beautiful, lush greenery and changing colors in a climate known for its hot summers and cool winters, and a most picturesque outing is never far away in Lexington. Additionally, for the history-minded lover looking to add some unique intrigue to their bucket list, be sure to visit several Historic Districts, the Lexington Historical Museum, and the Battle of Lexington State Historic Site, which commemorate the town’s 19th-century past and its role in the Civil War, particularly the eponymous battle in 1861. Afterward, enjoy a tasty meal at establishments like The Feed House and the Sunrise Café.
Fulton
Fulton serves as the seat of Callaway County in central Missouri, where it was founded in the 1820s and named for the inventor of the modern steamboat. With a modern population of just over 12,600, guests can appreciate Fulton’s college town charm and historic ambience, making it an ideal place to enjoy Midwestern Americana and world culture on anyone’s bucket list. Spend time on the welcoming campuses of Westminster College (1851) and William Woods University (1870) and take in beautiful greenery and 19th-century architecture, while the historic Missouri School for the Deaf (1851) is an inspiring place of education that serves as one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the United States.
And while on the campuses, be sure to visit such great attractions as the National Churchill Museum (where the British Prime Minister delivered his famous “Iron Curtain” speech in 1946), and the Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society Museum, which commemorates the Civil War and Missouri’s role in it.
Ste. Genevieve
A stunning river town, visiting the historic community of Ste. Genevieve will serve as a fine addition to your bucket list, where beautiful nature and intriguing history meet. Situated along the Mississippi River and near the border with Illinois, a modest population of under 5,000 residents call this charming place home, which was founded by French Canadian missionaries back in the 18th century. History lovers will adore the time spent at the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Explore a wide range of preserved French Colonial-style buildings (like the Green Tree Tavern, built in 1791), and really get a sense of early America in the years preceding and immediately following the Revolutionary War.
Meanwhile, for awesome nature-inspired bucket list activities, be sure to visit the nearby Hawn State Park and its sprawling area of some 5,000 acres! Featuring cute local waterfalls and creeks, guests can relax through scenic opportunities for cycling, hiking, fishing, camping, and picnicking amidst some of Missouri’s most beautiful and raw natural settings. Finally, to cap off a most memorable bucket list experience, be sure not to miss out on trying some of the best in Cajun and Southern cooking while in Ste. Genevieve. These include Audubon’s and the Anvil Restaurant & Saloon, always ready to create a delectable set of memories.
When travelling through the Midwestern United States, a stop in the “Show Me State” of Missouri is a must, especially for those looking to check off items on their bucket lists. Filled with fascinating history, beautiful natural wonder, and loads of Midwestern charm, Missouri and its collection of towns are great places to spend a holiday and see things before one kicks the proverbial bucket. While major cities like Kansas City and St. Louis are the best known, another side of Missouri can be equally enjoyed through time spent in these smaller communities. From the “Entertainment Capital” of Branson, the charming Hannibal and its connection to Mark Twain, to the historic ambiance of Ste. Genevieve and Fulton, a fun and relaxing holiday outing, are never far away in these awesome Missouri towns. So wait no longer and come see some of the best of the “Show Me State” through an exploration of these beautiful smaller towns, where checking off special bucket list items is never a difficult task.
