6 Most Comfortable Missouri Towns For Seniors For 2025
Missouri is a state where comfort can meet affordability. For many people of a particular vintage, travel for the sake of travel is not always enough; combining vacation with ease, however, and making it all budget-friendly in the process, is easy on the joints, easier on the wallet, and altogether more enjoyable in the end. Missouri is a state that offers several such opportunities. Read on to discover the best of the best small towns in this state, each of which spells out comfort for people of all ages.
Platte City
Founded along the Platte River, the town of Platte City was originally comprised of farmland and mills that stretched along the waterway. Since then, it has undergone a series of historically significant developments, including the entire town being razed by Union troops during the Civil War. Much of the town has survived, however, or been rebuilt better than ever. Visitors are encouraged to visit the Frederick Krause Mansion or the Platte County Courthouse, both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Mansion is a Second Empire-style red-brick home built in 1882. The Courthouse, also made of red brick, was built in 1866.
For those interested in a more relaxing stay, Platte City's small size means it is surrounded by wilderness and wildlife. There are plenty of walking trails through nature for everyone to enjoy. And if you happen to be there during the winter season, an annual White Christmas event is held downtown, featuring horse-drawn carriage rides, children's games, a petting zoo, and much more.
Fulton
Incorporated as a city in 1859, Fulton is now a community-oriented town with a strong emphasis on its own accessibility and local activities. The Tanglewood Golf Course is popular with both locals and visitors, while the Stinson Creek Walking Trail offers numerous tranquil walking and hiking paths. Every December, the Festival of Lights illuminates Veterans Park, followed by an outdoor Christmas movie night.
Family-oriented at its core, Fulton has established itself as a go-to destination for those seeking a slower pace of life, away from crowded streets and the chaos of traffic.
Branson
Branson is surrounded by nature: the Ozarks are close by, and three nearby bodies of water (Table Rock Lake, Lake Taneycomo, and Bull Shoals Lake) make for excellent afternoon adventures.
Those looking to treat themselves after a day on the water can choose from a long list of fine dining experiences, including Outback Steak and Oyster Bar, which offers authentic Australian cuisine, or even the Branson Dinner Cruise, which takes visitors out on Table Rock Lake in the beautiful Showboat Branson Belle. This beautiful 700-passenger paddlewheel showboat, amongst many other entertainment opportunities, offers two-hour lunch and dinner cruises. Book your ticket now, and be sure to pay Branson a visit.
Carthage
Carthage, Missouri, is renowned for its own turbulent past: the Battle of Carthage was a prominent Civil War clash and the first to happen west of the Mississippi River. The fighting even spread throughout the city itself, including the central courthouse square, and its depiction lives on in an inimitable downtown mural.
Much more peaceful now than in its history, Carthage is home to several antique buildings and locations. The Carthage Square is on the National Register of Historic Places: Romanesque Revival in style, its towers and turrets evoke thoughts of long-ago castles. The Precious Moments Chapel offers free daily tours for those interested, while several museums are must-see attractions, including the Civil War Museum and the Jasper County Courthouse, whose Romanesque Revival design dominates the historic Carthage Square. The Courthouse, built in 1895 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, showcases the city’s rich architectural and civic heritage.
Hannibal
The hometown of prodigious author Mark Twain, Hannibal is in the heart of the Midwest and lies along the Mississippi River. Leaning heavily into Twain's legacy, Hannibal offers the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, which includes several buildings unique to the author, such as Becky Thatcher's House and a replica of Huckleberry Finn's home.
Hannibal also has a nightlife saturated with entertainment. The Cave Hollow West Winery, in addition to its excellent wines, sells cave-aged cheeses and fudge. Towering Bluff City Theater offers multiple performances throughout the year, bringing to life some of the world's most enduring works of literature.
Excelsior Springs
This town is great for all ages, but perhaps best for seniors with its laid-back atmosphere, easily walkable streets, and numerous attractions. The Excelsior Springs Wine Trail Trolley Tour starts downtown and takes guests to several tastings in local vineyards and bistros all across the city. Following that, the Elms Hotel & Spa is the place for luxury and relaxation, though it is not the only spa in town. The Hall of Waters Visitor Center is a 1930s-era spa with original art deco tiles; it now doubles as a museum as well, giving visitors insight into a century's worth of health and treatment exercises in Excelsior Springs.
Carolyn Schutte Pocket Park is close to the Hall of Waters; here one can find two sprawling, beautiful murals, many colorful places to sit, and walkable green space.
Explore Missouri Today
Beautiful, sprawling, and criss-crossed with rivers, Missouri is a state that should be high on anyone's travel list. It offers a plethora of tourist destinations ranging from relaxing to adventurous, and explores the depths of its own history with every downtown mile and architecturally significant structure. Visitors to Missouri can appreciate and learn from its past, from the Civil War remains in Carthage to the Mark Twain commemorations in Hannibal. The towns highlighted in this list are perfect for seniors who are looking for relaxing but adventurous options throughout Missouri. Happy travels!
