7 Most Neighborly Towns In Missouri

Missouri is a state of unmatched natural beauty and endless culture, with a thriving music scene known as the birthplace of musical styles such as Kansas City Jazz, St. Louis Blues, and Ragtime. Small-town Missouri is where the locals and locales are equally welcoming. Anyone can feel right at home in the towns this list will be exploring, and in the experiences that they offer: the historic sights of Platte City, the boyhood home of Mark Twain, located in Hannibal, and much more. Read on to discover seven of Missouri's most neighborly towns.

Branson

Branson is surrounded by nature: the Ozarks are almost within touching distance of the town, and three nearby bodies of water (Table Rock Lake, Lake Taneycomo, and Bull Shoals Lake) make for excellent afternoon adventures. These areas are also full of life, and people are always out boating, swimming, or picnicking in the region.

Those looking to treat themselves after a day on the water can choose from a long list of fine-dining options, including Outback Steak and Oyster Bar, which offers authentic Australian cuisine. For a different experience, one can head out on the Branson Dinner Cruise, which takes visitors aboard the beautiful Showboat Branson Belle on Table Rock Lake. This impressive 700-passenger paddlewheel riverboat, among other entertainment options, offers two-hour lunch and dinner cruises. Book your ticket now, and be sure to pay Branson a visit.

Platte City

As promised, Platte City is as rife with history as anywhere else in the state. Originally a farmland and mill town along the Platte River, this town has bloomed in the intervening years and undergone a series of historically interesting developments, including the entire town being razed by Union troops during the Civil War. Much of the town has survived, however, or been rebuilt to replicate what was lost. Visitors are encouraged to seek out the Frederick Krause Mansion or the Platte County Courthouse, both of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Mansion is a Second Empire-style red-brick home built in 1882. The Courthouse, also red-brick, was built in 1866.

For those seeking relaxation, Platte City 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, there is an annual White Christmas event held in downtown that features 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 an emphasis on its own accessibility and activities. The Tanglewood Golf Course is popular with locals and visitors alike, while the Stinson Creek Walking Trail provides over five miles of scenic trails with endless greenery. Not to be outdone by Platte City's annual wintry celebration, the Christmas Market in Fulton sets up every December and offers holiday-themed goods, local artisan vendors, a variety of food, and much more. A one-of-a-kind experience, visitors should also be sure to check out Fulton's Auto World Museum. Displaying its historic vehicles in an 18,000-square-foot facility, attendees can appreciate not only the design of these automobiles but also their historical context and the stories behind their manufacture.

Carthage

While not the famous Carthage of some millennia ago, Carthage, Missouri, is famous for its own turbulent past: the Battle of Carthage was a prominent Civil War clash and one of the first to occur west of the Mississippi River. The fighting even spread throughout the city, including the central courthouse square; its depiction lives on in an inimitable downtown mural. To learn more about this battle, one can visit the Battle of Carthage Civil War Museum, which details the events of the fight and displays artifacts, a diorama, and local artwork depicting the height of the combat.

Much more peaceful now than in the past, Carthage is home to several historic buildings and sites. Carthage Square is on the National Register of Historic Places; in the Romanesque Revival style, its towers and turrets evoke thoughts of long-ago castles. The Precious Moments Chapel offers free daily tours and showcases several paintings from its founding member, Samuel J. Butcher. Carthage also comes alive during Maple Leaf Festival season in October, when the town hosts parades, craft vendors, and live entertainment around the historic square, drawing locals together for a whole weekend of shared tradition.

Excelsior Springs

With a name like Excelsior Springs, you can expect good results. This friendly town is as welcoming as any other, great for all ages, and filled with 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, offering visitors insight into a century's worth of health and treatment practices 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. Community spirit is especially evident during the Excelsior Springs BBQ & Fly-In. This annual summer event combines live music, barbecue competitions, and small-aircraft flyovers, turning the town into a lively gathering spot for residents and visitors alike.

Hannibal

At last, the hometown of prodigious author Mark Twain. Hannibal is in the heart of the Midwest and every bit a part of the Mississippi River's muddy banks as the mud itself. 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. For those who want to meet the community, Hannibal’s welcoming side shines during National Tom Sawyer Days each summer. It features fence-painting contests, parades, and riverfront events that celebrate Mark Twain’s legacy while giving locals plenty of chances to connect with visitors.

Hermann

A fairytale village with beautiful architecture and sprawling vineyards, Hermann is unique in its Bavarian heritage. You may feel that you are in Europe as you wander these quiet streets, and the locations offered in Hermann only add to the town's allure. Stone Hill Winery is Missouri’s oldest and one of its most awarded wineries; its daily guided tours are free, and guests can peruse the gift shop for local and regional goods. Not far away, Copper Mule Distillery offers a premium bourbon distilled and bottled in town. They offer tours and tastings on the rolling hills of a former mule farm.

Beyond local libations, there are hiking trails abound near Hermann, and plenty of lively activity within. On Market Street, one can find Missouri's Trading Post, a shop that not only sells Missouri-made products but also serves delicious meals. In Hermann, community life centers around Oktoberfest, held across multiple weekends each fall. The festival brings music, wine tastings, German food, and shared tables into the streets, making it one of the town’s most social times of year.

Explore Neighborly Missouri Today

Beautiful, sprawling, and lined with rivers, Missouri is a state that should be high on anyone's travel list. Amidst its rugged beauty, the seven towns on this list offer a friendly, welcoming feel alongside their histories, architecture, and culture. Visitors can appreciate and learn about the state's layered past, from the Civil War remains in Carthage to the Mark Twain commemorations in Hannibal. They can appreciate culinary delights in the wineries of Hermann or relaxation in the spas of Excelsior Springs. No matter your reason for going to small-town Missouri, you will have plenty of reasons to stay.