7 Prettiest Downtown Strips In Missouri

With a nickname like the Show-Me State, you know you’re in for something authentic, genuine, and no-nonsense on a trip to even one of the nearly 1,000 small towns that dot Missouri's landscape. True to its 'what-you-see-is-what-you-get' attitude, the state offers a wealth of experiences, from the rich European history of Ste. Geneviève to the family-friendly attractions in Branson and the literary legacy of Mark Twain in Hannibal. Located along the Mighty Mo, Missouri invites you to see, do, and discover its vibrant culture, storied past, and seven of the prettiest downtown strips in the United States.

Weston

Weston is a historic river town founded in 1837, boasting a strong artistic vibe that is immediately apparent when strolling through its historic downtown district, which is filled with authentic 19th-century architecture. Start at the Weston Historical Museum, celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2025, to see its Civil War and Native American artifacts, a working gramophone, vintage clothing, and a handmade quilt from the First World War, signed by Edith Wharton, First Lady to President Woodrow Wilson.

Weston has a quiet reputation for its underground food and drink scene, and you can’t get more subterranean than a visit to the 1842-founded Weston Brewing Company, with its modern 24-barrel brewing system that produces 20,000 kegs of beer annually. Take a one-hour tour to discover the brewery, and have a pint at its historic O’Malley’s 1842 Pub, located 60 feet underground in a limestone cellar. Finish your walk along the downtown strip with a one-hour leisurely stroll along the Weston Bluff Trail to the scenic overlook at the 1,133-acre Weston Bend State Park for a spectacular view of the Missouri River and Fort Leavenworth in the distance.

Hermann

An hour away from the state’s second-largest city of St. Louis, Hermann is a photogenic small town in Missouri’s celebrated wine country. Known for its German heritage, well-preserved 19th-century architecture, the Hermann Wine Trail, joyful Oktoberfest events, and more, Hermann is definitely for anyone who loves finding new boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops. For a perfect day of discovery, download a walking tour of Hermann’s downtown historic district and mosey at your own pace.

Start your visit at the Historic Hermann Museum, located in the 1871 German School Building. Then, pay a visit to the Deutschheim State Historic Site, where original 1800s buildings reflect life in a German-American settlement. For wine lovers, don’t miss tastings at the Hermannhof Winery, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, or the G. Husmann Wine Company, named after the “Father of the Missouri Grape Industry.”

Hannibal

Famously known as the hometown of Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain), fans of the author will feel right at home in Hannibal. Opened in 1912, the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum is a National Historic Landmark in downtown Hannibal. More than a single building, it’s a collection of historic homes and museums, dedicated to Clemens’ life and work, including the boyhood home, where Clemens lived from 1844 to 1853, the Huckleberry Finn House, the Becky Thatcher House, Grant’s Drugstore, and more.

Beyond its literary appeal, the river town boasts stunning views of the Mississippi River, offering sightseeing and dinner riverboat cruises with the Mark Twain Riverboat Co. that depart from his boyhood home, inspirational murals of hometown heroes, and a wealth of small-town charm, even though most of the town is deeply linked to the legacy of Clemens. Take a guided tour through the National Natural Landmark known as the Mark Twain Cave Complex, the oldest show cave in Missouri, whose unofficial state nickname is the Cave State.

Parkville

Parkville is another picturesque riverfront town steeped in history, about twenty minutes from Missouri’s largest city, Kansas City (KCMO), making it an ideal short day trip if you want to get out of the big city for a few hours. Wander through town exploring the vibrant foodie scene, boutique shops, eclectic art galleries, and make time for a trip down Photo Op Alley, the ideal spot to take a picture in front of your favorite mural to post on your socials. Check out unique shops like the Farm House Collection for hand-poured candles with scents like Bahama Mama, Country Clothesline, and Pink Sugar. If you time your visit just right, you’ll probably find yourself in the middle of one of the town’s many festivals, like the annual Parkville Days.

End your day in Parkville by escaping into one of the town’s hidden gems, the Parkville Nature Sanctuary. Located only minutes from Parkville’s pretty downtown strip, the sanctuary is a quiet forested reserve featuring three miles of scenic trails and waterfalls, with lots of opportunities for spotting great horned owls, red-bellied woodpeckers, and wild turkeys, and photography.

Branson

Bring your entire family to enjoy the exciting downtown vibe of Branson at Branson Landing and the iconic Dick’s 5 & 10. A short walk from the heart of the city, Branson Landing is located on a 1.5-mile lakeside boardwalk full of trendy sweet shops like IT’SUGAR, cool eateries, and a music store, Hot Topic. The Landing features a spectacular water attraction of lights, fire, and music that runs hourly from noon until ten o’clock every evening.

Leaving from the historic 1905 railway depot in the pretty downtown Branson strip, the Branson Scenic Railway runs forty-mile return vintage passenger coach excursions on a secluded track, uncovering the stunning scenery, deep tunnels, and rolling hills that surround the vibrant small town. No trip to Branson is complete without a visit to Dick’s 5 & 10, a one-of-a-kind gift shop you won’t find anywhere else with toys from yesteryear, games, hobby supplies, a candy emporium, a sports zone, and a mystery aisle.

Excelsior Springs

Excelsior Springs is a spa town with a historic downtown, boasting a reputation as a health resort dating back to the 1800s, when the healing properties of mineral springs were in high demand. The quaint small town is an ideal destination if you’re a fan of a variety of 19th and 20th-century architecture because it features numerous well-preserved examples of Victorian, Classical Revival, and Art Deco styles, like the standout Hall of Waters. Built in 1937, the Hall of Waters once distributed mineral waters from “the world’s longest water bar.” Today, the Excelsior Springs Visitor Center houses a museum with interactive exhibits on the town’s watery past.

Indulge in Excelsior Springs' funky mix of shops and boutiques with a little retail therapy at shops like the Willow Spring Mercantile for locally-made gourmet treats, wines and spirits, and handcrafted soaps, and Kilgore’s Vintage & Design for antiques and unique finds inside a former 1,000 square-foot shopping mall. Don’t miss the award-winning ribs at the famous Wabash BBQ in the old passenger waiting room of the Wabash train depot.

Ste. Geneviève

Ste. Geneviève is Missouri’s oldest permanent European settlement with French colonial roots, so start your visit at the Ste. Geneviève. Ste. Geneviève Welcome Center for maps and tour information on visiting some of the finest French colonial homes in the United States. Located in the Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park, the National Historic Landmark 1792 Amoureux House, and the 1788 Louis Bolduc House are examples of the “poteaux-en-terre” (French for “posts in the ground”) colonial architecture style noted for its simplicity and functionality, much like the motto of the Show-Me State itself.

Wander the charming historic district to discover art galleries like Music Art Love, wineries like Brix Urban Winery and Market, and old-timey eateries like Anvil Saloon & Restaurant. The Anvil Saloon & Restaurant institution is not to be missed and has been a permanent fixture in the historic town since 1855.

Summary

Missouri’s small-town charm shines bright in its prettiest downtown strips, where history, culture, and local flavor collide. From Weston’s artistic vibe and underground pubs to Hermann’s German heritage, every town is like the state’s fine wine: there’s much to savor and appreciate. Wander through Hannibal’s Mark Twain-inspired streets, explore Parkville’s mural-filled alleys and nature sanctuary, or enjoy Branson’s vintage train rides. Visit a Welcome Center and discover Excelsior Springs’ spa-town roots and Ste. Geneviève's French colonial past. These downtown strips are your perfect excuse for taking a long, slow look around the Show-Me State.