8 Prettiest Downtown Strips In Missouri

Missouri has the prettiest downtowns. Places like Weston, where 19th-century brickwork still defines the strip. Or Hermann, with its German heritage and riverfront style. Arrow Rock is a different kind of place altogether, a frontier-era town built for a slow walking tour and a real piece of Americana. Ste. Genevieve leans into French colonial architecture while Rocheport and New Haven open up to the outdoors with wide green spaces. Here are the eight prettiest downtown strips in Missouri.

Hermann

Hermann was founded by German immigrants seeking suitable farmland to start a new, better life. They did and started producing wine. There were challenges, including Prohibition, the first and second world wars, and the Great Depression, but the town survived. Today, the town stands strong with 19th-century buildings, clock towers, and churches. Check out the Copper Mule Distillery for some great old American bourbon whiskey.

Tourists and locals alike can go to Espressolaine for excellent coffee and good conversation. Train enthusiasts can stop by the City of Hermann Caboose Museum. Here, visitors can see interactive displays and exhibits focusing on how trains helped shape the state and contributed to the westward expansion of the United States. If you like music, head over to the Clara Eitman Messmer Amphitheater. It hosts a wide variety of concerts in its open-air area with restrooms, concession stands, and a fenced-in park.

Arrow Rock

In the center of downtown sits the J. Huston Tavern. First opened in 1834, the restaurant offers favorites like truffle fries, fried chicken, steak, and smoked pork chops. After a full belly, head to the Arrow Rock State Historic Site Visitors Center. Friendly staff can organize a walking or driving tour of the town. You can also buy souvenirs to give to friends or to remember your visit.

For history buffs, don’t miss out on the Black History Museum, Brown Lodge, to learn about post-emancipation slaves. Most of them purchased homes in town, and you can learn more about their families. Continuing the history tour, visit the John P. Sites Jr. Gunsmith Shop. There, catch professional gunsmith Tyler Sydebotham demonstrating historic 19th-century gunsmithing Thursday to Saturday.

Ste. Genevieve

First thing you may notice in the center of town is Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park, a collection of preserved 18th-century French colonial structures spread across the historic district. Inside the Beauvais-Amoureux House, part of the park, visitors can catch a rare glimpse of the lives of 18th-century settlers. If you can’t get enough of history, stop at the Green Tree Tavern, an old log structure built in 1790. For a day of family fun, check out the Sainte Genevieve Museum Learning Center. There is something to do for all ages. Kids would love the museum’s dinosaur section, and parents would love to learn about ancient cultures and the town’s history. Finally, stop by the Old Brick House (c. 1785) on Third Street; it’s touted as the first brick building west of the Mississippi.

Fulton

In the center of town lies America’s National Churchill Museum. Inside, history buffs can explore the Churchill and Blenheim Place exhibit, featuring objects from the Churchill family’s ancestral home. The "Creating the Sinews of Peace" exhibit focuses on the drafts and recordings of this famous speech. Extending the history tour is the Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society Museum, where visitors can explore exhibits from agriculture, business, communities, and much more. Physical items range from everyday household items to arrowheads. The town is also home to Westminster College. The Stinson Creek Trail runs right through town with paved walking and biking paths and benches along the way. The trail is wheelchair-accessible and tunnels under most major roads.

Weston

Visitors who enjoy learning about history should come visit Weston, population 1,700. Founded in 1837, it features small shops with local beer, wine, whisky, cigars, or roasted coffee. Come to Cactus Creek if you enjoy shopping for the perfect outfit for any occasion. If you like cigars, don’t miss out and stop by Weston Tobacco. You can browse the Weston Historical Museum, housed in a historical brick building just off Main Street. Patrons can learn about the history of the town, including its existence as a major Missouri river port in the 1800s.

Beer aficionados can check out the 1842 Weston Brewing Company. Established in 1842 by German immigrant John Georgian, the brewery used river ice to keep beer cold. Just a few minutes from downtown, outdoor adventurers can hike the Weston Bend Park. The West Ridge Trail leads to a hardwood forest and the Missouri River, which borders the state of Kansas.

Hannibal

When you arrive in Hannibal, you may notice the Rockcliffe Mansion. A 19th-century house on top of a cliff looking down to the Mississippi River. The best part is that it is available as a bed-and-breakfast, the best way to check out the town. Conveniently located downtown, it is only a 14-minute walk to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum. The original home of the famous author, the museum displays his personal effects that may be connected to the stories that he wrote. Visitors can also check out the Mark Twain Memorial Lighthouse. And if you like the water, stop by the Mark Twain Riverboat. However, Mark Twain was not the only famous person associated with the town; visitors can also visit the Molly Brown Birthplace and Museum, home to an "unsinkable" Titanic survivor.

Rocheport

In the middle of town is the School House Bed and Breakfast. It is the perfect place to stay to enjoy the sights of Rocheport. For outdoor adventures, the bed and breakfast is only two blocks away from the Katy Trail and 5.8 miles from the Diana Bend Conservation Area. The trail is wheelchair-accessible, has picnic tables, and is perfect for picnics or hiking, with a great view of the Missouri River. Visitors can stop by the Meriwether Cafe and Bike Shop for a break. Grab some snacks, burgers, fries, coffee, or refreshing lemonade. If you need to repair or rent a bike, this store is for you. Shoppers can also browse the goods at Art and Antiques and the Blacksmith Shop.

New Haven

When arriving at New Haven, tourists are drawn to the Old School Museum. Built in 1883, the school is made of red brick. For a religious experience, stop by the Anna Bell Chapel. A perfect venue for popular events like Candlelight Christmas House Tours. If you are feeling creative, try visiting the Astral Glass Studio. You can make your own souvenir or purchase a premade one.

Down the street, tourists can relax at the John Colter Memorial with relaxing views of the Missouri River. Whiskey aficionados can head over to the Pinckney Bend Distillery, which produces a variety of American whiskeys, vodka, and gins.

Missouri’s small towns have distinct personalities. Some towns, like Weston, have a frontier-era look. Others, such as Hermann, focus on German traditions and architecture. Hannibal carries the most drama, with a historic mansion perched on a cliff overlooking the Mississippi River. Mark Twain’s childhood home inspires visitors to consider how the author developed ideas for his novels. Rocheport has a unique bed-and-breakfast in an old schoolhouse, and New Haven has a museum in an old school. Whatever you are looking for, these eight towns encourage visitors and locals alike to take beautiful pictures and create lasting memories.