The Best Small Town In Missouri For A 3-Day Weekend

Hermann, Missouri, is a storybook village in Gasconade County in the Missouri River Valley. It is in the middle of wine country, and many of its wineries and vineyards date back to the 19th century. A strong German essence echoes throughout the town, complete with traditional red-brick buildings and an authentic German brewery in a 100-year-old tin mill.

It has been said that Hermann resembles Germany's Rhine Valley, prompting early German land scouts to choose it as a colony. It is now a destination for travelers, especially during its annual events, notably Oktoberfest. This rich history and cultural heritage, in addition to wineries, festivals, and all the German treats one could hope for, make Hermann the best small town in Missouri for a 3-day weekend.

Missouri Wine Country's German Roots

Hermann, on the south side of the Missouri River, was designated as the Gasconade County seat in 1842. In 1837, on behalf of the German Settlement Society of Philadelphia, George Bayer purchased 11,000 acres to establish a settlement where German culture could flourish and thrive. The initial settlers were disappointed to find that the land they had purchased was remote wilderness and dense forest. However, they made the best of it and planted vineyards on the rocky hillsides where grapes could grow unabated. By the turn of the 20th century, there were many vineyards, notably Stone Hill Winery, which became the second-largest in the US and still holds that designation today. It has won gold medals at global competitions and, unsurprisingly, has become the most awarded Missouri vineyard.

Wine Country: Missouri's Not So Secret Treasure

Although Stone Hill Winery holds regional prestige, Hermann has several more vineyards of note, each adding their own flavor to the town overflowing with personality. Six wineries, including Adam Puchta Winery, Dierberg Star Lane, Hermannhof Winery, G. Husmann Wine Company, Reserve Cellars of Hermann, and Röbller Vineyard, make up the Hermann Wine Trail. The detailed tour helps Hermann stand apart from its contemporaries and provides a perfect way to spend a day in the village. Variations of the Hermann Wine Trail include the Say Cheese Wine Trail, the Chocolate Wine Trail for Valentine's Day, and others that dial in the importance of the local wine country.

Downtown is also home to a number of wineries and tasting rooms featuring wines from California and beyond, such as Three Saints on 1st Street. Hermannhof Winery is on the National List of Historic Places and offers views of its cellars and other buildings, completing the all-inclusive wine tour. For an epic self-care three-day weekend, book a room at Hermann Hill. The boutique hotel offers upscale accommodations and luxury in the heart of Hermann's wine country. It sits above the Missouri River on a Norton vineyard, offering panoramic views of the valley below. Guests can opt to stay in one of the resort's equally impressive River Bluff Cottage Suites, depending on personal preference.

Noshing on German Cuisine and Other Ventures

Hermann pairs its culinary scene with local varietals, making it a destination in its own right and adding to the long list of reasons to visit Missouri's best small town for an extended stay. Options include casual fare and homemade treats at the Downtown Deli and Custard Shoppe, while variety is another hallmark of the downtown area, as seen at Zydeco, which specializes in Cajun flavors.

Tin Mill Restaurant is another essential stop for those seeking an immersive experience of all things Hermann. It is in the restored Hermann Mill Plaza, the tallest building in town, featuring steaks, seafood, and, of course, an extensive wine menu. Meanwhile, food and community come together at events like Oktoberfest, Hermann Wurstfest, and the Adam Puchta Wine and Swine Festival for the ultimate three-day weekend.

Old-World Hospitality and Historic Sites in Downtown Hermann

Downtown Hermann offers Old-World hospitality, with over 150 historic structures blending seamlessly into its natural surroundings and wineries. History comes alive on board the Hermann Trolley Dark History Tour, with knowledgeable guides leading passengers to the village's haunted sites and mysterious past. Unique and notable structures, such as the Gasconade County Courthouse, circa 1898, beckon history buffs and architecture enthusiasts during any three-day weekend. The courthouse is one of the few in the US to be built entirely with private funds, and its cupola and other attributes showcase the area's sophisticated architectural layout.

The story of the region's buildings and other essential elements is interpreted at the Historic Hermann Museum, housed in a former German school built in 1871 that served the community until 1955. For a relaxing weekend with little to no driving, book a room downtown at The Hermann Crown Suites. The opulent downtown hotel offers 34 themed master suites and three guesthouses for a sophisticated, elevated stay. It also features the Hermann 1837 Cellar Bar on-site, which completes the experience.

Hermann's Natural Side

Hermann has more than enough cultural and heritage sites to keep visitors busy for a long weekend. Still, the natural beauty of the wooded areas that presented a hurdle to the town's settlers should not be ignored. A short distance from downtown is Riverfront Park, with views of the Missouri River and surrounding bluffs. The 386-acre Graham Cave State Park, a short drive from downtown, features a cave and hiking trails, along with interpretive exhibits that highlight the park's value to locals and tourists. Hermann also sits along The Katy Trail, one of the longest rail-trails in the country, running 240 miles from Clinton to Machens. The sheer beauty of Hermann's natural regions is enough to spark wanderlust in anyone, and may prompt visitors to extend their stay or return to explore another side of the classic German village.

For those seeking everything from romantic retreats to outdoor adventures on a three-day weekend in Missouri, look no further than Hermann. One of the best parts about planning an extended stay in the German village is the range of options, such as touring the award-winning vineyards and wineries, or embarking on a haunted tour or a scenic hike. Hermann tells a story of endurance from its inception as a German colony to the cultural wonderland it is today, and that is what makes it stand apart from other towns and cities in the area.