Top Small Towns by Experience

Story by Kristina Light and Tara Clarkson

In addition to the overall top smalltowns, five small towns stood out for the experiences they offer. Respondents rated towns they most associated with each of the following attributes: dining and local food scene, hospitality and visitor experience, arts, culture and local attractions, outdoor activities, and historic character.

Full of Historic Character: Lexington

Aside from the top four small towns, Lexington was most associated with the category of historic character. Surrounded by wineries and orchards, Lexington is full of postcard- worthy views, vintage homes, antiques, and specialty shops.

It is also known as the site of a signicant Civil War battle, the Battle of the Hemp Bales that took place in 1861 on the bluffs of the Missouri River. Some of the trenches are still visible at what is now the Battle of Lexington State Historic Site. Hemp, traditionally used for rope and textiles, was vital to Lexington’s commerce, and in this battle, Confederates used hemp bales as a shield, rolling them up the bluff and soaking them in water to help render them fireproof against heated rounds; the hemp bales also helped stop bullets from reaching the soldiers who were sheltered behind them. The hemp bales are credited as contributing to the Union’s eventual surrender. Also at the park is the Anderson House, which was used as a hospital and at one point was seized by both the Confederates and the Union.

There are all sorts of other opportunities to explore Lexington’s history. Visitors can take a theatrical audio tour of the four National Historic Districts in Lexington, which takes them by stunning homes with antebellum and Victorian-style architecture. The Lexington Historical Museum has memorabilia related to the Pony Express, steamboats, coal mining, the Civil War, and the Osage Nation. The Wentworth Male Academy, built in 1880, was renamed the Wentworth Military Academy in 1882 after it began adopting the
curriculum and training of the Virginia Military Institute. By 2017, the academy had closed due to declining enrollment, and the Wentworth Military Academy Museum was established; it now has public tours showcasing original artifacts from the school.

You also might want to stop by River Reader, an independent bookstore located in a historic 1885 Queen Anne-style building; Gallery 1029, an art gallery and community gathering place; Antiques and Decor, where vintage finds abound, and Majikah Perfumery, where you can create your own scent from essential oils. If you’d like a quiet spot to while away the afternoon, check out Missouri Riverfront Park, where you can watch boats go by or fish.

Wine and Food Destination:
St. James

St. James scored highly in the dining and local food scene category. Sitting on historic Route 66, the town of St. James is a community surrounded by rolling hills and crystal-clear spring-fed waters, a place where guests can experience an unhurried pace and small-town hospitality.

St. James has built a reputation as one of Missouri’s most rewarding wine destinations, with three distinct wineries along the Meramec River Wine Trail. St. James Winery, a regional landmark for more than 55 years, draws people from across the region. It has free wine tastings, guided cellar tours, and live music in the wine garden.

Spencer Manor Winery earns its spot as the area’s most popular dining destination, with a hillside setting, large patio, and full tapas menu. In a restored historic barn, Prairie Barn Winery has free wine tastings and an outdoor patio. If you’d rather have a glass of beer, Johnnie’s Bar and Grill on Historic Route 66 is an institution famous for the coldest beer on the Mother Road. Sybill’s Restaurant & Gift Shop serves elevated dinners, featuring steak, pasta, and seafood.

Vacation rentals and bed-and-breakfasts in the area include cabins at Lost Creek Ranch and Witt’s End Farmhouse, a ranch vacation rental with an equestrian-friendly setup that allows guests to bring their own horses. The Old Opera House, a downtown building dating to 1906, has modern apartments available for weekend stays.

Nearby is Maramec Spring Park, one of Missouri’s most beautiful natural destinations, drawing trout-fishing enthusiasts with its trout that are stocked daily.

Vibrant Visitor Experience: Carrollton

Survey respondents heavily associated Carrollton with the hospitality and visitor experience category. Incorporated in 1837, the town of Carrollton was named after Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. At the Carroll County Historical Museum, you can find a depiction of life in the early days of Carroll County, along with 25 period-style rooms.

The family-run Folger Street Inn & Coffeehouse, where the Backes family greets guests by name, is housed in an early 1900s house. In the morning, you can head to the adjoining Coffeehouse, which has professional baristas who are trained by Kaldi’s experts. Another lodging option is La Bella Motel, locally owned and operated by Carrollton natives who strive to provide friendly hospitality.

Home to Art Studios and Theaters: Clarksville

Readers ranked Clarksville highly in the arts, culture, and local attractions category. Established in 1817 before Missouri became a state in 1821, Clarksville is said to have been named after William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition. It was a hub for shipping cotton, tobacco, wheat, corn, apples, and grapes by flatboat and, later, by rail.

This historic river town is home to working studios, art galleries, theater, and live music. The Changelings Theatre Company is a local theater group dedicated to bringing bold theater to Clarksville. Forge 721, located in an old blacksmith building, features unique treasures and antiques and hosts local artists and live musicians.

Outdoor attractions include Riverfront Park & Lock and Dam No. 24, which is ideal for viewing barges, picnicking, and fishing. Eleven miles southeast is Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge, with hiking and opportunities to observe wildlife, including the hundreds of bald eagles that gather there.

Outdoor Activities in the Ozarks: Eminence

In the outdoor activities category, one small town stood head and shoulders above the rest. Nestled in the heart of the Ozarks and surrounded by the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Eminence has built its reputation on miles paddled, trails explored, and evenings shared around the campfire.

The Current and Jacks Fork Rivers draw float trippers of all ages. Carr’s Canoe Rental is the go-to outtter, with routes ranging from half-day paddles to multi-day journeys. To experience the Mark Twain National Forest from a different vantage point, Eminence Trailrides gives guided horseback rides through the hills.

Speaking of horses, if you are lucky, you can spot wild horses in the area. Shannon County’s free-roaming herds are often spotted at Round Spring, Broadfoot, and Shawnee Creek, moving through the landscape with a gentleness that stops visitors in their tracks.

Echo Bluff State Park, frequently named among Missouri’s most beautiful state parks, sits along Sinking Creek beneath dramatic limestone bluffs, with hiking and mountain biking trails, campsites, glamping cabins, and a boutique hotel. Inside Echo Bluff State Park, the Creekside Grill serves food on a patio overlooking the bluffs and has a seasonally
changing menu, including items like Ozark Biscuits & Gravy and a Bourbon BBQ Burger. The Eminence Diner is a reliable stop for classic American fare.

You can tour Alley Mill, a beautifully preserved historic gristmill listed on the National Register of Historic Places that has a museum and store; it is also an ideal place for a leisurely hike around the spring and mill pond. At Rocky Falls, a scenic waterfall cascades 40 feet over vivid pink rhyolite porphyry and has an accessible walking trail that leads to the falls.

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This article was orginally printed in the September 2026 issue of Missouri Life.