Missouri’s most memorable destinations are not always the ones printed in bold on a map. There must be something in the water, as rivers run through most of these small towns. This guide can help you explore the small towns our readers chose for their rich history, scenic spots, award-winning wineries, enchanting mainstreets, and inviting communities.
Story by Tara Clarkson and Kristina Light
Read about the town voted number one here.
Ste. Genevieve (voted number 2)
French Colonial History on the Mississippi River
Subscribe
Get a Missouri Life Magazine Subscription & Save Up to 69% Off Newsstand Prices!
Subscribe Today
Ste. Genevieve was ranked second among small towns, with a score of 13.8%. Respondents were enthusiastic about its downtown shops and surrounding parks.
Attractions
The town’s French colonial heritage is shared with visitors at its local museums. The Ste. Genevieve Museum traces the community’s origins. The Felix Vallé House State Historic Site illuminates what daily life was like for early colonists, and the Louis Bolduc House and LeMeilleur House showcase French Creole culture through interactive exhibits.
The town’s central square is home to antique stores, boutiques, and candy shops. ASL Pewter is a standout shop, featuring goods crafted by local artisans Tom and Pat Hooper, whose work celebrates Ste. Genevieve’s history, legend, and culture.
Food and Drink
Located in the same downtown building since 1855, the Anvil Saloon & Restaurant has stood the test of time, still serving up home-cooked comfort food. Be sure to check out the ornate back bar that was shipped into Ste. Genevieve by steamboat in the 1850s. For fine dining, the Audubon’s Restaurant & Hotel, housed in a 1901 building, serves French, Cajun, German, and Italian cuisines.
Lodging
Audubon’s Restaurant and Hotel, located in a 1901 building, exemplies Ste. Genevieve’s sense of history. On display is the artwork of John James Audubon, a naturalist and ornithologist who came to the town in 1812. Hikers can follow along the same paths that Audubon walked and, as he said, “follow Nature in her walks.”
Outdoor Activities
Ste. Genevieve sits along the Great River Road, a National Scenic Byway that follows the Mississippi River and is known for its sweeping river views. Nature lovers will also enjoy Hawn State Park, home to Missouri’s only native pine tree, the shortleaf pine.
READER’S COMMENT
“In addition to the shops, restaurants, and museums in Ste. Genevieve, there’s Hawn State Park, Hickory Canyon Natural Area, and Pickle Springs. It’s great to go hiking and then eat in Ste. Genevieve.”
Arrow Rock (voted number 3)
Living History, River Bluff, and Small-Town Soul
The third place for top small town goes to Arrow Rock, with a score of 13.3 percent, a close runner-up to Ste. Genevieve. Noted for its historic character, Arrow Rock was rated a hidden gem by respondents.
Visiting Arrow Rock is like taking a step back in time. The entire village, about 78 resi- dents strong, is a National Historic Landmark, its streets and architecture mostly pre- served as they were in the early 1800s. Lewis and Clark passed by the area in 1804, and the Santa Fe Trail ran directly through town along present-day Route 24.
Attractions
On Arrow Rock’s website, visitors can find a walking tour guide; each stop tells an important part of the town’s story. Two of the tour stops are the Black History Museum, which traces the lives of freed slaves who built their own schools and church following their emancipation, and the home of George Caleb Bingham, one of the most influential American painters of the 19th century, which stands at the corner of High and First Streets.
A unique stop in town is the John P. Sites Jr. Gunsmith Shop, where professional gunsmith Tyler Sydebotham works Thursdays through Saturdays, demonstrating 19th-century craftsmanship.
For evening entertainment, check out the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, where live theater has been performed since 1961. It is one of Missouri’s oldest professional regional theaters and draws more than 33,000 patrons each eight or nine show season.
Food and Drink
The J. Huston Tavern has been in operation for more than two centuries and is known for its classic American fare. Catalpa offers multicourse fine-dining Italian-inspired tasting menus and cocktail pairings. If you’d rather have a quick ice cream before heading to the theater, the Badger’s Hideaway has homemade hand-dipped ice cream, wood-fired pizzas, and burgers with fresh-cut fries.
Lodging
Thee Latch House, built in 1829 as a town storehouse and restored in 2018, and Ms. Ada’s House, a cozy log cabin, are both historic lodging options.
Outdoor Activities
For hikers and animal watchers alike, the 1,871-acre Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, adjacent to Arrow Rock, features a bottomland forest along the Missouri River. Arrow Rock State Historic Site has a four-acre fishing lake and camp- ground. Birdwatchers can enjoy spending time along the river; in the winter months, bald eagles are spotted here.
READER’S COMMENT
“The historic character and the Lyceum Theatre are noteworthy.”
Weston (voted number 4)
Orchards, Tasting Rooms, and River Views
Weston came in fourth among small towns, with a score of 11.1 percent, and was also rated a hidden gem. Respondents especially liked Weston’s historic character and its dining and local food scene. Perched on the bluffs of the Missouri River, Weston is a rewarding weekend escape. Its restored historic downtown, working farms, and deep-rooted craft beverage traditions give visitors reason to linger.
Attractions
There is an eclectic mix of boutiques, galleries, antique shops, and tasting rooms on Main Street. Shoppers can find Polish pottery, Celtic housewares, handcrafted jewelry, antiques, and old-fashioned candy. The National Silk Art Museum is a free attraction housing one of the largest collections of woven silk art in the world. The Weston Historical Museum traces the town’s roots as one of the most important steamboat ports on the Missouri River.
Food and Drink
Weston has a long tradition of creating craft beverages. The Weston Brewing Company was first established in 1842 by German immigrant John Georgian, who brought the tradition of lager brewing with him, making it one of the first lager breweries in the United States. Lifelong friends Michael Coakley and Corey Weinfurt now operate the company, producing more than 15 brands on the original grounds.
Holladay Distillery, established in 1856, adds to the town’s craft beverage legacy, still making bourbon using its time-honored techniques. Visitors can join one of the ticketed daily 90-minute guided tours, which includes a Bourbon tasting. Pirtle Winery, housed in a former church, pours handcrafted wines, including its signature Honey Mead. Housed within historic limestone cellars, O’Malley’s Pub serves Irish classics alongside house-brewed beers and has live music on weekends. The America Bowman Restaurant at Weston Brewing Company has an elegant sit-down experience.
Lodging
Overnight guests enjoy the Weston Firefyy Inn, where owners Jeff and Michelle Hume are known for their hospitality and gourmet breakfasts. Steamboat Inn is another bed-and-breakfast option that has three luxury king suites. If you are interested in history, the Saint George Hotel is an excellent option for lodging; it has been open since 1845 and was once a stopping point for wagon trains and steamboat captains.
Outdoor Activities
Agritourism thrives on the outskirts of town. Green Dirt Farm Creamery is known for its artisanal sheep’s milk cheeses and guided farm tours. Historic Weston Orchard and Vineyard makes cider and wine on-site and has U-pick produce, a pumpkin patch, and hayrides. Nature lovers can enjoy river views when they camp at Weston Bend State Park.
This article was orginally printed in the September 2026 issue of Missouri Life.
