Best Small Towns in Missouri
There is nothing quite like a small town in Missouri. The beautiful scenery, slow pace of life, and wonderful people all make our small towns some of the best in the country. But there are the places that the web site Far and Wide named to a pair of lists about the Best Small Towns in America. That’s right, Ste. Genevieve and Rocheport were both named as the Best Small Towns in Missouri. Ste. Genevieve was at #75 while Rocheport came in at #6. In a related list, they also named Weston as the Best Small Town in Missouri.
Courtesy of Missouri Division of Tourism
The publication didn’t really specific why the towns were chosen except they focussed on lesser known towns with fewer than 100,000 residents. That is a pretty wide net, so I’m not sure there was a methodology in these rankings. That said, the towns they picked for their rankings are pretty amazing.
I have personally lived in about two dozens towns in Missouri, so I have my own ideas on which are the best of the best! So we should make our own list. In the comments below write what Missouri small town you think is one of the best (and why) and we will put together our own cool list.
Here are the reasons why they picked which towns they did.
Rivers and waterways inevitably make for winsome towns. Case in point? Weston, located along the beautiful Missouri River.
The town is also filled with wineries, distilleries and pubs, not to mention tons of history. Established in 1837, it was a stopping point for Lewis and Clark during their exploration of the country.
6. Rocheport, Missouri
Why it’s a great small town: Most people head to this tiny Missouri town to enjoy some hiking along the Katy Trail. Here, you’ll find some of the best natural landscapes that the state has to offer. Visitors also enjoy touring the town’s winery, shopping for hand-made goods and walking through historic homes.
Don’t expect adrenaline rushes and all-nighters. Here, it’s all about staying at a rustic bed and breakfast, forgetting to check the time and taking it slow.
#75. Sainte Genevieve, Missouri
Why it’s a great small town: As the name suggests, Sainte Genevieve was originally a French Canadian town, and history is its major draw. As the oldest town in all of Missouri, it touts an interesting historical museum and houses dating back 200 years.
Some of these homes are beautifully preserved, while others are abandoned and ramshackle, providing an eerie atmosphere that’s equally compelling (and perfect for photo-ops).