6 Slow-Paced Small Towns Near St. Louis Where Life Is Still Simple
Laura Burks Overstreet
Author
St. Louis doesn’t have the same fast-paced city feel as other big cities. In fact, it can feel like a small town sometimes. Those times are never during rush hour on any of our highways, though; as you try to get to your exit early on any weekday morning, life in a small town in Missouri can seem like a dream. And, in some ways, life in these towns is a dream. You don’t have to fight traffic every day, people are more apt to remember your name, and it is so peaceful. Here are some of our favorite small towns near St. Louis that we think will absolutely charm you.
1. Steelville, Missouri
2. Kimmswick, Missouri
3. Waterloo, Illinois
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4. Elsberry, Missouri
5. Red Bud, Illinois
6. Festus, Missouri
It can be tempting to trade in the hustle and bustle of St. Louis city life, for a quieter place where you’ll know just about everyone in town. Have you thought about leaving the city for a simpler life in one of these small towns near St. Louis? Share with us in the comments below.
Take a drive to this resort in Missouri for a refreshing city break!
And, if you’re feeling some serious state pride, check out this collection of unique Missouri apparel from Wear Your Roots!
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Small Towns Near St. Louis
What are some of the best small towns near St. Louis Missouri?
St. Louis is a pretty large city with more than enough going on at all times; of course, this can only mean one thing: nice, quiet suburbs and small, underappreciated towns to enjoy! We have several favorite small towns near St. Louis, like the town of Lebanon, Illinois, which is an excellent option for history buffs. Another wonderful St. Louis area small town is Clarksville, Missouri, which is filled with some of the best antique shopping in Missouri as well as adorable mom-and-pop shops, restaurants, and more – plus, it’s got a population of just 508 people at the time of this writing, making it quite small (and thus perfect).
What are the cutest small towns in Missouri?
Life in Missouri is good – it's a beautiful state, and there are so many delightful small towns to choose from that you’re sure to find something you love. One of our all-time favorite small towns in Missouri is Kimmswick. This is easily one of our favorite day trip destinations in Missouri (and better still if you can stay for more than just one day); it’s home to many of the best festivals in Missouri, like the Strawberry Festival in the summer and the Apple Butter Festival in the fall – plus all the shopping, antiques, art galleries, and more you could ever hope for.
Where are the best small towns near St. Louis?
The above-mentioned Clarksville and Lebanon are wonderful, but they’re nowhere near the only wonderful small towns near St. Louis to choose from. The best thing about St. Louis is its proximity to several states and several delightful small towns, like picturesque Elsah, Illinois, Waterloo, Illinois (excellent for history fans, again!), and Hermann, Missouri, which is a stunning wine town with shopping and unique, quaint places to stay that you’re sure to adore. In fact, it’s one of our favorite places to go on day trips in Missouri, and how lucky are we that it just so happens to be quite close to St. Louis!