Missouri’s home to some pretty spectacular downtown areas – from the fast-paced downtowns in Kansas City and St. Louis to the quainter downtown areas in darling small towns like Saint Charles. For a relaxing stroll back in time, consider visiting the downtown areas in these seven small towns in Missouri. Each promises a ton of personality and plenty to do. Are your picks for the best small-town main streets on this list? Let’s find out:

1. Ste. Genevieve
Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670, USA
Facebook/Ste. Genevieve
Boasting a rich past, Ste. Genevieve is a picture-perfect destination no matter when you visit. The darling downtown hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the annual Chocolate Walk and the Cookie Crumb Trail. The small town is also dotted with adorable shops and eclectic restaurants.
2. Saint Charles
St Charles, MO, USA
Facebook/Discover Saint Charles, MO
Feel as though you've journeyed back in time when you visit downtown Saint Charles, an historic spot that's beautiful all year around. If it's your first time visiting, consider joining a walking tour with a seasoned guide. Carve out enough time, too, to wander through the town's many shops. You'll also find some charming eateries.
3. Hermann
Hermann, MO 65041, USA
Facebook/Visit Hermann
Downtown Hermann oozes charm and, for just a minute, you might feel as though you've been whisked straight to a quaint German village. Downtown's brimming with shops and restaurants, and you'll find yourself right in the heart of Wine Country. Definitely bookmark some time to visit one of the area's wineries.

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4. Parkville
Parkville, MO, USA
Facebook/Main Street Parkville
You'll always find something to do in the enchanting town of Parkville, which boasts gorgeous views of the Missouri River. Keep an eye out for events throughout the year, including the Turkey Trot and Christmas on the River. The town's perfect if you're up for a bit of shopping in unique stores. Be sure to save time for a delicious meal, too.
5. Kimmswick
Kimmswick, MO, USA
Wikipedia/Paul Sabelman
Turn back the clock to the 1800s when you visit the historic Downtown Kimmswick, where life moves at a slower, more relaxed pace. From the annual Strawberry Festival to the Kimmswick Cookie walk, the charming downtown offers a ton to do all year around. Spend a bit of time shopping then dine at one of the quaint eateries. Or grab a bite to eat for a picnic at Jefferson Park.
6. Hannibal
Hannibal, MO 63401, USA
Facebook/Historic Downtown Hannibal
Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River, Historic Downtown Hannibal is perhaps best known for one of its most famous residents, Mark Twain. Explore downtown on the Hannibal Trolley; get a glimpse of Tom Sawyer's fence, and visit Mark Twain's Boyhood Home & Musuem. Save some time for shopping and eating, too.
7. Clinton
Clinton, MO 64735, USA
Facebook/Clinton Main Street
Once upon a time, just about every American town had a darling Main Street that was the heartbeat of the action. That's still the way it is in Clinton, a gorgeous town with a Victorian feel. In addition to the Henry County Museum, the town that's straight from an 1800s' photograph is brimming with shops and restaurants.

Have you been to the downtowns of these seven small towns in Missouri? Or is there another one you’d like to see featured? What are your picks for the best small town main streets? Let us know in the comments! If you’re a fan of nature, you’ll definitely want to visit the enchanting town of Louisiana.

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More to Explore

Best Small Town Main Streets

Tori Jane | September 21, 2022

Where are some of the best small-town main streets in Missouri? 

Missouri is a quiet state with plenty of small towns to check out. Lots of those small towns in Missouri are actually quite adorable and totally tend to blow expectations of what Missouri “should” be out of the water. Among our favorite small towns in Missouri, there are plenty of super cute main streets and downtown districts that you can’t miss. Some of our favorite main streets in Missouri include St. Charles, which has plenty of interesting historic buildings (and citizens who love going all-out for the Holidays), and Chillicothe has an artsy, vibrant downtown that you’re sure to get lost in for hours.   

What are some of the best small towns in Missouri?  

There are literally hundreds of small towns in Missouri, and many of them are worth visiting for, at the very least, a day trip. We have multiple favorites – the list is so much longer than one short paragraph can establish! For example, the town of Rocheport might have a population of under 300 people, but that didn’t stop it from being named one of America’s ten coolest small towns as decided by Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine. Other delightful Missouri small towns include Carthage, Weston, Hannibal, and Fulton, all of which are considerably larger than Rocheport but are still considered small towns by most standards.  

What towns in Missouri are best for shopping?  

Turns out, there are all sorts of fun places to go shopping in Missouri and we love them all. Some whole towns are known for having excellent shopping and eateries, like Ste. Genevieve, which has plenty of fun and eclectic spots to check out, and Hermann is second to none when it comes to German heritage, shops, and restaurants. Other delightful Missouri shopping towns include Clinton, Kimmswick, and Parkville. While visiting Missouri, be sure to enjoy nature as well – any of the amazing state parks in Missouri ought to do, and there are plenty of small towns in Missouri to pick from near just about all of them.  

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