10 Small Towns Near St. Louis Perfect for a Weekend Road Trip

We’re all for city living, but sometimes a taste of small town life can be a breath of fresh air. St. Louis is within driving distance of numerous towns that don’t have large populations, but still offer plenty to discover. Filled with history, delicious food and charm, here are ten small towns near St. Louis […]

Written by RFT Writers
06/30/2017

RFT Writers
RFT Writers are a collective of independent journalists contributing original reporting to RFT. They report on a wide range of topics including music, news, gaming, cannabis, and the creator economy.

RFT Writers

We’re all for city living, but sometimes a taste of small town life can be a breath of fresh air. St. Louis is within driving distance of numerous towns that don’t have large populations, but still offer plenty to discover. Filled with history, delicious food and charm, here are ten small towns near St. Louis you should check out for your next road trip.

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Lebanon, Illinois What's so great about it: If you're ever nostalgic for yesteryear, Lebanon is a great place to go. The historic town has a strip full of cute shops, a community theater and beautiful homes for architecture geeks to admire. Photo courtesy of Instagram / jillianpye.

Lebanon, Illinois

What’s so great about it: If you’re ever nostalgic for yesteryear, Lebanon is a great place to go. The historic town has a strip full of cute shops, a community theater and beautiful homes for architecture geeks to admire. Photo courtesy of Instagram / jillianpye.

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Lebanon, Illinois What to eat and drink: You'll feel like you've stepped back in time at Dr. Jazz, an old-school soda fountain in Lebanon. Grab a table for a burger and fries, or pick a stool at the counter to enjoy a milkshake. Photo courtesy of Instagram / semisuitelife.

Lebanon, Illinois

What to eat and drink: You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time at Dr. Jazz, an old-school soda fountain in Lebanon. Grab a table for a burger and fries, or pick a stool at the counter to enjoy a milkshake. Photo courtesy of Instagram / semisuitelife.

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Clarksville, Missouri What's so great about it:Quality often matters more over quantity, and that is surely the case in Clarksville. The population may be smaller that your high school, but Clarksville offers beautiful views of the Mississippi, historic homes, antique shops and simply a chance to disconnect. Oh, and the food. This is definitely a town where you don't want to forget that. Photo courtesy of Instagram / mrkeanebean_p.

Clarksville, Missouri

What’s so great about it:Quality often matters more over quantity, and that is surely the case in Clarksville. The population may be smaller that your high school, but Clarksville offers beautiful views of the Mississippi, historic homes, antique shops and simply a chance to disconnect. Oh, and the food. This is definitely a town where you don’t want to forget that. Photo courtesy of Instagram / mrkeanebean_p.

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What to eat and drink: Clarksville is home to Overlook Farms (901 MO-79, Clarksville; 573-242-3838, overlookfarmmo.com), which is made up of 327 acres, 5 greenhouses and 26 hoop houses. The farm produces its bounty all year, and you can try the amazing food when the farm is open to the public for special events (keep an eye on the farm's calendar and social media). The kitchen makes dishes made with the farm's produce, and other ingredients come from local suppliers. Photo by Three Ring Zing Photography.

What to eat and drink: Clarksville is home to Overlook Farms (901 MO-79, Clarksville; 573-242-3838, overlookfarmmo.com), which is made up of 327 acres, 5 greenhouses and 26 hoop houses. The farm produces its bounty all year, and you can try the amazing food when the farm is open to the public for special events (keep an eye on the farm’s calendar and social media). The kitchen makes dishes made with the farm’s produce, and other ingredients come from local suppliers. Photo by Three Ring Zing Photography.
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Elsah, Illinois What's so great about it: You know those miniature village scenes people use as decoration around the holidays? Yeah, those might as well have been modeled after Elsah. Tucked up in the bluffs, this small town is a hidden gem. Park, wander the shops and take in some great food. Photo courtesy of Instagram / morganb2014.

Elsah, Illinois

What’s so great about it: You know those miniature village scenes people use as decoration around the holidays? Yeah, those might as well have been modeled after Elsah. Tucked up in the bluffs, this small town is a hidden gem. Park, wander the shops and take in some great food. Photo courtesy of Instagram / morganb2014.

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What to eat and and drink: Located along the Mississippi along with nearby Grafton and Alton, Elsah has access to all sorts of food and drink options. A quick drive will take you to the Loading Dock (401 Front St., Grafton; 618-786-3494, graftonloadingdock.com), a laid-back spot along the water that offers great patio seating, live music and food such as burgers and fish tacos. Photo by Dreaming Tree Photography.

What to eat and and drink: Located along the Mississippi along with nearby Grafton and Alton, Elsah has access to all sorts of food and drink options. A quick drive will take you to the Loading Dock (401 Front St., Grafton; 618-786-3494, graftonloadingdock.com), a laid-back spot along the water that offers great patio seating, live music and food such as burgers and fish tacos. Photo by Dreaming Tree Photography.
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Kimmswick, Missouri What's so great about it: Kimmswick looks positively lovely from the sky ... and from the ground, too. Here you can step back in time on the Delta Queen, the country's last authentic overnight steamboat, or in one of the town's numerous shops, many of which reside in historic buildings. Kimmswick is only 25 miles from St. Louis, making it perfect for a day trip -- but if you want to make a night of it, you can stay at one of Kimmswick's bed and breakfasts, too. Visit visitkimmswick.com for more information. Photo courtesy of Instagram / magnus_fett.

Kimmswick, Missouri

What’s so great about it: Kimmswick looks positively lovely from the sky … and from the ground, too. Here you can step back in time on the Delta Queen, the country’s last authentic overnight steamboat, or in one of the town’s numerous shops, many of which reside in historic buildings. Kimmswick is only 25 miles from St. Louis, making it perfect for a day trip — but if you want to make a night of it, you can stay at one of Kimmswick’s bed and breakfasts, too. Visit visitkimmswick.com for more information. Photo courtesy of Instagram / magnus_fett.

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What to eat and drink: While in Kimmswick, you have to visit the Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery (6116 2nd St, Kimmswick; 636-464-3128, theblueowl.com). It's home to the "Levee High Caramel Apple Pie," which has been featured on the Food Network, in Oprah Magazine and more. In addition to desserts, the Blue Owl also has a full menu of homemade cooking. Photo courtesy of Instagram / eireann.ev.

What to eat and drink: While in Kimmswick, you have to visit the Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery (6116 2nd St, Kimmswick; 636-464-3128, theblueowl.com). It’s home to the “Levee High Caramel Apple Pie,” which has been featured on the Food Network, in Oprah Magazine and more. In addition to desserts, the Blue Owl also has a full menu of homemade cooking. Photo courtesy of Instagram / eireann.ev.
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Cuba, Missouri What's so great about it: When you're looking for interesting attractions, there's nothing quite like road tripping along historic Route 66. And Cuba is a great stop: it's home to a giant rocking chair. In addition, Cuba has numerous murals that would make for a good Instagram photo while you're there. Go to visitcubamo.com for more information. Photo courtesy of Instagram / p1nkgypsy.

Cuba, Missouri

What’s so great about it: When you’re looking for interesting attractions, there’s nothing quite like road tripping along historic Route 66. And Cuba is a great stop: it’s home to a giant rocking chair. In addition, Cuba has numerous murals that would make for a good Instagram photo while you’re there. Go to visitcubamo.com for more information. Photo courtesy of Instagram / p1nkgypsy.

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What to eat and drink: Cuba has several unique eateries. We suggest a trip to Missouri Hick BBQ (913 E. Washington Blvd., Cuba; 573-885-6791, missourihick.com). This two-story restaurant is an obvious photo op, with hand-crafted tables and chairs, as well as meats treated with its special rub and house sauces. Photo courtesy of Yelp / Laney C.

What to eat and drink: Cuba has several unique eateries. We suggest a trip to Missouri Hick BBQ (913 E. Washington Blvd., Cuba; 573-885-6791, missourihick.com). This two-story restaurant is an obvious photo op, with hand-crafted tables and chairs, as well as meats treated with its special rub and house sauces. Photo courtesy of Yelp / Laney C.
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Waterloo, Illinois What's so great about it: You can get your history fix in Waterloo with visits to Peterstown House (275 N. Main St., Waterloo; 618-939-4222), Bellefontaine House and the History Museum of Monroe County (618-939-5008, monroecountyhistorymuseum.org). Love beer? Visit Hopskeller, a brewery located inside a remodeled, pre-Civil War home (116 E. 3rd St., Waterloo, 618-939-2337, hopskellerbrewing.com), or the Stubborn German Brewing Company (119 S. Main St., Waterloo, 618-504-2444), which serves “real German beer, in a real German town, made by real Stubborn Germans.” Photo of the Stubborn German Brewing Company courtesy of Instagram / stubborngermanbrewingwaterloo.

Waterloo, Illinois

What’s so great about it: You can get your history fix in Waterloo with visits to Peterstown House (275 N. Main St., Waterloo; 618-939-4222), Bellefontaine House and the History Museum of Monroe County (618-939-5008, monroecountyhistorymuseum.org). Love beer? Visit Hopskeller, a brewery located inside a remodeled, pre-Civil War home (116 E. 3rd St., Waterloo, 618-939-2337, hopskellerbrewing.com), or the Stubborn German Brewing Company (119 S. Main St., Waterloo, 618-504-2444), which serves “real German beer, in a real German town, made by real Stubborn Germans.” Photo of the Stubborn German Brewing Company courtesy of Instagram / stubborngermanbrewingwaterloo.

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What to Eat and Drink: Don't miss a chance to eat at Dreamland Palace, a restaurant offering traditional German food. The building was originally a general store, dance hall, tavern and stage-coach stop used by Waterloo's German immigrants. While it has had renovations since it was built in 1875, much of its historical elements are still intact. RFT photo.

What to Eat and Drink: Don’t miss a chance to eat at Dreamland Palace, a restaurant offering traditional German food. The building was originally a general store, dance hall, tavern and stage-coach stop used by Waterloo’s German immigrants. While it has had renovations since it was built in 1875, much of its historical elements are still intact. RFT photo.
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Ste. Genevieve, Missouri What's so great about it: Ste. Genevieve is the oldest permanent European settlement in Missouri, and you can see its rich history even today with its eighteenth century architecture and narrow streets. It's also near some awesome outdoor adventures, including Hawn State Park (12096 Park Dr., Ste. Genevieve; 573-883-3603) and Cave Vineyard (21124 Cave Rd., Ste. Genevieve; 573-543-5284, cavevineyard.com), a winery that, yes, includes a cave for your sipping pleasure. Ste. Genevieve has a great tourism website to find just the activities you're looking for during your stay. Photo courtesy of Instagram / ohhilindsay.

Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

What’s so great about it: Ste. Genevieve is the oldest permanent European settlement in Missouri, and you can see its rich history even today with its eighteenth century architecture and narrow streets. It’s also near some awesome outdoor adventures, including Hawn State Park (12096 Park Dr., Ste. Genevieve; 573-883-3603) and Cave Vineyard (21124 Cave Rd., Ste. Genevieve; 573-543-5284, cavevineyard.com), a winery that, yes, includes a cave for your sipping pleasure. Ste. Genevieve has a great tourism website to find just the activities you’re looking for during your stay. Photo courtesy of Instagram / ohhilindsay.

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Where to eat and drink: Beyond the wine, Ste. Genevieve also has a great restaurant called Audubon Bar and Grill. Named after the famed ornithologist and artist John James Audubon, who once owned a merchant shop in downtown Ste. Genevieve, Audubon Bar and Grill serves contemporary American dishes with locally sourced ingredients in a relaxed atmosphere. Photo by Jessica Wolk.

Where to eat and drink: Beyond the wine, Ste. Genevieve also has a great restaurant called Audubon Bar and Grill. Named after the famed ornithologist and artist John James Audubon, who once owned a merchant shop in downtown Ste. Genevieve, Audubon Bar and Grill serves contemporary American dishes with locally sourced ingredients in a relaxed atmosphere. Photo by Jessica Wolk

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