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 that just so happen to be pretty close to St. Louis:

1. Steelville, Missouri
Steelville, MO 65565, USA
Paul Sableman - Flickr
A weekend destination for many people in St. Louis, Steelville is known for its hospitality... and float trips. With a population just under 2,000, it is spread out over 4.42 square miles, meaning there is plenty of room for new arrivals here.
2. Kimmswick, Missouri
Kimmswick, MO, USA
Paul Sableman - Flickr
Hosting some of the most popular events in the Greater St. Louis area, Kimmswick is known for their festivals and friendliness. With a population of 158 in the actual town, they draw residents to work from the surrounding county. Kimmswick offers a great mix of a peaceful town setting, with exciting activities each weekend.
3. Waterloo, Illinois
Paul Sableman - Flickr
With a population just over 10,000, Waterloo would seem to be on the brink of becoming a bigger city. But one visit here and you will know that life here will always be the picture perfect small town life. People are friendly, there is no rush hour, and everyone helps each other.
4. Elsberry, Missouri
Elsberry, MO 63343, USA
Paul Knittel - Flickr
Elsberry, Missouri has been a town since 1879. At that time the population was 816 people and has never gone above 2000 in the town's history. It is a mix of a modern town with new stores, and old small town, with many structures having been preserved through the years.
5. Red Bud, Illinois
Red Bud, IL, USA
Nyttend - Wiki Commons
Home to one of the larger community colleges in Illinois, Red Bud is all parts charming small town and bustling education center. Life is not fast here though, you can still enjoy all the perks of a country small town life while getting to know most of the 3,559 residents in time.
6. Festus, Missouri
Festus, MO, USA
Paul Sableman - Wiki Commons
Festus was founded as a glass making town along with Crystal City in the 1800s. No longer reliant on one industry, Festus is a growing small town, with the largest population on this list of 11,602. But like other towns on this list, Festus will always be a place where you can hear the crickets sing.

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 a small town? Share with us in the comments below.

Take a drive to this resort in Missouri for a refreshing city break!

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More to Explore

Small Towns Near St. Louis

Tori Jane | September 14, 2022

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!  

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