20 Best Small Towns in Missouri to Visit This Fall

As I write this, the weather forecast calls for at least one more heatwave before summer wraps up. Sooner rather than later, the leaves will begin to change and the chill will return to the air which means Fall is imminent. Missouri is full of small towns that thrive once the last few months of the year arrive.

What makes a small town a great Fall road trip option?

I'm probably partial since half of my family is of German lineage, but it doesn't hurt that many Missouri towns have impressive Oktoberfest celebrations. I'm also a believer that towns that have plenty of trees is a plus for a Fall visit as they become quite spectacular once the leaves get their colors. Nothing against the big cities, but I also don't like having a bazillion people to rub elbows with while trying to celebrate Fall. With those criteria in mind, I present 20 stellar Missouri places for Fall trips.

If I had three wishes, at least one of them would be devoted to having the weather and temperatures be like they are during the cooler Fall months in Missouri. That's not how it works, but I can daydream. I do appreciate that Missouri is a state that has 4 distinctly different seasons so I won't complain. Many believe that Fall is the best of the 4 and the towns on this list would likely agree.