This Blink-and-You’ll-Miss-It Town in Missouri Is So Worth Exploring

Missouri may be known for its big cities—St. Louis and Kansas City, but the real heart of the Show-Me State lies in its rural communities. While around 55% of the population resides in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas, the other 45% live scattered across the state in countless quaint small towns, each offering unique experiences. One such hidden gem is the small town of Bowling Green, Missouri, a delightful destination for those who appreciate great food, charming shops, the great outdoors, and a slower pace of life. Check out a few of our favorite places to visit in town:

Mid-Missouri is home to several Amish communities, including the one in Bowling Green, which has been thriving since the 1940s. The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce created a brochure and map showing the 10+ artisans and businesses you can visit. You’ll find general stores, bulk foods, footwear, reclaimed barn wood furnishings, plants, garden supplies, bakeries, candies, and more! It's an excellent opportunity to experience the craftsmanship and simplicity of Amish life up close.

Bowling Green, Missouri, is located about an hour and a half north of St. Louis, off U.S. Route 61. Like many small towns in Missouri, you’ll find historic brick buildings inhabited by local small business owners centered around a downtown commercial area. Bowling Green, Missouri, has many unique shopping opportunities, whether you're into the old or the new.

Boutique shops like Worthington House Decor, The Henny Penny, and The Kountry Store offer gifts, decor, clothing, and furnishings. These shops offer something new with each season, so if you see something you like, you'd better get it.

If you’re more of an outside person, check out my mom’s favorite shop in Bowling Green, Prairie’s Edge Garden Center. She absolutely loves the gift shop. Here's where you can get your veggie plants, rose bushes, flowers, houseplants, chrysanthemums, pumpkins, gifts, and seasonal decor all in one local place! In the fall, you can visit the corn maze, which has been running for over 16 years!

I like to start my day in Bowling Green, Missouri, with a hand-crafted coffee from Spring Hollow Coffee—they also offer Lotus energy drinks, smoothies, and snacks. While you’re indulging, why not try some handmade chocolates, too?

You must stop at Bankhead’s Candies while in Bowling Green. This family-run business has been crafting delectable sweets for four generations, carrying on a tradition that started in 1919. They make them the old-school way, with copper kettles, hand dipping, pouring onto marble countertops, and hand-cutting individual pieces. Bankhead’s Candies' hours vary seasonally, so check out the website before you visit. I'll take one of everything!

If you're hungry for something other than sweets, Bowling Green has a few options. Try Dos Primos for Mexican cuisine, the B&B Tavern for pizza and burgers, or Me Me's Pantry for tenderloin.

Bowling Green is known for its livestock and agricultural roots. At award-winning Woods Smoked Meats, a butcher and deli, you can find local proteins to cook yourself or grab some takeout. The meat sticks are my favorite!

I love old home tours because seeing everyday items people once used is fascinating. You can visit State Senator Champ Clark’s home by appointment. He served as a Missouri senator from 1933 until 1945, and eventually became a judge.

Nature lovers will find plenty to enjoy in and around Bowling Green. The city maintains two beautiful 40-acre lakes: Jack Floyd Memorial Lake, which features a fishing and boat dock, and West Lake, perfect for canoeing and fishing, with BBQ pits, hiking trails, and primitive camping spots. Both lakes are stocked by the Missouri Department of Conservation with bass, catfish, and sunfish. For those seeking even bigger water recreation opportunities, Bowling Green is just 11 miles from the Mississippi River and a 40-minute drive from Mark Twain Lake.

Have you ever visited this gem of a small town? What do you like to do in Bowling Green, Missouri? If you’re looking for other trip ideas in Missouri, check out our guide! Oh, and I should mention that you may lose cell service if you visit some of the rural small towns in Missouri. You’re going to need a quality map!

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