The 5 Missouri Places With the Happiest Residents

What makes a place happy? The answer is probably different for everyone, but there are some general metrics that most would agree increase the happiness factor. In Missouri, there are a handful of places that are now considered the happiest in the state and there are a few that would likely be unexpected to you.

I couldn't find an authoritative happiest places in Missouri list, so I decided to make my own based on some important quality of life categories. I focused on visitor satisfaction, quality of life, recreation, and the general reputation for making people smile. Here are the 5 locations in Missouri that are known for all of those things.

5 - Lake of the Ozarks

Boating
Fishing
Swimming
Lakefront dining
Summer weekends with family and friends

4 - Weston, Missouri

Local shops
Cafés
Festivals
Historic charm
Nearby parks and wineries

3 - Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

Historic architecture
Boutique shopping
Wine tasting
Walkable streets
Relaxed small-town feel

2 - Hermann, Missouri

Historic downtown
Missouri wine country
Fall colors
Friendly atmosphere

1 - Branson, Missouri

Live music and comedy shows every day
Family-friendly attractions
Scenic Ozark Mountains
Silver Dollar City
Table Rock Lake

I probably know Branson and Lake of the Ozarks the best of these 5 Missouri places as my family often vacationed there. Both are different places than during the era when my family visited, but I stay in touch with several friends in all of these areas and I'm confident they still rank among the best places in the state for those who seek happiness in bursts.