8 Quirky Places to Stay on a Missouri Moto Tour

Missouri has gorgeous landscapes laced with history linked to our country’s early days. As a riding destination, it is ripe with farmland, country backroads, small family farms, and plenty of small lakes, rivers and forests.

If your two wheels take you to Missouri, here are eight suggestions to help ensure the trip leaves you with fond memories of where you laid your head.

Rockwood Motor Court - Springfield, Missouri

Rockwood Motor Court’s name has a nice ring to it. Established three years after Route 66 officially opened, the six stone cabins that made up the Rockwood Court served as a tourist camp.

Surviving the Great Depression, the Court changed ownership in 1948 and acquired its new name, Rockwood Motor Court. Constructed of Ozark sandstone and trimmed with red brick, the cottages are framed in native oak and have classic gables with shingled roofs.

Motorcyclists get to enjoy plenty of parking and can keep their bikes just outside the door of their unit. The property lets guests use the barbecue, fire pit, and lawn chairs, with firewood and charcoal supplied.

By the old garage is a collection of Route 66 vintage license plates—a great place to relax and plan tomorrow’s ride. Located in the heart of Springfield’s historic Route 66 district, you’ll be close to several Route 66-themed businesses and restaurants, as well as a museum.

If you’re planning to trek Route 66, Rockwood Motor Court is worth staying the night.

Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven - Springfield, Missouri

Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven is a blast from the past. This 1950s-themed hotel sits on the legendary Route 66—as you may have guessed from the name.

Bright neon pays homage to past advertising styles, while modern conveniences have been adapted to make your stay comfortable. Hailing from that wonderful era of automobile travel, the hotel has plenty of safe parking right outside the door of your room.

A continental breakfast gets you going in the morning. The eight original sandstone cottages (circa 1938) celebrate Route 66 with nostalgic decor while providing today’s comforts, like free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, and a jacuzzi.

Once settled in, nearby restaurants serve American fare, crepes, or Mexican food. Being close to downtown Springfield, you’ll have easy access to the History Museum and the Juanita K. Hammons Performing Arts Center.

Hammons Field (where Cardinals play) is close by as are the Fantastic Caverns. The Route 66 Rail Haven is on the National Register of Historic Places.

There are lake districts to the north and south of the hotel, which make for scenic riding. There are also a number of small backroads that invite exploring.

Booneslick Lodge - Neosho, Missouri

If you’re looking for a basic but comfortable hotel with easy access and plenty of parking, the Booneslick Lodge—minutes from downtown Neosho—will work. They advertise truck parking, so you will definitely find plenty of room for making turns on your loaded bike.

The rooms are simple and basic, with everything you need to get cleaned up, relax, and sleep before the next day’s ride. Each room has free Wi-Fi, a microwave, a refrigerator, tea/coffee, hair dryer (known in our circles as an equipment dryer, which goes great with the on-site laundromat), and cable TV.

There’s a pool to take a dip before you clean up and head out.

For eating there’s classic American fast food next door, or you can head into Neosho for a wider selection of sit-down dining.

The hotel is just three miles from Crowder College, while Bicentennial Park, Joplin, and Roaring River Park are all within a 30 minutes’ ride.

Shady Acre Inn and Suites - Branson West, Missouri

Shady Acres Inn & Suites has shades of the classic roadside inn. It is a picturesque, privately-owned and -operated establishment that provides a personal touch to the visiting travelers.

Located just outside Branson (the former music town turned family entertainment destination) the hotel is on SR 76, allowing easy access to surrounding roads. The property itself is landscaped with waterfalls, fish ponds, trees, and flowers.

The room are clean and comfortable with reasonable rates. Treat yourself to coffee and cookies in the lobby, jump in the seasonal pool, take a dip in the hot tub, barbecue, and enjoy the motorcyclist’s essential—plenty of free, safe parking.

If you’d like to spend some time off the bike, you can find plenty of entertainment options within 10 minutes of Shady Acre. Ledgestone Golf Course lets you whack in some hole-in-ones, Table Rock Lake has boat and jet ski rentals, and Talking Rocks Cavern offers fascinating cave tours, just to list a few opportunities.

Smithville Historical Museum and Inn - Smithville, Missouri

Now this is a genuine old-school hotel. Smithville Historical Museum and Inn is a unique bed-and-breakfast housed in a vintage Victorian manor.

The building features preserved period furniture and stylings from a past era (but modernized for comfort with things like air conditioning). The windows offer  pleasant river views and some units feature a terrace or balcony, so you can watch the water roll by. All units have kitchens and the yard has plenty of easy parking.

The hotel can arrange walking and hiking tours, as well as cycling (the pedaling kind). Of course, you can also explore the surrounding countryside on your motorcycle. Within an easy walk of the hotel is Smithville Lake.

The Smithville Historical Museum and Inn serves as a quiet and relaxed environment just 21 miles from Kansas City, making it an excellent alternative to staying in town, yet close enough to keep you within reach.

The Cottage Treehouses - Hermann, Missouri

There are hotels you arrive at because they happen to be on your riding route, and then there are hotels that are why you’re making the trip in the first place. The Cottage Treehouses are just such an establishment.

The property is a kind of an adult realization of a treehouse with all the amenities you’d expect from a decent inn—but up in a tree. If you had a treehouse growing up, this is your chance to relive your youth.

And if you didn’t have a treehouse, well, it’s never too late sleep among the birds.

As a bed-and-breakfast, the Cottage Treehouses serve guests a different breakfast each morning. The owners promise privacy, but also provide attentive, first-class service.

The three tree units are of new construction and finely appointed, with lots of windows to let the sun shine in. It’s a perfect place to stay if you’re looking for accommodations you will remember for years to come.

Situated close to the Missouri River, there are numerous small backroads to explore in the surrounding area.

Meramec River Resort - Cuba, Missouri

Meramec River Resort provides a charming rustic setting with log cabins on its titular Meramec River. Steeped in history, the resort offers a lazy and laid-back environment, with the gently burbling waters of the river to put you to sleep.

Built in the 1920s, the establishment has served as a fishing lodge, with anglers enjoying respite from the city. And no, it’s not on Cuba the Caribbean Island.

The current owners are determined to bring the hotel back to its original glory as a weekend getaway (which will include RV sites and camping). Being on the river means there’s rafting, kayaking, canoeing, and tubing on the relaxing current of the Meramec.

There are plenty of adventurous activities to engage in, or you might choose just to relax.

Garth Woodside Mansion Bed and Breakfast - Hannibal, Missouri

Garth Woodside Mansion lets you immerse yourself in gothic Victorian elegance in Hannibal. This perfectly restored relic of a bygone era is replete with antique furnishings and a genuine historical atmosphere.

Originally built as a country home, the property is now accessible to adventurous travelers. It’s more than just a place to lay your head for the night—it’s a step back in time.

The management likes to apply the traditional aspects of hospitality to the inn, pampering their guests to ensure a pleasant experience. Consistently named the best B&B in the state, the Garth Woodside Mansion is a unique stay.

By the way, Hannibal was home to one Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain), bringing a true sense of substance and significance to the area.