Downtown New Haven…Stepping Off the Beaten Path

Located halfway between Washington and Herman on Hwy. 100, the New Haven riverfront is a gem of a destination well worth the short detour.  In the 1850’s New Haven was known as Miller’s Landing, where steamboats stopped to purchase cordwood to fuel their boilers.  Despite economic and demographic changes, fires and floods, today's downtown New Haven, an architectural time capsule of small town America, is in the process of rediscovering its Missouri River roots.

 Only a short block in length, Front Street boasts a fully restored 1940’s movie theater, several interesting shops, and a restored 1872 mercantile known as the Riverfront Cultural Society that features live music on most Saturday nights. The newly constructed Levee Walk, complete with antique lampposts, provides visitors with an opportunity for a leisurely stroll along the Missouri River.  A busy boat ramp anchors the east end of the New Haven’s Levee Walk.

 John Coulter, American frontiersman and Lewis & Clark Expeditionary, spent the end of his life in the New Haven area and is buried not far from town.  An enthusiastic group of citizens created the Coulter Memorial and museum. 

 Situated in the heart of Missouri Wine Country, the Robller, Bommarito and Bias wineries are only a short drive from town. These attractions, combined with its unique riverfront and historic downtown, make the New Haven area an excellent reason to step off the beaten path. 

 Shopping

Most of New Haven’s commercial district is located along Hwy. 100. Local folks shop at Seitter’s Market, Save-a-lot, Pratt’s Pharmacy and a number of other small stores, where visitors can always count on a warm welcome and fast service.  If you need a big chain store, OfficeMax, Wal-Mart, Penny’s and Schnuck’s Grocery are only 12 miles away in Washington. With less than a 20 minute drive you can find numerous antique and gift shops such as Dusty Attic Antiques.

 On Foot

New Haven is a quiet, relaxing little river town, full of beautiful old buildings, and a one-square-block downtown area that appears to have been preserved in time.

 Downtown is only five minutes walk from the Central Hotel, where you can visit several interesting shops.  If you’re here on the weekend, watch a movie at the Walt, a fully restored Art Deco Theatre with a digital sound system, or catch some live acoustic music on Saturday nights at the Riverfront Cultural Society. 

Enjoy a leisurely stroll on New Haven’s Levee Walk, with superb vistas of the Missouri River…sip a chilled bottle of wine in the park….or fish from the bank for one of the huge catfish that have made this section of the river legendary.

 Close By (5-10 minutes drive)

Visit one of three award-winning wineries within a few minutes drive, or search for antiques and collectables at several nearby shops.

 Farther A Field (15-60 minutes drive)

Drive through wooded hills and pastured farmland to the historic Hermann, Augusta or St. James areas, where Missouri’s largest wineries are located. 

 Ride a bicycle or hike on the Katy Trail.

Visit any one of several State Parks and Historic Sites.

Tour the Daniel Boone Home and Village.

Find treasures at one of the area's many antique shops.

Go canoeing or rafting on a Missouri River tributary.

Go horseback riding.

Take a hike at Shaw Nature Preserve

Tour the Tyson Valley Research Park Wolf Sanctuary

Spend a day in St. Louis or at Six Flags.

Visit Jefferson City, Missouri’s State Capitol

 Whatever your interest, there’s something fun to do not far from the Central Hotel!