Looking for a relaxing small town to explore that’s not too close to Branson or Springfield, but still is within driving distance? Find out what this city of Monett, Missouri has to offer, from food to stays, to things to do.

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Jump Ahead: Food | Park | Stays | Things to Do | Nearby

Earlier this year, our family stumbled upon a little gem in Southwest Missouri.  A small city that’s nearby some of our favorite places to visit. Pronounced “mo”-”net,” — Monett, Missouri is full of some sweet treasures. 

Food in Monett

We ate out several times in Monett. Not one of the restaurants we chose let us down.

Here’s where to eat in Monett, ranked with our favorite first.

1. Los Panchos Taco Truck:  We aren’t huge fans of Mexican cuisine, but we loved it so much we went back for seconds in the same week.

Our favorite was the Birria Tacos (pictured here), but they also have huge burritos and other delicious Tex Mex food. Careful, their salsa is HOT! You can find their schedule on their Facebook page, but we found them up at the food truck park in Monett. 

1. MO Wings: Our last stop before leaving town was MO Wings. We ordered online for pick up, and had to wait a while for our order after arriving since they were so busy. But the wings and sauce were delicious!

1. Mazzio’s Italian Eatery: We got into town late and the only place we could find open for a late dinner was Mazzio’s. We had never heard of it, but tried their calzone ring and cheese dippers which were both really good! They also serve pizza and pasta.

Downtown Park

We enjoyed the downtown park several times during our visit. It’s within walking distance of downtown, we’ll call it a medium-sized park with:

• Playground: with both a toddler playground and one for older kids under 10
• Splash Pad: to stay cool in the heat of the summer
• Food Truck court: to grab some delicious Taco Truck foods (they were the only food truck we saw there during our stay)
• Pavilion: nice large covered area with picnic tables 
• Live Entertainment: catch some live music during the Repurposed Faire Festival, happening August 24th & 25th, 2024. Find more info on their Facebook Page.

Stays

We stayed for over a week at a very clean, modern historic hideaway (pictured below). It was affordable, comfy, and conveniently located vacation rental in downtown Downtown Monett. 

Monett has several vacation rental homes that are worth checking out! Check out these ones we found below.

Things to See & Do

If you’re looking for something to do while you’re in town, here are a few ideas:

Freedom Silo 

This iconic monument is a popular route 66 photo-opp. (Pictured to the right) 👉

Monett Historical Museum

Free admission, check out the Monett Historical Museum to learn a little about the city’s history and see some antique items from its past

Shopping

Monett has lots of flea markets, a pawn shop, a dime store, and more to explore. We enjoyed picking out a few items from the Modern Variety Store on Broadway and also grabbed some chocolate covered coffee beans with some neat toys for the kids.

Monett Motor Speedway

Have some fun watching the dirt fly at Monett Motor Speedway, a dirt track that’s been running since 1970. Check out USRA Modifieds, Pure Stock, & Bombers on the track for some good old fashioned family-friendly entertainment. Find the schedule here.

Wild Fact

It wasn’t until my stay in Monett that I heard this wild animal call. During our stay, we kept hearing a sound outside. I couldn’t figure out if it was some kind of insect, cats, or a bird. Since I kept hearing it, my curiosity led me to look it up. Turns out, there are lots of Nighthawks in Monett. 

These birds make some very distinct noises, including a call and a high velocity diving sound. Listen here to find out what it sounds like. 

Things to Do Nearby

If you’re looking to explore more to do nearby Monett, here are a few ideas:

• Roaring River State Park – 30 min
• Beebe’s Roaring River Waterslide – 30 min
• Skydiving – 35 min (or just watch skydivers while you dine at Hangar Kafe)
• Mark Twain National Forest & Swimming Holes