Hermann, Missouri: Your Getaway Guide

If you’re looking for a wine-and-food road trip this summer, might I suggest Hermann, Missouri? I grew up not far from there, so when I get to share it with friends, it’s always fun. Now, I get to share it with you!

How to Get To Hermann

There are two great ways to get to Hermann:

Option one: Pack up the car and hit I-70 westbound until you reach exit 175, taking Missouri Route 19 south straight into Hermann. Pro-tip: if you put the destination in your map app, it might direct you to get off the highway an exit early, which is not for those prone to car sickness. Hwy. 19 is still windy, but not as severe.

Option two: If you want to leave the driving to someone else, you can board the Amtrak in Kirkwood. The train leaves the station at 8:39 a.m. daily, arriving in Hermann a little before 10 a.m. – just in time for businesses and wineries to open. If you only want to stay for the day, you can catch the 8 p.m. train back to Kirkwood.

Take the Trolley

Whether you drive or take the train, I highly recommend using the Hermann Trolley to get you around. They’ll pick you up where you’re staying and drop you back off at the end of the day. They visit 12 wineries and distilleries in the Hermann area and have entertaining stories and the inside scoop for anything you may want to do in town.

Stay the Night

There is a wide variety of lodging options in the area, these are my recommendations from past visits.

1910 Guesthaus

We booked this location for a bachelorette party. It was perfect for our group. The couple that owns it is amazing. They left us baked goods and passes for free wine tastings. The kitchen was everything we needed for late-night pizzas and charcuterie.

Hermann Crown Suites 

For another girl’s trip, we booked rooms here. It had breakfast in the mornings and provided a shuttle to and from the wineries. There is a great courtyard for hanging around the firepit at night, and they have the Hermann 1837 Bar on-site. The location is super convenient for walking to all the sites in downtown Hermann.

Other recommendations include the Wine Alley Suites and Harbor Haus Inn.

More than Wine

If you’re not feeling wine, there are plenty of other options in Hermann.

Doxie Slush 

Doxie Slush was our first stop on my last trip to Hermann. They have seasonal options alongside their standard slushie options. If you’re overwhelmed by the options, they offer flights, alleviating some pressure. They also have slushies to go!

Copper Mule 

Bourbon has become a spirit of choice for many, so a visit to this distillery is a great addition to your itinerary. We missed the tour but did get to enjoy a tasting. The building was beautiful, and the patio was a perfect setting for some cocktails and snacks.

Wake Up Call

I like to stay in Hermann for two mornings so that I can get coffee at each of my two favorite places.

Stomp’n Grounds 

Not only is the coffee a great way to wake up for the day, but their variety of breakfast options will satisfy everyone in your group. I am not a biscuits and gravy fan, but theirs changed my mind completely.

Espresso Laine 

Espresso Laine is much more than a coffee shop, although I admit I take home at least one bag of coffee every visit. They have an adorable gift area offering a variety of Melissa & Doug toys. I still think about The Office quote book they had on my last visit that I should’ve bought for a friend.

Don’t Forget the Food

After a day of winery-hopping, nothing is better than some good food.

4th Street Pizza 

Welcomed by the delicious aromas of what a pizzeria should be as soon as you walk into 4th Street Pizza, this is quite possibly the place I’ve eaten the at most in Hermann.

Vintage 1847 Restaurant at Stone Hill Winery 

If you’re looking for authentic German dishes, this is the place. Vintage 1847 Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner – if you are going for dinner, call ahead for reservations. Stone Hill’s Norton pairs well with so much on the menu.

Shop ’til You Drop

While Hermann has many antique shops, my two favorite shops are in a different category.

Hermann Wurst Haus 

The Wurst Haus has coolers and coolers of the best brats, sausages, and Grand Champion bacon. Our freezers are always well-stocked after a visit to the shop. They also have a sandwich counter with some tasty lunch options.

Quilting Bee Fabrics 

If you’re looking for inspiration for your next crafting project, stop by Quilting Bee Fabrics. I have purchased many of the fabrics I use for gift-wrapping here, and a cowboy pillowcase kit that was possibly one of the best gifts I’ve ever given.

And of Course … the Wineries

There are seven wineries to visit. At each, you can do tastings of their offerings before enjoying a bottle on their patios and grounds. My top three are:

Stone Hill Winery

I was an intern there back in the day, so it holds a special place in my heart. The tour is one of my favorite things to share with friends.

Adam Puchta Winery

Their tastings always go above and beyond. The staff pairs their wines with little nibbles. It is crazy how one chocolate chip can create a different flavor profile.

Oak Glenn Winery

A little outside of Hermann, their patio setup is one of the best around.

Pro-tips:

Plan ahead: Depending on the season and day of the week, the hours of many of the locations in Hermann vary. Do a little leg work to ensure you get to the places you want to visit before they close for the day. https://visithermann.com

Bring cash: If you plan on doing tastings, bring some cash to tip the tremendous staff members who walk you through the delicious things you’re sampling.

Remember walking shoes: Hermann is along the hills of the Missouri River, so you will experience some steep hills, maybe some cobblestone, and even the steps out of trolleys can be tricky.

Get a pie from Sugar Momma’s

I hope you have a great time when you head to Hermann yourself! Feel free to add anything I missed in the comments.

Cheers!