De Soto, MO

United States

De Soto sits 45 miles southwest of St. Louis along the Meramec River in Jefferson County. Take I-270 to Highway 21 south through Festus to reach this city of 6,500. The area serves as a gateway between St. Louis suburbs and Missouri's wine country, with Highway 110 providing east-west access through town. Each September, the city hosts Drag Boat Races where 200-mph boats compete on the Meramec River.