A Hot Wheels track runs from the second floor of one Missouri hobby shop all the way down to the first. I read that and immediately wanted to send a toy car racing down it.
Honestly, I would not even pretend it was for the kids.
Another shop on this list sells Central Dairy ice cream right next to its indoor RC crawler courses. A third shop has a full indoor carpet track for off-road, on-road, oval, and drift racing.
I love that these stores give you something to do, not just something to buy. You can test a truck, build a model, or claim a table and learn a new card game.
Trains, dice, paint, and puzzles all wait inside.
So I gathered the spots where an innocent quick stop could stretch into dinnertime. Fair warning, your shopping list will probably grow.
Who’s driving?
1. Mark Twain Hobby Center
Back in 1976, this shop opened inside a mall, and it has been feeding model builders ever since. Today it lives in a much bigger building on West Clay Street in St. Charles.
The term full-line hobby store gets tossed around a lot, but here it fits. Radio-controlled cars, trucks, boats, aircraft, drones, and helicopters share space with shelves of plastic and wood kits.
Scale modelers tend to treat this place like a library. You can compare car kits from brands like AMT and Tamiya, then wander over to the paint and pick colors for an hour.
Train fans get plenty to explore too. Locomotives, rolling stock, track, figures, buildings, and scenery from names like Athearn, Bachmann, and Walthers fill out the railroad side.
Then come the extras that keep you browsing. Wood ship kits, model rockets, micro hobby tools, slot cars, and supplies for school science projects are part of the mix.
The swap meets the shop hosts add another reason to stop by. Trading parts with fellow Missouri hobbyists beats scrolling online listings any day.
My advice is to arrive with a list and a little patience. The shelves are packed, and spotting that one decal sheet or tiny brush takes a careful eye.
Saturday tends to bring the biggest crowds, so a weekday afternoon gives you more elbow room. That extra space matters when you’re squinting at box art and debating a second kit.
Got a kid with a school project due? Grab supplies here and maybe sneak a rocket kit into the basket for yourself.
Address: 2793 W Clay St, St Charles, MO 63301
2. Schaefer’s Hobby Shop
Jewelry beads and RC trucks under one roof sounds like a mix-up, but at Schaefer’s it’s simply the plan. The family-run shop on Gravois Road traces its roots in the St. Louis area to 1946.
Three generations of the family have kept it going. The hobby roots run even deeper, since a relative founded an early hobby distributor back in 1914.
Now about that selection. Model kits, trains, RC cars and planes, dollhouse kits, tiny furniture, fine art supplies, and paper crafting all have their own departments.
Painters can stock up on model paint from Tamiya, Vallejo, Revell, Mr. Color, and more. Miniature gamers will also spot Warhammer on the shelves.
Beaders, this one is for you too. The shop carries beads, findings, and jewelry supplies, and it offers jewelry repair and design services.
Scout parents should file this away for later. Schaefer’s stocks official Pinewood Derby materials, which can save a frantic search the week before race day.
Slot cars, tracks, and sets add a dose of nostalgia. Metal Earth models, diecast cars, LEGO, puzzles, and games round out the remaining aisles.
It’s easy to show up for one tube of glue and leave with a dollhouse plan. Honestly, that’s half the fun of a shop this broad.
Saturdays get busy, while weekdays tend to run calmer. Pick a quiet afternoon if you want time to wander between hobbies you didn’t know you liked.
Few Missouri shops cover this much ground in one stop. Bring a friend who crafts and one who builds, and nobody gets bored.
Address: 11659 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO 63126
3. Narrow Path Hobby & Crawl Lounge
Rock obstacles, tiny trucks, and a scoop of Central Dairy ice cream make a pretty great afternoon plan. That combo lives at Narrow Path Hobby & Crawl Lounge in Washington.
The shop started in a little store in Krakow, Missouri. In June 2025, it moved to a larger space in Washington Square Center.
The bigger room made space for the fun part. Several indoor tracks serve different types of RC cars, and the crawl lounge features some seriously cool obstacles.
Don’t own a rig yet? No problem, because the shop rents RC vehicles in various sizes so you can try before you commit.
That’s a smart move for curious beginners. You get to feel how a crawler climbs before you spend a dime on your own.
When you’re ready to buy, the shelves carry brands like Traxxas, Redcat, Vanquish, Horizon Hobby, and more. Staff are friendly and happy to share what they know about RC.
Snacks keep the session rolling. Food and drinks are sold on site, along with that local ice cream from Central Dairy.
Free Wi-Fi and a free parking lot make the visit easy. Plan around the schedule, though, since the shop is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Weekends stay open later, which suits families after a busy week. Saturday afternoon is the peak, so weekdays feel a bit roomier on the course.
Washington sits right along the Missouri River, so you can pair a crawl session with a stroll downtown. Just don’t blame me if the kids want to come back next week.
Address: 1048 Washington Square Center, Washington, MO 63090
4. B & L Hobbies & Raceway
Buying an RC car is fun, but racing it on site is better. B & L Hobbies & Raceway in Farmington lets you do both.
The on-site raceway is the star here. Bring your vehicle, hit the track, and see if your tuning actually works.
Inside, the inventory leans hard into remote control. Shelves hold a huge supply of RC vehicles and parts, which matters when something snaps mid-race.
Anyone who runs RC knows that feeling. A broken arm or stripped gear can end a day fast unless the replacement is nearby.
Having the parts wall and the track in one spot solves that problem. You can fix it, test it, and get back to racing.
The staff know their RC cars well. That’s handy if you’re new and can’t tell a buggy from a short course truck yet.
Questions about setup or upgrades are fair game too. Ask before you buy, and you’ll likely leave with the right part the first time.
Hours run seven days a week, including Sunday afternoons. That makes weekend racing plans a lot easier to pull off.
Farmington sits in southeast Missouri, a nice drive for families from nearby towns. A shop with its own track gives that drive a solid payoff.
Pack a spare battery or two before you head over. Hours on the track tend to disappear faster than the charge does.
And if you only planned to browse? Good luck with that once the cars start zipping around the raceway.
Address: 20 Murphy Rd, Farmington, MO 63640
5. Hobby Pro Center
Four kinds of racing on one indoor carpet track is a lot of track for one shop. Hobby Pro Center in Jefferson City offers 1/10 scale off-road, on-road, oval, and drift.
That means you can bounce over jumps in the morning and slide sideways after lunch. Same building, same afternoon, totally different driving.
Smaller rigs get their own playground. An indoor crawling course handles 1/18 to 1/32 scale crawlers, perfect for tiny trucks with big ambitions.
Tracks have a competitive feel, so racers who like a challenge will be right at home. The people are friendly, which helps if you’re showing up for the first time.
The retail side keeps growing too. Its stock has been expanding quickly, and it covers RC cars, trucks, and planes.
Being in the state capital puts the shop near the middle of Missouri. Drivers from several directions can reach it without a marathon road trip.
Free Wi-Fi is available, handy for pulling up a setup video between runs. Bring a laptop if you like tracking lap notes.
Timing matters for this one. The shop is closed Sundays and Mondays, and Saturday hours wrap up early in the afternoon.
A weekday after school or work might be your sweet spot. You’ll get time on the carpet without rushing out the door.
New to RC? Watching a few runs on each layout is a fun way to decide which style hooks you.
Fair warning, drifting tends to be contagious. One sideways corner and you may start shopping for a second car.
Address: 2503 E McCarty St, Jefferson City, MO 65101
6. Iron Planet Hobbies
Z scale trains are small enough to park on a bookshelf, and G scale can roll through a garden. Iron Planet Hobbies in Rogersville carries both, plus plenty in between.
The scale list covers Z, N, TT, HO, S, O, and G. That range makes this small-town shop a big deal for model railroaders.
Engines and rolling stock fill the shelves. You’ll also find bridges, tunnels, signals, track, turnouts, couplers, and starter train sets.
Scenery builders get a treat here. Trees, turf, snow, water effects, pigments, paints, and brushes help turn plain plywood into a hillside town.
Can’t find the exact car you want? The shop can special order just about anything not on hand.
Even better, a pre-order system lets you reserve upcoming releases from many manufacturers. No down payment is required, which is a nice touch.
Digital Command Control fans aren’t left out either. DCC and DC switch machines, lighting, and layout upgrades are part of the inventory.
Beginners can lean on the shop’s blog for help. Posts cover getting started, choosing a scale, and finding deals at train shows.
Rogersville is a small Ozarks town with a main street feel, just east of Springfield. A train shop here fits right in.
Plan ahead, because the doors open weekdays only and stay closed on weekends and federal holidays. A Friday afternoon visit could kick off a weekend of building.
Just measure your spare room first. Picking a scale is easier when you know how much layout space you actually have.
Address: 106 E Center St, Rogersville, MO 65742
7. Grammy Time Hobby
A Hot Wheels track that starts upstairs and zooms all the way to the first floor? Grammy Time Hobby in Camdenton has one, and it’s a huge hit.
This kids hobby shop focuses on STEM and STEAM fun. Science kits, craft items, puzzles, and brain teasers line the shelves.
The play spaces are where afternoons vanish. Kids can check out a glow wall, a life-size Lite-Brite, and a boing-filled wall that’s hard to describe and easy to love.
RC cars add a little speed to the mix. There’s also a low-cost crafting area, plus games to play or take home.
Grown-ups, don’t skip this one. The playful setup works for big kids too, and you don’t even need to bring a child along.
Looking for a birthday gift? The shop sells fun gifts, which beats another toy grabbed in a hurry.
Teachers and homeschool parents might find good stuff here too. Hands-on kits help lessons stick.
Hours are limited, so check before you drive. The doors open Wednesday through Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
Camdenton sits near Lake of the Ozarks, a popular Missouri getaway. A rainy lake day suddenly has a backup plan.
Summer families sometimes need a break from sun and water. A stop here lets kids build, tinker, and race cars without screens.
I love that the store treats curiosity like a sport. Science kits feel less like homework when there’s a glowing wall nearby.
Just save some patience for the exit. Prying a kid away from that Hot Wheels track might take a while.
Address: 20 Camden Ct, Camdenton, MO 65020
8. Game Cafe
Right on the historic Independence Square, Game Cafe keeps its doors open until midnight on Fridays. That’s a serious commitment to game night.
The store calls itself a spacious gaming hub, and the room backs that up. Plenty of table space waits for casual players and longer sessions.
Shelves carry board games, trading cards, and tabletop miniatures. The selection in the play area is a big draw too.
Miniature fans can browse figures for their next army. Painting plans tend to grow quickly after a look at the shelves.
Staff are helpful and polite, and they clearly want players to enjoy themselves. That makes it a comfy spot for someone trying a new game.
Bring a friend who claims board games are boring. A couple of rounds might change their mind fast.
Hours run late most nights, until 10 PM Monday through Thursday. Saturday opens at 10 AM, so a full day of gaming is possible.
Friday nights are the busiest stretch. If you want a quiet table, Monday night is the calmer choice.
Free Wi-Fi helps when you need to look up a rule. No more arguing about whether a card can really do that.
The courthouse square around it adds a fun bonus. Take a walk between games and stretch your legs.
Kansas City area gamers have options, but this Independence spot stands out for its room to play. It’s the kind of place where one game becomes three.
Pick up a new deck or a box of minis on the way out. Your next game night will thank you.
Address: 107 W Lexington Ave, Independence, MO 64050
9. Valhalla’s Gate Games
Building a fantasy world takes more than dice, and Valhalla’s Gate Games in Columbia gets that. One section focuses entirely on world building.
Play mats, premade maps, guides, and miniature landscapes fill that area. Game masters can find a whole kingdom on a single shelf.
The rest of the store covers board games, RPGs, and card games. Minis, paints, books, and dice round out the gear for a big game night.
Dice shopping alone can eat twenty minutes. Picking the perfect set is serious business for any role-player.
Hours stretch until 10 PM Tuesday through Friday. That gives college students and working adults time to swing by after class or a shift.
Columbia is home to the University of Missouri, so the town has a big student crowd. A late-closing game store fits that energy well.
The store is LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space. A gender-neutral restroom is available too.
Getting there is simple, with free on-site parking and free street parking. Free Wi-Fi helps when you need to check a rulebook online.
Saturday afternoon is the busiest time. If you’d rather browse slowly, weekday mornings tend to be quieter.
Can’t make it in? Curbside pickup and delivery are options, which helps on a hectic week.
Painting fans should peek at the paint selection before leaving. A fresh color can make an old mini feel brand new.
Bring your campaign notes and a budget. Between the maps and the minis, your party’s next dungeon might get a serious upgrade.
Address: 2525 Bernadette Dr, Columbia, MO 65203
10. Meta Games Unlimited Inc
A clean store with tons of tables is basically a gamer’s dream, and Meta Games Unlimited delivers both in Springfield. The dedicated gaming area here is extensive.
Staff are quick to help players get set up at tables for Magic. They’re friendly too, which makes showing up solo a lot less awkward.
The shelves carry a wide range of board games and card games. Tabletop war games and miniatures add another layer for strategy fans.
The decor gets compliments for looking sharp. A tidy space makes long sessions more pleasant.
Midweek is a good bet for evening play. Wednesday through Friday, the store stays open until 10 PM.
Those evenings also get busy, along with weekend afternoons. Busy usually means more opponents, so that’s not a bad thing.
Prefer a calmer browse? Tuesday or Thursday mornings tend to be quieter.
Springfield is the main shopping hub of southwest Missouri. That makes this shop an easy add-on to a day of errands.
A free parking lot keeps things simple. Curbside and in-store pickup are offered too, handy for grabbing an order fast.
New to war games? Browse the miniatures section, then watch a table in action to see how it works.
Families can pick a board game for the weekend here. A quick look at the selection might settle family game night plans.
Bring your own deck and a friend or two. With this much table space, you shouldn’t have trouble finding room to play.
Address: 3309 E Sunshine St Ste a, Springfield, MO 65804
11. Hurley’s Heroes Games & Hobbies
Comics on one shelf and Warhammer on the next is a pretty great neighborhood mix. Hurley’s Heroes Games & Hobbies brings it to downtown Joplin.
The shop sits on South Main Street, along the historic downtown corridor. It’s an easy stop when you’re exploring that part of town.
The inventory covers a lot of ground. Model kits, board games, comics, mini figures, and trading card games all have a place.
Card fans can find Magic: The Gathering and Lorcana. Miniature gamers will spot Warhammer on the shelves too.
Best of all, you can buy a board game and play it right there. A couple of hours can slip by without you noticing.
Hours are steady and simple, noon to 7 PM every day. That consistency makes weekend plans easy.
Saturday afternoon is the busiest time. Monday evenings and Thursday afternoons tend to be quieter.
Everyone is welcome here, and the shop is known as LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space. It also has a gender-neutral restroom.
Joplin sits in the far southwest corner of Missouri. It’s a handy stop for gamers traveling along that edge of the state.
Comic readers can hunt for a new series between games. That’s a nice option for the friend who’d rather read than roll dice.
Model builders get a reason to visit too. Grab a kit, and you’ve got a project for the next rainy weekend.
Just set a reminder on your phone before you sit down to play. Otherwise, closing time may sneak up on you.
Address: 824 S Main St, Joplin, MO 64801
