Joplin Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Joplin, located in the southwest region of Missouri, is a vibrant city that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and cultural experiences. Known for its rich mining heritage and resilient spirit, Joplin has transformed into a charming destination that offers something for everyone.

Nature enthusiasts will be delighted by the abundance of outdoor activities available in Joplin. The city is surrounded by picturesque landscapes, including the beautiful Grand Falls, one of Missouri's largest waterfalls. Visitors can explore the numerous parks and trails that wind through the region, such as Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center, which offers opportunities for hiking, bird-watching, and learning about the area's unique ecosystems.

History buffs will find plenty to discover in Joplin. The city played a significant role in the mining industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and remnants of this era can still be seen today. The Joplin Museum Complex provides a fascinating glimpse into the city's mining history, with exhibits showcasing artifacts and stories from the past. Visitors can also explore the historic downtown district, where charming buildings from the early 1900s have been preserved and now house unique shops, restaurants, and art galleries.

Joplin's cultural scene is thriving, offering a variety of entertainment options for visitors. The George A. Spiva Center for the Arts showcases local and regional artwork, while the Joplin Little Theatre presents a diverse range of live performances throughout the year. Music lovers will appreciate the city's vibrant music scene, with live performances happening regularly at venues like Blackthorn Pizza & Pub and the Coda Concert House.

Food enthusiasts will not be disappointed by Joplin's dining scene, which offers a wide range of culinary experiences. From classic American comfort food to international cuisine, the city's restaurants cater to all tastes. Visitors can indulge in mouthwatering barbecue at Woody's Smokehouse or savor delicious Mexican dishes at Maria's Mexican Grill.

Alternative names: Population: 51.8 thous.Area: 36.89 mi²Elevation: 1017 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 37°4'28"N, 94°29'45"W

Location

MissouriUnited States

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Joplin Top Attractions

Joplin Attractions - What to See and Explore

Joplin offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: George Washington Carver National Monument, Joplin Union Depot, Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center, Ewert Aquatic Center. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Prominent inventor's home, now a park
George Washington Carver National Monument
George Washington Carver National Monument is a unit of the National Park Service in Newton County, Missouri. The national monument was founded on July 14, 1943, by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who dedicated $30,000 to the monument.
37°5'30"N • 94°30'43"W
Joplin Union Depot
The Joplin Union Depot is a historic railroad station located at Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. The station was served by a number of railroads, two of which were the Kansas City Southern Railway and the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad.
Locality
Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center
Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center was an Audubon owned and operated nature center located in a protected area in Joplin, Missouri.

37°5'7"N • 94°30'10"W
Ewert Aquatic Center
Park
Historical place
Bonnie & Clyde Garage Apartment
The Bonnie and Clyde Garage Apartment is located at 3347+1⁄2 Oak Ridge Drive in Joplin, Newton County, Missouri, though it actually fronts on 34th Street. The apartment was the location where the Barrow Gang hid out after a series of robberies in Missouri and neighboring states.
Concerts and shows • Theater
Fox Theater
Fox Theater, also known as Central Assembly Christian Life Center, is a historic movie theater located at Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.
Park
Route 66 Park
Route 66 Mural Park operates as a public park, specifically as a touchstone for US Route 66 tourists as well as for local preservers of U.S. Route 66 in Missouri. The park includes two large tile murals proposed by Paul Whitehill, produced by Images In Tile USA and designed by artists Chris Auckerman and Jon White.
Church • Gothic Revival architecture
St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church and Rectory
St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church and Rectory is a historic Roman Catholic church and rectory located at 812 Pearl Street in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. The church was built in 1906, and is a Late Gothic Revival style building constructed of Carthage limestone.
37°5'9"N • 94°28'53"W
Leonard Park
Park
37°5'12"N • 94°30'48"W
Joplin Downtown Historic District
Joplin Downtown Historic District is a national historic district located at Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. The district encompasses 48 contributing buildings in the central business district of Joplin.
37°4'52"N • 94°30'47"W
Inter-State Grocer Company Building
Inter-State Grocer Company Building, also known as Bagcraft Building, is a historic factory and warehouse located at Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.
37°5'23"N • 94°30'57"W
Gentry Apartments
The Gentry Apartments, also known as Zahn Apartments, is a historic apartment building located at Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. It was built in 1918, and is a six-story, "U"-shaped, buff brick building.
37°5'2"N • 94°30'49"W
Joplin Furniture Company Building
Joplin Furniture Company Building is a historic commercial building located at Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. The two original buildings were constructed in 1899 and 1906, and subsequently expanded and combined in 1908 and 1923. The resulting building is a four-story bearing wall brick masonry building in the Classical Revival style.
37°5'49"N • 94°27'52"W
Lucius P. Buchanan House
Lucius P. Buchanan House, also known as the Ralph L. Gray Alumni Center of Missouri Southern State University, is a historic home located at Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. It was built in 1926, and is a two-story, Spanish Revival style masonry dwelling covered in protective stucco.
Tudor Revival architecture • Romanesque architecture
Murphysburg Historic District
Murphysburg Historic District is a national historic district located at Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. The district encompasses 185 contributing buildings in a predominantly residential section of Joplin.
Georgian architecture
Elks Club Lodge No. 501
The Elks Club Lodge No. 501 is a historic Elks Lodge located at Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. It was built in 1904–1905, and is a two-story brick and stone hip roofed building designed in Colonial Revival / Georgian Revival architectural styles.
37°5'11"N • 94°31'2"W
Scottish Rite Cathedral
The Scottish Rite Cathedral is a historic Masonic Temple located at Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. It was built in 1923, and is a two-story, Beaux Arts style concrete and terra cotta social hall.
37°5'19"N • 94°30'53"W
Durward G. Hall Federal Building and United States Courthouse
The Durward G. Hall Federal Building and United States Courthouse is an historic building located in Joplin, Missouri. Completed in 1904 and added to in 1936, the courthouse was constructed during a time of initial growth for the City of Joplin, following several years of civic effort to obtain a Federal Post Office and Courthouse.
Neighbourhood
Fifth and Main Historic District
The Fifth and Main Historic District is a collection of adjoining structures and national historic district located on the northeast corner of the intersection of Main and Fifth streets in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri, United States.

Things to See and Do in Joplin by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Joplin.

Shopping

Northpark Mall
Joplin
ShoppingShopping centre
Rangeline Antique Mall
Joplin
AntiquesShoppingShopping centre
Newman Brothers Building
Joplin
ShoppingDepartment store

Other categories

Park

Day trips

Joplin – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Joplin, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Afton Station Packard Museum (Afton), Lake Windsor (Bella Vista), Rainbow Bridge (Baxter Springs).

37 milesSW
Specialty museum, Museum
Afton Station Packard Museum, Afton
Afton Station Packard Museum, a privately owned automotive museum on U.S. Route 66 in Afton, Oklahoma, was situated in a restored 1930s Eagle D-X filling station. It housed a showroom, 18 Packards & other vintage automobiles plus a collection of Route 66 memorabilia, including items from the now-demolished Buffalo Ranch Trading Post.
44 milesS
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Lake Windsor, Bella Vista
Lake Windsor is a man-made lake in the Bella Vista area of Benton County in northwest Arkansas, United States. The lake is on Tanyard Creek just upstream from its confluence with Little Sugar Creek.
13 milesW
Historical place, Bridge
Rainbow Bridge, Baxter Springs
The Rainbow Bridge is an old bridge over Brush Creek approximately two miles west of Riverton, Kansas on former U.S. Route 66, now a county road.
43 milesS
Sacred and religious sites, Event space, Church
Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, Bella Vista
Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel is a chapel located along Lake Norwood in Bella Vista, Arkansas, designed by E. Fay Jones and Maurice Jennings and constructed in 1988. The chapel was commissioned by John A. Cooper, Sr. to honor Mildred Borum Cooper, his late wife.
25 milesSW
Concerts and shows, Theater
Coleman Theatre, Miami
The Coleman Theatre is a historic performance venue and movie house located on historic U.S. Route 66 in Miami, Oklahoma. Built in 1929 for George Coleman, a local mining magnate, it has a distinctive Spanish Colonial Revival exterior, and an elaborate Louis XV interior.

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Best Time To Visit Joplin

Learn when is the best time to travel to Joplin weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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June is the most popular and therefore the most crowded month to visit this location. Many people also choose to visit in July.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in January. Most of it rains in May, June and September.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Joplin?

The top attractions to visit in Joplin are:

What is the best time to visit Joplin?

June is the most popular and therefore the most crowded month to visit this location. Many people also choose to visit in July. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January.