Joplin: Joplin is a Route 66 town where Route 66 meets the Jefferson Highway and the I-44 and I-49 interstates. Below are 8 places to visit, each read on its own official or visitor-bureau page.Facts read October 30, 2026 from the pages linked beside each one. Hours and prices change; confirm before you drive. Region is our own county grouping.
- Springfield & Southwest MissouriRegion
- visitjoplinmo.comVisitor Site
- 8Places to See
- 0Place Pages Here
Why Go to Joplin
- Joplin is a Route 66 town where Route 66 meets the Jefferson Highway and the I-44 and I-49 interstates. (visitjoplinmo.com)
- Notable former residents named by the bureau include Langston Hughes, George Washington Carver, Thomas Hart Benton and Mickey Mantle. (visitjoplinmo.com)
- Grand Falls on Shoal Creek is described as the largest continuously running waterfall in Missouri. (visitjoplinmo.com)
- Downtown's brick Main Street buildings date from the late 1800s and early 1900s mining boom. (visitjoplinmo.com)
- Cunningham Park's Butterfly Garden and Overlook was rebuilt after the 2011 EF5 tornado. (visitjoplinmo.com)
See and Do
| Place | What It Is | Hours or Price as Printed |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Falls | Shoal Creek waterfall dropping 12 feet over a 163-foot chert ledge, at 5685 Riverside Drive. | not stated |
| Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center | Nature center by chert glades with a 1,300-gallon stream aquarium, exhibits and bird viewing. | Tue-Fri 9-5, Sat 10-3, closed Sun/Mon and state holidays; trails dawn to dusk; fees not stated; 201 W. Rivera Drive |
| George Washington Carver National Monument | NPS site at Diamond, MO, on Carver's boyhood farm, with trails and a science classroom. | not stated; fees not stated; 5646 Carver Road, Diamond, MO 64840 |
| Route 66 in Joplin | Stops include Route 66 Mural Park, Spiva Center for the Arts, Candy House Gourmet and the Benton painting in City Hall. | Spiva Center free admission (as printed); others not stated |
| Downtown Joplin | Sunshine Lamp District with shops, dining, restored facades and a Third Thursday street party March-October. | not stated |
| Murphysburg Historic District | Tree-lined residential streets with Queen Anne and Colonial Revival homes. | not stated |
| Schifferdecker Park | Last Route 66 stop before Kansas with a lazy river, 18-hole golf course and Joplin Little Theatre. | not stated |
| Joplin History & Mineral Museum | Museum with fossils, glowing rocks and jewelry left behind by Bonnie Parker. | not stated |
A Little History
- Route 66 through Joplin was realigned twice: 1926, 1937 and 1958 alignments are described. (visitjoplinmo.com)
- Schifferdecker Park was once called Electric Park and had a large roller coaster. (visitjoplinmo.com)
Events in Joplin
- Third Thursday (downtown street party): March through October (visitjoplinmo.com)
- International 3D Street Art Festival: first week of June, 2025 through 2027 (visitjoplinmo.com)
Coming Up Near Joplin
- Joplin Little Theatre: I'll Be Home for ChristmasDec 10–13 · Joplin
- Joplin Little Theatre: Charlotte's WebMar 18–21 · Joplin
Events within 25 miles, straight-line from the place to the centre of the event town, not driving miles; events in towns we have no checked centre for are left out. Dates come from our checked events list and may change; confirm with the organizer.
Getting There
- Route 66 meets the Jefferson Highway and the two interstates I-44 and I-49; Grand Falls directions use I-44 exit 6. (visitjoplinmo.com)
Plan Your Visit
| Visitor Information | visitjoplinmo.com |
|---|---|
| Visitor Center Address | 602 S. Main Street, Joplin, MO 64801 |
| Phone | (800) 657-2534 |
| Drive Times | Missouri drive times |
| Events Nearby | Springfield & Southwest Missouri events |
More
What We Could Not Verify
Not confirmed
- population
- county
- airport/rail
- events page lists no annual events by name beyond those above
- Cunningham Park and Schifferdecker golf have no own page on the CVB list
- Our region grouping is not an official designation.
Questions People Ask
What is Joplin, Missouri known for?
Joplin is a Route 66 town where Route 66 meets the Jefferson Highway and the I-44 and I-49 interstates.
How do I get to Joplin?
Route 66 meets the Jefferson Highway and the two interstates I-44 and I-49; Grand Falls directions use I-44 exit 6.
Where can I find visitor information for Joplin?
The visitor site we read is visitjoplinmo.com. The address it prints is 602 S. Main Street, Joplin, MO 64801.
What are the main things to see in Joplin?
Grand Falls, Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center, George Washington Carver National Monument, Route 66 in Joplin are the first four on the list above.
Sources
- visitjoplinmo.com, read October 30, 2026
- visitjoplinmo.com, read October 30, 2026
- visitjoplinmo.com, read October 30, 2026
- visitjoplinmo.com, read October 30, 2026
- visitjoplinmo.com, read October 30, 2026
- visitjoplinmo.com, read October 30, 2026
- visitjoplinmo.com, read October 30, 2026
- nps.gov, read October 30, 2026
Checked October 30, 2026 by It’s Missouri. Cite this page: Joplin, itsmissouri.com (https://itsmissouri.com/destinations/joplin-missouri/), checked 2026-10-30. Free to quote with a link.