Welcome to Joplin
Joplin, Missouri is more than a destination - it’s the place to be. Visit Joplin’s many attractions and must-see experiences and enjoy more than 200-plus restaurants when you aren’t exploring. Located in the beautiful Ozarks of Southwest Missouri, Joplin is where historic Route 66 meets the Jefferson Highway and unites with a pair of interstates (44 and 49), and is the hub where Kansas City, Wichita, Tulsa, and Fayetteville join forces.
There's a piece of Joplin for everyone, from the limestone bluffs and cascading waterfalls of the Ozarks landscape to the city's historic Murphysburg District and thriving, modern downtown.
Did You Know?
We're the source of up-and-comers: Like poetry? We gave birth to Langston Hughes. Dig history? Bonnie and Clyde sought refuge in JoMo. Want to be an actor? We claim Robert Cummings, Dennis Weaver, and the up-and-coming Frederic Doss. Rather move to your own beat? The music of Percy Wenrich and Charles McPherson was inspired here. Find innovation or become a legend? George Washington Carver, Thomas Hart Benton, and Mickey Mantle all have roots in the region.
Plan Your Itinerary
Must See Experiences
Make your first stop at the Visit Joplin Route 66 Visitor Center, where our staff will help you find the area's hidden treasures, share Joplin's history, and give you inside information on the Four States area. Explore our attractions, and meet our two-hundred-plus restaurants. Kick off your shoes and stay awhile in one of our open rooms. Get your kicks on Route 66.
Upcoming Events
Centennial Route 66 Annual Balloon Festival
Visit Joplin and Missouri Southern State University invite visitors to celebrate Route 66's centennial at this three-day family-friendly festival featuring more than a dozen hot air balloons, a spectacular kite show, helicopter rides, tethered balloon rides, food trucks, a vendor marketplace, live music, and more.
Hosted on the campus of Missouri Southern State University, festivities begin daily at 7:00 a.m. and continue through 10:00 p.m., offering entertainment and activities for all ages.
For event details, ticket information, and balloon flight reservations, visit the event website.
Details