Things to Do
Find fun in Joplin, no matter what your version of "fun" is!
Whether you're looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the Ozark region surrounding Joplin, cruise down iconic Route 66, spend your evening axe-throwing or shooting paintballs, or simply taking a stroll through one of our 21 parks in the area, Joplin has something for everyone.
Discover Joplin’s bustling urban area on foot: from trendy boutiques to award-winning restaurants and popular nightclubs – downtown Joplin is abuzz with palpable energy.
Get lost in the art of Joplin by taking in the numerous murals, studios, and musical experiences.
Immerse yourself in the many layers of Joplin's history.
Find yourself in the great outdoors when you step into the thick woods of the surrounding parks, cool off with some aquatic adventures, or park your Airstream at one of our campgrounds.
What's Joplin About
Natural Wonder
The CountryGrand Falls, the largest continuously running waterfall in Missouri, is right here in Joplin. Hike the arid terrain of a rare chert glade ecosystem at Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center in Wildcat Park. Get lost in thought as you meander through the thick woods at George Washington Carver National Monument. These unspoiled attractions offer a glimpse of the alluring Ozark region that surrounds Joplin.
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Rock On
The Rock & RollGet your kicks cruising iconic Route 66, which cuts through the heart of downtown Joplin. Want to explore it from the back of a bike? Check out the motorcycles at Hideout Harley-Davidson, Joplin’s impressive 40,000-square-foot showroom and dealership.
If your vision of rock 'n' roll is having a good time, Joplin has plenty of ways to do that. What do paintball, laser tag, axe throwing, and puzzle-solving your way out of an escape room have in common? They are activities that take you out of your everyday routine, stretch your imagination and creativity, and introduce playfulness in unexpected ways.
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Get Outside
The RecreationSometimes, we’ll have a stretch of 60-degree weather in January, and that’s when we appreciate the fact that Joplin’s Schifferdecker Golf Course is open year-round and that our city has 21 parks to explore. Sit and reflect in the Butterfly Garden and Overlook at Cunningham Park, which was redesigned and rebuilt after being destroyed by an EF5 tornado in 2011.
If you’re an outdoor fitness enthusiast or if you enjoy a nice walk in nature, you can choose from several area trails to hike or bike. Get playful and combine your outing on the trail with a game of geocaching.
In the heat of our southwest Missouri summer, rent a canoe from one of our riverside providers and cool off by taking a float trip down Shoal Creek or float on the city’s own lazy river at the Joplin Aquatic Center.
Joplin offers a variety of indoor recreation options, too. From bouncing on inflatables, playing laser tag, and exploring the video games at the arcade, there’s fun to be had in Joplin, whatever the weather.
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